You may have seen Mr. Fusco in class or even enthusiastically greeting students through the hallways. While he is the head supervisor of the social studies and world language department, he plays a more informal role to athletes of the school as head football coach. Coach Fusco is the man on the field every Friday night coaching The HERD to victories. He has been very successful as he just got his 100th win a few weeks ago over Whippany Park. It led us to wonder though, how did he get to this milestone in his coaching career? We decided to take this question to him and learn more about his background in football.
Fusco’s Upbringing
Coach Fusco grew up in Summit where he was very active as a child playing many different sports: football, baseball and basketball. Coach Fusco emphasized how his father had influenced him to be a coach because his father had been a little league baseball coach. He also mentioned how he had gotten some of his fondest memories during these little league games. He started playing football as early as 3rd and 4th grade as a tight end and linebacker. As he played football throughout elementary and middle school, he eventually made his way up to play for the Summit High School’s football team where he became a captain his senior year. His team won a state championship his senior year and he developed a love for not only the sport but team atmosphere.
An Introduction to Coaching
After he graduated college he got a good job in finance but ultimately felt like he was missing something. He was given the opportunity to coach Summit Junior Baseball for two years and this coaching exposure quickly taught him that this was what he wanted to pursue. He decided to take it more seriously and Fusco says his father pushed him to meet with his old high school coach Howie Anderson, who was a fantastic coach at the time and mentor to Coach Doug Wilkins.
Fusco soon became a freshman coach at Summit High School before being hired part-time at Wildwood Elementary School as an English as a Second Language teacher. During his first year in town, he became the assistant girls lacrosse coach for the high school team. He acknowledged how he wasn’t sure how to coach girls as he had never coached them before but Adrienne Benitez (current MLBT Field Hockey Youth Coach) and Jen Topakas (MLHS Girls Lacrosse Coach) were outstanding athletes who taught him a lot and helped to make the team successful. His first full time position was as a 3rd-grade math and science teacher before going to 5th-grade social studies. Soon he came to the high school to be a social studies special education teacher and coached freshmen lacrosse with Coach Flynn for 10 years and football with Coach Wilkins for 13 years before becoming head coach.
The Herd’s Success & Traditions
Here he is now, 100 wins later, humbly admitting he spends his energy focusing on the players and being the best coach he can be, not the wins. Coach Fusco shared with us a quote he holds close to himself: “think lightly of yourself, highly of those around you.” He stated that it’s all about the team’s dedication they have put in to get to this point and the great coach’s work, that has contributed the most to his success. He stated that having one hundred wins isn’t an individual win for just him but also for the program as a whole and everyone who contributed to it. He applauds the team’s moms for their generosity by coming to the school to feed the team before their game and the parents who help run the snack stand at each and every game. Along with how many members of the community come together to support the team.
Having been in town so long we wanted to see what his favorite memory would be. Fusco told us about two memories: skulls for the team, and putting up the lights at the turf. “The skulls” is a meeting the night before each game in the Briarcliff cafeteria to get excited for the game and to talk to teammates. He said that it is great to see the team working together and creating a bond that will last their lifetimes. If he had to choose one memory in particular to be his favorite, it was when the lights went up because the HERD games used to always be on Saturday at 1 pm. He and the other coaches at the time pushed to get lights for the field so The HERD could play at night; they had a fundraiser to rent out lights and the Herd played under them for just one night. The community loved them so much that they installed permanent lights the following season. Ever since this adjustment Fusco said he is happy Friday night football has become such a community event and it is amazing to see the support the town has. Specifically for The HERD, the cheerleaders, and the Laker Sports Clubs stand. He also loves student engagement whether that be cheering from the student section or fight songs from the band (Coach noted he especially loves the drum as they walk down the path).
Coach Fusco has impacted the Mountain Lakes community more than any of us truly recognize. He has supported many athletes for years which is clear through athletes who spoke on his behalf and the success his players have had on the field. You can’t have a good team without a good coach!
A special thank you to Coach Fusco for allowing us to share your story. Students, we hope you learned more about the strategist you see on the field every Friday night during the fall!
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