High School Football Field To Honor 'Legendary' Lacey Coach

LACEY, NJ — The Lacey Board of Education kicked off a new project - renaming the Lacey Township High School Athletic Complex.

"For quite some time, the board has been talking about naming our football field here at Lacey Township High School," Superintendent Vanessa Clark said. "And we've gone around, we've had discussions about it, and we finally landed at a great place."

A resolution was read at a recent Board of Education meeting to announce the planned new name: Vircillo Stadium, after the school's legendary football coach, Lou Vircillo.

Vircillo has been coaching at the high school since it first opened in 1981, receiving numerous accolades including 304 varsity wins to date.

Throughout his long career, Vircillo has led his players to four New Jersey State Championships and 15 conference titles.

"Louis A. Vircillo, because of this lifetime of distinguished work, has received many achievements over the course of his career, including membership to the Shore Football Coaches Foundation Hall of Fame in 2012 and the NJ Football Coaches Association Ray McCrann Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018," the resolution said.

Board President Frank Palino read the resolution, which was accepted by LTHS Principal Jason King on behalf of Vircillo. King said this was a sign of Vircillo's dedication, as he was currently at a football practice.

"Vircillo instills integrity, hard work, loyalty, pride and most of all, tradition, in all of his players," the resolution reads.

The resolution was the first step for taking formal action to rename the complex. "Much more" is to come in the fall, said Clark.

Clark said that a formal ceremony will be held in the fall, and further information will be announced when it is ready.