Flags to Fly at Half-Staff for Coach Shatel on May 12

The famed baseball coach from Morristown High School was known as New Jersey's winningest coach of all time, with 752 career victories. The coach was also known as a shaper of young men's characters.

Governor Chris Christie ordered this honor for Shatel by issuing executive order #63, which reads:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRIS CHRISTIE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The Flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Thursday, May 12, 2011, in recognition and mourning of the passing of Coach Harry Shatel.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 63

WHEREAS, Coach Harry Shatel was a remarkable leader, mentor, and role model who devotedly served the community and the youths that he coached; and

WHEREAS, Coach Shatel suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at his home in Ormond Beach, Florida on April 30, 2011 at the age of 67; and

WHEREAS, as the head baseball coach of the Morristown High Colonials for 38 seasons, Coach Shatel shaped the lives of hundreds of high school students, including eight who were drafted by Major League Baseball teams; and

WHEREAS, Coach Shatel compiled 752 victories during his time at Morristown High, making him New Jersey’s all-time winningest high school baseball coach; and

WHEREAS, Coach Shatel’s Colonials collected three state championships, nine sectional championships, and twelve Morris County Tournament championships during his tenure; and

WHEREAS, in addition to his success on the field, Coach Shatel earned the admiration and respect of his players, opponents, and members of the community because of his integrity, passion, enthusiasm, generosity, and humility; and

WHEREAS, it is because Coach Shatel touched the lives of so many people during his coaching career, which spanned across five decades, that his legacy is felt across this State by so many; and

WHEREAS, through his accomplishments on the baseball field and contributions to the community off the baseball field, Coach Shatel has made New Jersey a better place; and

WHEREAS, it is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of Coach Harry Shatel and extend our sincere sympathy to hiswife, Kitty, their three children, Bruce, Sheila, and Michael, their three grandchildren, his entire family, and his many friends; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate to recognize the achievements, to honor the memory, and to mark the passing of Coach Harry Shatel;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRIS CHRISTIE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The Flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Thursday, May 12, 2011, in recognition and mourning of the passing of Coach Harry Shatel

2. Attest: This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 9th day of May, Two Thousand and Eleven, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Thirty-Fifth.

Chris Christie Governor

Jeffrey S. Chiesa Chief Counsel to the Governor