JERSEY CITY, NJ (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | Antonio M. Oliveira, a 1990 inductee into the New Jersey City University Athletics Hall of Fame as a men's soccer player and coach, and a 1966 graduate of the University, passed away on May 6, 2011 in Princeton, NJ. A long-time resident of Randolph, NJ, Oliveira most recently resided in Hunter, NY since 2008. He was 68 years old.
Oliveira, a four-year starter at halfback for then Jersey City State College from 1963-66, was a 1966 Honorable Mention All-New Jersey State Athletic Conference selection. He was a team tri-captain and scored five goals and one assist for 11 points in 11 games in 1966 as the Gothics posted a 9-1-1 record (.864) for Hall-of-Fame Coach Robert McNulty. In 1964, Oliveira notched six goals and 12 points in eight games as JCSC was 7-2-0 overall for Coach Ernie Baer.
During his four years, the Gothics enjoyed one of the longest stretches of continual success, posting a combined 31-7-1 record. Oliveira played with several of the school's soccer Hall of Famers, including Tom Briscoe and Thomas Sereika.
In 1974, Oliveira founded the soccer program at Randolph High School in Morris County, where he was a math teacher for 22 years before retiring in 1989. He served as head coach of the program from 1974-1989 and led the Rams to a 197-65-18 (.630) record during a 15-year career at the helm of the successful program. He guided his team to the state sectional title games in 1982, 1985 and 1986. In 1985, Randolph achieved a 22-1 record and was ranked No. 1 in the state until a loss to Scotch Plains in the sectional finals.
Briscoe, remembering his teammate fondly, said: “I was shocked to hear of Tony's passing. He was a great friend and teammate. I always felt he deserved inclusion in the NJCU Hall of Fame before I did. He and I were teammates at the college and on weekends we played against each other in the New Jersey State League. For those four years, we trained in the gymnasium in the off-season together some three or four days [per week]. Tony was a complete player, with a wonderful touch on the ball. He knew how to move off the ball, had a great shot and was a good distributor and defender. I enjoyed his friendship and his death leaves a hole that will never be filled. I send my deepest condolences to his family.”
In 1984, Oliveira received the Outstanding Coach Award from the Soccer Coaches of America (SCOA). He held a National “B” coaching license. Upon his retirement, he worked for the New York Mercantile Exchange until 2008. Oliveira was born in Figueiro da Serra, Portugal.
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