Don Bosco Preparatory High School

For schools of a similar name, see Don Bosco School.

Don Bosco Preparatory High School
Address
492 North Franklin Turnpike Ramsey, NJ (Bergen County), 07446
Coordinates	41°04′19″N 74°08′09″W / 41.072038°N 74.135707°W / 41.072038; -74.135707Coordinates: 41°04′19″N 74°08′09″W / 41.072038°N 74.135707°W / 41.072038; -74.135707
Information
Type	Private, All-Male
Motto	Molding Men Today To Lead Tomorrow
Religious affiliation(s)	Roman Catholic
Established	1915
President	Fr. Jim Heuser SDB
Principal	John Stanczak
Asst. Principal	Albert Del Principio Tom DeLucci
Faculty	62.5 (on FTE basis)[1]
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	873 (as of 2009-10)[1]
Student to teacher ratio	14.0[1]
Campus size	35 acres (140,000 m2)
Color(s)	Maroon and White
Athletics conference	Big North Conference
Team name	Ironmen
Accreditation(s)	Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools[2]
Newspaper	'Ironman'
Yearbook	'Bosconian'
Website	www.donboscoprep.com

Don Bosco Preparatory High School (Don Bosco Prep) is a private, Roman Catholic secondary school for young men, grades 9 through 12. Founded by the Salesians of Don Bosco, a religious order of priests and brothers, the school is situated on a 35 acres (140,000 m²) campus in Ramsey, New Jersey, United States. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark.^[3]

The school draws students from a wide geographical region, including Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Essex and Sussex counties in New Jersey as well as Rockland and Orange counties in New York.

As of the 2009-10 school year, the school had an enrollment of 873 students and 62.5 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.0.^[1]

Accreditation

The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools since 1960.^[2] 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.

Course offerings

Courses currently available include: Algebra I*, Geometry*, Algebra II/Trigonometry*, Pre-Calculus*, Statistics, AP Calculus AB and BC, Composition, American Literature*, British Literature*, AP English Language and Composition, AP English Literature and Composition, Creative Writing, AP Latin, Latin, French, Italian, German, Spanish*, World History*, AP United States History*, AP European History, AP United States Government and Politics, Biology*, Chemistry*, Physics*, Environmental Science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, AP Environmental Science, AP Physics B, Astronomy, AP Psychology, Economics, Criminal Justice, Film Studies, Intro to Law, Sociology, Musical Arts, Theology, Anatomy and Physiology, Fine Arts, AP Studio Art, Visual BASIC, and Computer Science

* an honors version of the class is available

Athletics

The athletic teams are nicknamed the Ironmen and the school colors are maroon and white. In 2008 they were ranked as the number nine sports program in the nation by Sports Illustrated.^[4]

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 recognized as the Group A winner of the NJSIAA ShopRite Cup in 2006-07. The award recognized the school for achieving a tie for 3rd in Boys Soccer, 1st in Boys Cross Country, 1st in Football, 2nd in Wrestling, 2nd in Boys Indoor Track and Field Relays, a tie for 3rd in baseball, 2nd in boys golf, a tie for 3rd in boys lacrosse and 2nd in boys track and field.^[5]

Fall

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

Cross Country

The cross country team won the New Jersey State Meets of Champions in 2007 and 2009 along with Non-Public A Titles four consecutive years from 2006-2009. The Ironmen placed third at the Nike Northeast Regional Race, and placed 10th at Nike Team Nationals in Portland, Oregon in 2007. They also recently 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.^[6] More recently 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

The soccer team were state runners-up in 2009 and is 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.^[7] 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.^[8]

Football

Don Bosco Prep's football program is a competitor for the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Non-Public Group IV championship almost every year, appearing in every state championship game since 2002. Since Don Bosco first started playing football, the Ironmen have won 13 state championships (1968, 1970, 1973, 1983, 1984, 1990, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010). Don Bosco Prep has been boosted by regular season competition with perennial powerhouses such as Bergen Catholic High School, Saint Peter's Preparatory High School, and Saint Joseph Regional High School. The 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,^[9] and was ranked 2nd in the nation in the 2003 season.^[10] In 2006, the Ironmen finished the season ranked No. 7 in the nation.^[11] In 2002, 2003, and 2006, the football team won the Star Ledger Trophy as the best team in New Jersey^{[citation needed]} and ended the season in each of those three years ranked number 1 in the East by USA Today.^[12][13][14]

