Michael Mazzaccaro, a 2011 graduate of Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, has been named the school’s new athletic director.
Officials at the private school for young men made the announcement in a press release on July 21. Mazzaccaro will officially begin working at the school on Aug 1.
“CBA is fortunate to have Michael Mazzaccaro as our new AD,” said President
Brother Frank Byrne. “Michael has distinguished himself both here and at Princeton
University as an outstanding student-athlete.
“His experience as a teacher and a coach at CBA has given him the opportunity to truly connect with our students, and he will be an excellent addition to CBA’s administrative team.”
As AD, Mazzaccaro will lead a department of 18 interscholastic sports, more than 60 coaches, and upwards of 700 student-athletes per year, according to a press release.
For the past four years, Mazzaccaro has taught world history and Advanced Placement U.S.
History at CBA. He has also been an assistant cross country and track coach with the
Colts.
“It is a privilege and honor to be named the AD at CBA,” Mazzaccaro said. “As a student, teacher and coach at CBA, I have been blessed to work with the best administrators, teachers, coaches and students. I look forward to working with all of the members of our community to further our Lasallian mission through athletics.”
Mazzaccaro remains one of the most prolific runners in the history of CBA cross country and track and field. He was a two-time Non-Public A cross country state champion and set the CBA course record at Holmdel Park, which still stands, according to the press release.
On the national stage, Mazzaccaro finished 15th at the 2010 Nike Cross Country Nationals to help the Colts finish fifth as a team. He followed that up by anchoring the CBA distance medley squad that won the 2011 Championship of America at the Penn Relays, according to the press release.
“I learned some of life’s greatest lessons from the teachers and coaches who have surrounded me at CBA.
“From teachers like Jeff Matson and Dave Duh who taught me that hard work can be enjoyable, to Karl Torchia, Tom Heath and Chris Bennett, who promoted a team-first approach that guided my entire athletic career, I hope to honor all of them by putting their lessons to work as AD,” Mazzaccaro said.
His success at CBA earned him spots on the Princeton University cross country and track teams. During his senior year at Princeton, he was named an Academic All-American and All-Ivy League second team for outdoor track.
Since 2016, Mazzaccaro has helped coach the Colts to four straight Non-Public A state championships, three Meet of Champions titles, and four trips to the Nike Cross Nationals, according to the press release.
He has also been active in other extracurricular activities at CBA, including moderating the Future Business Leaders of America and Fed Challenge clubs.
“Mike is a dedicated educator who is totally committed to CBA, has demonstrated exceptional intelligence, and has an ability to quickly adapt to, and succeed in, a number of very different environments,” Principal Ross Fales said.
“I am extremely happy to have Mike on our administrative team as we navigate this new reality we find ourselves in and I have complete confidence he will lead this storied athletic program to continued success,” Fales said.
Mazzaccaro will succeed Vito Chiaravalloti, who led CBA athletics to NJSIAA/ShopRite Cups for best athletics program in all six years of his tenure.
“Our athletic teams at CBA will always be an extension of the classroom and the broader
learning experience for our students,” Mazzaccaro said. “We will continue to commit ourselves to educating the complete student: mind, body and spirit.”
Outside of CBA, Mazzaccaro owns and operates Radix Running, which is an off-season camp program for runners. He also has experience in the financial planning and investment world with BlackRock Inc., according to the press release.