By TOM WILLIAMS

For decades we offered this column in the form of Christmas gifts for area people in sports. It was not done in 2024 – Christmas and the weeks around it have become even busier. So, this year, we made it into a column of New Year’s wishes.

These are the wishes for this holiday season. Some are in fun, others somewhat serious. A few are even repeat gifts from previous lists that may keep showing up until they materialize. And there might even be a few wishes that are contradictory.

Strangely, even though they are offered purely for enjoyment, some of them do actually work out. For example, in recent years the wishes included Frank Vogel in the NBA finals, a NJ Sportscaster of the Year Award for Mike Frankel, Matt Szczur an All-American selection, the South Jersey win record for Paul Rodio, Chris Curran a starting spot with Ursinus, a turf field at Carey Stadium for Mike Lenhardt, George McNally a school in the Northeast for Lauren, a spot in the South Jersey Hall of Fame for Coach Joe Fussner and a 21-team CAL Basketball Tournament for Mike McGarry.

They all happened after appearing on this list.

Wonder which ones will come true this year? Regardless, hope you enjoy them.

CHAD SEVERS: The FIFA Peace Prize.

DAVE TALARICO: World Series tickets at Camden Yards didn’t materialize this year, so how about Super Bowl tickets to watch the Ravens. But they have to beat the Steelers on Sunday.

MIKE WILLISCROFT: World Series championship No. 28.

JOE REPETTI: a career in broadcasting after his record-setting four years at Muhlenberg – 8,447 passing yards, 103 TD passes and a school record 162.43 pass efficiency rating. Plus, 1,508 rushing yards and 24 rushing TDs.

AL EMENHEISER: a trip to New Orleans to see Georgia in the AllState Sugar Bowl against Mississippi.

CHUCK SMITH, SEAN MATTHEWS & ANTHONY DiPASQUALE: Good luck in the West Jersey Football League’s Colonial Division next year. That group includes their Mustangs, Raiders and Spartans plus three defending state champions – Cedar Creek, Camden and Glassboro.

SEAN MATTHEWS: Special congratulations for becoming the first OCHS football coach to defeat a state champion during the season. His Raiders upset Cedar Creek in an overtime battle at Carey Stadium on October 24th. The Pirates went on to win the Group 3 state title.

TRISH HENRY: tickets to the Arkansas-Kentucky mens basketball game on Jan. 31.

MATT SZCZUR: his painting of Lance Bailey hanging in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

MATT PURDUE: continued improvement on his remarkable 164-3 cross country dual-meet coaching record.

CAPE-ATLANTIC FOOTBALL FIELDS: press box elevators & bathrooms.

CHALIE McLAUGHLIN: lots of good fishing.

MIKE FRANKEL: his own sports network.

DOUG STASUK: his own channel on Sirius XM.

TRISTAN BISIGNARO: a dozen varsity letters over the next decade.

ERNIE TROIANO: Another great season for the James Madison football team.

LEON HART: tenders from DiOrio’s.

AARON BOGUSHEFSKY: an enjoyable retirement after a great career as an OCHS athlete and a 200-win career as a soccer coach.

WALT TUCKER: NASCAR’s Tucker 200 in Millville.

JIM QUINN: a healthy year.

FRANK TURNER: The same success as a coach that he had as a player.

DAVE TATUM: continued progress with his new heart.

RILEY GUNNELS: Another 2,234 passing yards like he has had the first two seasons at Shippensburg.

MACIE McCRACKEN, BELLA MAZUR & AVA MAZUR: Continued success at West Chester. The local trio averages a combined 25.4 points off the bench for the Rams, led by McCracken’s team-high 12.7. In addition, Ava leads the team with 24 assists with Bella right behind with 22.

FRANK BASILE: Dinner at a diner (an out of state diner, so his son can fly him there).

DEAN MICHALSKI: a bay-front home in Ocean City.

JACK BRESLIN: his comic character, Chip, picked up by Disney+.

DYLAN SCHLATTER: 1,000 points.

DAVE WEINBERG: another Sportswriter of the Year award.

ANASTASIA & GENE: a home closer to home.

TIM COOK: more state championships.

MATT ULMER: indoor football in the WJFL.

