Prep Life

Fathers Club

About The Fathers Club

The Seton Hall Prep Fathers Club has been a cornerstone of our community for decades. Founded in the 1970s by Mr. Thomas Reynolds ’48, the Fathers Club was born out of a vision to unite all athletic teams under one umbrella, streamlining fundraising efforts and creating a powerful support system. This initiative addressed the challenges our teams faced in securing essential resources and has since grown into a vital component of our school community. Today, the Fathers Club's support extends beyond athletics, encompassing student clubs, Admissions events, and vital community-building opportunities that help ensure our young men and their families have a memorable and meaningful experience during their time at Seton Hall Prep.
Every father of a current Seton Hall Prep student is automatically a member of the Fathers Club.

Throughout the year, we offer countless opportunities to get involved, connect with our community, and support our students. We’d love to have you join us at any level.

If you’re interested in participating, please email fathersclub@shp.org or call Mr. Larry Baggitt H'18, Fathers Club Liaison and SHP Athletic Director, at 973.325.6639 for more information. 
 
Here are some of the events: 
  • Cooking and serving at the Annual Football BBQ, Annual Incoming Freshman BBQ, and the Annual Open House BBQ
  • Operating the Tony Esposito, Jr. Concession Stand at various school events
  • Hosting the Fathers Club Communion Mass & Family Breakfast
  • Hosting and enjoying the Fathers Club Christmas Party & Meeting
  • Producing and managing the Annual Car Raffle and Pirate Auction
  • Hosting and enjoying the Fathers Club End-of-Year Pig Roast 

What We Do

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  • 2026-2027 Event Schedule & Volunteer Opportunities

    Below is a list of the 2025–2026 event and volunteer opportunities. If you’re interested in participating or getting involved, please email fathersclub@shp.org or contact Mr. Larry Baggitt H’18, Fathers Club Liaison and SHP Athletic Director, at 973.325.6639 for more information.

    Monthly Fathers Club meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. in the SHP Dining Hall.

    Events
    DateEventLocation
    9/13Football Game vs Chaminade (Volunteer)KAC
    9/20Football Game vs. DePaul (Volunteer)KAC
    10/1Monthly MeetingDining Hall
    10/4Football Game vs. St. Peter's (Volunteer)KAC
    10/18Football Game vs. Don Bosco (Volunteer)KAC
    10/25Football Game vs. Irvington (Volunteer)KAC
    11/1Football Game vs. BC (Volunteer)KAC
    11/2Communion BreakfastHanover Manor
    11/12Monthly MeetingDining Hall
    12/3Monthly Meeting/Christmas PartyDining Hall
    1/7Monthly MeetingDining Hall
    2/1Father Son Bowling EventHanover Lanes
    2/4Monthly MeetingDining Hall
    3/4Monthly MeetingDining Hall
    4/15Monthly MeetingDining Hall
    4/25Annual Car Raffle & Prep Pirates Casino NightDining Hall
    5/6Monthly MeetingDining Hall
    6/3Monthly MeetingDining Hall

  • Annual Car Raffle, Auction, & Casino Night (April 2027)

    Coming April 2027!

    This annual event is the major fundraiser for the Fathers Club, and your participation makes a meaningful difference. The night will feature lively casino games, great camaraderie, and the highlight of the evening, the car raffle drawing for a Ford Bronco, with a retail value nearing $45,000.

    If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us by email at fathersclub@shp.org or call Mr. Larry Baggitt H'18, Fathers Club Liaison and SHP Athletic Director, at 973.325.6639.

    MORE ON OUR CAR RAFFLE, AUCTION, & CASINO NIGHT

  • Annual Family Mass & Communion Breakfast (November 2026)

    Each November, the Fathers Club invites The Prep community to gather for Mass & Brunch to celebrate that years Reynolds Award winners. They Reynolds Award is bestowed upon individuals who have made meaningful contributions to Seton Hall Prep community and Fathers Club. 

    About Thomas A. Reynolds
    Tom Reynolds, Class of 1948, was the first of only nine men in the modern era of The Prep Fathers Club to serve two terms as President and an early contributor to its growth through active involvement. Tom was the organizer of the first Sports
    Activities Journal, which in the seventies and eighties was one of the Fathers Club’s major fund raisers. Tom showed a unique dedication to The Prep and was a believer in the important role the Fathers Club plays at Seton Hall. Active as a student at The Prep, his loyalty grew during the years his four sons, Tom ’72, Robert ’74, John ’75, and Richard ’84, attended The Prep. On March 30, 1979,
    Tom Reynolds was killed while jogging near his home in North Caldwell. As a consequence of this tragedy, Seton Hall Prep lost a true friend and steadfast supporter.

