Ferris Antoon

Ferris Antoon received the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Distinguished Service Award in 2012 in recognition of his contributions to physical education and youth athletics.

A native of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Antoon earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education from West Virginia University and a Master of Science degree from Monmouth University. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict before beginning his teaching career.

Antoon taught physical education at Bradley Elementary School in Asbury Park, New Jersey, beginning in 1960, and later joined Frank Antonides School in West Long Branch, where he worked as a teacher, coach, and athletic director until his retirement in 1993. He helped establish the Ferris Antoon–Jim Carrigan Monmouth County Intermediate School Soccer League, which expanded from six boys’ teams to 57 schools fielding boys’ and girls’ divisions. He was recognized as the “father of Monmouth County Middle School Interscholastic Soccer.”

Beyond his work in schools, Antoon founded and directed the Brookdale Community College Summer Sports Camps for 26 years, building one of the region’s most recognized youth programs. He also served as executive director of the New Jersey division of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD).

Antoon’s honors included induction into the Shore Conference Soccer Hall of Fame in 1989. He was also active in alumni and community organizations, including the Shore Sports Alumni, the WVU Alumni Association, and the Mountaineer Athletic Club.