NJSIAA rules unanimously for Gary in transfer to Paramus Catholic

ROBBINSVILLE – Scotch Plains-Fanwood's connection with highly-sought junior lineman Rashan Gary is complete. He had his first day of classes at Paramus Catholic, Thursday, and will play in the team's first game Saturday night against Gilman (Md.) at Towson University.

A five-member NJSIAA eligibility appeals committee ruled unanimously in Gary's favor Thursday morning at NJSIAA headquarters in Robbinsville.

"I'm so happy for my son; I'm thrilled for him, this fight was for Rashan, I'm so happy,'' said the player's mother, Jennifer. "It was the right decision."

"It took time to pick Paramus Catholic - it wasn't a spur of the moment thing; I did research, I got the information, we had to be at the right place for him,'' said Ms. Gary, who lives in Plainfield. Her ex-husband and his parents live in Scotch Plains, she said.

Ms. Gary said that she works for a company based 15 minutes away.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood Athletic Director Ryan Miller - with the support of high school principal David L. Heisey, Superintendent of Schools Margaret W. Hayes and football coach John Stack - declined to sign the transfer waiver form that would have allowed Gary to immediately become an official member of the Paramus Catholic football team.

"The bottom line is we want Rashan to play football, and for him to play where he wants to play that's from a district standpoint,'' said Boehm before the decision was made. "If there is recruiting going on that is not appropriate, we want to be addressed too.''

Staff Writer Harry Frezza: hfrezza@mycentraljersey.com