St. Joseph High School in Hammonton is closing, which brings down the curtain on one of New Jersey’s top small school high school football programs. The Diocese of Camden has announced that St. Joseph is one of five schools it’s closing due to declining enrollment and local fundraising. Wildwood Catholic will also be closed.
The St. Joseph Wildcats, under legendary head coach Paul Sacco, has won 20 state championships since 1993. Since taking-over the program in 1982, Sacco has led the Wildcats to a 335-65-5 record.
Expressing my feelings through video/music. Raising a glass to all the great faculty, staff, coaches, and kids/families who work their tails off to make a great school! Here's to plan B.#StjoeStrong pic.twitter.com/Mw4S37ri67
— Dan Hollingsworth (@Kdan_PT_NJ) April 18, 2020
“Closing a Catholic school is gut-wrenching for everyone involved, from the principal and pastor to the superintendent and bishop,” said Dr. Bill Watson, Superintendent of Schools in statement released Friday.
“However, as stewards of the financial resources entrusted to us, we came to the difficult conclusion that low enrollment at these schools caused the strain on the funds available to become too great.”
This past season, St. Joseph finished No. 24 in the High School Football America New Jersey Top 25 after losing to Holy Sprit in the Non-Public Group 2 state championship.
Overall, the program won 27 New Jersey high school football state championships.
