Ernie Finizio has been active in sports since he wrestled and was co-captain at Roselle Park High School under Wrestling Hall of Famer coach T. Ralph “Pug” Williams. After graduating RPHS in 1958, Ernie graduated Seton Hall University then returned to his hometown to coach wrestling for 7 years, 6 as head coach (1963-69) compiling a record of 46-13 and winning a Garden State Conference Championship and District Championship. After earning a Master of Arts Degree in Administration and Supervision from Seton Hall, Ernie assumed the principalship of Aldene Elementary School, a position he held for 10 years. Aldene was renamed the Ernest J Finizio Jr. Elementary School in his honor in 1994. Ernie furthered his administrative responsibility by serving as Superintendent of Schools in the Roselle Park District until 1993 when he assumed the position of Assistant Director of the NJSIAA and later Project Manager (1993-2003). Ernie has been an NJSIAA official in the following sports: football, baseball, soccer, softball, swimming, volleyball, and wrestling. An excellent official, he excelled as a wrestling official working the most competitive matches and all levels of the tournament series for a number of years. He worked the NJ State Finals ten times. When his days as an active wrestling official ended, he accepted the responsibility as the Tournament Director of the NJSIAA Wrestling Tournament for 24 years. Ernie is currently a Director of the NJ Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (2008).