Local athletes inducted into Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame
By George LeRoy Hunter
SPARTA — The Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta hosted the annual 2013 Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Friday, Nov. 8, which recognizes the accomplishments of stellar sports figures from Sussex County.
This is the first induction class that included Jefferson Township athletes. The decision to include Jefferson athletes was made after much thought and debate since the town is in Morris County.
For a large portion of its athletic history Jefferson Township High School was included in the now defunct Sussex County Interscholastic League (SCIL). The league included most of the high schools of Sussex County and Jefferson Township High School. In 2009, all SCIL member schools merged with other Morris County member schools to form the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference.
Eight inductees were added to the Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame.
Inductees
LeeAnn Wyble-Best is a 1992 graduate of Vernon Township High School and a 1997 graduate of Kean University. She is inducted for her contributions in soccer. Wyble-Best is a physical education teacher and head soccer coach at Hillsborough High School in Hillsborough Township.
Charles 'Butch' Ansbach is a 1955 graduate of Newton High School, 1959 graduate of East Stroudsburg State Teachers College and a graduate of Montclair State for his Masters Degree. He is inducted for his accomplishments in football.
Kevin Rogers is a 1969 graduate of Sparta High School. He attended Massanutten Military Academy 1969 to 1970 where he was named Massanutten's most valuable athlete. Roger's then attended and graduated from, College of William and Mary, 1970 to 1974 on a full football scholarship.
Dan Cleary is a 1984 graduate of Vernon Township High School. Cleary was inducted for his contributions to athletics in Sussex County. Cleary is a two varsity letterman in football, was named All-Sussex County Interscholastic League (SCIL) Honorable mention in 1983. He also played in North 1, Group 3 final in 1982 and was a player on the Vernon Vikings team in their only appearance in a state final. Cleary is a 1989 graduate of Rowan University with a degree in communications.
John Michael Leach is a 1995 graduate of Jefferson Township High School in Jefferson Township, New Jersey. He is inducted for his contributions in football, baseball and basketball. Leach is an active member of the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Leach attended Boston University for two years before the football program ended. Leach then transferred to the College of William and Mary graduating in 2000. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2000. Leach has played for several different professional football teams over the years.
Michael Marchiano is a 1993 graduate of Jefferson Township High School. He is also a 1997 graduate of Fordham University. While a student at Jefferson, Marchiano was a four sport varsity letter winner: football, baseball, basketball and track & field. Marchiano resides in Sparta Township with his wife Giuli-Ann and 18 month old daughter Mia.
Gene Taylor is a 1975 graduate of Sparta High School. He is also a 1979 graduate of Springfield College. Taylor is inducted for his accomplishments in football and for his dedication to Sparta Township athletics through the years. Taylor and his family reside in Fredon, New Jersey.
Hugh A. Albora is a 1975 graduate of Pope John XXIII High School and is also a graduate of The University of Wyoming. He was inducted for his accomplishments in football, wrestling and baseball. Albora earned 12 varsity letters in high school. While at the University of Wyoming he was the captain of the football team in his senior year. At Pope John XXIII he was the captain of the football, baseball and wrestling teams. Hugh resides in Long Valley with his wife and two daughters.