On January 11th, 2026, Ramapo High School’s Coach Bill Manzo was inducted into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, becoming the 15th coach in the school’s history to receive the honor.
This spring, Coach Manzo enters his 19th season as Ramapo’s track and field head coach, fresh off an extraordinarily successful season in 2025. This past year, Coach Manzo and his staff led their team to the Winter Track North 1 Group 3 State Sectional title. Then, in the spring, to the Big North Freedom Conference Championship, Bergen County Relays Championship, Bergen County Championship, Spring N1G3 State Sectional Championship, and just this past week, the school’s first-ever Winter Track Bergen County Relays Championship. Meanwhile, Coach Manzo was honored with not only the Hall of Fame induction, but also his fourth Big North Coach of the Year award and his third Bergen County Coach of the Year award.
However, Coach Manzo highlights the importance and appreciation of his entire coaching staff, very selflessly stating that this accolade is “about everybody.” He continues, “Obviously, it’s flattering, but it goes well beyond being about me, and I think it’s a great recognition for the entire track and field program.”
Coach Manzo truly appreciates his staff. Coach Nangle—distance coach—and Coach Resto—whom he works closely with in the short sprints and relays—have worked with him throughout his entire career. Coach Ciccone joined the group in 2012 as the throws coach, while Coach DiMauro worked with the team as an assistant coach straight out of college, and just recently returned to coach again.
Ramapo track and field athlete Sandra Vitolo looks up to Coach Manzo, explaining that he “has helped me grow by always supporting me. He always checks in with his athletes to make sure we’re doing okay, not just physically but mentally.” Vitolo also tells me that Coach Manzo “is constantly giving us motivating words before and after our meets,” including some of his funny affirmations like “If you want to eat you have to cook.”
Mr. Nangle also speaks very highly of his close friend and colleague, stating that Coach Manzo “has done an amazing job over the years building a positive program and culture in the track and field program, as well as growing the sport in the community with his track camp and track club. His accomplishments rank him up there with some of the best coaches in the history of the state.” Coach Nangle also told me that despite the impressive honor, the goal remains the same: “The program will still strive for every athlete to reach their fullest potential and for each team to compete for championships.”
Coach Manzo believes strongly that the team needs to feel like family and that the lessons of sport go well beyond high school. He feels that “track can help their life, help them grow as a person…to grow and to operate independently–and that these lessons will help them not only in college but in every era of their life.” In regards to the team culture, he says “I always refer to our team as the ‘track family’ because I want our kids to know that their involvement goes beyond the sport itself, and that they belong to a very supportive group, and that I will always coach ‘the whole person’, not just the athlete.”
Ultimately, Coach Manzo is an excellent leader and mentor to his team, setting a high standard and preparing each team member to not only be successful athletes but live to their full potential. Rampage congratulates Coach Manzo for this incredible honor, and wishes him the best of luck throughout the rest of his coaching career.
