Our People of the Century Tony DiTomo: A Symbol of Vineland Sports

For six decades, Tony DiTomo and Vineland High School athletics seem to go hand in hand.

For his days as a three-sport star for the Poultry Clan, to his years as the Fighting Clan’s athletic director, Vineland sports seemed to run in DiTomo’s veins.

Growing up in Vineland in the 1920s and ‘30s, DiTomo was in sandlot circles as an athletic force. The reputation went with him to high school, where he played football, baseball, and wrestling.

His greatest success came on the gridiron, where he led the Poultry Clan to three straight sectional championships, including the 1939 undefeated squad.

After graduating in 1940, DiTomo attended Temple before going into the armed services for World War II. After the war, he finished his schooling at Wake Forest before returning to Vineland to teach. And coach.

For 40 years, DiTomo was active in the Vineland sports scene, both on the high school and recreation level. He was a founding member of the city’s Recreation Council, and served 25 years.

He was Vineland’s football coach from 1950-’52. He also coached the tennis and wrestling teams. He’s in the South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame.

DiTomo started the Monogram Club, a group honoring all varsity letter winners at the high school, and he later launched the VHS All-Sports Booster Club.

DiTomo, who served as Athletic Director for 17 years, is responsible for upgrading many of the facilities at the Chestnut Avenue campus. He helped build an indoor pool at the 9-10 building and 12 tennis courts between the North and South buildings.

DiTomo, 79, retired in 1989. He still lives in Vineland and is seen at many Fighting Clan functions.