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The Asbury Park Blue Bishops faced off with the Manchester Hawks during the annual homecoming game Friday. And while the Blue Bishops emerged victorious with a score of 31-14, the day included the return of many notable alumni.

Among them was Dr. John Amato – captain of the Asbury Park varsity football squad in 1968. He joined the current team captains on the field during the coin toss.

Amato left his footprint on the Asbury Park School District during the 1967-68 school year when he became the recipient of the Denninger Award. Amato received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Monmouth College and a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.

He went on to be elected the International President of Phi Delta Kappa, a global 140,000-member educators’ organization and has held many titles over the years, including principal and adjunct professor at Monmouth University. He and wife of 43 years Gabriel Kinhofer have four daughters and nine grandchildren.

The homecoming celebration also marked a dedication to 1933 alum William ‘Butch’ Bruno, for whom the stadium is named, and a track and field dedication to 1958 alum Frank Budd. Family members of both Asbury Park legends were on hand to receive the honors.

The Homecoming King, Queen and Court were as follow:

Freshman Prince & Princess — Lydell Brown and Kay’sionna Clarke

Sophomore Prince & Princess — Ba’Sean Fraser and Asiyah Speights

Junior Prince & Princess — Jean Michel and Kinahje Whitman

Senior King & Queen — Kobe Perkins and C’Daisha Higgs

The day began with the signature parade along Grand Avenue, a sock game and presentation attendance by city officials and Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling [D-11].

[Photos courtesy of Chanta L Jackson, school district communication coordinator. Click here for additional photos.]

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