Fennell, Toomer are our final Delval Scholars
If Hamilton Township had just one high school instead of three, Tim Toomer would have spent the past few seasons blocking for Eddie Fennell. As it is, the two only rub shoulders in the township library as they maintain their academic prowess.
Hamilton West’s Fennell and Steinert’s Toomer will be their teams honorees at the 57th Annual George Wah Scholar-Athlete Dinner, sponsored by The Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.
The dinner is March 10, 4 p.m., at the Princeton Marriott. Players from 22 schools will be honored with $1,000 scholarships, while three special winners will receive the $5,000 Jack Stephan Scholarship, the $2,500 Ron Rick Sr. Scholarship, and the $1,500 Ed Cook Scholarship.
Other Colonial Valley Conference players being honored are Paul Milo (Robbinsville), Evan Collins (Notre Dame), Nicholas Campbell (Allentown), Connor Coffee (Princeton), Aaron Bennett (Trenton), Michael Quigg (Hightstown) Robbie Bennett (Nottingham), Krystian Hajduczka (Lawrence), James Kim (Ewing), Eddie Fennell IV (Hamilton West), Steven Doldy (Hopewell Valley), (Robbinsville), Tim Toomer (Steinert) and Brian Zhong (West WindsorPlainsboro).
Mercer County prep school honorees are Malcolm Brunson (Hun), David Harris (Peddie), Diassa Diakite (Lawrenceville) and Brandon West (Pennington). Area school athletes being recognized will be Jack Parker (Bordentown), Connor Healy (New Egypt), John Stothoff (North Hunterdon) and John Woolston (Florence).
Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri will receive the Robert F. Casciola Distinguished American Award, George Kloutis will receive the Contribution to Youth Football and Jack Rice is the Youth Scholar Award winner. Charlie Thompson will get the George O’Gorman Contribution to Amateur Football Award, the Nick Gusz Good Guy Award goes to Sharron Grady, Abe Johnson will receive the Jack Millard Officials Award and Brian Pitts is this year’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver Champion. Other honors will go to Max Busca (TCNJ’s Earl H. Dean Scholar-Leader-Athlete), Tom Johnson (Princeton University Judge Arthur Lane Scholar-Leader-Athlete) and Santuzza Oilers (Tony Persichilli Meritorious Service Award).
Fennell was the Hornets starting quarterback for the past two seasons, throwing for nearly 250 yards and rushing for four touchdowns as a senior.
“The goal of every scholarathlete at Hamilton West is to excel on the field and in the classroom,” former coach Tom Hoglen said. “Eddie has demonstrated that he can do both exceptionally well. He is a well-rounded studentathlete who has demonstrated what pride, tradition, and excellence at Hamilton West is all about. I could not think of a more deserving Scholar-Athlete to receive this award.”
Fennell has a 3.9 grade point average, ranks in the top 20 percent of his class, is a member of the National Honor Society and has earned the West Academic Award three straight years for maintaining a GPA of 3.55 or better. He has been involved in the Museums in Motion project that sets up African American History Museums in several schools within the Hamilton school district, and has served as a strong role model as a counselor at the John O. Wilson Summer Camp.
“Eddie is an intelligent young man and a conscientious worker,” said Hamilton chemistry teacher Elizabeth Giampiccolo. “He showed great enthusiasm for the subject matter and a sincere desire to advance his knowledge. As a diligent student, Eddie sets and strives to achieve the high goals he establishes for himself.
“His conscientiousness led to above average grades in his classroom exams, discussions, projects and lab activities. He pursues academic excellence with advanced level courses, interacts well with his fellow classmates, and is generous with his time and willingly helps other students in class. He demonstrates respect, integrity and empathy for his fellow classmates, faculty and coaches.”
Toomer was a four-year member of the Spartans football program and also played ice hockey, lacrosse and baseball at Steinert. On the gridiron he was stellar on the offensive line at both center and left tackle.
“Tim is a fierce competitor and the consummate team player,” coach Dan Caruso said. “He always puts his teammates first. He is willing to do whatever a coach asks of him. Tim had played center all of his life but we asked him to play left tackle this year. His athleticism and drive made him a natural fit there. Many players would balk at making this switch but Tim did not hesitate and he threw all of his energy into learning his new position and handling all the pressure that comes with it.
“He is a young man that works hard, doesn’t care about personal glory, pushes himself and his teammates every day and leads on the field by example. Tim is essentially a coach’s dream. In the years I have known Tim I have seen him grow into a fine upstanding young man.”
Toomer ranks in the top 20 percent of his class with a GPA of 3.8 after taking three advanced placement courses and four honors courses. He has served in the Junior ROTC since the spring of 2017 and will attend The Citadel next year. He is enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program as a Poolee, had a role in Steinert’s production of “Guys And Dolls,” took part in Ryan’s Quest and Special Olympics, and is in the Steinert GALRE class that attends town meetings, meets political figures and helped Congressman Chris Smith set up the township Oktoberfest.
“Tim’s participation in class discussions showed his ability to analyze the material and challenge both his classmates and myself with in-depth questions,” Steinert math teacher Amanda Ruch said. “He demonstrated his analytical ability and thought-provoking insight through his homework and written work. He is driven to succeed and he easily overcame any difficulty in the class. Because of this, he did extremely well.
“Tim takes pride in his academic success and possesses a wide range of interests, to which his high school transcripts can attest. He continually works in class in order to achieve the high standards he has set for himself. Tim has taken advantage of the extra-curricular activities offered as well. He is involved in many programs and his natural leadership is evident throughout them all.”