St. Joseph High School (Hammonton, New Jersey)

St. Joseph High School was a four-year co-educational Catholic high school located in Hammonton, New Jersey, United States, serving students in grades 9–12, under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden.[5] The school had been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 1990.[3] In 2020, the school permanently closed because of financial problems that were exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic and the request from the Diocese of Camden.[6]

St. Joseph Academy
Address
328 Vine Street

Hammonton
,
Atlantic County
,
New Jersey
08037

United States
Coordinates39.637115°N 74.800189°W / 39.637115; -74.800189
Information
TypePrivate, Coeducational
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established1942
School districtDiocese of Camden
NCES School ID00864708[1]
PrincipalLynn Domenico
Faculty19.1 FTEs[1]
Grades9-12
Enrollment282 (as of 2017–18)[1]
Student to teacher ratio14.8:1[1]
Color(s)  Red and
  white[2]
Athletics conferenceCape-Atlantic League
Team nameWildcats[2]
RivalHammonton High School
AccreditationMiddle States Association of Colleges and Schools[3]
NewspaperThe Voice
School fees$475[4]
Tuition$9,400 (2018-19)[4]
Websitehttps://stjosephacademy.com/

History

After being established in 1935 as a combination preparatory school and seminary in 1935, the high school was opened to all attendees in 1942.[7]

As of the 2017–18 school year, the school had an enrollment of 282 students and 19.1 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 14.8:1. The school's student body was 75.9% (214) White, 15.6% (44) Black, 5.3% (15) Hispanic, 1.8% (5) Asian, 1.1% (3) two or more races and 0.4% (1) American Indian / Alaska Native.[1]

The school had 331 students in 2015. In 2020 this was down to 206, a 38% decline.[8]

On April 17, 2020, the Diocese of Camden announced that despite its status as a football powerhouse, St. Joseph was one of five Catholic schools in New Jersey which would close permanently at the end of the school year on June 30, 2020 due to financial problems caused by lack of enrollment in recent years and lack of community fundraising, which the school reliant on less significant diocesan and parish fundraising.[9][10] An offer which was made by fundraisers to buy the school in June 2020 was rejected by the Diocese of Camden.[11]

Athletics

The St. Joseph High School Wildcats[2] competed in the National Division of the Cape-Atlantic League, an athletic conference consisting of both parochial and private and public high schools located in Atlantic County, Cape May County, Cumberland County, and Gloucester County, that operates under the aegis of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.[12] The football team competed in the Independence Division of the 95-team West Jersey Football League superconference[13][14] and was classified by the NJSIAA as Non-Public Group II for football for 2018–2020.[15]

St. Joseph's football team won 28 state championships in the playoff era that started in 1974, including in Non-Public B South in 1977, 1983, 1985 and 1989–1993; in Non-Public I in 1996, 1997, 1999–2002, 2004 and 2011–2015; in Non-Public II in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2017 and 2018; and in Non-Public I/II in 2010.[16][17] The team won the 1985 South Jersey Group B state sectional title with a 33-8 win against Saint James High School in the championship game.[18] The team won the Non-Public Group I title in 1996 with a 28-16 win in the championship game against Marist High School played at The College of New Jersey.[19] The 2000 team won the Non-Public Group I title against St. Mary High School by a score of 47-7 in the championship game played at Kean University.[20] The team won its seventh consecutive sectional title in 2015 with a 19–6 win against Hudson Catholic Regional High School in the Non-Public Group II playoff championship game.[21] In 2017, the team finished the season with a 12–0 record and won the Non-Public Group II state championship with a 30–14 win against third-seeded Mater Dei High School in the tournament final; the victory was the program's eighth in nine seasons, the only exception being in 2016, when Mater Dei won its first state championship with a 26–0 win against St. Joseph.[22][23] Though only dating to 2000, NJ.com ranked the "Holy War" rivalry between St. Joseph and Holy Spirit High School 11th on its list "Ranking the 31 fiercest rivalries in N.J. HS football", with St. Joseph winning 12 of the 18 games played through 2017.[24] Head coach Paul Sacco finished the 2019 season with 20 state championships and an overall career record of 336-66-5 in his 39 years at St. Joseph, ranking him second in wins among active football coaches.[25]

The field hockey team won the South Jersey Group I state sectional championship in 2003, 2005, 2010, 2012.[26] Under Coach John DeMarco,[27] the team had won the Cape Atlantic League title for over 16 years, while also winning five South Jersey Non-Public state titles, and also making three state championship appearances. In 2013, the team had a string of victories including beating both state powerhouses including Camden Catholic High School [28] and Bishop Eustace Prep.

