Former Ramapo High Fencing Coach Cummings Joins Hall Of Fame

FRANKLIN LAKES, NJ — Roger Cummings added another honor to his storied coaching legacy after he was inducted into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

During a virtual ceremony Sunday, Cummings and 32 others were honored for their storied careers in New Jersey athletics.

During his 21-year career as the fencing coach at Ramapo High School he led the program to five NJSIAA State Championships, and the Star Ledger named his as one of the best women's coaches of the century.

Other achievements for Cummings, who also coached fencing at Fairleigh Dickinson University until 2012, include:

• 3 Santelli Titles
• 4 District Championships
• 2 District Foil Titles
• 1 NJSIAA Foil Champion
• 1 District Sabre Champion

Cummings coached fencing at FDU for 11 years, with his squads finishing in the top four twice, and in fifth in 2006 and 2012.

The New Jersey Interscholastic Coaches Association began honoring coaches in 1961, when they did so for all football coaches with undefeated seasons.

A Hall of Fame wasn't established officially until 1983, when the award program shifted to include the title. In 1995 the NJSCA took over the sponsorship of the hall of fame.

"When you consider that there are 434 public, non-public and independent secondary schools in New Jersey for the 2020-2021 school year, sponsoring approximately 7,500 varsity teams, requiring that number of head coaches – then it has to be a distinct honor to have been selected by your peers for membership in the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association "Hall of Fame,'" said NJSCA officials.