Mahopac High School honored the legacy of longtime educator and coach Joseph Bellucci Sr. on Jan. 20 by dedicating the school’s wrestling room in his name and that of his family. The ceremony took place prior to the varsity wrestling match against Ossining and celebrated Bellucci’s decades-long impact on Mahopac students, athletes and the broader school community.
The dedication ceremony began in the gymnasium and continued in the wrestling room, where a commemorative sign was unveiled. Bellucci, a Mahopac Central School District Hall of Fame inductee, served the district for more than three decades as both a teacher and coach, leaving a lasting mark on Mahopac athletics and academics.
Superintendent of Schools Frank Miele, a former student-athlete coached by Bellucci, addressed those in attendance, reflecting on Bellucci’s influence as a mentor and role model.
“Tonight is a very special night for me for so many reasons,” Miele said. “I have the honor and privilege to dedicate our wrestling room to someone who was my hero growing up and the reason I became a teacher and a coach. Coach Bellucci had the ability to bring the best out of you each and every day.”
Former colleagues Robert Nussbaum and John Wagner also spoke, along with Joe Bellucci Jr., who shared remarks on behalf of the Bellucci family.
Bellucci taught mathematics at Mahopac High School from 1954 to 1986 and coached numerous teams, including junior varsity football and baseball, varsity football, varsity baseball, and varsity wrestling. A United States Army veteran, he was known for his disciplined yet compassionate approach and for instilling values of integrity, perseverance, and teamwork in generations of student-athletes. He was also a devoted family man and father of 10.
The dedication was made possible through the collaborative efforts of district leadership, the Mahopac Board of Education, and members of the Mahopac community. Special recognition was given to Superintendent Miele; Stephen Luciana, director of health, physical education and athletics; and Robert Nussbaum, John Wagner, Sean Mohammed and Joe Bellucci Jr. and family, for their commitment to bringing the project to fruition.
The wrestling room dedication ensures that Coach Bellucci’s legacy will continue to inspire Mahopac students and athletes for years to come, serving as a reminder of the lasting impact one educator and coach can have on a community.