On September 27, 2008, the nationally-ranked football team traveled to California where they defeated powerhouse De La Salle High School 23 - 21 on national television, the winning margin coming with 10 seconds left on a 19-yard field goal.^[15]

On September 12, 2009, the Ironmen hosted national powerhouse De La Salle High School, from Concord, California. The Ironmen of Don Bosco defeated De La Salle 30-6, for the second consecutive time. Don Bosco also traveled later in the year to Prattville, Alabama to take on another national powerhouse. This game was televised nationwide by ESPN. The Ironmen came out on top winning 35-24. The Ironmen finished the season with an undefeated record of 12-0, while finishing strong with a 35-15 victory over Saint Peter's Prep in the state championship at Giants Stadium. Don Bosco prep wrapped up this season as the number one team in America.^[16] Bosco has become one of the most notable high school football teams in the past few years. Bosco has sent more than 40 football players to Division I colleges across the country.^[17]

In the beginning of the 2009 season the Ironmen were ranked as one of the top 30 teams in the nation, and was ranked second in the nation after a number of victories, until national powerhouse Saint Thomas Aquinas of Fort Lauderdale, Florida lost in the Florida State semi-finals playoffs. Don Bosco Prep ended the season ranked number one in the nation by USA Today,^[18] achieving their first national title, and becoming the first team in New Jersey state history to finish at number one in the nation.^{[citation needed]}

With a record of 12-0, the 2010 was the winner of the Star-Ledger Trophy, as the newspaper's top-ranked program in the state.^[19]

Swimming

The swimming program was only introduced three years ago but has climbed the ranks to place third this year in its league. 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.^[20]

Indoor track & field

The indoor track team & 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 (4x800m) 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 2nd 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.^[21]

Wrestling

The wrestling team won the 2007 Non-Public North A state sectional championship with a 32-28 win against rival Bergen Catholic High School.^[22]

Spring

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 5 teams in the state.

Outdoor Track & Field

The Ironmen are 6-time state champions in Spring track with wins in 1955, 1961, 2006 and three consecutive titles in 2009, 2010 & 2011. The track team has won county championships for several years running, and won many league & conference titles in the now-defunct NNJIL before joining the Big North Conference. Also of note, 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 5th place finish at the Nike Outdoor Nationals and most recently the Shuttle Hurdle Relay Team, 4x400m 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 & field programs in the nation, culminating in an 8th 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 and Head Coach Rob DeCarlo, Jr. was also named "Coach of the Decade" for his efforts in leading the team since 2003, ending a 45 year state title drought in 2006, and was honored as New Jersey Boys Track "Coach of the Year" by Jim Lambert of the Star Ledger in June 2011.^{[citation needed]}

Baseball

The baseball team won the county title in 2001, 2006, 2007, and 2008. The 2008 squad posted a record of 33-0 and won the Non-Public A state championship, and were ranked No. 2 in the nation by USA Today that season.^[23] Former MLB pitcher Mike Stanton coached the team in 2009 before stepping down.

Rowing

The rowing team possesses two Scholastic Rowing Association of America National championships and two Stotesbury Cup Gold Medals.^[24] They are also defending state champions in the Varsity Quad, and 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. The Bosco crew defeated the recently formed crew of their longtime athletic rivals by over a minute in the 1500 meter race

Clubs

Don Bosco Prep offers clubs and activities for student involvement. These include:^{[citation needed]}

