Don Bosco Preparatory High School

Don Bosco Preparatory High School (Don Bosco Prep) is a private, all-boys Catholic high school from ninth through twelfth grades. Founded in 1915 as a boarding school for Polish boys, by the Salesians of Don Bosco, a religious community of priests and brothers, the school is situated on a 35-acre (14 ha) campus in Ramsey, in Bergen County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The school is operated under the supervision of the Archdiocese of Newark.[10][11]

Don Bosco Preparatory High School
Address
Map
492 North Franklin Turnpike

, ,
07446

United States
Coordinates41°04′19″N 74°08′09″W / 41.072038°N 74.135707°W / 41.072038; -74.135707
Information
TypePrivate
MottoLatin: Crescere Scientia et Gratia
(To Increase in Knowledge and Grace)
Religious affiliation(s)Catholic
Established1915
NCES School ID00863362[9]
PresidentJoseph R. Azzolino[1]
DirectorFr. Abraham Feliciano,[2] SDB
PrincipalJeffrey Wojcik[3]
Faculty55.0 FTEs[9]
Grades912
GenderBoys
Enrollment767 (as of 2021–22)[9]
Student to teacher ratio13.9:1[9]
Campus size35 acres (140,000 m2)
Color(s)  Maroon and
  White[5]
SloganEmpowering Young Men for Life
Athletics conferenceBig North Conference[5] (general)
North Jersey Super Football Conference (football)
Team nameIronmen[5]
RivalBergen Catholic High School
Saint Joseph Regional High School
AccreditationMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools[6]
NewspaperIronman[8]
YearbookBosconian[7]
School fees$1,685 (Student fee, registration and capital improvement)[4]
Tuition$18,975 (2023-24)[4]
AffiliationSalesians
Websitewww.donboscoprep.org

Located in northern New Jersey, approximately 2 miles (3 km) from the New Jersey – New York border, the school draws students from a wide geographical region, including Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Essex and Sussex counties in New Jersey as well as surrounding counties in New York.

As of the 2021–22 school year, the school had an enrollment of 767 students and 55.0 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.9:1. The school's student body was 65.3% (501) White, 15.8% (121) Hispanic, 7.4% (57) Black, 5.3% (41) two or more races, 5.2% (40) Asian and 0.9% (7) Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander.[9]

History

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The school dates back to April 1915, when it was created as a boarding school for boys from Poland.[12]

In its early years, from 1915 to 1973, Don Bosco housed resident students on the upper floors of St. Johns Hall. Freshmen were in the center wing while upperclassmen stayed on the top floor in the north annex. During the 1960s, approximately 75 or 10% of the students lived on campus. Resident students attended Mass each morning and were allowed to go home each weekend starting around 1963. Prior to that, weekend home visits were periodic.

Accreditation

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The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools since 1960.[6] Don Bosco Prep is a member of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the National Catholic Educational Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the National Honor Society and the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Athletics

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The Don Bosco Ironmen[5] compete in the Big North Conference, which is comprised of public and private high schools in Bergen and Passaic counties, and was established by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) following a reorganization of sports leagues in Northern New Jersey.[13] With 1,278 students in grades 10–12, the school was classified by the NJSIAA for the 2019–20 school year as Non-Public A for most athletic competition purposes, which included schools with an enrollment of 381 to 1,454 students in that grade range (equivalent to Group IV for public schools).[14] In the 2009–10 school year, the school competed in the North Jersey Tri-County Conference, which was established on an interim basis to facilitate realignment.[15] Until the NJSIAA's 2009 realignment, the school had participated in Division C of the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League, which included high schools located in Bergen County, Essex County and Passaic County, and was separated into three divisions based on NJSIAA size classification.[16] The football team competes in the United Red division of the North Jersey Super Football Conference, which includes 112 schools competing in 20 divisions, making it the nation's biggest football-only high school sports league.[17][18] The school was classified by the NJSIAA as Non-Public Group A (equivalent to Group III/IV/V for public schools) for football for 2024–2026, which included schools with 738 to 1,404 students.[19]

The athletic teams are nicknamed the Ironmen and the school colors are maroon and white.[5] In 2008 they were ranked as the number nine sports program in the nation by Sports Illustrated.[20]

 
One of two fountains on the Ramsey, NJ campus.
 
Mary, Help of Christians Chapel in St. John's Hall is the center of religious activity on campus.

The school was the Group A winner of the NJSIAA ShopRite Cup in 2006–07. The award recognized the school for achieving a tie for third in boys' soccer, first in boys' cross country, first in football, second in wrestling, second in boys' indoor track and field relays, a tie for third in baseball, second in boys' golf, a tie for third in boys' lacrosse and second in boys' track and field.[21]

Fall

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The school fields football, soccer and cross country teams in the fall.

Cross country

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The cross country team won its first New Jersey State Meets of Champions in 1992 under the leadership of Coach Tony Monks and Bill Barry and returned as Champions in 2007 and 2009.[22] The team won Non-Public A titles in four consecutive years from 2006 to 2009, and again in 2015.[23] The Ironmen placed third at the Nike Northeast Regional Race, and placed 10th at Nike Team Nationals in Portland, Oregon in 2007. They ended Christian Brothers Academy's 11-year winning streak at the state group championships with their string of four wins, and in 2005 the freshman cross country team ended the 19-year streak of CBA in the NJCTCs.[24] The squad finished sixth in the country at Nike Cross Nationals in 2008. The Ironmen were the best team not to make nationals in 2009, finishing 23rd in the country. Under the guidance of head coach Kevin Kilduff, the program was named North Jersey's "Program of the Decade" for 2000–2009.[citation needed]

