As a diminutive young athlete, Tyler Simkovich may not have been as big or strong as his peers while growing up, but what he lacked in stature he made up for with the size of his heart.

The three-sport letterwinner from Woodbridge High School, who served as captain of the football and wrestling teams and a starter on the baseball diamond, also excelled in the classroom.

Owner of a 4.27 cumulative grade-point average and member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society, Simkovich somehow managed to find time between athletics and academics to extensively volunteer with youth in the community.

During his four years at Woodbridge, Simkovich completed more than 100 hours of community service, donating much of his time to assist children in need.

He is a recipient of the Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s 2025 Greater Middlesex Conference Student-Athlete Scholarship Award.

Since its inception in July 2017, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated nearly $400,000 to fulfill its mission of assisting pediatric patients and under-resourced children throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

The nonprofit has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies, school supplies and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, the foundation has awarded $37,000 in academic scholarships to 51 inspirational high school seniors and sent 31 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Museum.

Born with a complex cardiac defect, Marisa Tufaro survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing to a rare form of cancer in 2017 following a valiant battle. She was just 13 years old.

Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctors’ appointments, Marisa was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student involved in multiple extracurricular activities who lived a vibrant life that inspired.

The foundation is a fitting way to keep alive Marisa’s indomitable spirit and allow her legacy to be one of helping others.

As a volunteer youth football and baseball coach, group leader with the high school’s Heroes and Cool Kids mentoring program, member of the Woodbridge Youth Council’s Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide, counselor at summer youth baseball and football camps, and math tutor for peers and middle school students, Simkovich showed the generosity of his big heart.

“Tyler is outgoing, dedicated, personable and always up for a challenge,” said his precalculus teacher, Erin Knox, noting Simkovich has an “unwavering commitment to excellence” and a “thirst for knowledge that is truly remarkable.”

“Tyler is not just a brilliant student,” Knox continued, “but also a compassionate and empathetic individual who goes beyond to help others. He has learned how to manage his time between school, three varsity sports, volunteering … and other clubs and activities.”

Amy Ferrara, a guidance counselor at the high school, described Simkovich as “a dynamic student-athlete and overall kindhearted young man” who is “determined, conscientious, inquisitive and not afraid to try hard things.”

“Tyler is the kind of student and young man that you want to be part of your team, club and student body,” Ferrara said. “He is kind, compassionate, helpful and dependable.”

An honors student who scored 1410 on the SAT, Simkovich’s rigorous academic schedule included Advanced Placement classes and Dual Enrollment courses.

“Tyler is extremely courteous to his classmates and is a fantastic teammate,” said Michael Monaco, who was Simkovich’s wrestling coach, baseball coach, and history teacher.

“He has been a constant contributor in the classroom and in athletics. He is a hardworking, dedicated young man who shows great enthusiasm for learning. He has consistently performed at the highest level.”

While volunteering as a youth sports coach, Simkovich made a profound impact and became a role model for one of the players he had taken under his wing. The little boy became his shadow and told Simkovich he wanted to grow up to be just like him. The youngster’s parents later brought him to Woodbridge football games to watch Simkovich play.

“The moral of the story is you never know when someone is watching you,” Simkovich said. “I always try to do the right thing. Your character can define who you are and how others see you. This boy saw something in me that I didn’t even see in myself. Somehow, I made a lasting impression on him and that’s all that mattered to me. He changed my life.”

Simkovich has been recognized for his efforts on the playing field, in the classroom, and in the community with numerous awards.

He earned the football program’s Scholar-Athlete Award each of the past three seasons, was named the wrestling program’s Most Improved Wrestler in 2022-23, was the recipient of a 2025 Bill Denny Football Foundation scholarship, was selected 2024 Big Central Football Conference All-Division, was selected 2024 Home News Tribune All-Middlesex County Football honorable mention, was named to the 2025 Greater Middlesex Conference Baseball Coaches Association All-Academic Team, and earned Woodbridge High School’s Good Citizenship Award this spring.

During a remarkable senior year, Simkovich helped the Barrons tie a single-season school record for victories on the gridiron, claim an undefeated White Division championship on the mat, and win a Red Division title on the diamond.

“Tyler is one of the most well-liked young men I have ever known,” Woodbridge football coach Joe Goerge wrote about Simkovich in a bio for the Bill Denny Football Foundation scholarship program.

“I have become increasingly impressed with his unusually strong motivation and generous spirit.”