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Former sports editor's name will last with Middie fans

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By Rick McCrabb, Columnist 8:13 PM Thursday, February 9, 2012

MIDDLETOWN — When I told the guy working the door Friday night that we were from The Journal, he said he needed to sign us in.

He asked our names and I told him Rick McCrabb and Jerry Nardiello. He wrote down my name on a clipboard, then asked if Jerry started with a “G” or a “J.” I rolled my eyes, told him a “J,” then slowly spelled N-a-r-d-i-e-l-l-o.

Nardiello, 89, spent 61 years as a sports writer, sports editor and sports editor emeritus of The Journal, and he was being surprised that night by having the score table at Wade E. Miller Gym — where he spent many Friday nights — named in his honor.

I pitched the idea about a month ago to Middletown High School Principal Carmela Cotter, and Athletic Director Gary Lebo and both were very enthusiastic and receptive.

A few days later, Lebo said he received the district’s approval.

Soon after we entered Miller Gym, the years fell off Nardiello. Everywhere he turned, there was a familiar face, players Nardiello covered, others who only knew him through his “Off The Bench” columns.

Minutes before the Middies took the floor against Sycamore, Lebo waved for Nardiello to follow him to midcourt. Nardiello, who suffered a minor stroke and was involved in a car accident that keeps him from driving, slowly made his way onto the court, dressed in a gray sweater, matching sport coat and purple tie.

Public address announcer Chris Stumpf read two congratulatory emails from Middie legends Jerry Lucas and Butch Carter. Carter, who played and coached at MHS, said he was “forever grateful (Nardiello) came into my life.”

Lucas said Nardiello has “earned so very much respect and admiration from so many through the years, and I am at the head of the list.”

Then Lebo handed Nardiello a plaque and told him to look toward the score table, where the sign now reads: “The Jerry Nardiello Score Table.”

Nardiello’s mouth dropped, he pointed to the sign, amazed to see his name in bright lights, then raised his right hand and waved to the fans as they gave him a fitting and lengthy standing ovation.

For most of the game, Nardiello, who sat in the front row, was greeted with well-wishers.

When the game ended, a 62-45 Middie victory, more people congratulated Nardiello and praised him for his sharp memory.

“I still got it here,” he said, pointing to his head.

As we walked to my car, Nardiello stopped, and asked: “Will that sign be up there again or was it for one game?”

I assured him the table would be named after him the next game — and forever — and he gave me a large smile.

Contact this columnist at (513) 705-2842 or rmccrabb@coxohio.com.

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