Mr. John Bell arrived at Bergen Catholic in 1956 as a Biology, English, Typing and Physical Education teacher, and promptly became the school’s first varsity coach in three different sports (cross country, indoor track and outdoor track). The former All Hallows HS football, basketball and track start (who earned track scholarships to the University of Miami and St. John’s University) brought his expertise to Oradell and “planted the seeds” for BC’s soon-to-be-outstanding track program. His program received national mention during the 1958-1959 school year when Track & Field News conducted a “National Track Meet” using official results from major meets around the country), and John’s BC squad finished in third place! He moved on to a career in the US Navy, Merchant Marines and US Coast Guard, where he retired after a combined 28 years of service in 1990. His travels took him to Japan, Korea, Africa and Europe, and he sailed the Atlantic, Pacific, Antarctic and Arctic Oceans during his distinguished career. His years of sea-going service will be featured in an upcoming Navy veterans’ publication. John and his wife, Jean, have three children and five grandchildren.