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

Bridge at Riley Senior Center

Bridge at Riley Senior Center

School District Art Show and Reception

School District Art Show and Reception

12th Annual “Laugh Off!” Finale

12th Annual “Laugh Off!” Finale

37th Annual Community Celebration

37th Annual Community Celebration

Storahtelling @ Schechter

Storahtelling @ Schechter

YJCC Spring Gala

YJCC Spring Gala

Book Club Discussion

Book Club Discussion

Songs of Hope

Songs of Hope

Diners, Dives and Neon - Paintings and prints by Mark Oberndorf

Diners, Dives and Neon - Paintings and prints by Mark Oberndorf

Arts & Crafts at Riley Senior Center

Arts & Crafts at Riley Senior Center

Bridge at Riley Senior Center

Bridge at Riley Senior Center

Sing Along with Rhea at Riley Senior Center

Sing Along with Rhea at Riley Senior Center

Riley Senior Center Movie: The Last Song

Riley Senior Center Movie: The Last Song

Mark Oberndorf Exhibit Opening

Mark Oberndorf Exhibit Opening

The Music Man

The Music Man

The Music Man

The Music Man

New Jersey Choral Society presents "Off to Oz"

New Jersey Choral Society presents "Off to Oz"

New Jersey Choral Society presents "Off to Oz"

New Jersey Choral Society presents "Off to Oz"

Kid Notes CD Release Party

Kid Notes CD Release Party

Meet Soprano Beverly O'Regan Thiele

Meet Soprano Beverly O'Regan Thiele

Free Movie at the Library

Free Movie at the Library

Spring Storytime Registration Begins for Residents

Spring Storytime Registration Begins for Residents

Skit Performances at Washington Elementary

Skit Performances at Washington Elementary

Arts & Crafts at Riley Senior Center

Arts & Crafts at Riley Senior Center

Bingo at Riley Senior Center

Bingo at Riley Senior Center

Bridge at Riley Senior Center

Bridge at Riley Senior Center

Riley Senior Center Movie: Secretariat

Riley Senior Center Movie: Secretariat

Line Dancing with Mary at Riley Senior Center

Line Dancing with Mary at Riley Senior Center

Bridge at Riley Senior Center

Bridge at Riley Senior Center

Arts & Crafts at Riley Senior Center

Arts & Crafts at Riley Senior Center

Sculptor Janice Mauro Speaking at Pascack Art Association

Sculptor Janice Mauro Speaking at Pascack Art Association

Mardi Gras Open House at Grace Church

Mardi Gras Open House at Grace Church

A Seder Like No Other: A One-Act Passover Experience

A Seder Like No Other: A One-Act Passover Experience

Gyro Eating Contest

Gyro Eating Contest

Bingo at Riley Senior Center

Bingo at Riley Senior Center

Arts & Crafts at Riley Senior Center

Arts & Crafts at Riley Senior Center

Sing Along with Rhea at Riley Senior Center

Sing Along with Rhea at Riley Senior Center

Bridge at Riley Senior Center

Bridge at Riley Senior Center

Riley Senior Center Movie: Secretariat