Bartlett alum DiNuzzo
to helm Hawks' programs
By Steve Nemeth
Bartlett has chosen one of its own, 2008 graduate Vince DiNuzzo, to direct future Hawks boys and girls varsity teams.
The new Hawks head coach most recently served as the Bartlett girls freshman coach after spending the fall of 2014 as an assistant with the Streamwood boys team, which finished fourth in Class 3A. Athletic Director Jeff Bral announced DiNuzzo as the replacement for Ben Beary, who took a job at Belvidere High School to work closer to his home and family.
Beary is pleased with the choice for the new Hawks leader.
"Vince is the right coach for the job. He will take BHS soccer to the next level," Beary said. "Through his help with our BHS summer camps over the last eight years, he has already developed a great rapport with the current group, and with his coaching experience at BTSC, he has a unique connection with the entire soccer community of Bartlett.
"He has a passion for soccer and a will to win, and I have no doubt that he is up for the challenge. There are great things in store for Bartlett soccer."
To that end, the new coach is eager to get started.
“Ben has done a great job, and my first goal is to continue building both programs,” DiNuzzo said. “I want to get the best team possible on the field and then get the most out of them as players. A main goal of the program will be to build character.
“That’s necessary because it’s never easy playing in the Upstate Eight Conference. We want to be competitive in every game regardless of opponent.
"While the ultimate objectives are the same, the boys and girls programs currently have different strengths and weaknesses,” DiNuzzo said. “I need for them to buy into advancing Bartlett soccer.”
A former All-UEC goalie who also earned all-area recognition in the fall of 2007, DiNuzzo was part of the first successful seasons for the Hawks, which included the championship of the 2006 St. Charles East Invitational.
He played two seasons for Elgin Community College which led to a chance to coach the Bartlett freshmen boys in 2010. His career was cut short by injury, but he went on to complete a Physical Education degree with a health endorsement from Western Illinois University in 2014. DiNuzzo has also coached various levels for the Bartlett Travel Soccer Club since he was 19. His involvement with the Bartlett summer camps date back to 2009.
DiNuzzo's former boss at Streamwood will miss him on the sideline.
“On the one hand I’m extremely happy and proud of Vince, but on the other it’s sad to lose a phenomenal coach,” Streamwood head coach Matt Polovin said, noting DiNuzzo’s role in coaching IHSSCA All-Section 3 keeper Sergio Blanco. “From practice to games, he did so much with our goalies, especially Sergio, and there’s no question Vince helped us have the success that led to state finals.”
In his new role, DiNuzzo will have several players to build around. The Bartlett boys squad returns 2014 All-UEC Valley A.J. Santori, along with scoring leader Timmy Riordan (three goals, two game-winners and seven assists) in the midfield. Goalkeeper Jake Hasenstein is back after four solo and two shared shutouts last season.
The Hawk girls unit will be led by a pair of All-UEC picks in midfielders Mairela Abla (seven goals, 10 assists) and Jenna Dombrowski (six goals, five assists).
to helm Hawks' programs
By Steve Nemeth
Bartlett has chosen one of its own, 2008 graduate Vince DiNuzzo, to direct future Hawks boys and girls varsity teams.
The new Hawks head coach most recently served as the Bartlett girls freshman coach after spending the fall of 2014 as an assistant with the Streamwood boys team, which finished fourth in Class 3A. Athletic Director Jeff Bral announced DiNuzzo as the replacement for Ben Beary, who took a job at Belvidere High School to work closer to his home and family.
Beary is pleased with the choice for the new Hawks leader.
"Vince is the right coach for the job. He will take BHS soccer to the next level," Beary said. "Through his help with our BHS summer camps over the last eight years, he has already developed a great rapport with the current group, and with his coaching experience at BTSC, he has a unique connection with the entire soccer community of Bartlett.
"He has a passion for soccer and a will to win, and I have no doubt that he is up for the challenge. There are great things in store for Bartlett soccer."
To that end, the new coach is eager to get started.
“Ben has done a great job, and my first goal is to continue building both programs,” DiNuzzo said. “I want to get the best team possible on the field and then get the most out of them as players. A main goal of the program will be to build character.
“That’s necessary because it’s never easy playing in the Upstate Eight Conference. We want to be competitive in every game regardless of opponent.
"While the ultimate objectives are the same, the boys and girls programs currently have different strengths and weaknesses,” DiNuzzo said. “I need for them to buy into advancing Bartlett soccer.”
A former All-UEC goalie who also earned all-area recognition in the fall of 2007, DiNuzzo was part of the first successful seasons for the Hawks, which included the championship of the 2006 St. Charles East Invitational.
He played two seasons for Elgin Community College which led to a chance to coach the Bartlett freshmen boys in 2010. His career was cut short by injury, but he went on to complete a Physical Education degree with a health endorsement from Western Illinois University in 2014. DiNuzzo has also coached various levels for the Bartlett Travel Soccer Club since he was 19. His involvement with the Bartlett summer camps date back to 2009.
DiNuzzo's former boss at Streamwood will miss him on the sideline.
“On the one hand I’m extremely happy and proud of Vince, but on the other it’s sad to lose a phenomenal coach,” Streamwood head coach Matt Polovin said, noting DiNuzzo’s role in coaching IHSSCA All-Section 3 keeper Sergio Blanco. “From practice to games, he did so much with our goalies, especially Sergio, and there’s no question Vince helped us have the success that led to state finals.”
In his new role, DiNuzzo will have several players to build around. The Bartlett boys squad returns 2014 All-UEC Valley A.J. Santori, along with scoring leader Timmy Riordan (three goals, two game-winners and seven assists) in the midfield. Goalkeeper Jake Hasenstein is back after four solo and two shared shutouts last season.
The Hawk girls unit will be led by a pair of All-UEC picks in midfielders Mairela Abla (seven goals, 10 assists) and Jenna Dombrowski (six goals, five assists).