Newtown Middle School physical education teacher and NHS Varsity Baseball coach, Matt Memoli, was appointed the interim Athletic Director in July. Memoli is in charge of all high school interscholastic sports and middle school sports.
Following in the footsteps of such an extraordinary Athletic Director is daunting for anyone wishing to fill the role. However, Matt Memoli is hopeful to bring new success to NHS Athletics. Memoli hopes to acquire new knowledge regarding his position in the upcoming fall season and use that knowledge to build the program.
Newtown High School Athletic Director, Gregg Simon announced his resignation last April. Simon has been involved in the school system for thirty years, and for the past fifteen years had been working as the Athletic Director. He has lead dozens of teams to success by being there for every game and practice. It would be an understatement to say that his role was simply appreciated due to the abundance of gratitude he received from student-athletes as well as coaches.
“Matt Memoli will do an outstanding job as the new Athletic Director of Newtown High School. He has the passion and drive to be successful but most importantly he will always put the student athletes first,” former Athletic Director Gregg Simon said.
Memoli is aiming to continue along with what Simon has implemented and hopes to get fully acclimated with the job before making any dramatic changes
“I definitely think over the course of this year and into next year I'm going to do what I can to continue to build the program, just try to help the coaches and do whatever I can to make NHS Athletics one of the premiere athletic departments in the state,” Memoli NHS Athletic Director said.
Memoli got involved with Newtown Public Schools in January 2008 when he began teaching physical education at Newtown Middle School. In 2010 he began coaching Varsity baseball at NHS. Memoli has been living in Newtown with his wife and two kids for five years and loves this town and the strong sense of community.
“I’m most excited to be with the coaches and the student athletes, it's the most fun part. I love being with you guys, talking to you about how the scrimmage went, how the practice went, how the team is looking,” Memoli said.
Memoli enjoys the interaction with the athletes that this job allows. Apart from being able to work hands on with each sport, the job as Athletic Director makes Memoli an influential and important individual in each athlete's life.
“Coaching one sport is great, but being athletic director is like being involved in every single sport, that gives me a lot of pride because a lot of you that are playing now as seniors I had taught in seventh grade, so to see you guys grow and develop and mature and to be outstanding student athletes it's the most fun part of the job no question. And to just be out there at the games, at the practices,” Memoli said.
As Memoli begins his first season as athletic director he has high expectations of what this job can bring. Memoli explains that being involved with NHS athletics is a privilege because of the caliber of the athletics. Memoli is excited to finally have the opportunity to further develop the athletics and work with such talented athletes and coaches.
“It's only taken a couple of days to be all in on this, I want to treat this like this is going to my job for the next fifteen years. I don't know what the future is going to hold but in my world seeing what I could do, how much I could help and build this program is something I want to build into a career of mine and to do justice to the seventeen years Gregg Simon has put into this job. It's something I am putting 110% of effort into,” Memoli said.
NHS student-athletes and coaches are excited to work with Memoli this upcoming year.
“I think he’s doing an excellent job. He took over for a very well-liked and well respected AD. The transition has been seen less for the coaches. He’s connecting with the students and coaches in a positive way,” NHS cheerleading Coach Sue Bridges said.
“Mr. Memoli has brought a new energy to all sports and is constantly taking time out of his day to attend all sporting events. It is awesome to have that kind of support,” girls soccer captain Makenna Cerney said.
Memoli already plans on bringing new things to the department and improving things set in place by Simon. Gradual change and full support is what will make Memoli’s first year a success.
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