WILLIAM COOKE
Class of 1995
FOOTBALL
BASKETBALL
BASEBALL
Bill Cooke made his mark at Northern Valley Demarest in the most old-fashioned of ways – as
a classic three-sport athlete. He was one of the bedrocks on which Demarest athletics was
built during the 1990s, arguably the most successful period in school history. Bill’s best sport
was baseball, and he can certainly be considered one of the top Norsemen pitchers ever. In
his three years as a starter, he compiled a career record of 31-4 with an even 2.00 ERA. He
pitched on two league championship teams (1993 and 1995), two county championship
teams (1993 and 1995), and one state sectional winner (1995). Bill was named All-League
and All-County thrice each, and was honored with All-State recognition as a senior. In his
greatest high school game, Bill pitched a no-hitter in the 1995 North Jersey Section 1, Group
III final over arch-rival Old Tappan, though he is quick to point out that the no-no was only
kept alive thanks to a great catch by his good friend Jeff Gallucci.
On the gridiron, “Cookie” was a tight end for the undefeated 1992 team, even catching a
touchdown pass (one of only six passes attempted by the Norsemen during that year’s
playoffs) in the sectional final victory over Wayne Valley. The following season, Bill was one
of the key players on the NBIL Division 2 championship team. He went on to captain the
football team as a senior, earning All-League recognition as a safety and 2nd Team All-County
honors as a punter. Bill added another honor to his resume as a junior, when he was named
All-League in basketball.
Bill continued his baseball career at UMass, where he still holds the career record for wins
with 26. He credits much of his success to his teammates (Jeff Gallucci, Chris Connelly, and
Jon Pritti, in particular), coaches (especially Butler, Hill, and McClain), and his mother, Dottie,
who attended every game he ever played in, a feat that required weekend trips to Amherst
during Bill’s college years. After UMass, Bill spent seven years as a teacher and coach in
Boston and New York. He is currently the principal of Democracy Prep Charter School in
Brooklyn.