High Impact Times: A James Thomson Exclusive, On Going Fundraisers, CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week
A James Thomson Exclusive, On Going Fundraisers, CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week.
In Central Connecticut, High School Football’s “New Guard” is made up of Familiar Faces
By James Thomson
In central Connecticut, a trend is taking place. Long term assistants are taking over for their respective programs and former coaches are getting back in the game.
It all started when long-time head coach, Frank Robinson stepped down as Head Coach at Hall High School back in November after 25 seasons at the helm and 33 total years coaching in West Hartford. That news was soon followed by Mike Drury stepping down at Southington after 13 seasons (14 total years, including 1 as an assistant). Robinson stepped away with a record of 129-118-1 and Drury with a record of 113-13, including back to back Class LL State Titles in 2013 & 2014. After a combined 47 years and 364 games, both announcements came as a surprise and immediately changed the face of two perennial contenders in the CCC Conference. Both jobs were posted and after long hiring processes, two long-time assistants took over their respective programs. Rob Levesque was hired to replace Drury at Southington, followed by Steve Markie taking over for Robinson at Hall.
We covered Levesque’s hiring in our January 29th edition of The Hit.
Steve Markie served two stints as an assistant at Hall, spanning 26 years. His first was from 1990-1995 then from 2003-2023, with the last 17 as the program’s defensive coordinator.
In the NVL, former Southington (1996-2005) and St Paul (2005-2022) assistant, Tony Mazzarella took over as head man at St. Paul. It was a move the long time assistant, who took a break from the sidelines in the 2023 season is excited for. “Ultimately, it was my passion for the school and the opportunity to work with some of my closest friends to take on a challenge like this, and build a winning and positive team culture at the school.” We share more about Mazzarella’s hire in next week’s edition of The HIT.
The coaching itch didn’t stop there. Two former Hartford area head coaches announced their return to the sidelines as assistant coaches for the 2024 season. On January 14th, former long-time Hartford Public Head Coach, Harry Bellucci announced on Twitter that he will be joining the Simsbury staff.
Bellucci stepped down at Hartford Public in 2021 after 42 years coaching high school football in the city of Hartford. He currently serves as Executive Director for Hartford PAL. Recently, former New Britain Head Coach and long-time Wilbur Cross assistant, Paul Morrell was named offensive coordinator at Farmington. He joins the staff in the town he calls home and where his son is part of the program.
While coaching high school football might be the most challenging it’s ever been, these long-time coaches are embracing the challenge. That might be just what Connecticut high school football needs, as it has faced big challenges in recent years. Coming off the safety concerns stemming from the results of concussion research, youth and high school football numbers steadily declined. Immediately followed by the Covid 19 pandemic, the sport was served another swift blow, especially in Connecticut. The 2020 season was completely cancelled and the 2021 season was hampered with Covid protocols that made fielding a team a constant challenge for most coaching staffs. Just when the smoke is seeming to clear, the advent of NIL is hitting the sport and is starting to trickle into the high school ranks. A subject 2023 AFCA Power of Influence award winner, Rodney Saulsberry Sr. from Tennessee addressed in his acceptance speech:
As we see legendary coaches stepping down in the NFL and collegiate ranks, Connecticut High School football is seeing anything but a youth movement taking shape. Instead, long-time coaches are stepping back in to face anything that comes their way and we believe that is a very good thing!
CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week
The votes are in, and the first edition of the CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week have been decided. The Girls’ CHSCA Basketball Player of the Week is Bacon Academy basketball player Katelyn Novak. And the CHSCA Basketball Player of the Week is Nonnewaug High School basketball player Ben Roden.
Congratulations to both Katelyn and Ben on their hard work being rewards. Remember to vote on the CHSCA website each week for who you think should win CHSCA Basketball Players of the Week.
CHSCA Ice Hockey Players of the Week
One of the best traditions in Connecticut high school sports is the weekly CHSCA Ice Hockey Player of the Week program sponsored by Cheshire Sport & Hamden Sports Shop. This week, we have two extremely talented student athletes taking home the award.
This weeks Boys’ Ice Hockey Player of the Week is E.O, Smith/Tolland forward, Sasha Filipovic. Filipovic takes home the award after an impressive stretch of games for E.O. Smith/Tolland. Congratulations Sasha!
This weeks Girls’ Ice Hockey Player of the Week is Southwest United goaltender, Jen Velky. Velky tallied an excellent stretch of games in net for Southwest United. Congratulations Jen!
ECC Athlete of the Week Winners
We’re back for another week of recognizing the best athletes from the ECC for the ECC Athlete of the Week program sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings.
This weeks ECC Boys’ Athlete of the Week is Fitch High School basketball plater, Xavier Goode. Goode performed at an extremely high level on the court for the Falcons and his hard work paid off as he won this weeks ECC Boys’ Athlete of the Week. Congratulations Xavier!
This weeks ECC Girls’ Athlete of the Week is Norwich Free Academy fencing athlete, Amelia Carney. Carney had an impressive week for Norwich Free Academy this past week which earned her the award of ECC Girls’ Athlete of the Week. Congratulations Amelia.
NFP Sports Sponsor Spotlight
Buffalo Wild Wings to host multiple NFP Sports & CHSCA Events!
As part of a collaborative partnership between NFP Sports and Buffalo Wild Wings franchisee group, The Awesome Group, multiple CHSCA events will be held at its restaurant Connecticut locations within the next month.
