Pingry’s Bugliari gets win No. 800

WARREN – Many coaches in high school boys soccer can say they’ve coached 800 games, but only two can say they’ve won that incredible number.

Miller Bugliari, the longtime head coach of The Pingry School boys soccer team, eclipsed career win number 800 with a 1-0 victory over Watchung Hills on Tuesday, something just one other boys soccer coach in the country has accomplished.

“It feels great,” said Bugliari, whose career record stands at 800-100-62. “Not that it had to be this game, but I’m glad to get it over with. It’s not about me…I didn’t want to keep dragging it on.”

Jamie Cook got the Big Blue’s only goal of the game late in the first half. Setting up for a corner kick, Cook took the entire field by surprise, trying a shot on goal, which eventually curled into the back of the net for the score.

Cook, who plays defense and rarely gets scoring chances, noted how important the goal felt to him.

“This is easily the greatest goal of my life,” said Cook. “I’m glad I was able to contribute and get the 800th and do what I can to help the team.”

As the final whistle blew after a hectic last few minutes, Bugliari, hunched over with his hands on his knees, had grasped just how memorable this win was. His assistant coaches were the first to greet him, one even telling him “take a breath, it’s finally over.”

The support for Bugliari could be seen far and wide, as the Watchung Hills High School sidelines was filled with family members, fans of the team, and former players from all decades.

“It means so much that people now know how legendary this guy (Bugliari) is,” said Big Blue assistant coach and former player David Fahey. “We’ve got guys who graduated from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and 2000’s here to celebrate with him, and it means so much for our school.”

The milestone win is big for many reasons, as the Big Blue now has the pressure lifted off their shoulders to get to the number.

“They felt it,” said Bugliari. “They kept count…now it’s over we can focus on something else.”

The focus shifts to bigger goals for the team, and Cook and the rest of his squad know that now that the milestone has been reached, they can aim higher.

“We didn’t talk about it much leading up to it because coach is very superstitious,” said Cook. “Now that the weight is lifted off our shoulders we can bear down and focus on making it a really successful season.”

Despite being 79 years old and in his 56th season at Pingry, Bugliari is still as vocal as ever on the sidelines. While many might have called it quits years ago, Bugliari realizes just how storied his career has become.

“It’s great for New Jersey coaches, it’s great for Pingry and it’s great for me,” said Bugliari. “Let’s face it, the guys I coach against weren’t born when I started…that’s a scary thought sometimes.”

Staff writer Mike Jago: mjago@mycentraljersey.com