The former Union County math teacher is letting no number hold him back.
CRANFORD, NJ – A local teacher is hoping his story can continue inspiring others through his love of sports and teaching, both in the classroom and on the court.
In just a few months, Cranford’s own Charlie DeNicola will celebrate his 71st birthday, one that he knows might not have always been in his future. “I always thought it would be someone else, not me,” he says, “It’s just amazing to be alive to talk about it.”
DeNicola is a survivor of prostate cancer, and is using September to celebrate living 10-and-a-half years free of his diagnosis. Since then, he has gone on to win eight consecutive gold medals in tennis singles at the New Jersey Senior Olympics and was recently recognized on the national stage.
In August, Charlie had the honor of representing the Garden State at the National Senior Games in Des Moines, Iowa, where each state sent champions to compete in a variety of events that included 12,000 athletes. After going home with a bronze medal in the 70-74 age group, he hopes he can be an example to everyone back home in Union County that you’re never too old to achieve great things.
“A lot more people should give themselves a chance to get out and reach what they never thought may be possible,” DeNicola says. “The beauty of a game like tennis is that everyone can play, just at their own speed.”
This, he says, is also a quality that he enjoys about another of his passions, education.
Charlie has now moved out of the classroom, retiring in 2017 after decades as a former math teacher in both South Plainfield and Rahway. As for tennis, New Jersey’s senior singles champion says he still plays every day but Sunday, and has been teaching the game to others for more than 40 years. After teaching both kids and adults in South Plainfield and Cranford, he now focuses his efforts mostly on helping today’s youth athletes succeed beyond the game.
“To know you can compete with the top players in the country at any age is great,” DeNicola adds of his time at the National Senior Games, “but I’ll always get just as much satisfaction seeing a kid improve, go on to be a high school player, and develop lifelong skills both on and off the court.”
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