Note: June is always a big month around high schools. There is graduation and the end of scholastic sports careers for seniors – plus Father’s Day, which is Sunday.

During previous Junes, Tom Williams has turned over his column to Ocean City athletes Nicholl and Abbey Fenton, Danielle and Andrew Donoghue, Evan Taylor, Stephanie Gaitley, Matt Woolley, Jeff Boyd, Allison Rinck, Erik Geisinger, Owen Ritti, Doug Colman, Allie Moreland, Tracey LeFever, the Degenhardt sisters, Chelsea Bruno, Danielle McNally, Dave & Casey Beyel, the Mensinger brothers, the Donahue sisters, the Impagliazzos, the Baruffis and Shaune McLaughlin, among others, to write about their fathers. And to Tori Rolls Rhodes to write about her grandfather.

21 years of them are available HERE.

This year, Brian Cunniff, a senior at Wildwood High School, writes about his father and namesake. Young Brian scored more than 1,000 points for the Warriors basketball team, led the baseball team in most offensive categories and ran cross country.

His dad came to Wildwood from Philadelphia after graduating from Temple University and became an award-winning sportswriter and columnist. He was named New Jersey Sportswriter of the Year, a rare honor for a writer from a weekly publication. On live streams, he is the voice of Southern Cape May County sports and is a respected basketball official. And his mother, Teresa, is one of Wildwood’s greatest athletes, a highly successful coach. who is in the South Jersey Basketball Hall of Fame.

By BRIAN CUNNIFF, Guest Columnist

When I was asked to write a tribute for my father, I jumped at the opportunity. I don’t think there is anyone in the world, let alone the Cape May County sports community, more deserving of a Father’s Day Tribute than my dad, Brian Cunniff. 

This Father’s Day, I want to take a moment to honor the amazing father you have been to Sean and me for as long as I can remember. From the days at the baseball field hitting in the cages, to running all over the place getting us to and from school, sporting events, friends’ houses, etc.,  you have given me so many tips and lessons. You have taught me not only to be a better athlete, but a better person, too. 

Growing up, you were the person who made me fall in love with basketball. From age 10 all the way to now, I can’t count how many basketball games we have gone to and watched together. I got to see some pretty amazing players and some awesome moments that I’ll never forget. I used to jump at the opportunity to go to games and hear you and Buddy on the air. I’ll never forget the first time I walked through the “Buddy and Brian Media Entrance” at Wildwood Catholic. 

Throughout my four years of high school, I would never have become the athlete I became without you. From the post game talks to messing around and playing H.O.R.S.E in the driveway, we have made countless memories. Shooting hoops in Florida, 2 on 2 basketball in the driveway, the 76ers game with Furkan Korkmaz, long drives to and from college visits, the Phillies playoff game, and the Ireland vs Costa Rica soccer game, are all memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. No one has supported me more along the way than you. 

You have been the perfect father for Sean and me and have always had our best interests in mind. When I told you I didn’t want to play soccer anymore, you urged me to pick up cross country in the fall to stay in shape. Once again, something that played a huge part in my success in basketball and baseball.

Having researched your media career that spans all the way back to 1993, you’ve written articles on my current and former coaches, mentors, teachers, trainers, etc. This truly shows how long you have been dedicated to make athletes from our small area feel appreciated, even when most of the time you are underappreciated yourself. 

Love you, Dad. Happy Father’s Day!