Former Paramus Volleyball Coach Bellinger Joins Hall Of Fame

PARAMUS, NJ — Former Paramus volleyball coach MariaElena Bellinger joined the ranks of some of the best coaches in state history after she was inducted into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Hall of Fame.

During a virtual ceremony Sunday, Bellinger and 32 others were honored for their storied careers in New Jersey athletics.

Over her 19-year career, Bellinger acquired a record of 387–118 which included:

• 1 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions Title
• 1 NJSIAA State Group 3 Title
• 1 NJSIAA Group 3 Sectional Title
• 1 Bergen County Title
• 12 League Championships

"I have been blessed with SO many amazing mentors, assistant coaches & players throughout my career that made this possible. I am beyond grateful & humbled by this honor," she said on Twitter.

The New Jersey Interscholastic Coaches Association began honoring coaches in 1961, when they did so for all football coaches with undefeated seasons.

A Hall of Fame wasn't established officially until 1983, when the award program shifted to include the title. In 1995 the NJSCA took over the sponsorship of the hall of fame.

"When you consider that there are 434 public, non-public and independent secondary schools in New Jersey for the 2020-2021 school year, sponsoring approximately 7,500 varsity teams, requiring that number of head coaches – then it has to be a distinct honor to have been selected by your peers for membership in the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association "Hall of Fame,'" said NJSCA officials.