Fair Lawn High School Hall of Fame

My Story

Kass Enters FLHS Hall of Fame

Recognition has always been huge with me. I have always appreciated it and found great inspiration from it. The Fair Lawn High School Hall of Fame induction was one of the great moments of my life. I have enjoyed many moments of recognition but none like the activities of October 5, 2024. I had been waiting a long time for this, and I am extremely grateful the moment has finally arrived. On that first Saturday in

October 2024, I was finally inducted and so honored for the dedication and passion I gave to my high school football team 52 years ago. Among my first thoughts were surprisingly, “What took you so long!!!”: Jack Smithlin was my champion. He worked tirelessly to get me into the coveted hall. He spent more than five years campaigning on my behalf. Jack believed in me and my accomplishments for which I will be forever grateful. As he once said, “We kickers have to stick together.” My son came from Washington state and spent four days with me which made it even more special. Alan and I have experienced so much together around UCLA football trips, but this meant more than anything we ever did together. Playing football was a great thrill but being Alan’s father is the best accomplishment of my life. It would not have been as special without him.

I invited two tables of my family and friends which only added to the experience. They are the very people who I love most. I never felt so honored, appreciated, and pampered my entire life. I was caught by surprise when it was announced that coach Rich Szura was at the event. I immediately sought him and gave him a huge hug. We were both so happy to see each other. Coach Szura was the defensive coordinator under head coach Frank Devens. The two of them inspired me to reach great levels of athleticism. Rich was very supportive which gave me confidence. Mr. Devens made me a great success because I was afraid of him. I did not dare miss.

I thanked my three holders for playing a great role in my success. Two of my holders were great. The other was Dave King, the very best athlete I ever played with. Dave was our quarterback and was a great one. He was assigned to be my holder for sophomore year which may not have been best for me and our team. Devens taught him how to hold incorrectly. I knew it was wrong but as a first-year player among all these legends and totally intimidated, I kept my mouth shut. His method easily took 10 yards off my kicks.

Dennis Smith, a wonderful friend and gifted receiver, was assigned to work with

me for junior season. He was the best of all of them. We had a perfect year

with 12 extra points and four field goals, including a school record 38-yarder

in the final moments in a game with Hackensack. We eventually lost that

game when the Comets scored a touchdown with 47 seconds left.

It was a fun year even though we only managed a 3-6 record. It is hard to explain the poor record. We had quality players and great coaching. We were not lucky enough.

My senior year we went 6-3 the hard way. We won our first six and lost the last three. My holder was sophomore Ron Hollar and he was very good. We were not perfect, but we were successful, including a game-winning 28-yard field goal with 28 seconds left on the clock against Paramus. We won that game 16-13. That moment was a dream come true. It was actually the second year in a row we beat the Spartans with a field goal. We beat them 9-7 my junior year from 25 yards out. Needless to say, I was not very popular with the Paramus football community. Those were the days. I did not make All-League my senior year which was a major disappointment and injustice. They gave it to my friend Jim Sawyer from Wayne Valley. I was better than Jim and performed better. Unfortunately, Devens ordered me to kick for the JV team just to get more game experience. I loved playing in games so I did not object. This was to be my downfall. Seniors were not allowed to play JV, which led most coaches to cast their for Sawyer. This was very upsetting. The good news was I did have two of the nine coaches’ votes. Naturally, Devens voted for me. The other came from Hackensack’s Mike Mielo. I played two great games against Hackensack including a 50-yard attempt which was barely wide. The good news is Mielo represented the NNJIL at the All-County selection meeting. He must have been convincing because I did make All-County over Sawyer. He must have been as annoyed as I was with the All-Leage vote. The event kicked-off Friday night with a social greeting at the Dutch House. The Dutch House was and still is the local pub in Fair Lawn. I actually grew up in that bar. My good long-term friend Larry Weisman and I spent most of our evenings there drinking and talking about solving the problems of the world. The bar and Route 208 were our salvation in those days. Both were very spiritual. Ten or 15 of my high school friends attended, making it a mini reunion. It was such fun spending time with them. I have said many times and included it in my acceptance speech. The people I went to school with in Fair Lawn are the best people I have ever known. My only regret was Jack Smithlin’ s absence. He had a family occasion in Massachusetts he could not miss. Jack was the only missing part at the award dinner. I do understand. Family comes first and Jack had no choice. I know he wanted to be there for me. The best part of the evening was spending time with Coach Szura. I had not seen him since graduation but thought of him throughout my life. We had a fantastic talk and mutually looked at each other with such joy. We were both very excited to see each other. We shared a few moments of our lives since 1972 and look forward to a life- remaining friendship. I asked for his contact information and will reach out to him soon. Rich taught us all the fundamentals of the tackle. There are many technical moves which go into tackling, and I took it very seriously. Despite my small frame I mounted 10 career tackles in high school and college. Nobody has ever gotten past me for a touchdown on kickoffs. I even caused a fumble while being clipped. He taught me to focus on the runner’s waist and attack the runners’ legs. A ball carrier can fake moves with every part of his body but not his waist. If I had a grasp of his legs, there is nowhere to go but down. Today’s tacklers often go above the waist leaving the victim’s legs free to escape. They often do. If you have his legs he is down. Thank you, Rich. Alan introduced me and charmed the entire audience. He got a few laughs at my expense, but I enjoyed it more than anyone. Then it was time for my speech. Since I was only allowed three minutes, I decided not to use notes. I am a confident and accomplished speaker and felt I could wing it. I did with one major exclusion. I forgot to thank Jack for all he did on my behalf. I still feel bad about that and probably will for years to come. I wrote to Jack immediately about my omission. He, as a good friend would, understood and was more interested in my happiness. He is one of my best friends. I am back in Florida three days and still on an emotional height. The amount of attention and appreciation I received over the long weekend has left me feeling totally fulfilled. It was amazing to me how many people (friends, relatives, and HOF community) pampered me with attention. They made me feel special (See, my mother was right). It is amazing to feel that level of warmth and appreciation. It is a feeling I wish more people could experience. I am such a lucky guy and look back on a largely wonderful life. I hope people I love will or have experienced a moment like this.