• Anime Club (The Society for the Study of Modern Visual Culture)
• Liberty in North Korea
• Spectrum
• Paintball Team/Club
• Pro-Life Club
• Venture Crew
• Debate Team
• Mock Trial
• Theater Programs
• French Club
• Mission Club
• Ambassadors Club
• Model United Nations
• Model Congress
• Student Government
• Concert Band
• Youth Ministry
• Liturgical Choir/Chorus
• Art Club
• Business Club
• German Culture Club
• Italian Club
• Amnesty International
• Yearbook (The Bosconian)
• Newspaper (The Ironman)
• Peer Mediation
• Hacky Sack Club
• Frisbee Tub (Half team half club)
• Outdoors Club
• Chess Club
• French Club
• Writing Club
• Karate Club
• Ski and Snowboard Club
• Environmental Awareness Club
• Guitar Club
• Wilderness Survival Club
• Creative Writing Club (The Iron(y)man - student-produced satirical newsletter)

Concert series

In order to raise awareness of arts at Don Bosco Prep, the music department and alumni have begun a series of concerts. Some of these concerts feature religious or classical music and are included in the "Mary, Help of Christians Chapel Concert Series." Other concerts, organized by the alumni association, present more contemporary music. Billed artists have included:

• John Pizzarelli (who graduated in 1977) and Bucky Pizzarelli, famed jazz artists
• Liza Minnelli, winner of the Tony, the Emmy, the Oscar, and the Grammy
• Chanticleer, San Francisco All-Male A Capella Choir
• Philip Smith, Principal Trumpeteer of the New York Philharmonic
• Gordon Turk, Concert Organist
• Yale Whiffenpoofs, The Oldest U.S. Collegiate A Capella Group

Notable alumni

• Brigadier General Timothy E. Trainor, Ph.D., 13th Dean of the Academic Board at West Point.
• Matthew Bogdanos, author, "Thieves of Baghdad" and New York City Assistant District Attorney.^[25]
• Marc Malusis, WFAN sports radio personality.^[26]
• Jason Patric (born 1966 as Jason Patric Miller), actor who has appeared in The Lost Boys and Sleepers.^[27]
• John Pizzarelli (born 1960), jazz Guitarist/Singer.^[28]
• Don Van Natta, Jr. (born 1964), Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist at The New York Times and bestselling author of First Off the Tee.^{[citation needed]}
• John P. Wallace, President, NBC Owned & Operated Television Stations ^[29]
• Alexander M. Zaleski (1906-75), Bishop of Lansing from 1965 until his death.^[30]

