Bednarsky retires with 610 wins, DiBisceglie named Boys' Soccer Head Coach

Boys’ Soccer Head Coach Tony Bednarsky has announced his retirement from coaching, following 36 years leading Gill St. Bernard’s Boys’ Soccer to a record-setting 610 wins. He entered the year as the 4th winningest active coach in New Jersey boys’ soccer, and he concludes his career as the 8th winningest coach in NJ boys soccer history. 

“First and foremost, a sincere thanks to all students, parents, colleagues, fans, and everyone that gave their support,” said Bednarsky. “My heart, mind, and soul are in this program. You just know when it’s time to pass it on, but I’ll be in the stands cheering.”

Bednarsky earned back-to-back regional Coach of the Year honors in 2019 and 2020. “Being recognized at that level was my biggest coaching honor, individually. But the team comes first. I’m more proud of the players and their achievements,” he said. 

His 2019 team earned victories to become Skyland Conference Division Champion, Somerset County Champion, NJISAA Prep B Champion, NJSIAA Sectional Champion, and NJSIAA State Champion. The 2020 team went on to be undefeated and named the #1 team in the state and the #4 team in the nation, and Bednarsky was named the 2020 High School All-American Game coach for Team East.

Since joining NJSIAA in 2007, GSB Boys’ Soccer has competed in 17 of 19 sectional finals. Team accolades under Bednarsky’s leadership include 26 Skyland Conference titles, 13 Prep B championships, 9 Non-Public B State Championships, and 1 Somerset County title. Bednarsky also earned three consecutive SCANJ State Coach of the Year awards (2019, 2020, 2021).

Bednarsky will continue to serve GSB students in the classroom, teaching middle school history.

“Six hundred wins is an extraordinary accomplishment,” said Head of School Delvin Dinkins, “but what has always stood out to me is that the victories were never simply about the scoreboard. For generations of students, he built a program rooted in discipline, loyalty, resilience, and deep care for young people. The rare thing about someone like him is that, after all these years and all that success, his first love remains the classroom. That tells you everything you need to know about who he is and what has mattered most throughout his career: teaching, mentoring, and shaping lives.”

Director of Athletics Jenn Noon said, “Coach Bednarsky leaves behind a legacy that is unmatched, not just in victories and championships, but in the culture of integrity and pride he instilled in our student-athletes. We are incredibly grateful for his ability to inspire excellence and elevate our soccer program to the highest level within the state. Coach Bednarsky will always be Gill St. Bernard's Soccer and that lasting imprint he has made on the community will be treasured forever.”

Tim DiBisceglie ’13 will take over as Boys’ Soccer Head Coach. He joined as an assistant coach in 2018 and was named Associate Head Coach in 2024. As a student-athlete, DiBisceglie helped Gill St. Bernard’s win its first-ever Boys’ Soccer state championship in 2009. He played in Scotland and the Czech Republic, won two Landmark Conference championships, and competed professionally in the American Soccer League before returning to coach with Bednarsky at GSB.

“This is truly a full-circle moment for Gill St. Bernard's Boys' Soccer program,” said Noon. “Coach DiBisceglie not only understands tradition, but he helped build it as a student-athlete. We are excited to see him carry that passion and vision forward as our next Head Boys’ Soccer Coach. When you can hire someone who truly understands your program because they lived it, you know the future is in great hands.”

DiBisceglie credits Bednarsky for inspiring a coaching journey that started as a freshman. “Tony connected our team with TOPSoccer [in 2009]. It’s important to step back, see what’s going on in the world, and give back. There I learned I enjoyed coaching and had a knack for it. I got into coaching because of Tony,” said DiBisceglie. “He’s been gearing me up for this day, but more than anything this is a celebration for Tony and how much he’s done for all of us and for New Jersey soccer. I’m very proud of him.”

Bednarsky still has one more lesson for DiBisceglie: “Enjoy it and savor it, because time flies.”