Fall Sports
Football
Head Coach: Nick Tarantino
High School: Newtown High School, Newtown, CT
College: Fordham University
Major: Social Work
Grad. year: 2015
Playing experience :
Played football at Newtown High School (2006 - 2010)
Coaching experience :
Newtown High School Football Assistant Coach (11 years)
Bryant University Football Assistant Coach (2023)
Coaching/team awards:
2019 Class LL State Football Championship, Newtown High School
Coaching philosophy:
As a coach, I use determination and passion to guide the team towards our goals. Football is a game of mental and physical agility and I want to help each played become the best student athlete possible.
Boys X Country
Head Coach: Yvonne Grimes
BHS Coach Indoor Track & Field and Outdoor Boy’s Track & Field: 1996 to present
Track & Field Athlete, Coach, and Master Official: 1974 to present
Binghamton University BA/MAT
Connecticut Celebration of Excellence Award for Teaching: 1991
Special Olympics Connecticut Director Unified Distance Running Team: 1991 to present
Mother of five
Girls X Country
Head Coach: Chris Ciparelli
High School: Ellington High School, Ellington, CT
College: Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT
Major: History
Grad. year: 2003
Additional degrees: Masters Degree in Educational Technology from University of Saint Joseph, West Hartford, CT
Playing experience :
Four years varsity XC, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track at Ellington High School
Four years Division I NCAA XC, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track at Sacred Heart University
Coaching experience :
BHS Assistant Girls’ Outdoor Track Coach 2005-2006
BHS Head Girls’ Outdoor Track Coach 2007-2017
BHS Head Girls’ Cross Country Coach 2016-Present
Coaching/team awards:
SWC Outdoor Track Sportsmanship Award 2015
Numerous SWC All-Conference athletes
Several All-State athletes
Coaching philosophy:
Cross Country is a team sport despite its reliance on individual accomplishments. It is only through the support of teammates that athletes are able to become the best versions of themselves. Cross Country is an activity that you get out of what you put into it. There’s no hiding the fact that an athlete has or has not done the work. It’s the ultimate example of “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard”. I believe in success through hard work. None of us are a finished product. There is always room for growth and it is my job, as a coach, to help you realize success that you didn’t even know you were capable of.
Personal:
Recreational runner and father of three.
Boys Soccer
Head Coach: Tony Fernandes
High School: Danbury High School, Danbury CT
College: Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven CT
Major: Exercise Science
Grad. year: 2003
Additional degrees: Masters in Education
Playing experience:
High School: 3 time All-State, 2 time All-New England, ALL-American, 2 year captain and 2 time state champions at DHS.
College: ALL-New England, 2 time captain, CT collegiate player of the year, and national champion at SCSU,
Professional: Played 4 years in the USL
Coaching experience:
2004-2006 Coached Brookfield High Boys Varsity Soccer
2007-Present Coaching Boys Varsity Soccer at Bethel High
Coaching/Team Awards:
3 time SWC Coach of the year
2010 State Champs
2015 SWC Champs
Inducted into DHS hall of fame
Personal:
I live in Danbury with my wife Danielle daughter Olivia and son Benjamin.
Girls Soccer
Head Coach: Tom Newell
High School:
College:
Major:
Playing experience:
Coaching experience:
Coaching/Team Awards:
Unified Soccer
Head Coach: Mark Ferrandino, Meg Mason, Danielle Conley
Mark Ferrandino has proudly coached Bethel’s UNIFIED SPORTS since 2015. The student relationships developed on the fields and basketball courts reinforce his role as a Special Education teacher over the past 12 years. The synergy between the partners and students with special needs teach critical life lessons, develop life long friendships and enhance leadership skills. He became interested in Unified Sports and Special Education as a result of meeting many wonderful teachers and coaches during his experience with his son Jake, who has autism, at Broadview Middle School in Danbury. Mark’s Wildcat Pride developed many years ago when he ran track and was a co-captain for the 1986 Wildcat Track Team. Bethel’s Unified Sports program allows Mark to apply his passion for athletics and his drive to help people with special needs to reach personal goals and to thrive in our community
Field Hockey
Head Coach: Leanne Fuccillo
High School: Lake George High School, Lake George, NY
College: University at Buffalo, Western CT State University, Sacred Heart University
Major: BS in Business, Masters of Science - School Counseling, Intermediate Administration Certification
Playing experience :
During my high school years I began playing field hockey at Masuk in Monroe, CT, before transferring to Lake George High School in upstate NY. Field hockey has always held a special place in my heart and I was excited to continue my journey by joining the varsity team at SUNY Buffalo. However, just before my freshman year, the program unfortunately got disbanded. Nevertheless, my passion for the sport remained unwavering, and I found friendly competition while playing field hockey as a member of the UB Club Field Hockey Team.
Coaching experience :
BHS Freshman Coach 2021
BHS Head Coach 2023
Coaching philosophy:
I believe that a top priority as a coach is to understand each player's strengths and weaknesses in order to develop their skills, confidence and love for the game.