Fair Lawn High School Hall of Fame

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My Story

Kass Enters FLHS Hall of Fame

Dennis Smith, a wonderful friend and gifted receiver, was

assigned to work with me for junior season. He was the best

of all of them. We had a perfect year with 12 extra points

and four field goals, including a school record 38-yarder in

the final moments in a game with Hackensack. We

eventually lost that game when the Comets scored a

touchdown with 47 seconds left.

It was a fun year even though we only managed a 3-6 record. It is hard to explain the poor record. We had quality players and great coaching. We were not lucky enough.

Fair Lawn High School Hall of Fame

Dennis Smith, a wonderful friend and gifted receiver, was

assigned to work with me for junior season. He was the best

of all of them. We had a perfect year with 12 extra points

and four field goals, including a school record 38-yarder in

the final moments in a game with Hackensack. We

eventually lost that game when the Comets scored a

touchdown with 47 seconds left.

It was a fun year even though we only managed a 3-6 record. It is hard to explain the poor record. We had quality players and great coaching. We were not lucky enough.

My senior year we went 6-3 the hard way. We won our first six and lost the last three. My holder was sophomore Ron Hollar and he was very good. We were not perfect, but we were successful, including a game-winning 28-yard field goal with 28 seconds left on the clock against Paramus. We won that game 16-13. That moment was a dream come true. It was actually the second year in a row we beat the Spartans with a field goal. We beat them 9-7 my junior year from 25 yards out. Needless to say, I was not very popular with the Paramus football community. Those were the days. I did not make All-League my senior year which was a major disappointment and injustice. They gave it to my friend Jim Sawyer from Wayne Valley. I was better than Jim and performed better. Unfortunately, Devens ordered me to kick for the JV team just to get more game experience. I loved playing in games so I did not object. This was to be my downfall. Seniors were not allowed to play JV, which led most coaches to cast their for Sawyer. This was very upsetting. The good news was I did have two of the nine coaches’ votes. Naturally, Devens voted for me. The other came from Hackensack’s Mike Mielo. I played two great games against Hackensack including a 50-yard attempt which was barely wide. The good news is Mielo represented the NNJIL at the All-County selection meeting. He must have been convincing because I did make All-County over Sawyer. He must have been as annoyed as I was with the All-Leage vote. The event kicked-off Friday night with a social greeting at the Dutch House. The Dutch House was and still is the local pub in Fair Lawn. I actually grew up in that bar. My good long- term friend Larry Weisman and I spent most of our evenings there drinking and talking about solving the problems of the world. The bar and Route 208 were our salvation in those days. Both were very spiritual. Ten or 15 of my high school friends attended, making it a mini reunion. It was such fun spending time with them. I have said many times and included it in my acceptance speech. The people I went to school with in Fair Lawn are the best people I have ever known. My only regret was Jack Smithlin’ s absence. He had a family occasion in Massachusetts he could not miss. Jack was the only missing part at the award dinner. I do understand. Family comes first and Jack had no choice. I know he wanted to be there for me. The best part of the evening was spending time with Coach Szura. I had not seen him since graduation but thought of him throughout my life. We had a fantastic talk and mutually looked at each other with such joy. We were both very excited to see each other. We shared a few moments of our lives since 1972 and look forward to a life-remaining friendship. I asked for his contact information and will reach out to him soon. Rich taught us all the fundamentals of the tackle. There are many technical moves which go into tackling, and I took it very seriously. Despite my small frame I mounted 10 career tackles in high school and college. Nobody has ever gotten past me for a touchdown on kickoffs. I even caused a fumble while being clipped. He taught me to focus on the runner’s waist and attack the runners’ legs. A ball carrier can fake moves with every part of his body but not his waist. If I had a grasp of his legs, there is nowhere to go but down. Today’s tacklers often go above the waist leaving the victim’s legs free to escape. They often do. If you have his legs he is down. Thank you, Rich. Alan introduced me and charmed the entire audience. He got a few laughs at my expense, but I enjoyed it more than anyone. Then it was time for my speech. Since I was only allowed three minutes, I decided not to use notes. I am a confident and accomplished speaker and felt I could wing it. I did with one major exclusion. I forgot to thank Jack for all he did on my behalf. I still feel bad about that and probably will for years to come. I wrote to Jack immediately about my omission. He, as a good friend would, understood and was more interested in my happiness. He is one of my best friends. I am back in Florida three days and still on an emotional height. The amount of attention and appreciation I received over the long weekend has left me feeling totally fulfilled. It was amazing to me how many people (friends, relatives, and HOF community) pampered me with attention. They made me feel special (See, my mother was right). It is amazing to feel that level of warmth and appreciation. It is a feeling I wish more people could experience. I am such a lucky guy and look back on a largely wonderful life. I hope people I love will or have experienced a moment like this.