Soccer

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The soccer team were state runners-up in 2009 and are a perennial competitor for the state title. In 2009, they defeated Bergen Catholic High School in the Bergen County Tournament final 3–0, behind goals from Dylan Renna, Gio Esposito and Ryan McNamara.[25] The Bergen County Coaches Association named Don Bosco's Ian Joyce and Steve Franchini to its All Decade Team, but selected Ramapo High School in 2010 as its Program of the Decade, despite both teams having won five championships in the ten-year span, citing the fact that Ramapo had beaten Don Bosco three of the four times the teams had played each other in the county championship.[26]

Football

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The school's football program has been a perennial contender for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Non-Public Group IV championship. The Ironmen have won 15 state championships, were declared winners in 1968, 1970 and 1973, and won playoff tournaments in Non-Public A North in 1983, 1984 and 1990, and in Non-Public Group IV in 2002, 2003, 2006–2011 and 2015.[27]

The 1984 team won the Parochial A North sectional title by defeating Bergen Catholic High School by a score of 15–0 in the championship game, after having beaten Bergen Catholic 13–0 on Thanksgiving, making it the first time Bergen Catholic had been shutout in consecutive games in more than two decades.[28]

The 1990 team finished the season with an 8–3 record after overcoming a 20-0 halftime deficit to win the Non-Public A North title with a 21–20 win against Queen of Peace High School in the championship game.[29]

Prior to achieving National Champion status, the Don Bosco football team ended the 2002 season ranked No. 8 in the nation in USA Today's "Super 25" ranking of the best high school football teams in the country,[30] was ranked No. 2 in the nation in the 2003 season[31] and ranked No. 7 in the 2006 season.[32] The team finished first overall in USA Today's regional rankings for the East at the end of those same three seasons.[33][34][35]

In 2002, 2003, 2006 and 2010 the football team won the Star Ledger Trophy as the newspaper's top-ranked program in the New Jersey.[36]

On September 27, 2008, the nationally ranked football team traveled to California, where they defeated De La Salle High School 23–21 on national television, the winning margin coming with 10 seconds left on a 19-yard field goal.[37] A year later Don Bosco hosted De La Salle, defeating them 30–6 on September 12, 2009. Later that year the Ironmen travelled to Prattville, Alabama, to take on another nationally ranked team. That game was televised nationwide by ESPN. The Ironmen won 35–24. Don Bosco finished the season with a perfect 12–0 record and, following a number of weeks ranked second in the nation, was chosen 2009 National Champion when 2008 National Champion Saint Thomas Aquinas of Fort Lauderdale, Florida lost in the Florida State semi-finals. In 2009 the Ironmen became the first New Jersey team to be selected as the High School Football National Champion, finishing atop the lists of both the USA Today and the National Prep Poll rankings. Don Bosco repeated in 2011 as the National Champion of both the USA Today and the National Prep Poll.

The team won the Non-Public B title in 2015, defeating Saint Joseph Regional High School by a score of 21–10 to win the program's first title in four years.[38]

Bosco has sent more than 200 football players to Division I colleges across the country.[39]

The rivalry with Saint Joseph Regional High School was listed at 15th on NJ.com's 2017 list "Ranking the 31 fiercest rivalries in N.J. HS football". Don Bosco leads the rivalry with a 30–23 overall record as of 2017, which includes periods in the 1990s and 2010s when the two schools played each other on Thanksgiving. The rivalry with Bergen Catholic High School, dating back to 1958, was listed as the state's number-one rivalry, with Don Bosco in the lead at 38-28-2.[40]

Winter

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Basketball

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The basketball Ironmen won the Non-Public A state championship in 1944 (defeating Camden Catholic High School in the tournament final), 1966 (vs. Christian Brothers Academy), 1968 (vs. Trenton Cathedral High School), 1970 (vs. Christian Brothers), 2017 (vs. St. Augustine Preparatory School) and 2018 (vs. Camden Catholic).[41]

The 1966 team ended the year with a record of 25-2 after winning the Parochial A state championship at Convention Hall in Atlantic City with a 65–58 win in the tournament final against a Christian Brothers Academy team that had beaten them in the finals the previous season.[42]

The 1968 team won the Parochial A title at Convention Hall with a 75–71 defeat of a Trenton Cathedral team that entered the championship game with a 26–0 record.[43]

The team won the Parochial A title in 1970 with an 83–71 win in the championship game against Christian Brothers in a game played at Atlantic City's Convention Hall.[44]

After a 47-year drought, the team won the 2017 Non-Public A title with a 69–66 win against St. Augustine.[45] The Ironmen would repeat as Non-Public A state champions in 2018, defeating Camden Catholic High School by a score of 61–54 in the tournament final played at the RWJBarnabas Health Arena.[46]

Bowling

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The bowling team won the overall state championship in 1991 and 1993.[47] The team took the 1991 title with a total score of 2,875 pins.[48]

Ice hockey

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The hockey team dates back to the 1960s. The team currently plays in the Gordon Conference. Frequently ranked among the top five teams in the state, the Ironmen have been to two state championships, and won the 2012 Gordon Conference Championship, four Bergen County championships, a Van Cott Cup and numerous other championships. Coach Greg Toskos, the all-time leading scorer at Don Bosco, has led the Ironmen since the 2006–07 season (his first two seasons as co-coach) and has a career 116-79-23 record.[49][50]

Swimming

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The swimming program was introduced in 2005. On January 5, 2008, Don Bosco swim team defeated Bergen Catholic High School, 98–72. It was Bergen Catholic's first dual meet loss in 23 years.[51]

Fencing

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The fencing team in the 2011–2012 season got second place in Section 4 district championships and was undefeated, going 13–0.

