[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 63 (Thursday, April 19, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E802]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ROBERT E. GUT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2007

  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, I would like to call to your attention 
the deeds of a person I am proud to represent, Mr. Robert E. Gut, who 
will be recognized on Thursday, April 19, 2007 on the occasion of his 
retirement, for his dedication to education and scholastic sports.
  Bob was born in 1932 to Antonina and Frank Gut. He and siblings 
Nellie, Stanley and Eugene grew up in the City of Passaic until the 
family purchased a home and moved to Garfield. Bob attended Holy Rosary 
Elementary and Pope Pius XII High School in Passaic, where his talents 
began to shine. He earned varsity letters in three sports each year and 
was captain of the baseball and basketball teams and co-captain of the 
football team. Upon his retirement, coach and athletic director Paul 
Kelly called Bob, ``The greatest athlete he ever coached--bar none,'' 
and ``a natural.'' Bob was named to the All State teams in all three 
sports. His record has stood the test of time; in 2000 he was named a 
Passaic County ``Player of the Century'' in football by the Bergen 
Record and Herald News.
  Bob caught the attention of some of our area's most legendary 
coaches, Al Yaskiw and Manlio Boverini of Passaic, Arthur Argauer of 
Garfield, and Paul Kelly of Pope Pius XII. They mentored him, and 
helped him earn numerous football scholarships. He accepted a full 
football scholarship to the University of Virginia, where he played 
offensive center and defensive linebacker. He continued to thrive, 
being part of a defense that in 1952 was number one in the Nation. In 
1954, he returned to Passaic to coach football at Passaic High. Later 
that year, he completed R.O.T.C. and was commissioned a Second 
Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He was sent to Fort Knox, KY for training 
in the Armor Division, and assigned to serve in Germany. Bob married 
his wife, Florence, on April 17, 1955, and they moved together to 
Wieseck, Germany. While there, their daughter, Karen, was born in 
Frankfurt, Germany.
  In 1956, Bob returned from Germany and began his professional career 
teaching physical education at School 21 in Paterson. During his first 
year of teaching, he was transferred to Central High where he taught 
science and was the school's first track coach. In 1965, Central 
closed, and Bob moved to the new John F. Kennedy High School. While 
teaching at Kennedy, Bob coached many teams. He became the head coach 
of golf, track and tennis and was an assistant to many great football 
coaches like Nelson Graham, Aubrey Lewis, Joe Biscayan, Bob Smith, and 
Jim Bradshaw. In 1960-65, he was head football coach at Pope Pius XII 
while teaching at Kennedy. In 1966 he returned to the assistant coach 
role at Kennedy, and in 1974 became the Knights head coach. In 1974 the 
football team had its first undefeated season, going 9-0. Importantly, 
his team never lost a Thanksgiving game to Eastside, and shut the 
Ghosts out in four of the six games.

  In 1979, Bob became the Athletic Director at Kennedy High, which 
under his leadership in the 1980s and 90s, became known as 
``Championship High.'' The Boys Basketball team won four County titles 
in a row, and a sectional title; the Girls team won five straight 
county titles and the Tournament of Champions. Championships, League 
and Sectional titles were also won by the Track, Cross Country, Soccer, 
Baseball and Football teams. As Athletic Director, Mr. Gut has 
organized the annual John F. Kennedy All Sports Awards Dinner, and he 
was involved in the creation of the Central-Kennedy Athletic Hall of 
Fame.
  Bob's professionalism has extended beyond Passaic County. He has long 
been a high school referee and umpire. He formerly served as President 
of the Tri-County Basketball Officials Association, which held 
tournaments for freshman and JV teams from 32 schools. He has served 
for the past 28 years as the Chairperson of Bowling in the Northern New 
Jersey Interscholastic League. He has served for 20 years on the 
Advisory Board and Eligibility Committee of the NJSIAA, the governing 
body of high school sports in New Jersey, and has been the chairperson 
of the Eligibility Committee for the past 10 years. He also volunteers 
his time as part of the Passaic County Coaches Association, the Old 
Timers Association of Greater Paterson, and The Do-Good House.
  What Bob is proudest of is his strong moral and ethical standards, 
which led his coaches to nickname him ``The Monsignor.'' Sportsmanship 
has always been his first priority for his players, coaches, and the 
fans. This effort is shown by the many times the NJSIAA has given 
Kennedy its ``Sportsmanship Award,'' and the NNJIL Sportsmanship 
banners they have earned. Always important to Bob has been his family; 
he and Florence celebrated their 52nd anniversary this month. His 
daughter lives nearby with her husband Jim Giblin and their two 
children. His grandson James is a sophomore at The College of New 
Jersey and his granddaughter Kristen is a senior at Wayne Valley High 
School.
  The job of a United States Congressman involves much that is 
rewarding, yet nothing compares to working with and recognizing the 
efforts of dedicated public servants like Bob.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that you join our colleagues, the students of 
the Paterson Schools, the City of Paterson, the State of New Jersey, 
Bob's family and friends, and me in recognizing Bob Gut's outstanding 
service to his community.

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