The first is the CHSCA spring sports meeting, which will bring the sports chairs for all of the spring sports to its Wethersfield location. The location is one of only a few to have a “team room” on site, where small group meetings can take place, while enjoying great food and service. The location played host to the press conference to announce the CT vs NY Senior Football All-Star (which has been pushed to 2025) back in July of 2023. Its central location is perfect for groups, such as the CHSCA to hold meetings there. Interim Executive Director, Leonard Corto believes hosting meetings with their sponsor is a great gesture for all involved. “It gives our committee members a fun and relaxing environment to conduct business and it allows us to show our appreciation to our sponsor, who has done a lot for our student-athletes and organization as a whole.” Corto is referencing the Player of the Week program, which Buffalo Wild Wings sponsors throughout the entire year.
On Thursday, February 29th, NFP Sports will be hosting a coaches’ social on the first night of the Nike Coach of the Year Clinic. The social will be open to any NFP Sports client and CHSCA member coaches. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided to all guests. Members of the CHSCA Senior All-Star Game Committee will be on hand to provide updates about the 2024 Connecticut Senior Football All-Star Game. Invites and a registration link will be sent out shortly. We look forward to seeing all of our coaches for a fun and informative night. We appreciate Buffalo Wild Wings’ hospitality in advance!
Newington Weightlifting Club set to Kick Off David’s Cookie Dough Campaign
If you’re interested in purchasing cookies and supporting a good cause, you should look to support the Newington High School weightlifting team. From Triple Chocolate cookies with Hershey Kisses to White Chunk Macadamia Nut, you can purchase a box of delicious cookies while also helping out the Newington weightlifting team.
All you need to do is scan the QR code below, pick out which cookies you would like to purchases and then checkout. In the checkout process, you’ll be able to pick which athlete on the team you would like to support so they can get credit for your purchase!
Montville Girls’ Basketball Online Donations Campaign
This basketball season, the Montville Girls' Basketball team is fundraising through an online donations campaign. To donate to the Montville Girls' Basketball team and ensure that they have a great season, all you have to do is click on THIS LINK. From there, you’ll be able to choose which student athlete you’d like to support with your donation and then you can pick the amount. This is an awesome way to support the Montville Girls' Basketball team as they finish up an exciting season.
East Lyme Boys’ Soccer Rallies to Reach One Last Goal!
This offseason, the East Lyme Boys’ Soccer team is fundraising through an online donations campaign. To donate to the Vikings and ensure that they have a great offseason where they can purchase new equipment for players, all you have to do is click on THIS LINK. From there, you’ll be able to choose which student athlete you’d like to support with your donation and then you can pick the amount. This is an awesome way to support the East Lyme Boys’ Soccer team as they also gear up for an exciting season in 2024.
Conard Wrestling Online Donations Campaign Picks up Steam as they Close Out Their Season
This wrestling season, the Conard High School wrestling team is fundraising through an online donations campaign. To donate to the Red Wolves and ensure that they have a great season, all you have to do is click on THIS LINK. From there, you’ll be able to choose which student athlete you’d like to support with your donation and then you can pick the amount. This is an awesome way to support the Conard wrestling team as they finish up an exciting season.
Upcoming Events
Nike Coach of the Year Clinic Set For Their Annual New England Clinic!
It’s that time of the year! The Nike Coach of the Year Clinic has set their New England date for February 29th to March 2nd at the clinics usual location, the Windsor Marriott hotel. Some of this years great guest speakers are Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck, UConn head coach Jim Mora, Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun and UMass head coach Don Brown.
If you’re looking for more information regarding the clinic and how to register, you can go to: 2024 Nike Coach of the Year Clinics by NIKE Coach of the Year Clinics, Inc. The NFP team hopes to see you in attendance for the always great event.
Glazier Clinics Will Be Back in Connecticut in March!
The Connecticut High School Coaches Association shared the following message on behalf of their sponsor:
What separates great coaches from everyone else?
#1 They spend the off-season getting better.
#2 They go to in-person clinics.
#3 They learn from the best!
Glazier Clinics – the only provider of nationwide in-person football clinics – is coming to Greenwich March 8-10 with up to 150 sessions by some of the top coaches around:
Brad Idzik - WR Coach for Tampa Bay Buccaneers
John Marinelli - Pass Game Coordinator at UCONN
Aaron Whitecotton - D-Line Coach for New York Jets
Pete Lembo - Special Teams Coordinator at South Carolina
Brandon Napoleon - Safeties Coach at Jacksonville State
With a Glazier Unlimited Season Pass you get unlimited access for unlimited coaches to:
All Glazier’s 26 Clinics, and Leadership Summits, Coordinator Schools, Head Coach Academies, Athletic Performance Clinics, Option Clinics, and 8-Man Clinics.
Glazier Drive, a digital football coaching platform with more than 40 coaching systems and 2,000 videos with more being added each week.
Go to Glazier Clinics to register!
Follow Glazier on X and Facebook!
The Walter Camp Football Foundation Breakfast of Champions is Approaching!
Not only will Connecticut High School Football Coaches be busy with two great clinics at the end of February/beginning of March. They will have the opportunity to take part in the biggest high school football awards event in New England on March 16th. That is when the Foundation will host its 16th annual Breakfast of Champions. More information and a link to purchase tickets can be found at: Walter Camp Breakfast of Champions – Walter Camp Football Foundation.
Thank You To Our Sponsors!
Connecticut High School Coaches Association
Aqua Turf Club
Buffalo Wild Wings
Glazier Clinics
Stadium Systems
Town Fair Tire
Cheshire Sport & Hamden Sports Shop
Eastern Connecticut Conference
Brian Dagle Foundation
Buffalo Wild Wings
Dodd Stadium
Domino's of Southeastern Connecticut
Game On
JayPro Sports
Kelley's Pace
Metro Team Sports
University Orthopedics
Valenti Auto Group
Vocatura's Bakery
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If you’re interested in fundraising with NFP or looking to work with us on the sports marketing front, you can send an email to james@nfpbrands.com.