A Jersey Blues Testimonial - Men's Tennis Alum Rick Lonardo

Lincroft, NJ - 1975 Brookdale Community College graduate and Jersey Blues men's tennis Region 19 champion, Rick Lonardo, was recently caught taking in a men's tennis match. Lonardo shared why attending Brookdale Community College was one of the most important decisions of his life.

"Recently I was asked, 'what impact has your Brookdale Community College and your athletic experience had on shaping your life.'

My senior year in high school was a stressful time trying to determine my next course of action which would shape the rest of my life. Was college, mentally, socially and financially the correct choice for me? After doing some serious contemplation and research, I decided to enroll at Brookdale Community College in September 1972. At that time, I did not realize that was going to be one of the most important decisions of my life. The transition from high school to college was somewhat difficult, but Brookdale seemed to make it easy. I did well in my 1st semester and looked forward to my 2nd semester. In 1973, I joined a number of social clubs and founded the Outdoor Sportsmen Club, which led me to meet Liz, the love of my life and in June of this year, 2023, we will be celebrating our 45th Wedding Anniversary.

In 1973, I also joined the Brookdale Tennis Team and thanks to the guidance and tutelage of then Coach Kevin Hayter, we were fortunate enough to be Region 19 Tennis Champions, the following year, 1974. This was an experience I will never forget.

I was blessed to have a number of dedicated professors, one of which was Mr. John Ritz, my tax accounting professor, who encouraged me to pursue my future in the accounting field. Upon graduation in 1975, with an Associate degree in business, Professor Ritz recommended me for an entry level accounting position in a local family-owned growing company. I had a very fulfilling career that spanned 38 years up until my retirement in 2013, in which I held the position of Vice President of Operations and Real Estate.

My advice to parents considering a college education for their children, be diligent, consider all options. Brookdale cannot only help with the financial burden of the first two years of a college education, but can also reduce the stress that is put on our college students today."

"THANK YOU BROOKDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE!"