BRUCE BEAVER: his own meatball restaurant (with a second location in South Bend, IN).

JAY GILLIAN: The Carey Stadium of his dreams.

JOHN HUFF: lifetime membership in Trout National Golf Club.

PAUL RODIO: win number 1,186.

DR. MATT JAMISION: a new video camera (its a long story!).

MIKE TROUT: a shot at some post-season action.

JOHN BRUNO: see Ernie Troiano, above.

JIM GINN: a waterfront mansion in Somers Point.

TONY BLUM: the Giants in the Super Bowl, Knicks in the NBA finals and Mets in the World Series.

MIKE GILL: the Phillies play-by-play gig.

DANIELLE DONOGHUE: a head coaching position.

GEORGE McNALLY: A lifetime supply of Dr. Pepper.

BRIAN CUNNIFF: the return of Wildwood High School to the Cape-Atlantic League.

DAVE DeWEESE: a relaxing retirement after his highly successful coaching career.

MIKE CAPPELLETTI: continued respect for his talents as a teacher and coach.

MATT RIVERA: first round draft pick by the Yankees.

TORI RHODES: continued happiness as a mom.

TONY SURACE: breakfast with Harry.

DASHAWN HENDRICKS: his own morning sports talk show.

BOBBY BARR: sorry, there is nothing we can do about the Chiefs.

DOUG COLMAN: a return to high school football in Ohio.

BUD RINCK: a lightning-fast electric car.

FRANK RIGGITANO: a step out of retirement to become the new Jets coach (or Giants).

DAVE PFEIFER: The Pfeifer Indoor Track in Absecon.

BATTLE AT THE BEACH FOOTBALL: a full return to Carey Stadium.

JOE FUSSNER: less games in the Tri-County Conference.

LARRY DiGIOVANNI: The Larry Brown Award.

HARRY SACHS: a day at the track with Tom Selleck.

NUNCIE SACCO: a posthumous place in the Mainland Regional Sports Hall of Fame.

BILL SHALLCROSS: the Eagles running the ball.

STEVE PARKER: New Jersey championship in pickle ball.

RICH TOLSON: another world tour before he becomes Secretary of labor.

PAUL SACCO: continued success working with Holy Spirit players in the weight room and on the field.

DAVE FARINA: getting ESPN to pick up coverage of his tournament.

JOHN LEON: his next book made into a movie starring Adam Sandler.

GREG DONAHUE: an enjoyable retirement from officiating.

KORI SEGICH: a healthy season.

ANDREW BRISTOL: World Series championship No. 28.

FRED DALZELL: see John Huff, above.

KAREN BRUNO: another trip to the South Jersey final for the Raiders.

GUY GARGAN: a book about his Hall of Fame career.

KYLEE WATSON: A healthy rest of the season at Villanova. She started the first four games before going down with an injury and missing eight games. She returned Monday and played 14 minutes off the bench at DePaul. She is shooting 57 percent from the field for the Wildcats and 73 percent from the line,

GINNI SZCZEPANSKI: a vacation home in Florida.

MIKE McGARRY: a sports-free weekend in August so he can attend yet another Bruce Springsteen concert.

SAVANNA ROLLS: more key three-pointers at Williamstown.

MIKE PELLEGRINO: lots and lots of banners.

A.J. SURACE: a seven-figure NIL.

JACK HOAG: A healthy senior year at Hamilton so he can add to his 626 receiving yards.

MIKE GILL: the Phillies play-by-play gig.

JOE LaROSA: another healthy year.

And to the people who helped TIPOFF WEEKEND succeed again – Here’s wishing a great 2026 for Herb Snyder and his staff, including Gerry, Jack, Jeff, Santiago and others. To Amber, Anastasia, Aliyah, Alaric & Anaisa (your name has to start with an “A” to get in that group). To Mike Galante at DiOrios, Al Sacco at Sack O’ Subs, Dominic at Acme, Dave Ordille at Ordille Produce, John Bruno and Ryan Gill, Leon & Theresa Hart, Jamie Gillespie, Harry Sachs, Buddy Treen & Frank Basile; and the highly versatile Joe Fussner.

TO THE REST OF YOU: have a very Happy New Year and let’s hope 2026 can be full of more great high school sports moments.