Hanover Central’s head coach, Tony Bonalerto, emphasized the importance of building connections with every player as he assumes leadership of the program.
“I try to make connections with all the kids every day, whether it’s at school or practice,” Bonalerto said. “Everyone in the brotherhood matters, from the captains to the scout team.”
According to Bonalerto, fostering team chemistry begins by demonstrating each player’s significance. “When these guys were freshmen, it was a tall hill to climb,” he said. “Now they’re leaders. The younger kids are doing the heavy lifting. I make sure to thank them and show they’re important.”
Bonalerto likened his role as head coach to managing a city. “I call myself the mayor of Hanover football,” he explained. “It’s my job to attract people to the program, but also to make sure everyone feels valued. That’s one of my strengths as an educator, and I work hard at it.”
He further noted that the culture of the program is built on relationships. “If kids feel important and connected, they’ll give you everything they’ve got,” Bonalerto said. “That’s the foundation of what we’re building.”
