Edison Board of Education retires #24 for Edison High athletes in honor of Coach Jim Muldowney

By Alvin Wu
Sports
Edison Board of Education retires #24 for Edison High athletes in honor of Coach Jim Muldowney

Jim Muldowney's jersey number, 24, is pictured on the side of Edison High School's baseball field on May 22, 2024, at 2:44 p.m. ZFJ/Alvin Wu

EDISON, N.J., Aug. 29 (ZFJ) — The Edison Board of Education retired the use of jersey number 24 for all Edison High School athletic teams in honor of late baseball coach and athletic director James “Diamond Jim” Muldowney at the Aug. 20 combined caucus and public meeting.

Muldowney graduated from Edison High in 1973 and became a teacher from 1981-2000. He then served as the school’s athletic director from 2000-2008 and the district’s supervisor of physical education and health from 2008-2018.

During his time as head baseball coach, Edison took 24 total championships: 10 Red Division titles, seven Greater Middlesex Conference titles, five Central Jersey Group 4 titles, and two Overall Group 4 titles.

His final record was 275-75. His teams won 20 games in 10 straight seasons.

“Mr. James Muldowney is considered by most to be the greatest High School Baseball Coach in Middlesex County’s history,” reads the Board of Education’s resolution.

A member of the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame, Muldowney was also a charter member of the Edison High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006.

Muldowney died on May 21, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer.

Edison Athletic Director Dave Sandaal thanked the superintendent and Board of Education for supporting his idea to retire the jersey number.

“No other EHS athlete in any sport will ever wear number 24, in honor of James Muldowney,” Sandaal said at the start of the meeting. “That’s how much he meant to Edison High athletics.”

Sandaal recognized Muldowney for inspiring many of his students and colleagues over his decades of service.

“Along the way, Coach Muldowney positively impacted the lives of thousands of student athletes, whether it be in phys ed class, on the baseball diamond, basketball court, or the soccer field.”

“Jim’s commitment to excellence and getting the best out of his student athletes was realized with perhaps his greatest team, the 1993 Edison baseball team. That team finished the season ranked number one in the state and number four in the United States. That, to my knowledge, being the Edison sports historian, that’s the highest ranking for a New Jersey team in the history of the USA Today top 25 rankings.”

A ceremony will be held during halftime of Edison High’s home football game against North Brunswick on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024, to honor Muldowney’s service.

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