Longtime Hanover Park head baseball coach Dave Minsavage died Thursday after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Minsavage, The Star-Ledger’s State Coach of the Year in 2006, led the Hornets for 19 seasons before taking a leave of absence prior to the start of this season.
In his tenure, Hanover Park won three sectional titles, a Morris County Tournament championship in 2003 and the state Group 2 title in 2006. Minsavage’s teams had a winning record in 17 of his 19 years and finished with a career mark of 334-173.
“He’s probably the most genuine person you’d ever want to meet,” current Hanover Park coach Doug Wear said. “He did not have a bad bone in his body or a negative thing to say about anybody at any time. He was not only a great coach and teacher, but he was probably one of the best friends you could ever ask for.”
Minsavage, who taught math at Hanover Park, was inducted into the NJSIAA Hall of Fame in 2013, and was instrumental in the organization of the annual NJSBCA senior all-star games as a member of the NJSIAA’s baseball committee. He is survived by his wife, Christine, and their four children.
“He had such an influence on me and teaching me how to handle a loss with dignity and class,” said West Essex coach Scott Illiano, who coached against Minsavage annually and was an assistant on his all-star game staff.
“When he beat us, he was so humble. And when you beat them, he was so complimentary toward your team. He emulated what it means to look your opponent in the eye and congratulate them. That made such a positive impression on me about sportsmanship. He was truly the epitome of humility. He was a wonderful man and an incredible role model. He was such a selfless and good human being. He was a good soul.”
Gov. Livingston coach Chris Roof, who also assisted Minsavage in coaching the Northwest all-star team, said the Highlanders will observe a moment of silence in Minsavage’s honor prior to their home game against Westfield this afternoon.
Roof said it was “truly amazing” how positive Minsavage was, even after his diagnosis.
“Everything he said was genuine,” Roof said. “Dave has made me not only a better coach, but more importantly a better person. He’s given me a different outlook on life I didn’t have before I knew Dave. … It’s a tough day.”
Hanover Park will play Parsippany, Minsavage’s alma mater, Thursday at noon at Whippany Park High.
@GreggLerner My thoughts with coach Minsavage’s family and the Hanover Park Hornets as well ..was always great to cover Dave and the team..
— Lou Brogno (@LouBrogno) April 9, 2015
MC Baseball sending prayers to the Hanover Park baseball family for their former coach Dave Minsavage who has passed away from cancer
— MC Athletics (@Go_MC_Crusaders) April 9, 2015
The baseball community lost a great man today, an incredible mentor, role model, friend 2 so many. RIP Dave Minsavage pic.twitter.com/1w6QXyj9FV
— West Essex Baseball (@WestEssexBBall) April 9, 2015
NJ BBall landscape won’t be the same w/o Coach Minsavage – 1st class man, impacted so many people, and had an unbreakable faith. RIP Coach.
— Mustangs Baseball (@MontvilleBBall) April 9, 2015
Saddened to hear about the passing of Hanover Park’s Dave Minsavage. Our thoughts and prayers to his family and the hornets. RIP
— Bernards Baseball (@BernrdsBaseball) April 9, 2015
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James Kratch can be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com or by leaving a note in the comments below. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratchHS. Find and like the NJ.com High School Baseball page on Facebook.