The wrestling team won the Non-Public B South state sectional championship in 1991, 1997, 1998 and 2006. The team won the Non-Public B state championship in 1998.[29] The wrestling team won the Non-Public, South B sectional title in 2006 with a 45–31 win over Sacred Heart High School in the tournament final.[30]

The softball team won the 2007 Non-Public South B state sectional championship with a string of shutout victories over Timothy Christian School (15-0) in the first round, St. Rose High School (6-0) n the semifinals and Gloucester Catholic High School (2-0) in the tournament final.[31]

The boys track team won the Non-Public Group B spring track state championship in 2011 and 2013-2015.[32] The team won the South Jersey Non-Public B sectional title in 2011 for the first time in school history, edging the Pingry School by a single point after winning the 4x400-meter relay, the final event held at the meet.[33] One week later, the boys won the state championship for the first time ever at South Plainfield High School.[34]

Teacher controversy

In June 2005, religion teacher and athletics coach Michael McColgan was arrested on charges brought against him in relation to child pornography traced back to his online account. Upon searching his home, authorities discovered dozens more images on his personal computer and also copied onto disk.[35] McColgan pleaded guilty and was sentenced in a federal court in May 2006 to 48 months in prison for possession of child pornography.[36]

Notable alumni

References
  1. School data for St Joseph High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed September 1, 2020.
  2. Saint Joseph High Hammonton, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  3. Saint Joseph High School, Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools. Accessed September 6, 2020.
  4. Tuition and Fees, Saint Joseph High School. Accessed November 7, 2017.
  5. Catholic Schools Directory, Roman Catholic Diocese of Camden. Accessed October 20, 2016.
  6. Yates, Riley. "5 N.J. Catholic schools to close, including South Jersey football powerhouse", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, April 17, 2020. Accessed August 13, 2020.
  7. Our History, Saint Joseph High School. Accessed September 10, 2012. "Saint Joseph High School came into being in September of 1935 when the Pallottine Fathers opened a Prep-Seminary in Hammonton. The first Freshman Class consisted of five boys-Joseph Mungari, Guido Carcich, Vincent Campi, Raymond Fiume and Louis Del Vecchio-all of whom were ordained priests. The high school served seminarians exclusively until 1942 when the Prep-Seminary was transferred to Sag Harbor, Long Island."
  8. "Five Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Camden to close at end of school year". Diocese of Camden. April 17, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  9. "Five Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Camden to close at end of school year". Diocese of Camden. April 17, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  10. Yates, Riley (April 17, 2020). "5 N.J. Catholic schools to close, including South Jersey football powerhouse". NJ.com. Retrieved April 18, 2020.
  11. https://pressofatlanticcity.com/education/st-joseph-backers-say-camden-diocese-has-rejected-their-offer-to-buy-school-fields/article_01a8458c-008b-56cb-952c-a07c3ebb7eec.html
  12. League & Conference Officers/Affiliated Schools 2020-2021, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  13. Divisions, West Jersey Football League. Accessed September 5, 2020.
  14. Minnick, Kevin. "Football: Entering 10th season, a new leader for state’s second-largest conference", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, August 8, 2019. Accessed September 5, 2020. "The WJFL was created in 2010 as a way to help teams play a full schedule and face opponents of similar size, ability and geographical location.... The league is comprised of 16 divisions and includes better than 90 high schools."
  15. NJSIAA Football Public School Classifications 2018–2020, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, finalized August 2019. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  16. NJSIAA Football History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  17. Friedman, Josh. "Championship preview: St. Joseph faces Mater Dei in Non-Public 2 final", Courier-Post, November 30, 2017. Accessed December 7, 2017. "Sectional titles: St. Joseph 25 (1977, 1983, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015); Mater Dei 1 (2016)"
  18. Langerman, Chuck. "Gabriel, Bannister lead St. Joe's to S. J. crown", Courier-Post, November 24, 1985. Accessed January 17, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Running backs Kelly Gabriel and Brian Bannister each rushed for over 100 yards and teamed for five touchdowns to help give St. Joseph High School of Hammonton a 33-8 victory over St. James here yesterday for the South Jersey Group B championship. Overall, St. Joe's has captured the Group B crown three times, including 1977 when it was the automatic champion."
  19. Haley, John. "Franklin 'special' in win", Asbury Park Press, December 9, 1996. Accessed December 1, 2020, via Newspapers.com. "St. Joseph (Hammont0n) 28, Marist 16: Behind the running of seniors Ed Silipena and Rob Mauriello and junior Carmine Avellino, St. Joseph exploded for 203 yards to defeat Marist 28-16 and win the state Parochial Group I championship at the College of New Jersey."
  20. "A perfect ending; Hackensack justifies No. 1 ranking", The Record, December 4, 2000, December 7, 2020, via Newspapers.com. "St Mary's of Rutherford could not prevent St. Joseph of Hammonton from capturing its fourth State Parochial Group 1 title in five years, falling, 47-7, at Kean University."
