Centenary University Athletics Hall of Fame
Mr. Gemma was a History teacher who coached boys’ and girls’ basketball at Glen Rock High School for many years. He became Centenary’s first Director of Athletics as well as the school’s first Head Men’s Basketball Coach. He guided the team to its first-ever victory, over Sussex Community College.
Gemma’s arrival in the late 1980s marked a turning point for Centenary Athletics. In 1989, the College became a co-educational institution, and Gemma was hired to manage fi ve sports. Today, Centenary offers 13 NCAA III Division teams and has increased in size from 53 student-athletes in 1999 to 226 in 2009. Though Gemma retired in 1994, he remained committed to Centenary and kept up with the College’s many advances in NCAA Division III Athletics.
In recognition of his service and contributions to the College, the Department of Athletics established the Cardy Gemma Award in 1998. Each year, the award is given to two graduating seniors who demonstrate outstanding athletic ability, attitude and leadership on and off the playing field.
Gemma passed away on May 21, 2008. He is survived by James Gemma, Thomas and Denise Gemma and Allison and Andrew Lohr, as well as several grandchildren.
