CBA Graduate Returns to Fill
Athletic Director Position
30 OCTOBER 2020 | TheJournalNJ.com
BY TIM MORRIS
Mike Mazzaccaro was all set to start his
post-college life working for an asset
thing, however, that could get in the way of this
career path for the Princeton University graduate.
That was the pull of his high school alma
mater, Christian Brothers Academy.
While preparing to begin his career in
CBA that if there were to be a coaching or
teaching vacancy at the school, he would like
to be considered for either or both positions.
To Mazzaccaro’s surprise, shortly after
was an opening for a history teacher at the
school and an assistant coach in cross coun-
-
jumped at the chance to return to Lincroft
and his alma matter.
“100 percent CBA,” Mazzaccaro said
when explaining the reason for turning
place in my heart. It affected me in a positive way. I learned if you
do the right thing, work hard, good things happen. I’m proud of
the CBA community.”
The school Mazzaccaro returned to was familiar but evolved.
“Faces have changed, but the mission is the same: academic excellence
and athletics for the kids,” the former Colt pointed out. “CBA
is always improving, trying to get better. It offers different classes
and different sports since I was there, and that is good to see.”
While CBA may have a special place in Mazzaccaro’s heart, his
athletic achievements while a distance runner for CBA left an indelible
mark on those legendary programs. The 2011 graduate was a
two-time cross country state champion and still holds the school
record on Holmdel Park’s 5K course (15:20, which is sixth best alltime).
He led CBA to Meet of Champion titles and in his senior year
was 15th at the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Oregon. On the
track, he anchored CBA to victory at the prestigious Penn Relays in
the High School Distance Medley Relay.
Mazzaccaro went on to compete for Princeton University where he
Settling in as a teacher of world history and advanced placement
US history while assisting the track and cross country teams,
another career surprise came Mazzaccaro’s way. CBA Athletic Director
Vito Chiaravalloti stepped down this summer, leaving that position
vacant. Mazzaccaro applied for the position and in July was named
CBA’s new athletic director.
“I really enjoyed teaching and coaching,” he remarked. “I miss
the classroom tremendously. I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to
have a positive effect on the CBA community as an athletic director.
I’ve talked to all the coaches, and they’ve been really encouraging.”
Not many people would have jumped on the opportunity so fast
because of the pandemic that has threatened high school sports.
“The plan is to follow the state guidelines,” said Mazzaccaro.
In Chiaravalloti, Mazzaccaro had the perfect mentor. Before resigning,
Chiaravalloti was on the NJSIAA’s Sports Advisory Task Force.
“It’s hard to point out how lucky I am,” Mazzaccaro explained.
“Vito and I had two weeks together where he walked me through
everything. I couldn’t ask for a better guide.”
Mazzaccaro has stayed on as assistant cross country coach, and
he knows the impact that the pandemic has had on the harriers. He’s
pleased they will have a limited season after all. He’s amazed, he
said, by the work the Colt runners have put in, training just as hard
as if they would for a full season. After all, success is a tradition at
Christian Brothers Academy, a foundation put down by those, like
Mazzaccaro, who preceded them.
It was his experiences competing at the highest level of high
school and college sports that Mazzaccaro can pass on to the Colts
student-athletes.
“I was hurt a lot in college and learned the highs and lows
of sports,” noted Mazzaccaro. “You don’t take it for granted. The
good times take care of themselves. You have to be there for them
when it’s not.”
/TheJournalNJ.com