In the 2012-2013 fencing season, the Ironmen were again undefeated in District 4 dual meets, placed second in the District 4 tournament, and, for the first time in team history, advanced past the first round of the State Tournament to achieve a ranking of sixth in the state.

Indoor track and field

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The indoor track team and field team has risen to national prominence in the past few years, as the Ironman quartet of Steven Wexler, Jason Baker, Conor Sullivan and anchor leg Sharif Webb won the National Championship in the 3200m (4 × 800 m) relay at the 2006 National Scholastic Indoor Championships held in New York City. Four years later at the NSIC, the 2010 4x1 mile relay, led by an astonishing anchor from Michael Belgiovine (and also including Rafael Vargas, Howard Rosas and Phelan McCormack) earned second team All-American status for their runner-up finish in that race. In addition, the Ironmen have won County championships indoors for five consecutive years and have won numerous league/conference and invitational titles. The team captured the NJSIAA Non-Public "A" State Title at the Bennett Indoor Complex in Toms River, NJ. The program was named "Program of the Decade" by the Bergen County Coaches Association.[52]

Wrestling

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The wrestling team won the 2007 Non-Public North A state sectional championship with a 32–28 win against rival Bergen Catholic High School.[53]

Razohnn Gross became the school's first individual wrestling champion when he won the 2012 title at 195 pounds in overtime against Eric McMullen of North Bergen High School.[54] Gross won his second title in 2013 with a victory over Anthony Messner of Franklin High School.[55] That same year, 2013, Luis Gonzalez became Don Bosco's second individual state champion when he earned first place at 113 pounds.[56]

Spring

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The school offers seven varsity sports in the spring season including baseball, golf, lacrosse, track & field, tennis, crew and volleyball.

The lacrosse, golf, and volleyball teams are teams on the rise. The golf team finished undefeated in 2009 and was ranked within the top five teams in the state.

Outdoor track and field

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The Ironmen are six-time state champions in Spring track with wins in 1955, 1961, and 2006, and three consecutive titles in 2009, 2010, and 2011. The track team has won county championships for several years running, and won many league and conference titles in the now-defunct NNJIL before joining the Big North Conference. In 2007 the Sprint Medley Relay (Jason Kelsey, Matthew Cato, Marvin Whilby and Sharif Webb) captured a national title at the Nike Outdoor Nationals held in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 2009, the 4x1 mile relay team earned All-American status with a fifth-place finish at the Nike Outdoor Nationals. The shuttle hurdle relay team, 4 × 400 m relay team and javelin thrower Tyler Yee medalled at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals in June 2011. Don Bosco Prep has become one of the elite high school track and field programs in the nation, culminating in an eighth-place finish at the Nike Track Nationals, held in Eugene, Oregon in June 2011.

The team was voted as "Program of the Decade" for 2000-2009 by the Record's track reporter, Paul Schwartz. Head Coach Rob DeCarlo Jr. was named "Coach of the Decade" for his efforts in leading the team since 2003, ending a 45-year state title drought in 2006.[57] DeCarlo was honored as New Jersey Boys' Track "Coach of the Year" by The Star-Ledger in June 2011.[58]

Baseball

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The baseball team has won the county title nine times since 2000 and the state championship six times; the team won the Non-Public A North title in 1963 and won the State Non-Public A championship in 1979 (vs. Notre Dame High School), 1986 (vs. Red Bank Catholic High School), 1988 (vs. Holy Cross Preparatory Academy), 1989 (vs. St. Joseph High School of Metuchen), 1994 (vs. Monsignor Donovan High School), 2008 (vs. Christian Brothers Academy), 2022 (va. St. Augustine Preparatory School) and 2023 (vs. Red Bank Catholic). The eight state titles are tied for second-most in the state.[59]

The team finished with a record of 15–11 in 1989 after winning the Parochial A title with a 3–1 defeat of St. Joseph of Metuchen, behind the pitching of future MLB pitcher C. J. Nitkowski.[60]

The 1994 team defeated Monsignor Donovan by a score of 1–0 in the championship game to win the Parochial A state title and finish the season 21–9.[61] The 2008 squad posted a record of 33-0 and won the Non-Public A state championship, and were ranked No. 1 in the nation by ESPNHS50 and No. 2 by USA Today.[62] Former MLB pitcher Mike Stanton coached the team in 2010 before stepping down. In 2011 they went 25-1 and were 18th in the nation, according to MaxPreps Xcellent 25. In 2012 Don Bosco was pre-ranked at No. 6 in the nation by MaxPrepsand finished the season 26–4.

The Don Bosco baseball team faced Patterson's Eastside High School in the first baseball game played since 1997 at the renovated Hinchliffe Stadium on May 17, 2023.[63]

Rowing

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The rowing team has won two Scholastic Rowing Association of America National championships and two Stotesbury Cup gold medals.[64] They have at one point possessed the title in every men's sculling category. The rowing team has only competed against Bergen Catholic High School once during the spring sprint season, in the Junior Quad head race qualifier at the 2010 Stotesbury Cup Regatta. In 2012 the varsity double (Aaron McAvey and Brian Sullivan) won the SRAA national championships. In 2017 the coxed lightweight four won the SRAA national championships under Coach Scott Menken. In 2023, the coxed second four won silver at the Stotesbury Cup Regatta.[65]

Lacrosse

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The boys' lacrosse team won the Non-Public A state championship in 2013 (defeating Seton Hall Prep in the tournament final) and 2021 (vs. Delbarton School). The 2021 team won the Tournament of Champions with a victory against Summit High School in the championship game.[66]

