Urgent Gathering W/Former Legendary Holy Spirit, NJ Football Coach

Iconic Atlantic County, New Jersey coaches, players and other friends will gather on Monday, July 10, 2023 (12:00 noon) at Vagabond Kitchen & Tap House in Atlantic City, New Jersey, located at 672 North Trenton Avenue.

They are coming together to honor the legendary Lou Paludi, the former Holy Spirit High School state championship head coach.

Paludi won 5 state championships at Holy Spirit High School.

Although Paludi was undeniably the coach … he always affectionately calls others “Coach.”

There is a sense of urgency regarding this special gathering due to Paludi’s current health status.

I have spoken with both Bob Garbutt and Frank Finnerty over the past several days.

This special gathering to honor “Coach Lou” just keeps growing and the list attendees is a “Who’s Who” of other coaching and player greats through the years:

These are just some of the players and coaches expected to attend:

Coach Lou Paludi.

Stan Bergman, Holy Spirit coach, legendary crew coach and former Ventnor City Beach Patrol Chief.

Former Holy Spirit state championship Head Coach and Spartan player AJ Russo.

Bob Garbutt Football Coach and Hall of fame ACHS crew coach

Jim Gallagher Holy Spirit coach and New Jersey Hall of Fame High School coach at Sterling High School

Frank Finnerty, long time Holy Spirit Football Coach.

Dr. Fred Dalzell Holy Spirit and Princeton QB.

Steve Brady QB and CFO of Ocean City Bank.

Terry Bradway, Holy Spirit Quarterback and storied NFL career, as a Scout, Director of Player Development General Manager of Kansas City Chiefs and N Y Jets.

Kevin Corcoran, All South Jersey Running back at Holy Spirit High School.

Ed Maguire all South Jersey linebacker and offensive end.

Mike Maguire, running back at Holy Spirit high school.

Bob Coffey, Holy Spirit player and the winningest head coach in Mainland High School football history.

Wayne Coleman, Head Coach at Ocean City High School, recruited by Lou Paludi to play at Temple University and retired as a Ventnor Lieutenant on the beach patrol. Became an NFL great.

Captain Norm Wilson, guard at Holy Spirit high school, and and founder of Atlantic City, Firefighters, Pipes and Drums band.

Ward Holland former chief of the Margate Beach patrol.

Gerry Stoll, retired New Jersey State Trooper.

Ed Gant Quarterback at Holy Spirit high school and head of the electrical union.

Charles McGilley, All South Jersey Guard.

Fred Sacco, All Star defensive of back at Holy Spirit and Chief of the Atlantic City fire department.

Ed Thornton, All South Jersey tight end at Holy Spirit Retired New Jersey State Trooper and Director of the Atlantic County police academy.

Jack Burke, tight end and retired from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office.

I had the privilege to welcome Coach Lou Paludi to become a member of our broadcasting team on WPG Talk Radio 95.5 to call the annual Atlantic City High School vs. Holy Spirit High School Thanksgiving Day Football game.

As a graduate of Atlantic City High School and a legendary Holy Spirit championship head coach … Coach Lou Paludi displays a profound knowledge of what this game is really about.

Coach Lou spent more than 15 years with us in the broadcast booth on Thanksgiving Day.

Below is the late, great Fred Nickles on the left and Coach Lou Paludi on the right.

Here are two legends, the late Ed Hurst and Coach Lou Paludi playing golf at the annual “Hurley in the Morning” Charity Golf Open.

Below is from September 20, 2020, when former Ventnor City Beach Patrol Chief Lou Paludi was honored for his outstanding service to the citizens of Ventnor City.

Paludi more than 40 years on the Ventnor Beach Patrol.

Below, Paludi is pictured with another Ventnor Beach Patrol Chief great, Stan Bergman.

While we’re sharing this wonderful and meaningful history of Paludi, Bergman, Garbutt, Finnerty, Coffey and other legends … here is an important upcoming event that will benefit the upcoming Holy Spirit High School Football season.

Finally, look at this photo of legends from an August 22, 2022 gathering at The Back Bay Ale House in Atlantic City, including a literal Lou Paludi coaching tree of greats:

Lou Paludi, Kevin Corcoran, Rick Guerrieri, Terry Bradway, Bob Coffey, Frank Finnerty, Dr. Fred Dalzell Stan Bergman, Bob Garbutt and Jim Gallagher. 

The fast approaching Monday, July 10, 2023 ebegt will be a well deserved, special gathering to honor Coach Lou Paludi.