Woodbridge in Woodbridge Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Woodbridge Golden Bears

Photographed by Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018

1. Woodbridge Golden Bears Marker

Inscription. Woodbridge Golden Bears

Formed in 1940, the Woodbridge Alumni Golden Bears was a semi-pro football team in the Raritan Valley Conference composed of former local high school standouts. The Golden Bears played 11 seasons before disbanding in 1954. Other league teams included the Essex Clippers, Elizabeth Stars, Camptown pros, Manville Yellow Jackets, Hillside Huskies, Union Blues, Irvington Sporting Club, Jersey City Pros, Clifton Vikings, South River Eagles, Perth Amboy Football Club, Bloomfield Watasessings and Hopelawn Greyhounds. The games between the two Woodbridge teams, Greyhounds and Golden Bears, were legendary.

Coached by Tony Cacciola, the Golden Bears played at Legion Stadium on Berry Street to the rousing public address tones of announcer Claire R. Bixel and crowds approaching 5,000. After the 1946 season, Legion Stadium was taken by the New Jersey Turnpike, and the home schedule was played at Roosevelt Park in Edison. When Woodbridge High School completed their new field in 1948, the Golden Bears played some home games at night using temporary erected lights.

Golden Bears practices were held every Tuesday

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and Thursday night at School No. 11 on Amboy Avenue and every Sunday morning in August until the season started. Uniforms were stored at the Knights of Columbus building on Main Street in Woodbridge, where players dressed and departed for the games.

More information visit www.wthpc.org
Woodbridge Township Historic Preservation Commission
Mayor John E. McCormac Woodbridge Township 2013

Erected 2013 by Woodbridge Township Historic Preservation Commission.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.

Location. 40° 33.345′ N, 74° 17.057′ W. Marker is in Woodbridge Township, New Jersey, in Middlesex County. It is in Woodbridge. It is on North Park Drive near Amboy Avenue (Route 35), on the left when traveling west. The marker is in the Marion and Norman Tanzman Recreation Area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 453 Amboy Ave, Woodbridge NJ 07095, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s Central Jersey,

in Greater Princeton,

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is

Woodbridge Golden Bears Marker location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018

2. Woodbridge Golden Bears Marker location

The maker is near the bend in the road on the left; to the right are three local memorials.

also in the American Northeast,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Revolutionary War Battles in Woodbridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodbridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Woodbridge Cloverleaf (within shouting distance of this marker); The Parish Community of St. James (within shouting distance of this marker); Adath Israel Synagogue (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Woodbridge Township COVID-19 Victims Memorial (about 300 feet away); Kirk Green (about 300 feet away); Cross Keys Tavern (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Woodbridge Township.

Additional commentary.
1. Number 82
Number 82 is my grandfather, Harold Miller. He was always so proud of his years with the Golden Bears. He met my grandmother in Woodbridge

Photographed by Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018

3. Inset

Woodbridge Golden Bears players

and they were married almost 65 years before his passing in 2012.

— Submitted July 29, 2026, by Kim Urbaniak of Wimauma, Florida.

First neabry local memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018

4. First neabry local memorial

John and Stella Safchinsky

First nearby local memorial marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018

5. First nearby local memorial marker

Second nearby local memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018

6. Second nearby local memorial

Viola L. and Joseph J. Vitale

Third nearby local memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018

7. Third nearby local memorial

John "Jack" Safchinsky

Third nearby local memorial marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, October 20, 2018

8. Third nearby local memorial marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 926 times since then and 87 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 16, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 7, 8. submitted on November 19, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.