Athletes

• Michael Ray Garvin (born 1986), wide receiver for the Las Vegas Locomotives.^[31]
• Ian Joyce (born 1985), goalkeeper for the Colorado Rapids. Also played professionally in England for Southend United.^[32]
• Ryan Grant (born 1982), running back for the Green Bay Packers.^[33]
• C. J. Nitkowski (born 1973), former MLB pitcher.^[34]
• Matt Simms (born 1988), quarterback at the University of Tennessee and son of former New York Giants' quarterback Phil Simms.^[35][36]
• Mike Teel (born 1986), former record setting quarterback at Rutgers University who was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks. Current QB coach at Kean University.^[37]
• Brian Toal (born 1985), linebacker for the New York Jets of the NFL, Linebacker/Running Back, Boston College; 2004 Big East Rookie of the Year; 2003 Gatorade Player of the Year.^[38]
• Justin Trattou (born 1988), defensive end on the New York Giants practice squad and former player on the Florida gators football team.^[39]
• Corey Wootton (born 1987), former defensive end at Northwestern University, who became a 4th round draft pick of the Chicago Bears.^[40]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Don Bosco Preparatory High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed June 11, 2011.
2. ^ ^{a b} Don Bosco Preparatory High School, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Secondary Schools. Accessed June 11, 2011.
3. ^ Bergen County High Schools, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark. Accessed September 1, 2011.
4. ^ 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."
5. ^ Fourth Annual ShopRite Cup: 2006‐2007 Final Standings, NJSIAA. Accessed June 2, 2008.
6. ^ Don Bosco Prep halts CBA's streak at 11, The Star-Ledger, November 12, 2006.
7. ^ 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."
8. ^ Soccer: All Decade Team, Bergen County Coaches Association. Accessed September 1, 2011.
9. ^ USA TODAY's prep football Super 25 for 2002, USA Today, accessed December 30, 2006
10. ^ USA TODAY's prep football Super 25 for 2006, USA Today, accessed December 30, 2006
11. ^ USA TODAY's prep football Super 25 for 2006, USA Today, accessed December 30, 2006
12. ^ Super 25 prep football regional rankings: 2002, USA Today, December 24, 2002.
13. ^ Super 25 prep football regional rankings: 2003, USA Today, December 22, 2003.
14. ^ Super 25 prep football regional rankings: 2006, USA Today, December 26, 2006.
15. ^ Staff. "Don Bosco nips De La Salle with last-second field goal", USA Today, September 28, 2008. Accessed October 1, 2008.
16. ^ Spiewak, Stephen. "Xcellent 25 National Football Rankings: Don Bosco Prep finishes No. 1", MaxPreps.com, December 21, 2009. Accessed September 1, 2011.
17. ^ Ironman Football Academy
18. ^ Staff. "Final Super 25 rankings: Don Bosco Prep finishes at No. 1", USA Today, December 23, 2009. Accessed September 1, 2011.
19. ^ Staff. "NJ Football: Final Statewide Rankings, 2010", The Star-Ledger, December 17, 2010. Accessed September 1, 2011.
20. ^ "Don Bosco swim team makes history", The Record (Bergen County), January 5, 2008. Accessed January 12, 2008.
21. ^ Indoor Track: All Decade Team, Bergen County Coaches Association. Accessed October 18, 2011.
22. ^ 2007 Team Wrestling Tournament - Non-Public, North A, NJSIAA. Accessed July 24, 2007.
23. ^ Halley, Jim. "Baseball Super 25: American Heritage (Fla.) tops final rankings", USA Today, July 28, 2008. Accessed October 18, 2011.
24. ^ The 84th Annual Stotesbury Cup RegattaMay 14 & 15, 2010, Stotesbury Cup. Accessed October 18, 2011.
25. ^ "Real-life treasure hunter: Author of Thieves of Baghdad to speak at Jubilee Center fundraiser", Hudson Reporter, June 25, 2006.
26. ^ Marc Malusis, WFAN. Accessed February 11, 2011. "Marc hails from Blauvelt, New York and attended Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, New Jersey."
27. ^ Feldberg, Robert. "Jason Patric stars in his father's hit play, 'That Championship Season'", The Record (Bergen County), 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."
28. ^ John Pizzarelli interview, Jazz Review. Accessed May 16, 2007. "JazzReview: Where did you go to high school? John Pizzarelli: Don Bosco High School, Ramsey, New Jersey."
29. ^ Don Bosco Preparatory High School President's Gala Announcement. Accessed October 20, 2007. "John P. Wallace, '84, President, NBC Owned & Operated Television Stations."
30. ^ Curtis, Georgina Pell (1961). The American Catholic Who's Who. XIV. Grosse Pointe, Michigan: Walter Romig. p. 484. http://books.google.com/books?id=or0SAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA484&lpg=PA484. 
31. ^ 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."
32. ^ Ian Joyce, Colorado Rapids. Accessed February 22, 2011. "Three-year varsity player at Don Bosco Prep (NJ). Recorded 15 shutouts as a senior captain and helped team to state finals and was named First Team All-State, as well as one of the Top 51 players in New Jersey."
33. ^ 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."
34. ^ Lewis, Brian. "Amazin's Add Lefty Nitkowski to Pen", Daily News (New York), 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."
35. ^ 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."
36. ^ 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..."
37. ^ 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."
38. ^ Bierman, Fred. "PLUS: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL; Don Bosco Defeats Bergen Catholic", The New York Times, November 13, 2000. Accessed February 22, 2011. "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."
39. ^ Justin Trattou, 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"
40. ^ 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."

External links

• Don Bosco Preparatory High School Website
• Data for Don Bosco Preparatory High School, National Center for Education Statistics
• Don Bosco Athletics
• Early illustration, Don Bosco Institute Ramsey, NJ