Avenel Catholic was a four-year private high school located in Avenel Middlesex County New Jersey. Established in 1921 by Michael A. Rubino.

Avenel Catholic was closed down in 1991 due to a significant decrease in enrollment and economical issues. The land that the Catholic high school was located is now owned by Washington Mutual.

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Academics


Avenel Catholic was one of the most prestigious Catholic high schools of its era. A very vigorous and challenging school in which 99% of its students went on to college and 49% of those students graduated in the top 50 at their respected universities.

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Athletics


Avenel Catholic is known for having a very prestigous athletic program. The private school has won state championships in football, basketball, baseball, tennis, field hockey and swimming. The football team, also known as the Cats (school mascot), has been considered as one of, if not the most successful programs in New Jersey state history. Winning a total of 8 state championships amongst other awards, the Cats football team was considered a dynasty from the years 1971-1974. Led by head coach Kirk Hangenburg (Seton Hall class of '59), Avenel Catholic won the state championship in three of those for years. The 1973 team was disqualified from the state playoffs for an incident involving the team. They hold the record for the longest streak without giving up a point, in which they shut out opponents in each of those four seasons. The coaching era came to a sudden end, when Hangenburg was assassinated on June 2, 1975. The great coach was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 1979.