By Jess Waggoner ’12 and Greg Ruda ’13, Staff Writers

Change is in the air. The 2010-2011 Newark Academy school year is filled with novelties. New faculty members are busy teaching, new students are roaming the halls, and the switch to semesters will add even more adjustment for N.A. students this year. To add to all the scholastic alterations, the N.A. Athletics Department is also welcoming a number of fresh members, namely on the football and field hockey fronts.

Steve Trivino, the new Minutemen football headman, had coached at Caldwell High School for twenty-four years prior to taking the job here at N.A.. He explains that he was, “waiting [his] turn to be head coach…(and) it was the next logical step” to come to a school with a passion for football but also room for improvement. N.A. fit that bill perfectly. The football team beat Dwight-Englewood handily in their home opener, beginning what everyone hopes is a tradition of victory under Coach Trivino. In preparation for the game, Coach Trivino explained that he had been, “focusing all of [his] attention on a winning attitude”. “I did my homework” explains Trivino when asked if he knew what to expect coming to NA. “I watched a lot of film to see what type of players were left. I saw players like Jordan Jett and Jack Lawler.” About his experience so far with the team Trivino explains

that he is, “completely impressed by the nature of the players. They ask intelligent questions.”  Trivino’s coaching ethics seem to capture the spirit of Newark Academy. Each player has an active roll in adding to the positive attitude of the team, taking the season one game at a time. To survive in the difficult academic climate of Newark Academy students must take the same approach. Coach Trivino may be the perfect fit to bring the NA football team to their first winning season in several years.

It is safe to say that the Newark Academy Women’s Field Hockey Team, under new coach Gina DiMaio, is in just as good hands as their football-playing counterparts. Her resume speaks for itself: she has never had a losing season and has won several state championships. Her players already speak very highly of her, especially Adrienne White ‘11, who says, ”Our new coach is amazing.  We have a daily conditioning routine with running a mile, stretching, sprints, and agility workouts, which has kept us in really good shape.  We’re more of a team this year, as coach has emphasized winning and losing as a team”. The preseason went well, and the team has adapted perfectly to the Coach DiMaio’s strategy.

But it’s not just her savvy managing style that has impressed her players.  Coach DiMaio is also well liked because, though she strives for excellence, she understands that she is coaching high school players who also have other things going on in their lives.  “I really like Coach DiMaio.  She came into the preseason with an open mind, and understands that players have commitments besides field hockey. Everybody is so excited to get back into the swing of things,” says Liz Reisen ‘12. The perfect combination of Coach DiMaio’s field hockey smarts, and team-oriented respect should make 2010 one of the greatest in Minutemen Field Hockey history.

The Newark Academy athletic department, its players, and its fans won’t need to worry too much about growing pains this fall despite the fresh faces that will be populating the sideline. Coach Trivino and Coach DiMaio are sure to bring the Minutemen to new heights.