NEW MILFORD, NJ — June 2, 2026 — Ray Cottiers, named 2025 New Milford District Teacher of the Year and 2025 Bergen County Wrestling Coach of the Year, announced today that he is leaving public education to lead Varsity Prep USA full-time, the youth enrichment organization he founded in 2018.

The decision marks the end of a decade-plus career in education and coaching and the beginning of a new chapter focused on expanding Varsity Prep USA across northern New Jersey.

“Teaching and coaching shaped everything I know about working with kids. Walking away from both wasn’t easy. But every summer I’d see a kid show up to camp on day one barely talking to anyone, and by Friday they were leading their group. After eight summers of that, I knew I wanted to do this work year-round,” said Cottiers.

A Program Built by Educators

Operating in partnership with New Milford Public Schools, Varsity Prep USA serves children from pre-K through middle school through summer camps, enrichment programs, sports clinics, leadership opportunities, and experiential travel programming.

Since launching in 2018, the organization has grown from a single summer program into a year-round platform serving hundreds of Bergen County families annually.

Varsity Prep combines traditional camp experiences with original programming developed in-house, including sports curriculum, STEM activities, arts programming, leadership development, and hands-on enrichment designed around the same instructional principles Cottiers used in the classroom.

The organization’s staffing model is built around local teachers, coaches, college students, and high school student leaders — creating a program deeply connected to the communities it serves.

Reinvesting in the Community

In 2026 alone, Varsity Prep USA will reinvest more than $160,000 into the New Milford community — through wages paid to local teachers, coaches, college students, and high school staff, and through a new formal partnership with New Milford Public Schools that directly supports district programs and facilities.

Expansion Across Bergen County

With Cottiers now leading the organization full-time, Varsity Prep USA is preparing to expand beyond its flagship New Milford location. Conversations are currently underway with multiple Bergen County school districts regarding partnerships for Summer 2027.

“The model works because it’s built by educators, run by educators, and rooted in the school communities it serves,” said Cottiers. “Districts receive a turn-key summer and enrichment program, employment opportunities for their teachers, coaches and students, and meaningful financial support for their facilities and programs. Families receive programming they can trust. It’s a win-win across the board. That’s the formula we’re bringing to new communities.”

Gratitude to New Milford

Cottiers, NMHS Alumni (Class of 2004), emphasized the role New Milford played in shaping both his career and the foundation of Varsity Prep USA.

“Everything I know about working with kids, I learned from the teachers, administrators, coaches, and families of New Milford,” he said. “I’ll always be a New Milford guy.. The fact that this community has been Varsity Prep’s home and launchpad for the last eight summers means everything to me.”

Summer 2026 enrollment is currently open at Varsity Prep USA, with programming running June 22 through August 28.

About Varsity Prep USA

Founded in 2018 by educator and coach Ray Cottiers, Varsity Prep USA is a North Jersey-based youth enrichment organization operating in partnership with local school districts. Varsity Prep provides summer camps, sports clinics, after-school enrichment programs, experiential learning opportunities, and leadership development programming for children and teens through educator-led experiences designed to build confidence, creativity, and community.

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Rockland Bridal Show

Rockland Bridal Show

Rockland Bridal Show

Rockland Bridal Show

The Antim Players Present "Wait Until Dark"

The Antim Players Present "Wait Until Dark"

City of Angels Musical by MHS Drama Club

City of Angels Musical by MHS Drama Club

City of Angels Musical by MHS Drama Club

City of Angels Musical by MHS Drama Club

City of Angels Musical by MHS Drama Club

City of Angels Musical by MHS Drama Club

FREE Senior Performance - City of Angels Musical by MHS Drama Club

FREE Senior Performance - City of Angels Musical by MHS Drama Club

"Tete A Tete" A Reading Of An Original Play At The Antrim Playhouse On Sat. Feb. 12th @ 8PM - Admission Is Free

"Tete A Tete" A Reading Of An Original Play At The Antrim Playhouse On Sat. Feb. 12th @ 8PM - Admission Is Free

'Say Yes to the Best' - A Premier Bridal Event

'Say Yes to the Best' - A Premier Bridal Event

All Shook Up

All Shook Up

All Shook Up

All Shook Up

The Graduate

The Graduate

Harmony Celebration Chorus Guest Night

Harmony Celebration Chorus Guest Night

"S' WONDERFUL: THE NEW GERSHWIN MUSICAL

"S' WONDERFUL: THE NEW GERSHWIN MUSICAL

The Artie Shaw Orchestra

The Artie Shaw Orchestra

The Hawthorne Symphony with John Minkoff, Conductor

The Hawthorne Symphony with John Minkoff, Conductor

The John Pizzarelli Quartet

The John Pizzarelli Quartet

Family Movie Night

Family Movie Night

Chinese New Year Fun (Feb 16th) at the Mahwah Public Library

Chinese New Year Fun (Feb 16th) at the Mahwah Public Library

Teen Winter Reading Club (Jan 24 to Mar 11) at the Mahwah Public Library

Teen Winter Reading Club (Jan 24 to Mar 11) at the Mahwah Public Library

Carmel Retreat Presents Sunday Night Movies: 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas'

Carmel Retreat Presents Sunday Night Movies: 'The Boy in the Striped Pajamas'

Carmel Retreat Presents Sunday Night Movies: 'Henry Poole Is Here'

Carmel Retreat Presents Sunday Night Movies: 'Henry Poole Is Here'

Carmel Retreat Presents Sunday Night Movies: 'Gran Torino'

Carmel Retreat Presents Sunday Night Movies: 'Gran Torino'

The Mahwah Public Library Presents RAVE ON! and the Music of Buddy Holly

The Mahwah Public Library Presents RAVE ON! and the Music of Buddy Holly

The Mahwah Public Library presents 'A Eulogy for Vincent'

The Mahwah Public Library presents 'A Eulogy for Vincent'

The Mahwah Public Library presents 'The American Art Scene in the 1930's' with Doris Griffin

The Mahwah Public Library presents 'The American Art Scene in the 1930's' with Doris Griffin

The Mahwah Public Library presents the All Seasons Chamber Players: 'The Archduke” and Other Treasures'

The Mahwah Public Library presents the All Seasons Chamber Players: 'The Archduke” and Other Treasures'

Free Movie at Mahwah Library: 'Shrek Forever After'

Free Movie at Mahwah Library: 'Shrek Forever After'

Movies at the Mahwah Library: 'The A Team'

Movies at the Mahwah Library: 'The A Team'

Movies at the Mahwah Library: 'Eat Pray Love'

Movies at the Mahwah Library: 'Eat Pray Love'

Movies at the Mahwah Library: 'Inception'

Movies at the Mahwah Library: 'Inception'

Movies at the Mahwah Library: 'Knight and Day'

Movies at the Mahwah Library: 'Knight and Day'

Free Movie at Mahwah Library: 'Despicable Me'

Free Movie at Mahwah Library: 'Despicable Me'

Robotics Club for Teens Registration - Mahwah Public Library

Robotics Club for Teens Registration - Mahwah Public Library

"Write On!" - Teen Writing Group at Mahwah Public Library

"Write On!" - Teen Writing Group at Mahwah Public Library

"Write On!" - Teen Writing Group at Mahwah Public Library

"Write On!" - Teen Writing Group at Mahwah Public Library

"Write On!" - Teen Writing Group at Mahwah Public Library

"Write On!" - Teen Writing Group at Mahwah Public Library

Robotics Club for Teens - Mahwah Public Library

Robotics Club for Teens - Mahwah Public Library

Robotics Club for Teens - Mahwah Public Library