Brick Trio To Be Honored At Brick-Brick Memorial Football Game

BRICK, NJ — Three people who made an indelible mark on Brick Memorial and on the Brick Township community will be honored Saturday when Brick Memorial hosts the annual Brick-Brick Memorial football game.

The game is set for noon at Brick Memorial High School, 2001 Lanes Mill Road.

Crystal Marousis Handchen, Bill Bruno and Pete DeRosa will be honored with a moment of silence and some words at the start of the game, Brick Memorial athletic director Ed Sarluca Jr. said.

Marousis Handchen, who died in April, taught in the Brick schools and was a longtime cheerleading coach in Brick's Pop Warner program and also at Brick Memorial. Her mother, brother and sisters will be at the game. Her husband, Rick Handchen, a longtime athletic director and teacher in Brick, is coaching in North Carolina and unable to attend, Sarluca said.

Bruno, who died in June, served as athletic director at both high schools at one point, and finished his career in Brick at Brick Memorial, where he was before leaving to become an assistant director of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. His wife, Jeannette, will be at the ceremony, Sarluca said.

DeRosa, who died in July, was a founding member of the Brick Memorial Booster Club and was known as "The Voice of the Mustangs" for 40 years. He also was the original owner of Awards of Brick and produced plaques that grace the homes of hundreds of Brick residents and varsity jackets that still are seen on the sidelines of many Brick sporting events. His family will be present as well, Sarluca said.

"We just wanted to take some time to remember three very impactful individuals in our school community," Sarluca said. "We wanted to honor their name and their legacy by having their families involved in our first home game this year."

Bruno is being honored with permanent recognition in the district as well: the athletic office has been named the "Bill Bruno Athletic Office" at Brick Memorial High School.

"Bill was a great friend and mentor to many of us, and the lessons he has left on those of us that were lucky enough to know him and work with him will continue to leave a positive and lasting impression," Sarluca said. "We dedicate the name of our Athletic Office with an appreciation in the fact that Bill had a lasting impact on not only our coaches and student-athletes across Brick Memorial High School, the Brick School District, the Shore Conference, and the State of New Jersey!"

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