“I was in Vietnam and… on the night of [a] firefight… I made a declaration to myself at that moment that when I got out of there, I was going to do something worthy with my life,” Pascack Valley Girls Basketball Coach Jeff Jasper said. “I see that moment regularly: under a poncho, smoking a Marlboro cigarette at about 3 am, tracer rounds going around all over, explosions, leading my company, and hustled down in the pouring rain…”

Jasper thought to himself: “… I’m going to do something with my life that is going to help other people.”

“And that’s when I decided I would teach and coach; that’s what I wanted to do. That was the moment that it happened… I wanted to teach and coach because I wanted to do something that is worthy,” Jasper said.

When Jasper returned home, he embraced his decision. More than 50 years later, Jasper’s devotion to teaching and coaching has helped and influenced thousands.

Jasper’s Impact and Influence

“Besides him being a wonderful person, you have to understand that at heart he is a teacher and a mentor wherever he is.” – Kenneth Sarajian, PV History teacher, Jasper’s friend and colleague

“He has had a huge impact on my life: shaping the way I view education, coaching, parenting, and friendship. He encouraged me to follow my dream of being a teacher when I was having doubts, he helped get me a job, and even helped introduce me to my wife. One of the highlights of my career was getting to make the change from seeing Jasper as a parent and coach to getting to know him as a friend.” – Doug Goodman, former Assistant PV Girls Basketball Coach, Class of 1993

“His help and guidance have been invaluable to my development as a coach, and every time I speak with him I learn something new about coaching the great game of basketball.” – John Sterling, Secaucus Varsity Girls Basketball Head Coach

“Jeff Jasper was the faculty connection for ‘Scoring Points,’ a little newsletter we started while Title IX was so new to high schools. We were able to point out the challenges that the school would need to provide under Title IX. That included real showers in the girls locker room, uniforms, a place to practice and time in the gym. Mr. Jasper encouraged me and the other student writers to be clear about what we needed.” – Cathy Stackpole, member of the first PV Girls Basketball Team, Class of 1975 

“The year was 1972: bell bottoms, tie dye, Cat Stevens and Jim Morrison but no women’s sports. Soccer, lacrosse and track were never in a conversation for the female gender. We were allocated to cheerleading, and sandlot hoops… In my Junior year (1973), it was announced that a female Basketball team would be organized. For frustrated jocks like myself, this was a dream. Growing up competing with brothers and neighborhood boys, I developed a competitive drive. My teammates were the same: inexperienced, only playing half court ball in gym class but wanting more… We all shared this competitive spirit that was our driving force overpowering talent… PV Basketball became a part of my being and continues to push my competitive spirit.” – Kathy Barton, member of the first PV Girls Basketball Team, Class of 1975 

“Jasper single handedly altered the trajectory of my young life with his compassion, caring, determination and belief in me. Jasper’s unconditional love was unwavering and he took us into his heart and treated us as  members of his family.” – Michele Maxwell, former player, Class of 1989 

“After my parents, Jasper was the single most influential leader in my life to foster work ethic, mental toughness and grit—all of which have served me extraordinarily well in business and in life.” – Cassie Beierle, former player, Class of 2000

“Jasper knew my potential before I knew it myself! That’s what makes him an incredible coach! Without his tough criticism, I wouldn’t be the player I am today. I thank him for introducing me to the saying ‘the worst shot you take is the one you don’t take.’” – Brie Smith, former player, Class of 2019

“When I was playing in college Jasper would text me every so often after seeing something about me, and, honestly, it made me smile… Jasper shaped me into the player and person I am today, and I couldn’t be happier.” – Brianna Wong, former player, Class of 2018

“Jasper was so much more than just my high school basketball coach, and he filled much more in my head than just the fundamentals of the game. He taught me the fundamentals of life.” – Jules Vassallo, former player, Class of 2022 

“He coached us to do the ordinary to become extraordinary. We never left the gym without that 1:1 interaction and knowing that no matter how hard things were that he was always there for us as a person first and player second, now we all know that the tears, hard work, loyalty and lessons were all meant to shape us to be the best we could be on and off the court.” – Kim (Beezer) de Grandpre, former player, Class of 1994  

Lessons Learned from Jasper and Pascack Valley Girls Basketball

“Being one of ‘Jasper’s girls’ has taught me how to work hard, how to be humble when the hard work pays off, and how to move forward if it doesn’t…You have to feel it to know it. That unbreakable bond, the lessons learned both on and off the court, and the memories made that will last a lifetime—it’s nearly impossible to explain.” – Lauren (Fornazor) McMackin, former player, Class of 2006

“If we didn’t play to the best of our abilities or bring all the heart we could to that court, we’d only lose to ourselves… If you’ve played for Jasper or even just attended his camps, you probably know about The Girl in the Glass. The concept of playing against yourself always felt rooted here. Jasper taught us to make sure we could look in the mirror each day and be proud of what we had done.” – Christine Shirinian, former player, Class of 2001  

“Personally, Jasper turned this angsty and reckless teen into a driven, confident, and responsible individual, who has used those skills in every step of life to get me to where I am today.” – Chelsea (Lombardi) Morgan, former player, Class of 2011

