OAKLYN
Gary Papa talked of his love for wrestling and the Camden Catholic High School program on Sunday.

He talked about commitment and the love that he has for his current and former wrestlers.

In the week that led up to a breakfast gathering in Oaklyn, Papa said he didn't want to get emotional when he made the last announcement of the morning. After handing out awards to his program, after honoring the fans, alumni and parents, Papa wanted the last part of the morning to go off almost unnoticed.

It was unnoticed, about as much as the sun not coming up in the morning.

Papa - who has a career record of 440-95-2 over 24 years with 15 state titles and eight individual titles - handed the head coaching duties over to assistant coach Pete DiPol on Sunday. Papa, who led his team to its first No. 1 ranking in the Courier-Post Top 20 and Gannett State Top 20 this year, will remain with the program as an assistant under DiPol.

"I want to be able to do what Pete, my son Nick, Dean Sizemore and all of my coaches have been able to do, get back on the mat and wrestle," said Papa, who led both Paul VI and Camden Catholic to state titles.

"I didn't want to leave this program to just anyone and see it slowly decline. When Pete came to us two years ago, I told him I wouldn't make any promises."

"After one year, I saw him grow in the role and this past summer, I went to our administration and told them that I wanted to step down but only if Pete was named the head coach. They watched Pete and got to know him this past winter and everyone agrees this is the best way to go."

Papa has become synonymous with championship caliber wrestling since he took over the Paul VI program in 1980. Once at Camden Catholic, he resurrected a somewhat dormant program and has made it into one of the five most successful in South Jersey.

In an emotional scene, Papa received a five minute standing ovation from the assembled audience at Vittarelli's Catering.

Papa's wife Nancy rubbed his shoulder, DiPol took the microphone and - valiantly holding back tears - praised Papa for his leadership and guidance over the past two seasons.

"He is one of the best coaches in the state," said DiPol, who was a head coach at both Edgewood and Schalick before joining Camden Catholic as an assistant. "Him and (Paulsboro's) Paul Morina are the two I hold the most respect for.

"When I left Edgewood, he was the first to call me and offered me an assistant's job. I told him I still wanted to be a head coach and when I left Schalick, he called again. I was going to take a year off, but he convinced me to help him and I've learned more in the last two years under him as a person and as a coach than I could have learned anywhere else."

Papa of course will still be around. In fact, DiPol isn't sure if they'll even change seats on the bench.

"He's had a lot of success there," DiPol said with a smile. "I'm the head coach but I'm going to listen to whatever he says."

Papa has made a two-year commitment as an assistant and from there, it's anyone's guess what will happen. The Irish may even create a position that encompasses overseeing all of the wrestling aspects at Camden Catholic from midgets to college liaison.

"I'm still going to be involved," said Papa, who is still the president of the South Jersey Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association.

"Wrestling has been too big a part of my life not to be.

"At the same time, the cupboard isn't close to being empty."

"If everyone would just put a fraction of what (Papa) has put into this team," senior captain Randy Moore said before hearing the announcement, "I don't see why you can't be No. 1 again next year."

Which of course leads to the final note of the day by DiPol.

"I do have a few announcements," DiPol said. "We'll open the room on June 20th for summer workouts."

Just like Papa would have done.