Notable alumni

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Athletes

References

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  1. ^ Contact and Directions, Don Bosco Preparatory High School. Accessed March 24, 2023.
  2. ^ "DBP Announces New Director". January 26, 2021.
  3. ^ "New Principal Announced", Don Bosco Preparatory High School, July 19, 2022. Accessed March 24, 2023. "Don Bosco Prep is proud to announce that Mr. Jeffrey M. Wojcik, Class of 2001, has been named the new principal for the 2022-2023 school year."
  4. ^ a b Tuition & Assistance, Don Bosco Preparatory High School. Accessed March 24, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e Don Bosco Prep High School, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  6. ^ a b Don Bosco Preparatory High School, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Accessed February 1, 2022.
  7. ^ Yearbook Club, Don Bosco Preparatory High School. Accessed February 20, 2022.
  8. ^ Ironman Newspaper, Don Bosco Preparatory High School. Accessed February 20, 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e School data for Don Bosco Preparatory High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed October 29, 2023.
  10. ^ McGrath, Ben. "The Jersey Game Will high-school football become a big money sport?", The New Yorker, pp. 39–53, January 2, 2012. Accessed May 4, 2015.
  11. ^ Bergen County Catholic High Schools Archived August 12, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. Accessed November 12, 2016.
  12. ^ History, Don Bosco Preparatory High School. Accessed March 29, 2022. "Don Bosco Prep High School was founded on April 3, 1915, with the arrival of the first students, who transferred from Columbus Institute in Hawthorne, NY. The Ramsey school, initially known as Don Bosco Institute, was a college preparatory boarding school for Polish boys taught by Polish Salesian priests."
  13. ^ League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  14. ^ NJSIAA General Public School Classifications 2019–2020, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
  15. ^ New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association League Memberships – 2009-2010, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, backed up by the Internet Archive as of July 24, 2011. Accessed August 14, 2017.
  16. ^ Home Page, Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League, backed up by the Internet Archive as of May 9, 2009. Accessed December 16, 2014.
  17. ^ Cooper, Darren. "Here's what we know about the new Super Football Conference 2020 schedule", The Record, July 23, 2020. Accessed March 22, 2021. "The Super Football Conference (SFC) is a 112-team group, the largest high school football-only conference in America, and is comprised of teams from five different counties."
  18. ^ Cooper, Darren. "NJ football: Super Football Conference revised schedules for 2020 regular season", The Record, July 23, 2020. Accessed March 22, 2021. "The Super Football Conference has 112 teams that will play across 20 divisions."
  19. ^ NJSIAA Football Public School Classifications 2024–2026, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated September 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.
  20. ^ Brown, David. "Jersey has unique barriers to balance", The Standard-Times (New Bedford), June 25, 2008. Accessed August 6, 2008. "Earlier this year, Sports Illustrated ranked Don Bosco the No. 9 high school sports program in the country."
  21. ^ Fourth Annual ShopRite Cup: 2006‐2007 Final Standings Archived September 3, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed September 12, 2017.
  22. ^ NJSIAA Boys Cross-Country Meet of Champions Winners (1972-2018), New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  23. ^ NJSIAA Boys Cross Country State Group Champions, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  24. ^ Don Bosco Prep halts CBA's streak at 11, The Star-Ledger, November 12, 2006.
  25. ^ Staff. "Don Bosco Prep 3, Bergen Catholic 0", The Star-Ledger, November 8, 2009. Accessed September 1, 2011. "Giovanni Esposito scored a first-half goal and Ryan McNamara and Dylan Renna each connected after the break to lead Don Bosco Prep, No. 3 in The Star-Ledger Top 20, to a 3-0 victory over No. 1 Bergen Catholic in the championship game of the Bergen County Tournament yesterday at Indian Hills in Oakland."
  26. ^ Soccer: All Decade Team Archived March 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Bergen County Coaches Association. Accessed September 1, 2011.
  27. ^ NJSIAA Football History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  28. ^ Schwartz, Paul. "Don Bosco defends Parochial title", The Record, December 2, 1984. Accessed January 10, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "With little more than a minute left in Don Bosco's 15-0 New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Parochial A North championship game win over Bergen Catholic yesterday, first-year head coach Mike Zdanek stood atop the tower he was directing the Ironmen from, made a 'D' with his hands, hollered 'defense,' and thrust his fist into the air.... The Ironmen shut out Bergen Catholic for the second time in less than two weeks they beat the Crusaders, 13-0, Thanksgiving Day. It marked the first time since 1962 that Bergen Catholic had been shut out in back-to-back games."
  29. ^ Chessari, Joe. "Don Bosco rallies to down QP", The Record, December 2, 1990. Accessed December 1, 2020, via Newspapers.com. "Don Bosco Prep 21, Queen of Peace 20 didn't tell the whole story. Don Bosco's come-from-behind victory in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Parochial A North final was hard for Queen of Peace to take.... Don Bosco (8-3) had its own explanations."
  30. ^ USA TODAY's prep football Super 25 for 2002, USA Today, accessed December 30, 2006
