December 3, 2011

Head coach Vincent Ascolese and grandson Vin look to end their HS careers with a state title. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

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NORTH BERGEN – As a child, Vin Ascolese promised his grandfather, North Bergen head coach Vincent, a state championship.

A little more than a decade later, the younger Ascolese is just one win away from fulfilling that promise. He will get that chance today at MetLife Stadium for the North 1, Group IV title in what will be the last high school game for both grandfather and grandson.

"He actually believed in me," Vin, the Bruins' top linebacker said, recalling the moment from when he was 7 or 8. "He was like 'I bet you will. We'll just see what happens.'"

Ascolese has led the Bruins to the state final 15 times in his storied 39-year run at North Bergen. But this year's playoff run, might be the most miraculous of them all.

In his final career home game at the recently renamed Vincent Ascolese Field, North Bergen defeated Passaic County Tech 20-14 in overtime on a touchdown by his grandson. The Bruins would win another overtime contest, this one a 10-7 slugfest against neighboring rival Union City.

"It's a storybook (tale)," young Vin said. "And we're just trying to top it off and leave with that hardware on Saturday."

Such a run seemed especially unlikely just a few weeks ago. Ascolese, who had announced his retirement back on Nov. 5, had seen his team enter the playoffs on a two-game losing streak, losing to Union City and Peddie by a combined five points.

"This has happened to us before. It happened to us in 1988 and we went into the state tournament losing two games in a row," Coach Ascolese said. "You can't let it be a deterrent, it's about the game, it's not about what's behind you."

These Bruins were able to bounce back and thanks to a strong defense and possibly fate on their side are back in the finals for the first time since 1997. North Bergen blew out Wayne Hills 33-10 for the North 1, Group IV title at Bruins Stadium, a moment a then 3-year-old Ascolese still remembers.

"After the game they jumped into the lake (behind the buildings at the field)," he said. "I was like 3 years I went to my mom and asked 'Mom, can I grab my bathing suit and jump in the lake with them?' I remember that, 3-years-old, It was a great day for North Bergen. Our whole bleachers were filled up and it was something special watching them win a state championship."

The young Ascolese is well aware of the tradition of success of his family and home town. In addition to his grandfather's seven state titles (six with North Bergen and one with Hoboken), each of Vin's three uncles won a state championship for the Bruins. All three of Coach Ascolese's sons have also served as an assistant at one time or another. His son Mike is currently the team's defensive coordinator.

"I've always had them around," the elder Ascolese said. "I was either coaching them in a state final game or they were coaching with me. I had three sons coach here. That's important because of the family loyalty and now it's Vinny's turn."

"It's something special," Vin said. "I'm very grateful to God that He blessed me with this great family I'm in and just blessed me with the people I'm surrounded by. It's just something special. I'm very grateful."

After hearing all the stories of his grandfather's and uncles' success, Vin and his teammates to create their own chapter in what has been a storybook playoff run for North Bergen. Now it's his opportunity to deliver one last championship home and follow through on a promise made 10 years ago.

"It's what I always wanted," the linebacker said. "That's what happened and I just want that ring."

Vin Ascolese has coached the Bruins to state titles in 1977, 1978, 1984, 1988, 1990 and 1997. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

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