Three Belleville graduates, along with a Belleville native, were a big part of two high school softball teams winning county championships in 2018.

Coach Nicole Velardi, a 2010 BHS graduate, and her assistant, Cheryl Marion, a 1985 grad, led Cedar Grove to its first Essex County tournament crown in eight years when the Panthers defeated defending champion Mount St. Dominic on May 20, 1-0.

In addition, Pete Velardi is the third base coach for Cedar Grove. Pete is Nicole’s dad and was once a star quarterback at Barringer High in Newark. Pete subsequently raised his family in Belleville, where both Nicole and older sister – Jackie Velardi, a 2003 grad – starred on the BHS softball team. Pete’s son, Pete Jr., was a standout quarterback for the Belleville football team from 1998-2000.

Meanwhile another BHS graduate – Jamie Galioto, a 1987 grad of the Blue and Gold – led Hanover Park High School to the Morris County title May 9, defeating Mount Olive, 9-7. It was Hanover Park’s first county title in 39 years.

Needless to say, it’s been quite a run for the Velardis and Galioto.

Nicole Velardi guided Cedar Grove to the Group 1 state championship in 2017 as well as an appearance in the first NJSIAA Tournament of Champions last June. This year, the Panthers are favored to win another Group 1 title.

Marion joined Velardi’s staff this year. She played softball at BHS from 1982-85 and was a part of two county championship teams. After graduating college, Marion returned to her alma mater as an educator and coach, and was on legendary coach Carl Corino’s staff when Belleville won the 1989 county title.

Corino, who retired as a coach in 2005, was on hand to see Cedar Grove win the county championship. And it should be noted that Carl is also a Belleville High graduate, Class of 1969.

Pete Velardi has always taken pride in his children’s successes. His son, Pete Jr., is enjoying a successful life as a husband and father of three young sons. Middle daughter, Jackie, had a phenomenal career as a softball player, both at Belleville High and later Caldwell College. Jackie is now a successful assistant softball coach at her college alma mater. Nicole also played at Caldwell College, where Jackie was one of her coaches. And Pete Sr., now coaching at Cedar Grove with his youngest daughter, has seemingly enjoyed every minute of his work there.

Galioto was a standout athlete at Belleville High, where he excelled in baseball and football. He would go on to continued success in both sports, on the Division I level, in college.

Jamie was later the baseball coach at Caldwell College and then got involved with coaching high school softball. He turned West Orange High into a winning program, then became head coach at Hanover Park three years ago.

As with the Velardis, the family aspect is also paramount for Galioto. His daughter Aryana, a sophomore, is Hanover Park’s leadoff batter and a tremendous outfielder.

Both Nicole Velardi and Jamie Galioto are hoping to add some more championship hardware for their respective schools in early June, with a state sectional crown, as well as perhaps a group championship and the ultimate trip to the Tournament of Champions.

And as they once said in the classic Broadway show “Jersey Boys,” it all started in Belleville, N.J.

 

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