  31. ^ USA TODAY's prep football Super 25 for 2006, USA Today, accessed December 30, 2006
  32. ^ USA TODAY's prep football Super 25 for 2006, USA Today, accessed December 30, 2006
  33. ^ Super 25 prep football regional rankings: 2002, USA Today, December 24, 2002.
  34. ^ Super 25 prep football regional rankings: 2003, USA Today, December 22, 2003.
  35. ^ Super 25 prep football regional rankings: 2006, USA Today, December 26, 2006.
  36. ^ Staff. "NJ Football: Final Statewide Rankings, 2010", The Star-Ledger, December 17, 2010. Accessed September 1, 2011.
  37. ^ Staff. "Don Bosco nips De La Salle with last-second field goal", USA Today, September 28, 2008. Accessed October 1, 2008.
  38. ^ Lanni, Patrick. "Don Bosco ends title drought, downs St. Joseph (Mont.), 21-10", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, December 4, 2015. Accessed December 6, 2015. "Don Bosco Prep, No. 2 in the NJ.com Top 20, downed No. 4 St. Joseph (Mont.), 21-10, Friday night at MetLife Stadium to win the NJSIAA/SportsCare Institute Non-Public, Group 4 championship and end a four-year title drought for Greg Toal's team. The win secured Don Bosco's 12th title in school history and first since 2011 when the Ironmen capped a streak of six straight state championships."
  39. ^ Ironman Football Academy Archived July 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  40. ^ Stypulkoski, Matt. "Ranking the 31 fiercest rivalries in N.J. HS football" Archived January 10, 2021, at the Wayback Machine, NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 27, 2017, updated May 15, 2019. Accessed December 1, 2020. "15-Don Bosco Prep vs. St. Joseph (Mont.) - For two periods of time, from 1992-98 and again from 2009-2014, the Green Knights and Ironmen met for an annual Thanksgiving clash. The all-time series (led by DBP, 30-23), however, started well before that, with the first meeting between these two Bergen County powers taking place in 1965.... All-time series: Don Bosco Prep leads, 30-23.... 1-Bergen Catholic vs. Don Bosco Prep: Our No. 1 rivalry in New Jersey dates back to 1958 (though the teams did not play in the regular season from 1992-98, but resumed in 1999), with these two programs separated by just over 10 miles set to clash for the 69th meeting all-time this Friday.... All-time series: Don Bosco Prep leads, 38-28-2"
  41. ^ NJSIAA Boys Basketball Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
  42. ^ Buonauro, Gabe. "Don Bosco, Park Ridge Capture State Titles; Ironmen On Top In Parochial A; Spenla Comes Off Bench To Spark Club To 65-58 Revenge Win Over C. B. A.", The Record, March 19, 1978. Accessed January 31, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "It was O'Brien's way of congratulating the jubilant players for giving Bosco its first New Jersey State Interscholastic A. A. basketball championship in 22 years.... With that the locker room returned to bedlam as the players and their coaches continued to congratulate one another for the impressive 65-58 victory over Christian Brothers Academy in the Parochial A final Saturday afternoon at Convention Hall.... Bosco, which finished the season with a 25-2 record, extended their lead to 10 points (45-35) as Spenla scored from the short post just before the third quarter ended."
  43. ^ Phillips, Ron. "Upsets Trenton Cathedral; Foul Shooting, Good Zone Earn Ramsey Don Bosco State Honors", Herald News, April 1, 1968. Accessed February 14, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "A well balanced attack, good zone defensive work and excellent shooting from the foul line, earned Ramsey Don Bosco Parochial A state title honors Saturday afternoon in Convention Hall before 6,913 fans. The Dons, winning their second state crown in four years, posted a 75-71 upset victory over Trenton Cathedral High School. Trenton Cathedral, coached by former Paterson Central and Seton Hall University standout Phil Kecmer, entered the game with a record of 26-0."
  44. ^ Ruskie, Mark. "Bosco's Harris One Up On Les", The Record, March 22, 1970. Accessed November 26, 2020, via Newspapers.com. "'Les is a real good friend of mine,' said Harris Saturday after helping lead Don Bosco to an 83-71 victory over CBA and the Parochial A State basketball championship."
  45. ^ Mattura, Greg. "Don Bosco hangs on to win first state title in 47 years", The Record, March 11, 2017. Accessed March 20, 2017. "Excitedly, joyfully, the Ironmen celebrated their first state boys basketball title in 47 years. Don Bosco avenged last year's loss to St. Augustine in the Non-Public A final with a hold-your-breath, 69-66 victory Saturday night at Pine Belt Arena on the campus of Toms River North."
  46. ^ Mattura, Greg. "Don Bosco basketball downs Camden Catholic, repeats as Non-Public A champion", The Record, March 10, 2018. Accessed November 19, 2018. "Don Bosco made school history and continued the Renaissance of boys’ basketball in Bergen County. The Ironmen became the first in the program's history to repeat as an NJSIAA champion after holding off Camden Catholic, 61-54, in Saturday’s Non-Public A final at RWJBarnabas Health Arena."
  47. ^ History of NJSIAA Boys Bowling Championships, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed July 1, 2022.
  48. ^ Matura, Greg. "Don Bosco, Shelley return winners", The Record, March 10, 1991. Accessed December 2, 2020, via Newspapers.com. "It was a good day for local competitors, as Don Bosco Prep captured the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association boys team title with a three-game, five-player pin total of 2,875."
  49. ^ Head Coach Greg Toskos '94 , Don Bosco Hockey. Accessed November 16, 2015.
  50. ^ Records By Season, Don Bosco Hockey. Accessed November 16, 2015.
  51. ^ "Don Bosco swim team makes history" Archived January 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, The Record, January 5, 2008. Accessed January 12, 2008.