Volleyball
Head Coach: Victoria Alomar
High School: Academia Santa Teresita
College: The College of New Rochelle and Western Connecticut State University
Major: Spanish
Grad. year: 2021 & 2023
Additional degrees: Master of Arts in Teaching
Playing experience (if any):
I have been playing Volleyball for my entire life, and my passion for the game continues to this day. I initially started playing in Puerto Rico, where I spent the majority of my playing career. However, when I turned 16, I relocated to the United States. In the US, I had the opportunity to play for two college esteemed teams. Firstly, I played for The College of New Rochelle in NY, where I honed my skills and gained invaluable experience. Later on, I continued my playing journey at Western Connecticut State University, further showcasing my love for the sport.
Coaching experience:
I have been a coach at Bethel for 2 years for the sports of Volleyball and Lacrosse. Last year, I had the opportunity to serve as the JV volleyball coach, which was an incredibly satisfying experience. This year, I proudly took on the role of head volleyball coach for the program and the varsity team. Coaching these young girls has been an absolute joy, and we had an amazing season overall. I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming years and all the coaching opportunities they will bring.
Coaching philosophy:
I coach to inspire and develop young athletes along to help them keep the love and passion of the game and to help develop athletes on and off the court through consistency, determination, hard work, teamwork and leading them with knowledge and care.
Cheerleading
Head Coach - Linda Knauff
High School:
College:
Major:
Playing Experience:
Coaching Experience:
Coaching Philosophy:
Girls Swimming
Head Coach: Drew Hall
High School:
College:
Major:
Grad. year:
Playing experience:
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Dance Team
Head Coach: Diana-Eileen Toland Matos
High School: Bethel High School
College: Western Connecticut State University
Major: Public Health with a concentration in Allied Health
Grad. year: 2025
Playing experience:
I've been dancing for more than a decade, training in all sorts of dance styles at a local studio. I started with Dance Teams back in 8th grade, and now I'm on the College Dance Team at WCSU, a Division III school. This dance journey has really shaped who I am and given me a deep love for the art.
Coaching experience:
In 2020, right after my own graduation, I took on the role of Assistant Coach for the BHS Dance Team, marking the start of my coaching journey. It's been an exhilarating experience guiding and mentoring the talented dancers on the team. Additionally, my passion for dance education led me to become a teacher at a recreational studio in Bethel, specializing in hip-hop for the past three years. It's here that I've had the privilege of nurturing the next generation of dancers, helping them discover their own rhythm and style.
Coaching/team awards:
During my time as an Assistant Coach the BHS Dance Team placed Top 10 in SWC.
Coaching philosophy:
In my view, it centers around the belief that success is not solely defined by winning, but by the personal growth and development of each athlete. It's about fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where athletes feel valued and empowered. I am committed to instilling a sense of discipline, teamwork, and resilience while nurturing a love for the sport. Above all, I believe in leading by example and being a positive role model for my athletes, demonstrating the importance of integrity, sportsmanship, and continuous improvement. My coaching philosophy aims to inspire each individual to reach their full potential, both on and off the field, fostering a sense of camaraderie and a lifelong passion for the sport.
Personal:
I am committed to leaving a positive impact on the lives of others, understanding that even small acts of kindness can have far-reaching effects. Honesty, for me, is the bedrock of personal integrity, and I hold my moral principles in the highest regard, striving to lead by example. By embracing these values, I aim to contribute to a more compassionate, just, and harmonious world, where individuals are empowered to make choices that align with their truest selves and serve the greater good.
Additional information:
I am thrilled to embark on my role as Co-Head Coach, eager to not only lead the team to victory but to cultivate a legacy of excellence that extends far into the future. My aspiration is to shape this team into a community of strong, skilled, and resilient women who not only succeed on the dance floor but continue to thrive in the dance world for years to come. Together, we will work tirelessly to build a tradition of success and camaraderie that will stand the test of time.
Catherine Rodriguez
High School: Bethel High School
College: Western Connecticut State University
Major: Communication Studies
Grad. year: 2024
Playing experience :
I have been dancing for over a decade, beginning with hip hop & jazz classes as a child and
participating in both middle school and high school dance teams. In high school I was a
dance team co-captain.
Coaching experience:
This is my first year coaching, and I am extremely excited to be doing so! I have always
taken on leadership roles in dance environments (captaining the BHS dance team during
my senior year), and am delighted to have been given the opportunity to learn and grow as
a coach.
Coaching philosophy:
As a coach, it is not only my duty to lead athletes to success and growth, but to foster an
environment of support, positivity, and collectivism. I hope to instill the values of hard
work, practice and dedication among my athletes, as well as encourage creativity and
innovation. All of this should center around a collective love for sport, and trust among
teammates. As a coach and mentor, I lead by example, demonstrating commitment,
timeliness and enthusiasm.
Personal:
Although I am only halfway through my first season as head-coach, I have learned so much
already. Beyond the mere administrative responsibilities of being an athletic coach, I have
developed a true passion for guiding and mentoring young dancers, and have come to
understand just how much of an impact high school athletics can have on their well-being.
I am delighted to contribute a positive impact towards the lives of my athletes, and act as a
trust-worthy, reliable role model.
Golf
Head Coach: Timothy Lavelle
High School: Bethel High School
College: Johnson and Wales
Major: Business
Graduation Year: 1994
Playing experience:
Playing golf for 35 years
Coaching experience :
Coached Park and Recreation Softball for the past 10 years
Coaching Philosophy: Without goals and a plan a dream would never turn into a reality.
Personal: Looking forward to getting to know the students and having a great year of golf.
