By Geena Monahan—For the North Star Reporter
Following some recent new hires at the varsity level for North Attleborough’s sports teams, Anthony Sarno was recently announced the head coach and program leader of boys varsity ice hockey.
On Tuesday, June 10, a statement put out by Athletic Director Nick Schlierf and Superintendent John Antonucci welcomed Sarno, citing his extensive experience coaching at various levels for the past 30 years, at both the club and high school level.
“Anthony’s coaching philosophy emphasizes creating a positive and safe environment that supports student-athletes’ growth both on and off the field. He values academics equally with athletics,” said Schlierf in a statement. “We are excited for him to bring this philosophy to our program and welcome him to our community.”
Sarno began coaching in 1991 as an assistant coach for the Islanders Hockey Club, before moving on to the head coach position for the Neponset Valley River Rats Tier I Selects and Mohawks. Making the switch to high school coaching in 2014, Sarno worked for Weymouth and then Franklin high schools, where he led the Panthers to three consecutive Hockomock championships.
It was during his tenure at Franklin that Sarno first noticed North Attleborough’s varsity hockey team, and their style of play piqued his interest.
“I’ve always admired how the boys from North competed,” said Sarno. “They were always a tough team that played with passion and pride and would not go away no matter what the score. As a hockey guy, you have to respect that.”
Sarno also coached boys varsity hockey at Brookline and Medway high schools before accepting the head coach position at North Attleborough, taking over for Neil Hall, who coached the Rocketeers for the past two seasons.
According to Sarno, continuing to coach at the high school level is something that appeals to him because of the opportunity to “watch student athletes develop into better athletes and more importantly, develop into amazing human beings.”
North Attleborough’s season starts on Dec. 13 versus Dedham, but practice begins the Monday after Thanksgiving. Sarno said he’s already had the opportunity to meet some of the players and is looking forward to the opportunity to hone their skills and develop the team’s overall growth.
To Sarno, approaching the sport with the goal of advancing student athletes into young men and shaping their character for the future is his main objective while coaching hockey. Sarno also hopes to provide a “safe and stable learning environment” while keeping his sights aimed at a spot in the state tournament.
“We will work extremely hard together to develop into a solid team, a family that will compete as hard as we can, be relentless, and never quit to make it a challenge for everyone we face,” said Sarno.