  52. ^ Indoor Track: All Decade Team Archived March 30, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Bergen County Coaches Association. Accessed October 18, 2011.
  53. ^ 2007 Team Wrestling Tournament - Non-Public, North A, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed July 24, 2007.
  54. ^ Lamberti, Mike. "Wrestling state finals, 195 pounds: Razohnn Gross works OT to win first wrestling state title in Don Bosco Prep history", The Star-Ledger, Marc 4, 2012. Accessed April 7, 2013. "Razohnn Gross of Don Bosco Prep after defeating Eric McMullen of North Bergen in OT to win the 195-pound state title in Atlantic City on Sunday."
  55. ^ Kratch, James. "Wrestling state championships, 2013: Razohnn Gross of Don Bosco Prep wins 195-pound championship", The Star-Ledger, March 10, 2013. Accessed April 7, 2013. "Gross captured his second straight state championship at 195 pounds with a 5-3 victory over his longtime friend, Anthony Messner of Franklin, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City."
  56. ^ Barton, Rich. "Giraldo's win part of a banner day for North Jersey wrestlers", NorthJersey Sports.com, March 11, 2013. Accessed February 13, 2023. "At 113 pounds, Don Bosco Prep’s Luis Gonzalez trailed by a point in the second period before hitting Kevin Corrigan of Toms River South with a double-leg takedown to take the lead. He maintained that lead, but not without some moments of trepidation. Corrigan got a hold of Gonzalez’s leg twice in the final minute, but was unable to complete the shot as the junior held on for his first state title after two near misses."
  57. ^ Staff. "All-Decade boys track", The Record, June 13, 2010. Accessed September 12, 2012.
  58. ^ Chapman, Brian. "Rob DeCarlo is The Star-Ledger's boys track and field state Coach of the Year for 2011", The Star-Ledger, June 26, 2011. Accessed September 12, 2012. "The team won every championship for which it was eligible, five in all, including its third straight NJSIAA Non-Public A crown and both the Bergen County individual and relay titles."
  59. ^ Baseball Championship History: 1959–2024, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated June 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.
  60. ^ Dottino, Paul. "Don Bosco retains crown in Parochial A; Defensive lapse haunts St. Joseph's of Metuchen", The Record, June 12, 1989. Accessed March 2, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Shortstop Sean Ryan's seventh-inning bunt with none out was misplayed for two runs as Don Bosco defended its Parochial A State baseball title Sunday with a 3-1 victory against. St. Joseph's of Metuchen at Clarke Field.... The Ironmen (15-11) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning."
  61. ^ Mattura, Greg. "Boublis' gem gives Don Bosco the crown", The Record, June 12, 1994. Accessed January 24, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Boublis did it Saturday as he carried Don Bosco Prep to a 1-0 victory in nine innings over Monsignor Donovan of Toms River, in the Parochial A State championship at East Brunswick Tech."
  62. ^ "Baseball Super 25: American Heritage (Fla.) tops final rankings", USA Today, July 28, 2008. Accessed October 18, 2011.
  63. ^ Tartaglia, Greg (May 25, 2023). "The son of a former NY Mets infielder, Paterson baseball star looks to make his own mark". The Bergen Record. Woodland Park, New Jersey. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  64. ^ The 84th Annual Stotesbury Cup RegattaMay 14 & 15, 2010 Archived September 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, Stotesbury Cup. Accessed October 18, 2011.
  65. ^ 2023 Stotesbury Cup Regatta 03:19 PM: Race 17 Boys Second Four Final - The Cipollone Cup, RowTown.org. Accessed June 14, 2023.
  66. ^ NJSIAA Boys Lacrosse Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  67. ^ Jennemann, Tom. "Real-life treasure hunter Author of Thieves of Baghdad to speak at Jubilee Center fundraiser" Archived February 2, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, The Hudson Reporter, July 4, 2006. Accessed January 29, 2017. "Two of Bogdanos' brothers, Dino and his twin brother Mark, live in Hoboken. While the family grew up in New York, the three brothers attended Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey."
  68. ^ Dietel, Craig. "Clinton Calabrese '04 Named to 2018 Insider 100 Top Millennials List!", Don Bosco Preparatory High School, July 27, 2018. Accessed January 5, 2022. "Congratulations Clinton Calabrese '04 on being named to the 2018 Insider Top 100 Millennials List as well!"
  69. ^ Brennan, John. "Atlantic City makes $1.8M bond payment, avoids default; Christie asks 'What's next?'", The Record, May 2, 2016. Accessed January 13, 2022. "'These are tough times — but the Assembly is tougher,' said Guardian, a Don Bosco graduate who grew up in Palisades Park and West New York."
  70. ^ "Bishop John O'Hara", Archdiocese of New York. Accessed April 17, 2021. "graduating from ... Don Bosco High School in Ramsey, New Jersey in 1963"
  71. ^ Feldberg, Robert. "Jason Patric stars in his father's hit play, 'That Championship Season'" Archived July 14, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, The Record, February 13, 2011. Accessed February 22, 2011. "The money from That Championship Season enabled the family, which included Patric's brother and sister, to move to Upper Saddle River and a five-bedroom house on a large piece of land.... Patric (his given name is Jason Patric Miller Jr.) attended Cavallini Middle School, and then Don Bosco Preparatory High School in Ramsey."
  72. ^ John Pizzarelli interview Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, Jazz Review. Accessed May 16, 2007. "JazzReview: Where did you go to high school? John Pizzarelli: Don Bosco High School, Ramsey, New Jersey."