“But what I most remember are the intangibles that Jasper taught us. Commitment means showing up, time after time, year after year. Jasper motivated us to reach higher than we ever knew was possible… My teammate, friend, and point guard, Michele Maxwell, and I spent many hours in the gym at PV. We showed up every day in the off-season because we wanted to be the best we could be, for ourselves, for our team, and for Jasper.” – Laura (Seiden) Gurth, former player, Class of 1989

“[Jasper taught me that] not only does one need to play and leave their hearts and guts on the court after every practice and game, but they also have to acknowledge the team and whom they are playing with. Teamwork will be a necessary lesson in everyone’s life.” – Paige Skene, former player, Class of 2020

“To this day, because of him, I know that when I shake somebody’s hand for the first time,  I’m staring them straight in the eye and shaking their hand with a firm grip. He expected us to shake his hand that way.  I do that all the time. He was right. It says something about your confidence and your character…This man changed my life forever. He taught me basketball. He taught me life skills. I’m proud to tell people, ‘I played for Jasper.’” – Marla (Mekjian) Aras, former player, Class of 1992   

Connection and Family

“As I come across them at different points, I’m always amazed at how players on different teams stay in touch with each other and connect with such a simple thing as basketball. I assume they say they have life long friends…” – Jasper

“We were a true family! Jeff took us, all of us, on road trips to Darlington, LBI, summer league games, MSG games and many other team outings. I am thrilled my three daughters were fortunate to experience many of these same experiences.” – Laura (Doherty) Ely, former player, Class of 1981

“There’s something about being part of this team, this family, that makes us inextricably bound. To this day, my very best friends are those I played Pascack Valley basketball with.” – Tina (Marchiano) Rauscher, former player, Class of 2006  

“Of course the state title stands out, state sectionals, Joe Poli victories and never losing a home game. But Jasper always said, it was more about relationships. That’s what you’re left with, that’s what you remember. The people. For me it’s the small moments I had with some of my best friends in those four years… Jasper built all of this… He will always hold a special place in my heart, the same place I know he held in my mom’s…” – Heather (Zurich) Diomede, former player, Class of 2005 

“Jeff taught me the importance of building relationships with students and that all success in the classroom and on the court  was measured by the strength of those relationships.” – Karen Kosch, former Pascack Valley teacher, Jasper’s friend and former colleague

“I joke about it constantly with my friends and family still, but I would stop at nothing to be able to play another season of PV basketball with my girls… I learned a lot of valuable life lessons from Jasper as well, like how to be resilient, mentally tough and a team player. He has always been the type of person that you knew would always have your back regardless of your role on the team or if you had already graduated.” – Kelly Smith, former player, Class of 2018  

“I was fortunate enough to be playing on the team when Jasper got his 500th win. We all wanted to be part of this special moment for him and the program. It was such an amazing accomplishment. Years later, I was in the stands with my children watching him win his 1,000th game.” – Cortnie (Ciaccio) LaMere, former player, Class of 1996 

The Long Gold Line

“The Long Gold Line means that all these players from the very first group are all connected by what we’ve done. That’s the legacy and what I’m most proud of. That’s the connection that I have personally, but it’s a great connection that they have with each other.” – Jasper

“The Long Gold Line connects us across generations: a timeless thread tracing the values of this program through the past, present, and future.” – Tina (Marchiano) Rauscher, former player, Class of 2006  

“The Long Gold Line is such a part of who we are that it has been woven into nearly all the important aspects of our lives.” – Lauren (Fornazor) McMackin, former player, Class of 2006

“The Long Gold Line is something that is obviously so important to Jasper but also to all his players he has ever coached. He made sure every player a part of his team knew the values of the Long Gold Line. He is someone who grew me into the strong young woman I am today. I am forever grateful for the knowledge, wisdom and success he shared with me.” – Jules Vassallo, former player, Class of 2022 

“The life lessons I learned from being part of Jasper’s Long Gold Line are countless. If you are lucky enough to have had the opportunity to be a part of Jasper’s life, you understand how great a teacher, role model, mentor and basketball coach he is…the very best.” – Cortnie (Ciaccio) LaMere, former player, Class of 1996

“[An] inspiring moment was when Jasper earned his 1000th win. I remember the whole community flooding the gym to celebrate Jasper’s accomplishments. It was heartwarming to see how many people, especially past players, came out to support and show love to the program. I felt very proud to be in the long line of amazing women who played at Pascack Valley.” – Nicole Perrone, former player, Class of 2021 

“Some of my closest friends came from the hours of sweating in the summer league gyms or knowing what a team talk in the locker room versus the equipment closet meant. Being able to grow up around this program only made my time playing in the program that much more special—I felt indebted to the players before me and took pride in being a good role model for the girls who would come after. Sports programs are not typically categorized by all females playing for the same coach; I know that no matter which generation a player was a part of they all understood what it meant to be a member in this program once they said they’ve been a part of the Long Gold Line.” – Maggie Ely, former player, Class of 2009

“I’ve been amazed to see how the sport and players have evolved over the past fifty years. Yes, I’ve been a devoted fan for most of the past 50 years…..proud, loyal, excited, awed and incredibly privileged to be a part of the Long Gold Line, as the program is now referred to as.” – Alice Scotten, member of the first PV Girls Basketball Team, Class of 1975 

“We are not a team; this is the definition of a program. From the inception to where you are today all connected. All of those kids, from kids to grandparents, are all connected through this basketball program. We wear gold, and that’s who we are.” – Jasper