Tributes
July 27, 2026 2026-10-12 14:17Tributes
Tributes to the Hall of Fame Honorees
Below are the tributes and testimonials submitted by teammates, friends and family members for those being honored in the induction classes of 2025 and 2026
I started with Z in 1962 as a boy, by the time I graduated as team captain in 1966, I was a man. I owe that to Ed. I saw him on and off for many years and then I moved out of town and lost touch. But he was always with me in my heart. I loved the man.
Tomi Gomory '66
Congratulations to all the Inductees. My four years on the Tech Track team still is remembered fondly as one of the best times of my life. I can't say enough about Coach Edwin Zarowin. Can you imagine how many young lives he touched in such an exceptional way? What an inspiration, mentor and exceptional leader.
Rest in Peace.
Clarence Brathwaite '78
Congratulations to all inductees. There are not enough words to describe the impact Coach Z had on my life, especially after Tech. His words of wisdom kicked in during my sophmore year in college. Those same words are still ringing in my ears today. Coach Z you were right. A coach, mentor, and disciplinarian. May GOD be pleased with your work. Rest In Power Coach Z.
James D. Lee '79.
Coaches Edwin Zarowin and Leonard Malech congratulations on your Hall of Fame induction. The guidance given, the confidence built, and the character instilled, honors your legacy that produced champions on the track and prepared us all to run the race of life! With heartfelt congratulations and gratitude.
Lt Col Donovan E. Bryan, USMC (Ret.), '75
When I think of Coach Malech, or Lenny to us in the mid 70’s, I am reminded of how he re-enforced teachings around critical thinking. His technique of addressing your questions with a question helped develop and build the critical thinking skills that I have carried throughout life.
Heyward Williams '76
Mr. Z may not have had a background in Cross Country and Track and Field, but part of his genius lay in knowing how to develop a team and talent. I joined the XC team as a scrub in my junior year, he didn't turn anyone away. Due to his encouragement and incentives I was on the varsity XC team senior year. While friends of mine tried to join the track team at their local high schools, but didn't "make the cut," Mr. Z understood that talent needs developing. What I learned from him served me well for decades after.
Fred Levine '66
Kay Moore Benjamin - Your insistence on excellence has always been a beacon to those who know you! We are so proud and happy to see you celebrated with this well-deserved honor. From Bklyn Tech to making history as the first Black woman to serve as UPenn Women's Track & Field Captain, you consistently led, inspired and blazed trails with grace, determination and a spirit that influenced others both on and off the track. It's been a privilege to witness your journey. Congratulations and much love from your UPenn Sisters
Karen S, Karen W, Flora & Shaunon
U. Penn Sisters
Congratulations to our dear friend - Inductee Kay Benjamin and all of the award recipients. Your excellence and dedication prevails always. Well deserved!
Sonya and Quincy Allen
Mr. Z was a remarkable coach and person, not just in developing track and field talent, but in building character traits that last a lifetime. I still recall two of Mr. Z's vignettes: "you know what you know, you don't know what you don't know", and "you can only do 3 things well". I am eternally grateful for the 4 years on the Track team.
Costantino Lanza
Coach Z changed the trajectory of my life for the better. Because of this great man I was able to attend Rutgers University and compete successfully at the collegiate level.His caring, inspiring and motivational talks was exactly what a clueless teenager needed. Mr. Zarowin will always hold a special place in my heart, and his legacy lives on in everyone he has touched.
Wayne Barkley
Thank you, Coach Zarowin and the Brooklyn Tech Track program, for all it has done for me and so many others.
Barry Cohen '68
Kay Moore Benjamin ’80 — We’re thrilled to see BTHS honor the athlete we’ve heard so much about and the greatness we’ve always known. Your greatness lives far beyond the track. We’ve seen your strength, drive and fierce determination our whole lives. We’re so proud to call you our wife and mom. Congratulations on your Hall of Fame induction! Love,
Jim, Jonathan, Kristina & Jordan
Congratulations to the Brooklyn Tech Track & Field Hall of Fame Inductees, class of 2025 and 2026!
A very special congratulations to Coach Len Malech, Coach Julio Piazza and Sharon Munroe, the woman whose desire and determination opened the doors for all of us to follow, and my teammates from 1976–1980—Judy Moody Woods, Rochelle Hall Rollins, Mia Mahedy, and Rudelle Sargeant Franklin—on this tremendous and well-deserved honor.
Coach Malech, thank you for your steadfast belief in us, for challenging us to reach beyond what we thought was possible, and for helping shape us not only as athletes, but as young women.
To Judy, Rochelle, Mia, Rudelle, and all of the inductees: congratulations on earning your place in Brooklyn Tech history.
And to all of our teammates from those years, thank you for your presence, your friendship, and the contributions you made along the way. We shared the hard work, the victories, the challenges, and so many memories that helped shape who we became.
I am incredibly proud to have been part of this special group and grateful to celebrate this moment with so many remarkable athletes, coaches, and teammates.
Kay Moore Benjamin '80
Mr.Z was one of the “GOATS” of NYC high school Track &Field Coaches based on the number of Championships. He was a genius at making student athletes into champions without a practice track field
I will never forget one of Mr. Z’s quotes , “you can’t run a thousand miles on the bus on your way to the track meet!" I am forever grateful to Lenny , the team track managers & my great teammates.
John Moses III '74
Congratulations to all of the HOF Inductees and my friend Julio Piazza. Coach Z had instilled a discipline and mindset towards running which not only produced championships for BTHS, but it provided me with the skills I've carried forward to be successful in life. I'm proud of my fellow Tech runners whom we shared our running days together. It's been an honor.
George Hanze '68
Congratulations to Coach Malech and all the inductees on this well deserved recognition.
Mark Lindstrom '73
For Coach Zarowin: To a Great coach, Mentour and molder of men...Well deserved!
For Coach Malech: Congratulations Coach Malech! Thank You for all you did for us.
Glenn Fujii '74
Coach Z taught all of us that dedication and hard work yield positive results. My greatest lesson was that I am my toughest adversary.
If you improve your personal best each time out, you can achieve great things. Thank God for Coach Z (RIP) and the Brooklyn Tech Track Team!
Kevin Phoenix '78
Your athletic prowess, academic tenacity and exemplary leadership have afforded each of you the opportunity to be honored on this day. Embrace your special moment.
Joan Sterrett Allah ‘75
I would like to again issue a tribute to Mr. Z, Coach Edwin Zarowin, an amazing man, fantastic coach and just a good human being in general. Rest in peace. His son, Paul deserves some recognition for helping us in support of his legacy.
To my fellow brothers, Reginald Huc, Don Byran, Steve Thomas, Master of Ceremonies John Clendenin, Clarence Fullerton, Joe Ruggiero, Robert Woods, Joe Russell and Glenn Fujii, thank you for the outstanding job you have done in putting this event together. Let’s not forget our Hall of Fame committee members; Barry Cohen, Audrey Churchill, Rohan Grant and Phil Zodda for the tireless ours or research and organization they have put in over nearly two years of work.
And lastly, I'd like to offer a hearty congratulations to all the 2025 and 2026 Inductees.