  73. ^ Rzeppa, Brian. "Former Nets Radio Prodigy Brandon Robinson Catches on at CBS Sports", Nothin' But Nets, May 25, 2016. Accessed July 29, 2019. "Studying at prestigious Don Bosco Prep which was home to many elite-level athletes, Robinson was able to further practice his craft in an opportune environment."
  74. ^ McIntyre, Jason. "Q&A with ESPN Investigative Reporter Don Van Natta Jr.", TheBigLead, January 18, 2013. Accessed May 17, 2015. "Q: You went to Don Bosco Prep in North Jersey, and then attended Boston University."
  75. ^ Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. Vol. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig. p. 484.
  76. ^ Cooper, Darren. "Jalen Berger a one-of-a-kind player for Don Bosco football", The Record.October 10, 2018. Accessed September 14, 2022. "Jalen Berger defies comparison. The Don Bosco junior does things that normal high school football players don’t."
  77. ^ Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M Aggies football. Accessed April 14, 2024. "Hometown: Ramsey, N.J.; High School: Don Bosco Prep"
  78. ^ Duggan, Dan. "NFL Draft 2016: Rutgers WR Leonte Carroo picked by the Miami Dolphins in the third round", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, April 29, 2016. Accessed April 30, 2016. "A four-star recruit out of New Jersey powerhouse Don Bosco Prep, Carroo played exclusively on special teams as a true freshman in 2012."
  79. ^ Hunt, TJ (February 1, 2020). "Commitment News: 2022 RHP Caden Dana Commits to Kentucky". Prep Baseball Report. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  80. ^ Gewelb, Zach. "Cedar Grove resident, Don Bosco QB commits to Syracuse", Verona-Cedar Grove Times, May 16, 2016. Accessed May 13, 2020. "Cedar Grove resident and Don Bosco junior Tommy DeVito has grown into one of the top quarterback recruits in the nation."
  81. ^ Fox, Ron. "Ramsey resident signs with Fort Lauderdale Strikers", Ramsey Suburban News, April 18, 2013. Accessed September 21, 2015. "Ramsey's Mike Dietze in his Fort Lauderdale Strikers jersey.... He had 13 goals and 10 assists as a Don Bosco senior, but the season was abruptly ended when he suffered a broken leg."
  82. ^ Liam Fornadel, James Madison Dukes football. "Hometown Wyckoff, N.J;. High School Don Bosco Prep"
  83. ^ Stapleton, Art. "Inside Brian Gaine's rise from childhood NY Giants fan to Houston Texans general manager", The Record, September 18, 2018. Accessed May 10, 2021. "The man on the poster that hung inside Brian Gaine's Pearl River, N.Y. bedroom embodied everything he wanted the foundation of his own football life to be.... The NFL player was iconic New York Giants tight end Mark Bavaro, who Gaine idolized as he developed into a high school star as part of a state championship team at Don Bosco."
  84. ^ Waldstein, David. "Garvin, Florida State Speedster, Catches N.F.L.'s Eye",The New York Times, "This month, Garvin was at a sports facility in Wayne preparing for Sunday's Texas Relays — he was on the winning 4x100-meter relay team — with Kevin Ensenat, Garvin's trainer since he was a freshman at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J."
  85. ^ Rowe, John. "Mahwah resident Joe Graf Jr. climbing auto racing ladder", The Record, May 4, 2018. Accessed July 29, 2019. "Joe Graf Jr. realizes he's very fortunate. Few people's dreams translate into reality.... Driving is the Mahwah teenager's passion. After playing high school lacrosse in his freshman and sophomore years at Don Bosco Prep, Graf opted to devote his time solely to auto racing."
  86. ^ Silverstein, Tom. "Prep school holds Grant in high regard for starting strong tradition on gridiron", Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, January 15, 2008. Accessed June 15, 2008. "Running back Ryan Grant (above, below) starred at Don Bosco High School in Ramsey, N.J., in 1999-'00."
  87. ^ Mattura, Greg. "Considered a top HS basketball talent in NJ, Dylan Harper does it all on and off the court", The Record, January 11, 2023. Accessed July 19, 2023. "It’s midterm exams week at Don Bosco and Dylan Harper is focused more on books than basketball.... Harper, a 6-foot-6 junior from Franklin Lakes, is the son of a five-time NBA champion, younger brother of an NBA rookie, and the biggest recruit to come out of North Jersey in decades."
  88. ^ Cooper, Darren. "Cooper: What's in a name, if it's Harper? Don Bosco Prep swingman Ron Harper Jr. carrying on family tradition of basketball excellence", The Record, March 14, 2017. Accessed October 13, 2020. "Harper Jr., a Franklin Lakes resident, grew up playing down low, since he was usually the biggest player on his team. But as time went on, he became more of a small forward. When he got to Don Bosco, his debut was rough."
  89. ^ Stapleton, Art. "Matt Hennessy, Don Bosco and Temple star, selected by Atlanta Falcons in NFL Draft", The Record, April 24, 2020. Accessed November 8, 2020. "Matt Hennessy studied highlights of All-Pro center Alex Mack when he made the transition to the position after exclusively playing tackle in high school at Don Bosco Prep in North Jersey."
  90. ^ "Thomas Hennessy". goduke.com. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
  91. ^ Schutta, Gregory. "Where are they now? Former Don Bosco soccer goalie Ian Joyce" Archived February 2, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, The Record, October 22, 2013. Accessed January 29, 2017. "Ian Joyce still laughs when he thinks about the coincidence. The former All-State goalkeeper for Don Bosco was attending a coaching clinic in California when he met his roommate for the clinic, current Don Bosco coach Vinny Sileo."
  92. ^ Luicci, Tom. "Rutgers football hires former Iona coach Fred Mariani as recruiting coordinator", The Star-Ledger, February 10, 2009. Accessed November 26, 2024. "Fred Mariani, who spent the past 11 seasons as the head coach at Iona College, was named Tuesday as Director of Football Recruiting Operations for Rutgers, head coach Greg Schiano announced. Mariani, a standout offensive lineman at Don Bosco Prep before going on to play collegiately at St. Joseph's College in Collegeville, Ind., brings a solid background as a recruiting coordinator."
