Mike Pascuzzo New Jersey Obituary, Death:- The South Jersey track and field community is mourning the loss of Mike Pascuzzo, a legendary high jumper, coach, and mentor who passed away at 63 in the Poconos. Affectionately known as “Scooze,” Mike left a lasting impact on the sport through his achievements as an athlete and his dedication to coaching.
Mike’s high jumping journey began at Lenape High School, where he set multiple records, including a 6-11 indoor mark in 1981, one of South Jersey’s best. He won a JUCO national title at Hagerstown, earned NCAA All-America honors at Maryland, and claimed an ACC long jump title.
Competing professionally worldwide, he reached a personal best of 7-5 ¼ in 1992, ranking among the top 100 U.S. high jump performances. At the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials, his bid ended at 7-1 ½, a moment captured in a Burlington County Times photograph.
Despite this, he remained a passionate advocate for the sport, dedicating himself to coaching. He mentored numerous standout jumpers at Lenape, including Musa Cooper, Dan Mitchell, and Ty Coughlin.
His biggest contribution was founding Vertical Adventures, a summer camp that trained young athletes with world-class coaches. He also started the Atlantic City beach pole vault event, a beloved summer tradition.
Beyond athletics, Mike was an entrepreneur, founding All-American Courier Services when frustrated by slow deliveries. A relentless promoter of track and field, he traveled between meets distributing brochures and recruiting talent.
Mike was set to be honored at the South Jersey Track Hall of Fame banquet, but his passing leaves a deep void. His passion, mentorship, and unwavering dedication to the sport ensured his legacy will live on through the athletes and coaches he inspired.