    Following Tom’s untimely death, a group of his friends, many of them Prep and Fathers Club alumni, established the Thomas A. Reynolds Scholarship Fund. Since its creation in 1979, this fund has distributed more than $1.4 million to more than 220 students. The goal of the Reynolds Fund is to provide financial assistance to Prep students who, due to the death or disablement of a parent or other provider, would otherwise be unable to continue their studies at The Prep. In March 1981 the Fathers Club Executive Board created the Thomas A. Reynolds Award, to annually honor a member of The Prep Family who models Tom’s ideals in actively supporting the goals of the Fathers Club.

    About The Reynolds Award
    The Thomas A. Reynolds Award is presented annually by the Prep Fathers Club in the memory of Tom Reynolds ’48. The candidates for the award must be individuals who– (1) exemplify the Christian tradition in every facet of their relationships with their fellows, (2) have consistently shown themselves to be devoted to the welfare of the student body at The Prep, and (3) have consistently remained active members of The Prep community beyond the usual degree of involvement. MAKE A DONATION

Important Links

Father's Club President

Bob DeStefano is the proud father of Michael, Class of 2022; Marco, Class of 2027; and daughter Marisa, Class of 2028 at Seton Hall University, and the husband of Jennifer. An automotive technician by trade, he has been the owner of Country Road Automotive since 1996. His involvement with the Fathers Club began at the accepted students’ barbecue in 2017, and he is honored to be affiliated with the organization, where he currently serves as president.

Past Presidents & Award Recipients

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  • Past Presidents

    Rich in tradition and history, many fathers of Seton Hall Prep graduates have proudly served as Presidents of the Fathers Club, some of them Prep graduates themselves. Each of these men brought an unwavering passion for Seton Hall Prep and a deep commitment to serving our school community. Under their leadership, the Fathers Club has continued to flourish, providing invaluable support to our boys and helping ensure that their experience at Seton Hall Prep is second to none.

    2025 - Present - Bob DeStefano
    2024 - Peter Sagui
    2023-2024 - Matt Dunn
    2020-2022 - Joe Cipollone
    2018-2019 - Michael Monteleone
    2016-2017 - Michael Nilan
    2014-2015 - Thomas Young
    2012-2013 - Thomas Lynch
    2010-2011 - Donald Bruno
    2008-2009 - Edward Maffey
    2007 - Vito Bianco
    2005-2006 - Joseph Brower
    2003-2004 - Ken Mullaney
    2001-2002 - Steve Hamburger
    2000 - George Hayes
    1999 - Ray Gizienski
    1998 - John Strong
    1997 - Dan DeTrolio
    1996 - Scott Russell
    1995 - Anthony Pusillo
    1994 - Tom Lyons
    1993 - Bob Travisano
    1992 - Bill Malone
    1991 - Drew Beifus
    1990 - Vincent Purpura
    1989 - M. Richard Merklinger
    1988 - Michael Shannon
    1987 - V. Vincent Velardo
    1986 - Robert Batta
    1985 - William Yeomans
    1984 - Neil McNulty
    1983 - John Mailley
    1982 - Edward Ferrari
    1981 - Conlin “Lyn” Brogan
    1980 - Patrick O'Callaghan
    1979 - John Lombardo
    1977-1978 - Lawrence Sweeney
    1976 - John Healy
    1975 - Harry Knox
    1974 - Louis Masucci
    1973 - Emil Hensler
    1971-1972 - Thomas Reynolds
    1970 - Robert McMenamin
    1968-1969 - Les Blaha
    1967 - John Burke
    1966 - William Poole
    1965 - Joseph McLoone

  • Thomas Reynolds Award Recipients

    In addition to our past Presidents, many fathers have served the school in significant and meaningful ways. Each year, the Fathers Club recognizes these contributions through two distinguished honors: the Thomas Reynolds Award and the Art Williams Award.

    The Thomas Reynolds Award is presented to a father who exemplifies the Christian tradition in all aspects of their relationships with others; has demonstrated consistent dedication to the welfare of Seton Hall Prep students; and has remained an active, generous member of the Prep community beyond the usual level of involvement. This award is given in memory of Thomas Reynolds, one of the founding members of the Fathers Club.

