Charlie Kates

Charlie Kates is the ninth of eleven children born to John and Alice Kates. Charlie resides in Vineland, NJ and has two sons, Kyle and Matthew. Charlie earned a B.S. in Social Work from Saint Francis College, Loretto, PA, and retired from the Bridgeton Public Schools after working 32 years as a School Social Worker. Currently, Charlie works part-time as a School Social Worker at Creative Achievement Academy, Vineland, NJ. 

Charlie graduated from Sacred High School, Vineland, NJ, in 1977 after attending Bridgeton High School for his freshman and sophomore years. In 1976, as a junior at Sacred Heart, he compiled a 27–3 season and captured the South Jersey crown before playing against a powerful St. Anthony’s team in the NSIAA Tournament final. Charlie was selected to the All-Cape Atlantic Team as well as being named to the All-State Basketball Team.

  
As a senior, Charlie’s team also had an outstanding 21-5 record and was again named to the All-Cape Atlantic Team. He was a member of the 1,000 Point Club. Sacred Heart advanced to the South Jersey final where a last second shot by Camden Catholic prevented them from retaining the South Jersey title. 

Following Charlie's outstanding career at Sacred Heart he earned a 4-Year Full College Scholarship to Saint Francis College in Loretto, PA and was a starter in each of his four years. Again, Charlie eclipsed the 1,000-point mark at Saint Francis and was the co-captain during the 1980-81 season. Charlie was recognized by the ECAC as Player-of-the-Month on several occasions. After Charlie's career at Saint Francis, he was invited to the Boston Celtics Camp to try out for the team, however, he decided to travel to Chile, where he played professionally for two years. 

Charlie coached varsity basketball at Bridgeton for 25 years and accumulated over 200 wins. Charlie later coached several AAU teams for Pittsgrove Township, volunteered 4 years as assistant coach for Schalick High School’s Varsity Team, and was Assistant Basketball Coach at Cumberland County College. Charlie was inducted into the Sacred Heart Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Albert J. Carino Basketball Club of South Jersey Hall of Fame in 2016. 

Charlie conducted Bridgeton Area Youth Basketball Clinics, supervised the Bridgeton South East Recreation Center’s Basketball League for many years, and coordinated the Drug Elimination Program for the Bridgeton Housing Authority. Charlie is a member of the Bridgeton African American Union (BAAU) and Bridgeton Area Brothers United (BABU).