Anthony Melesurgo, special education teacher and head coach of the varsity Bound Brook High School boys basketball team, will be inducted into the New Jersey State Coaches Association (NJSCA) Hall of Fame in January 2024.  

Coach Melesurgo, who recently took on his first-year coaching soccer at Bound Brook’s Community Middle School, received his nomination from a senior member of the Skyland Conference – the athletics conference comprising schools in Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren counties, under the guidance of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. 

From a student who once walked the halls of Bound Brook to now having entered his 20th year as the head coach of the district’s basketball program, Coach Melesurgo emphasized how grateful he is for everything. 

“This honor really means a lot to me, especially being from Bound Brook and being able to build the basketball program from the ground up as we’ve done over the past years,” he said. “I grew up here. I went to Bound Brook High School and I also played for Bound Brook. I feel lucky to have had so many great players and worked with so many talented assistant coaches over the years, and so many good families as well.” 

Coach Melesurgo landed the head coach position at Bound Brook right after graduating from Seton Hall University and considers himself lucky to have received the job at the time when the basketball program was struggling.  

Now, it is considered to be one of the better programs statewide. Last year’s basketball season ended with 22 wins and only 5 losses. With the 2023-24 season just underway, he underlines the importance of how these games bring the community together. 

“I think the greatest thing is the team’s success has brought so much pride to our community,” Melesurgo explained. “Our gyms are packed every night. Whenever we get into the state tournament, you can’t even get inside the gym. There’s a great sense of pride at Bound Brook for our basketball program with our players and our former players. It’s created a great family and community atmosphere.” 

Coach Melesurgo became a special education teacher at Bound Brook a few years after he became head coach, and thanks the many amazing teachers and administrators he has worked with to help each and every student reach their highest potential.  

“Coach Melesurgo is a dedicated, driven and committed team player,” said Dr. Alvin L. Freeman, superintendent of the Bound Brook School District. “His well-deserved Hall of Fame induction reflects his amazing work in the district’s basketball program since he joined. He is not only an excellent coach, but also an outstanding human being who is always looking out for the best interests of our students and community. We are extremely lucky to have him and his talents here in our district.” 

Coach Melesurgo will be officially inducted at a ceremony at the Pines Manor in Edison, NJ on January 14, 2024. To learn more about the wide variety of athletics offered at the Bound Brook School District, visit https://bbrook.org/athletics/.