Steven Senko

(Home News Tribune)

STEVEN SENKO
AGE: 88 SOUTH RIVER
Steven Senko, 88, of South River, passed away Wednesday, June 16, 2010, at St. Peters Medical Center, New Brunswick. Mr. Senko is a lifelong resident of South River, where he earned three letters in basketball, two in baseball and one in football before graduating from South River High School in 1940. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve for a short time. After World War II, he enrolled in Rutgers College, where he was a 12-letter varsity man, earning four letters each in football, basketball and baseball, and graduated in the Class of 1949. Steve received a master's degree from Rutgers Graduate School of Education, and joined Rutgers-Newark in 1950 as a varsity basketball coach, assistant basketball coach and physical education instructor. His Rutgers career was briefly interrupted for 1957-60 when he was the head basketball and assistant football coach at Piscataway High School. He rejoined Rutgers in 1960 as the Athletic Director and varsity basketball coach. The athletic program grew from a limited physical education curriculum with games played on borrowed courts, to an organized program consisting of men's and women's varsity teams in basketball, baseball, fencing, tennis, wrestling, soccer and volleyball. During his tenure, the athletes found a proper home when a new geodesic golden-domed gymnasium was erected. He retired in 1985. In 1969, he received the Ernest T. Gardner Memorial Award, given to a Rutgers College alumnus who has participated in intercollegiate athletics and achieved public leadership. The award recognized his civic contributions in South River, including two terms as an elected member of the South River Board of Education and one term as borough councilman. In 1976, he was installed as president of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the first eastern college member to assume this national office. Senko was inducted into the Rutgers-Newark Hall of Fame in 1985. "The testimony of what he has meant to this institution," said syndicated sports columnist and Rutgers-Newark alumnus Jerry Izenberg, "can best be found among those in this audience who played for him. No coach ever gave more of himself to them." In 2005, he received the Loyal Sons and Daughters of Rutgers Award to honor individuals who have rendered extraordinary service to his/her class, the Rutgers Alumni Association or the University community. Steve will be remembered for his loyalty, generosity and sense of humor that touched the lives of his students, colleagues, friends and family. He was a proud member of the South River Lions Club, William C. Denny Chapter of the National Football Hall of Fame, Rutgers University Scarlet R. Club and South River Office on Aging. Steve was a communicant of Sts. Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Church in South River and a member of the church Men's Club.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Joanne (Suess) Senko; his daughter, Michele Senko; his sister, Nancy Zawadsky; his niece, Nadya Silva and her husband Lou; and son-in-law, Andrew "AJ" Sivess. He is predeceased by two daughters, Leslie Senko and Joanne Sivess; his parents, Stefan and Alice Senko; and his brother, Alex Senko.
Relatives and friends may visit from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, June 20, with Panahida service with choir to take place at 2 p.m. at the Maliszewski Funeral Home, 218 Whitehead Ave., South River. Funeral services will be held 9:30 a.m. Monday, June 21 from the funeral home, followed by a 10 a.m. service at Sts. Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Church, South River, with burial to follow at Sts. Peter & Paul Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Sts. Peter & Paul Russian Orthodox Church or a charity of your choice.