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  HEAD COACH: STEVE BUCCHIGNANO 

          Second year Head coach Steve Bucchignano will be at the helm for the Crusaders in the up coming 2008 baseball season. Coach Bucchignano will look to spark a renewed interest to a Baseball program with rich tradition. A Graduate from South Plainfield High School, Coach Bucchignano was a 3-year varsity starter and named captain in ('98 and '99). Coach Bucchignano holds the school record for most wins (24) and ranks in at the top of Earned Run Average, Opposing Batting Average, Strikeouts, and Walks. Coach "Bucc" was voted as a 3 time first team all division (‘97,'98,'99), All Conference second team (‘97 and ‘98), All Conference first team (‘99). He was 3-time Most Valuable Player in the Greater North Plainfield ('97,'98,'99) and named Team Most Valuable Player ('98 and '99).

          Coach Bucchignano continued his playing career at Kean University. At Kean, Coach Bucchignano was a 4-year starting pitcher for the cougars. In his first year at Kean, Coach "Bucc" had a record of 1 win and 1 defeat as he lead the cougar freshman class in innings pitched (51) In his second season with the cougars, Coach Bucchignano had a record of 5 wins and 1 defeat as he helped guide the cougars to a E.C.A.C post season tournament. In 2002, Coach Bucchignano's third season at Kean saw him pitch his way to a (7-4) record with impressive wins over Montclair St. University (the defending National Champions), Ramapo College, perennial power William Patterson University, As well as pitching the University's first No- Hitter against Muhlenberg College. The 2002 season was the most successful season in school history as the cougars won the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament and earned an automatic birth into the NCAA Baseball Championships. Bucchignano's impressive junior campaign lead him to a 2nd team All- State and Honorable Mention on the All- New Jersey Athletic Conference Team.  In his 4th and final season at Kean, Coach "Bucc" pitched his way to a (5-1) record with notable wins against The College of New Jersey, Bridgewater State College, and Ramapo College. At the end of the 2003 season Bucchignano was recognized for his efforts on the mound and was voted 2nd team All-NJAC, 3rd team All- State and 3rd team All- Region. Bucchignano concluded his career at Kean University ranked 3rd in most wins (17), 2nd in most strikeouts (212), and among the top 4 in career E.R.A and opposing Batting Average.

          After a distinguished career at Kean University Bucchignano signed a baseball contract to play professional baseball in the Italian Baseball Organization, however because of surgery to his throwing arm Bucchignano was not able to continue his playing career and opted to become a coach. Bucchignano served as the Kean University Pitching Coach from (2003-2005) under Veteran Head Coach Neil Ioveiro who is highly regarded as one of the best coaches in the northeast. In Bucchignano's tenure as Pitching Coach at Kean he saw multiple All- NJAC, All- Region and All- American pitcher's including Mike Battista who was signed by the New York Mets in 2005.

          In 2005 Bucchignano returned to the High School level as Pitching Coach at Somerville High School. Bucchignano worked very closely with a talented Pioneer pitching Staff that featured 1st team All- County Brett Connor. The pioneer pitching staff ranked among the leaders in most pitching categories in the Skyland Conference.

          After returning to Kean University in the Fall of 2006, Bucchignano accepted the position as Head Baseball Coach at Bound Brook High School. In his first season at the helm of the Crusaders, he saw his team tally a      (6-19), with upset victories over Hacketstown H.S. (Groups 2 state final participant), and North Plainfield.

          Bucchignano graduated from Kean University with a Bachelor's Degree in Physical Education and Health and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Administration and Supervision. Bucchignano resides in South Plainfield with his Sister Lori and Parents Carol and Steven.

Coach Bucchignano can be contacted at: sbucchignano@crusaderbaseball.net

 JUNIOR VARSITY HEAD COACH: ANTHONY MELESURGO

VARSITY VOLUNTEER ASSITANT COACH: ANDREW MILLER

              Coach Miller enters his first season as Assitant Coach under Head Coach Steve Bucchignano. Andrew will work very closely with the crusader catchers as well as share hitting responsabilities. Andrew was a 2 star athlete at South Plainfield playing Baseball and Football. After starring on the gird iron and baseball diamond Miller went on to further his education and athletic career at Kean University where he was a member of the Courgar baseball team and Football team.

            Andrew is currently attending Kean University and is majoring in Physical Education and Health. Along with coaching the Crusaders, Andrew also works as the Quarterbacks Coach at Kean University. Andrew lives in South Plainfield with both his parents.

VARSITY VOLUNTEER ASSITANT COACH: RYAN FLANNERY

          Former teammate of Coach Bucchignano at South Plainfield High School as well as Kean University, Coach Flannery will be an enormous asset to the Crusader Baseball Team. Coach Flannery will work very closely with all of the Crusader hitters as well as working with the outfield. While at South Plainfield Coach Flannery was a two-sport star for the Tigers, earning varsity letters in both football and baseball as a sophomore and junior respectively. Coach Flannery was named All- Division ('99), Third Team All- County ('99) as well as team captain ('99).

          Coach Flannery pursued his baseball endeavors at Kean University, where he saw tremendous success. A breakout season in 2002 placed him among the best In the Northeast. His 62 hits, 15 doubles, 50 runs scored earned him a spot on the All- State First Team, All- NJAC second team and All- Mid Atlantic Region Second Team. Not to be out done, Coach Flannery continued his noteworthy career in 2003 right where he left off in 2002. He finished his 2003 season with 58 hits, 8 doubles, 4 triples, and 25 walks, which earned him All- State First Team, All- NJAC First Team, All- Mid Atlantic First Team, and All- American First Team. Flannary concluded a successful career at Kean number 1 in hits (195), 2nd in doubles (39), 3rd in triples (10), 1st in runs (155), 2nd in stolen bases (44) and 1st in walks (96).

          Flannery is currently finishing his degree at Kean University in Criminal Justice and is also co-owner of R & B Construction Company. Flannery resides in South Plainfield with Sister Shannon and Brother Matt.