Kim Marchese: 46 Years of Teaching, Coaching and Inspiring a Community

By Terri Casaleggio
Kim Marchese
Kim Marchese

Kim Marchese’s parents, Roger and Ruth, began married life in a converted chicken coup in Wyckoff in the early ‘50’s on property belonging to Roger’s father.  It is there that Kim and his younger sister, Susan, were born and raised.

The family came to Oakland when Kim was a 2nd grader.  His Dad was a school principal in the Cresskill Elementary School; his Mom taught in the Manito School.  Both had distinguished careers in education and were highly respected and loved by their friends and students.

“Everything my parents did influence my sister and me in those early years, and influenced my children later on.  The first day after the last day of the school year, our family was packed up and on our way to America’s national parks.  We traveled for a month in the summer for eight summers.  All the things we did on these trips we do to this day.  It formed our decisions later on in life for where we live, our career paths, our passion for sport and recreation.”

The Marchese Family, shaped their lives around education, sport and extending the hand of friendship.  Their interests helped create a legacy for Oakland which has lasted from 1964 to today.

“In the early ‘60’s, my Uncle Jim lived in Wyckoff and played tennis with his non-chicken-coop tennis friends.  In 1964, my dad started playing, too.” 

In the late ‘60’s Ruth and Roger built a tennis court in their back yard.  It was a project that involved a small army of very willing friends.  It may have been the first of its kind in Oakland.

“We all got the bug, and in 1975, the year after World Team Tennis was founded, myself, Greg Drummond and Dick Anderson started Oakland’s first team tennis on the town courts.  It grew to hundreds of players over the years and is still going strong.”

Roger Marchese ranked and placed each player into groups, which made the games more competitive.  The tennis parties Roger and Ruth hosted around their own home tennis court were so enjoyable and helped boost participation in Oakland’s Team Tennis.

In 1972, Roger and Ruth put an ice-skating surface on their tennis court. Kim took it up and, in time through his efforts, a roller hockey rink was built at the Oakland Rec Fields.  Kim was the roller hockey commissioner.  (Today, after 40 years of use by countless avid hockey fans, it is being completely redone.)  Marchese

After graduating from Montclair State, Kim interviewed for teaching and coaching positions in Emerson High School and Ramapo-Indian Hills.  He got both jobs.  

“I chose Ramapo because, one. the salary was better than what Emerson offered; two, I could not imagine working at Indian Hills and addressing my former teachers by their first names.”                                                 

Kim began teaching math at Ramapo in 1974.  The following September he started coaching freshmen boys in soccer and ice hockey.  He did that for the next ten years. Then, in 1985, he began coaching girls on Ramapo’s tennis team.  He also received his Master’s Degree.

Enthusiasm for tennis and participation in Oakland’s tennis program grew every year, as did Kim’s experience with and dedication to the kids whom he coached at the high school level.  But tennis had another benefit for Kim.

 “I met my wife through Oakland Team Tennis.  I invited her to play mixed doubles with me and we began dating.   We dated for three years before we got married.”

In the ensuing years, Kim’s teams amassed impressive winning statistics.  His coaching skills were admired throughout the high school region.   His teams were recognized for having the best results in Bergen County.

 “During these years I coached girls’ and boys’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ tennis and boys’ ice hockey, and basketball.  I coached two sports every year for 46 years, ten years for Junior Varsity and 36 for Varsity.  The girls’ tennis teams had 644 wins, boys’ tennis had 452 wins.   In 2015, I was selected National Coach of the Year in recognition of my career coaching tennis.”  

“Of those 46 years, I coached at Indian Hills for four years.  That was when my son attended.  It was the most enjoyable coaching experience.  The kids worked hard.  They believed in what I had to offer. And there were no calls or requests from parents, no interference.  Normally, the nature of the job is to be challenged by parents. Over the years I learned I had to educate parents on our objectives, goals and the process.  With time and success, though, I get no complaints.”

Kim is now retired from teaching since 2015, after 40 years.  He continues to enjoy coaching at Ramapo.  As to the future, he says, “My dad passed away in the last year.  As long as my mom and Linda’s parents are with us, I will not give up the work of coaching.  After they leave us, we will either downsize or live where our kids are in New Hampshire and Idaho.”

Most evenings from Spring through Fall the lights at Oakland’s rec fields and tennis courts are ablaze. There are plaques indicating those who caused each sport to be played there, including one for Roger Marchese at the tennis courts.  Players of all ages are competing.  The sound of Oakland’s people shouting encouragement fills the air. This place is where generations have gathered to cheer for their children and also vicariously fulfilled their own dreams.  It is where they convene to recover from having to make a living.  It is where their young learn to win or lose.   It’s the heart of this diverse, spirited and vibrant community called Oakland.  It is America. 

To whom much is given, much will be required.