  21. Zedalis, Joe. "St. Joseph (Hamm.) wins 7th straight sectional title; tops Hudson Cath. in NP2 final", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, December 6, 2015. Accessed December 7, 2017. "St. Joseph (10-2) played solid defense from start to finish then used its powerhouse, off-tackle, downhill running game to wear down Hudson Catholic and the Wildcats won their seventh straight sectional title with a 19-6 victory in the NJSIAA/Sports Care Institute Non-Public Group 2 championship."
  22. Evans, Bill. "Townsel, Byers rush for 431 yards as St. Joseph (Hamm.) finishes 12-0", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, December 3, 2017. Accessed December 7, 2017. "After a 26-0 loss to Mater Dei in last year's Non-Public Group 2 championship ended a 7-year run of state championships, the St. Joseph (Hamm.) football team bounced back in a big way.The Wildcats capped a 12-0 season by avenging the defeat to Mater Dei a year ago with a 30-14 win on Sunday. St. Joseph (Hamm.) avenged all four losses from last season as it also defeated Holy Spirit, Cedar Creek and St. Augustine."
  23. "Football - 2017 NJSIAA Non-Public, Group 2 Playoffs", NJ.com. Accessed December 7, 2017.
  24. Stypulkoski, Matt. "Ranking the 31 fiercest rivalries in N.J. HS football", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, October 27, 2017, updated May 15, 2019. Accessed December 1, 2020. "11-Holy Spirit vs. St. Joseph (Hamm.) This matchup is relatively recent as it started in 2000 but as both teams became contenders in their respective statewide groups over the past 10-15 years this became a must-see game dubbed the Holy War..... All-time series: St. Joseph (Hamm.) leads, 12-6."
  25. Koob, Andrew. "N.J. football′s winningest active head coaches in 2020", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, September 27, 2020, updated October 1, 2020. Accessed December 6, 2020. "2-Paul Sacco, St. Joseph (Hamm). Record: 336-66-5 Winning Percentage: 83.6 Years as head coach: 39 seasons; all at St. Joseph (Hamm.) At the helm of his alma mater, Sacco has led the Wildcats to 20 state titles"
  26. History of NJSIAA Field Hockey Championships, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  27. "Coach John DeMarco", The Press of Atlantic City. Accessed August 13, 2020.
  28. Camden Catholic High School, The Philadelphia Inquirer. Accessed August 13, 2020.
  29. NJSIAA Wrestling Team Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed September 1, 2020.
  30. 2006 Team Wrestling - Non-Public, South B, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed July 17, 2007.
  31. 2007 Softball - South B, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed June 12, 2007.
  32. NJSIAA Spring Track Summary of Group Titles Boys, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed September 1, 2020.
  33. McGarry, Michael. "Bridgeton, St. Joseph win South Jersey track and field team championships at Buena Regional", The Press of Atlantic City, May 29, 2011. Accessed June 1, 2011. "While Bridgeton has a strong tradition, the St. Joseph boys are just building one.The Hammonton school won its first South Jersey title, edging second-place Pingry 102-101. The Wildcats clinched the championship by winning the meet's last event - the 4x400-meter relay."
  34. Iezzi, Bill. "Timber Creek, Haddonfield, and St. Joseph of Hammonton win state boys' track titles", The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 5, 2011. Accessed June 5, 2011. "Timber Creek won its fourth consecutive Group 3 crown, Haddonfield defended its Group 2 title, and St. Joseph of Hammonton won its first team championship.... Carl Watson was the key to St. Joseph's winning its first state team title. The junior won the 100, 200, and 400, and anchored the victorious 4x400 relay."
  35. "Catholic Religion Teacher Accused Of Possessing Child Pornography", WCAU, June 8, 2005, backed up by the Internet Archive as of September 22, 2007. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  36. "Former High School Teacher Sentenced to 48 Months in Federal Prison for Possession of Child Pornography", The United States Attorney's Office: District of New Jersey press release dated May 12, 2006. Accessed March 10, 2011.
  37. Tyler Bellamy, St. Bonaventure University. Accessed September 27, 2017. "Scored 68 goals over his high school career, including 21 tallies in his senior season ... St. Joseph's second all-time leading scorer"
  38. Dave Calloway, Monmouth Hawks men's basketball. Accessed July 3, 2019. "Calloway was one of Szoke's prize recruits as a sharpshooting guard from St. Joseph's High School."
  39. "Kellyanne Conway, St. Joe's graduate, takes over Donald Trump's campaign", The Press of Atlantic City, August 17, 2016. Accessed November 9, 2016. "Conway was born Kellyanne Elizabeth Fitzpatrick and was raised in the Hammonton area. She graduated from St. Joseph's High School in 1985 and serves on the school's board of trustees."
  40. Weinberg, David. "St. Joseph grad Gordon Hill signs with Chargers", The Press of Atlantic City, May 3, 2015. Accessed September 27, 2017. "Gordon Hill and Max Valles grew up together in Winslow Township and were teammates at St. Joseph High School in Hammonton."
  41. Weinberg, David. "St. Joseph grad Max Valles is NFL's youngest draft prospect", The Press of Atlantic City, April 25, 2015. Accessed September 27, 2017. "Max Valles plans to watch the NFL draft next week with friends and family from his home in the Sicklerville section of Winslow Township. When the 2012 St. Joseph High School graduate does get picked - the outside linebacker/defensive end is projected to be selected in the middle rounds - his celebration will be subdued."
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