  93. ^ Blackman, Sam. "Football Game Program Feature: Men's Soccer Spotlight - Thomas McNamara" Archived November 13, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, Clemson Tigers football, August 29, 2013. Accessed November 12, 2016. "While he was attending Don Bosco Preparatory High School, McNamara was looking for a challenging school academically to further his education, as well as a good soccer program in the Northeast."
  94. ^ Kyle Monangai, Rutgers Scarlet Knights football. Accessed December 12, 2023. "Hometown: Roseland, N.J. High School: Don Bosco Prep"
  95. ^ Lanni, Patrick. "University of Miami dismisses Don Bosco star Al-Quadin Muhammad, report says", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, August 28, 2016. Accessed May 1, 2017. "Before his dismissal, Muhammad, an Irvington native, missed the entire 2014 season after being suspended for his involvement in a fight following the team's spring game."
  96. ^ Cimini, Rich. "Sunday notes: Tension between Jets, Revis", ESPNNewYork.com, April 14, 2013. Accessed May 29, 2014. "One of the most interesting players at the Jets' local workout was Fordham kicker Patrick Murray, an FCS All-American with the rare ability to punt (46-yard average) and kick field goals (25-for-30).... Murray played his high school ball at Don Bosco Prep in New Jersey."
  97. ^ Lewis, Brian. "Amazin's Add Lefty Nitkowski to Pen", New York Daily News, September 3, 2001. Accessed February 22, 2011. "[Nitkowski] was 0-3 with a 5.56 ERA in 56 games for the Tigers, before being optioned to Triple-A Toledo, where he'd worked one scoreless inning. The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder - who is from Suffern and graduated from Don Bosco H.S. and St. John's - is 15-30 with a career 5.44 ERA."
  98. ^ Kratch, James. "'Hell yeah, I'll do it': How ex-Rutgers QB Gary Nova landed coaching job at Paramus Catholic", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 14, 2018. Accessed July 29, 2019. "Former Don Bosco Prep and Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova was recently named PC's new offensive coordinator."
  99. ^ Stanmyre, Matthew. "Paramus Catholic's Jabrill Peppers longs to reunite with the father who started him on path to stardom", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 12, 2012. Accessed November 19, 2018. "Earlier this year, he was widely criticized on the internet by fans for transferring from powerhouse Don Bosco Prep in favor of a school with little tradition. Jabrill says he left Bosco because he no longer felt comfortable."
  100. ^ "College Scene", The Record, November 23, 1986. Accessed November 19, 2018. "Chris Port of Wanaque thought he was prepared for every challenge college football presented before he began his freshman year at Duke University. But there was one surprise for the former standout at Don Bosco Prep."
  101. ^ Chris Port, Pro-Football-Reference.com. Accessed November 19, 2018.
  102. ^ Staff. "Matt Simms leading candidate to be starting QB for Tennessee", The Star-Ledger, May 11, 2010. Accessed February 22, 2011. "Simms, a Franklin Lakes resident and graduate of Don Bosco Prep, started his college career at Louisville, but transferred after his freshman year to El Camino, a junior college."
  103. ^ Lawlor, Christopher. "Don Bosco (N.J.), No. 5 De La Salle win at Herbstreit Challenge", USA Today, September 17, 2006. Accessed May 16, 2007. "Quarterback Matt Simms, whose father Phil played for the New York Giants..."
  104. ^ Hunt, Todderick. "NFL Draft 2019: Which former N.J. football stars helped themselves most at the 2019 NFL Combine?", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, March 7, 2019. Accessed July 29, 2019. "Tommy Sweeney, TE, Boston College Hometown: Ramsey, N.J. High School: Don Bosco Prep"
  105. ^ Luicci, Tom. "Former Rutgers QB Mike Teel understands plight of Don Bosco prospect Gary Nova", The Star-Ledger, February 2, 2011. Accessed February 22, 2011. "Teel, who went 23-0 as a starter at Don Bosco and won two state titles, says there's something people are missing completely about Nova, who went 24-0 as a starter, won two state titles and a mythical national championship."
  106. ^ Bierman, Fred. "Plus: High School Football; Don Bosco Defeats Bergen Catholic", The New York Times, November 13, 2000. Accessed November 19, 2018. "Toal ranked fourth on the team in tackles with 53 (32 solos) last season. It was a noticeable drop from two years ago. He had arrived from Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J., as the school's most coveted football recruit, was second on the team in tackles with 77 (37 solos), and earned Big East Rookie of the Year honors."
  107. ^ Justin Trattou Archived September 24, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Florida Gators football. Accessed September 20, 2011. "Hometown: Ramsey, N.J., School: Don Bosco Prep. Helped lead Don Bosco to a perfect 12-0 record and its first state title since 2003 during his senior year with 82 tackles and 17 sacks"
  108. ^ Marcus Valdez, Boston College Eagles football. Accessed February 29, 2024. "Hometown: Perth Amboy, N.J.; High school: Don Bosco Prep"
  109. ^ Jason Vosler, Northeastern Huskies baseball. Accessed September 14, 2022. "High School: Don Bosco Prep"
  110. ^ Cimini, Rich. "Jets need D-line help on Day 2", ESPN, April 30, 2010. Accessed February 22, 2011. "If Rex Ryan wants a five-technique end for his 3-4 scheme, a candidate is Northwestern's Corey Wootton (6-6, 270). Like Wilson, he's a Jersey kid, born in Rutherford and a former standout at Don Bosco Prep."
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