Nick DiLuggo, at The Valley Indy office in 2017.
DERBY — Derby High School track coach Nick DiLuggo was recently named Indoor Track Coach of the Year by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association, the school district announced.
The Derby Board of Education is scheduled to honor DiLuggo at a meeting scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 4. The coaches association will officially acknowledge DiLuggo at an awards ceremony scheduled for May 7 at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.
“It is nice to be recognized by my peers for a job well done,” DiLuggo said in a prepared statement. “It’s easy to look good as a coach when you have such great athletes on the team.”
Derby sports historian Mike Cannici interviewed the coach on the Comcast channel 10 talk show ‘Hometown Heroes.’ The show was published to YouTube. Part one of the interview is embedded below.
DiLuggo has coached cross-country, along with indoor and outdoor track teams.
DiLuggo has coached five Class S Championship teams: two in cross country, one in indoor track, and two in outdoor track.
DiLuggo has coached 13 Naugatuck Valley League championship teams. He has coached individual champions at the league, state, and New England levels of competition.
DiLuggo is also a five time All-Area Coach.
Reaction
Derby High School Principal Martin Pascale said the school is proud of DiLuggo.
Derby school board chairman Jim Gildea said the community is lucky to have DiLuggo.
“Nick is an amazing coach who not only has created a successful program but more importantly builds relationships, connects with all student athletes and is able to effectively give each student he coaches and interacts with a feeling that they are truly special and worthwhile,” Derby school board chairman Jim Gildea said in a prepared statement.
School board member Tara Hyder said is the epitome of a great coach and is a role model for young people.
“The team culture that Coach DiLuggo innately develops among all of his teams is just as impressive as the winning traditions he has accomplished with them over many years.
Coach DiLuggo makes a difference in kids’ lives. Our student athletes are fortunate to have Coach DiLuggo as a coach and mentor, and we are also fortunate and happy to continue to support his vision and work.”
Superintendent Matthew Conway said DiLuggo wears many hats — all of them positive.
“We are so fortunate to have this man, this coach, this teacher, this leader, in our family as a role model, mentor, and coach for our athletes and all kids. When you see him with his athletes you can see and feel the respect and love they all have for him,” Conway said.
Information rewritten from a Derby schools press release.