    2025 - John Cerwinski
    2025 - Dave Snyder '89
    2025 - John L. Sweeney (posthumously)
    2024 - Joe Alexander '77
    2024 - Joe Cipollone H'22
    2023 - Frank Gately '86
    2023 - Tom Lynch H'14
    2022 - Barbara Farley
    2022 - Michael Nilan
    2021 - Marty Berman H'05
    2021 - Tom Young
    2019 - Reverend Monsignor Robert E. Harahan H'17
    2019 - Michael Smircich '09
    2019 - Brian Tevlin '17
    2018 - Mark Smith
    2018 - Dennis Gunn
    2017 - Christopher Barnitt '88
    2017 - John B. Murray '59
    2016 - Joseph Brower
    2016 - Mary Ann Detrolio
    2015 - Louis R. Puopolo III
    2015 - Tony Esposito
    2015 - Michael Sheppard Jr. '77
    2014 - Msgr. Michael E. Kelly '57
    2014 - John McDermott '48
    2013 - Vincent D'Antonio '80
    2013 - Robert B. Heintz
    2013 - Michael Deehan '80
    2012 - Ed Maffey
    2012 - John Slevin '65
    2011 - Robert Dooley
    2011 - Sharon Rondinella
    2010 - Thomas Cregan
    2010 - Susanne Cregan
    2009 - Joseph A. Neglia H'01
    2009 - Larry Baggitt H'18
    2008 - Ken Mullaney
    2008 - Steve Hamburger
    2008 - Walter McMahon
    2006 - Tom McCormick
    2006 - Rev. William Melillo
    2005 - Emmelyn Mailley, R.N.
    2005 - George Hayes
    2004 - Theresa Neglia
    2004 - Jack Dibble
    2003 - Patrick O'Callaghan
    2003 - John Allen
    2002 - Michael Gallo '79
    2002 - Richard Binkowski
    2001 - Peter Butler
    2001 - Drew Beifus
    2000 - Dan Detrolio
    2000 - Dr. Richard Scaine
    1999 - Jean Moretti
    1999 - Michael Shannon
    1998 - William Casey
    1998 - Vincent Purpura
    1997 - Dr. Thomas Cuomo
    1997 - Robert Farrell
    1996 - Leslie Blaha
    1996 - M. Richard Merklinger '65
    1995 - Rev. Stephen Kilcarr
    1995 - Jack O'Rourke
    1994 - Rev. Martin Foran
    1994 - Rev. Joseph Wortmann
    1993 - Dr. Joseph O'Connor
    1992 - Frank Tuohy
    1991 - Sr. Regina Cordis Conboy, SC
    1990 - Rev. Edward Bradley
    1989 - Edward Ferrari
    1988 - Neil McNulty
    1987 - Dr. Joseph P. Kane
    1986 - James Condon
    1985 - Gabriel Pierro
    1984 - Richard Morris
    1983 - Lawrence Sweeney
    1982 - John Lombardo
    1981 - Joseph Walsh

  • Art Williams Award Recipients

    The Art Williams Award is presented to a father whose tireless effort and support have made a lasting impact on the Fathers Club. The award honors the late Art Williams, a devoted member from the early 1970s, whose steadfast “behind‑the‑scenes” service helped define the spirit of the Fathers Club.

    2025 - Vincent Nascone
    2024 - Michael Monteleone
    2023 - Michael Nilan
    2022 - Bob O'Connell
    2021 - Tom Young
    2019 - Joe Diamante
    2018 - Tom Lynch
    2017 - Gary Steele
    2016 - Bob Waldron
    2015 - John Santucci
    2013 - Pete Nolan
    2013 - Tim Coyne
    2012 - Bruce DeSonne
    2012 - Ed Maffey
    2011 - Phil Calinda
    2010 - Vinnie D'Antonio
    2009 - Tony Esposito
    2008 - Mark Infante
    2008 - Louis Puopolo
    2007 - John Methfessel
    2006 - Nofrio Fornaro
    2005 - Bob Maul
    2004 - Michael DellaPella
    2003 - George Hayes
    2002 - Dan DeTrolio
    2001 - Ray Gizinski
    2000 - Bill Hansen
    2000 - Joe Walsh
    1999 - Greg Monfet
    1999 - Jack Dibble
    1998 - Joe Klimlowski
    1998 - Roman Lemega
    1997 - Jim Martin
    1996 - John Lombardo
    1995 - Bob Kraus
    1994 - Rich Morris
    1993 - Jim Kennedy
    1992 - Fr. Ed Bradley
    1991 - Gene O'Brien
    1990 - Jack Lasapio
    1989 - Vinnie Purpura
    1988 - Neil McNulty
    1987 - Sr. Appolonia
    1987 - Sr. Regina Cordis
    1986 - Al Dobos
    1986 - Elaine Dobos
    1985 - Jim Condon
    1984 - Paul Alongi
    1983 - Frank Ferrise
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