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Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUly 26, 2024 Saugus High graduate Matt Serino returns to Sachem Country as its new athletic director Town’s native son promises to grow the individual sports programs with plenty of community involvement By Joe McConnell M att Serino is back home where he enjoyed some of his biggest successes in sports. The two-time state high school hockey champion for the Saugus Sachems in 2003 and 2004 is the new athletic director on the Pearce Memorial Drive campus replacing Terry Pillsbury. Just like his late father and legendary Saugus three-sport athlete and coach, Chris, Matt too is a Sachems Hall of Famer. He was inducted into the Hall in 2018. The Serino family prominently spanned the generations in the Saugus community, and Matt being named the school’s top sports boss is its latest success story. Remembering his Viking Days Although Matt still resides in town with his wife Sabrina and three daughters – Kylie (8), Harper (5) and Brinley (3) – he had to go elsewhere to get his career started in athletic administration. But it wasn’t too far away. He spent the last 13 years at Winthrop High School as a health teacher and athletic director. “I was very fortunate for my time in Winthrop, it’s a truly remarkable community with remarkable people,” said Serino. “John Macero, Gail Conlon, Matt Crombie and Lisa Howard gave me an opportunity, and also helped me grow professionally and as an individual, as well. I will be forever grateful for my time there, and the relationships that I have built over there.” While as the Vikings top sports boss, his teams enjoyed many winning seasons. “Over the years, our teams had great success winning many NEC (Northeastern Conference) titles, making North final (Final Four) appearances and even had a national championship in cheerleading,” added Serino. But now Matt is bringing all of his experiences as a longtime NEC athletic director back home to Saugus, and he loves it. “Being a part of the NorthNew Saugus High School athletic director Matt Serino speaks at the dedication of the Serino Athletic Complex on the Pearce Memorial Drive campus, named in honor of his legendary late dad, Chris, in 2021. Both father and son are in the SHS Hall of Fame after noteworthy, memorable scholastic careers. (Courtesy photo) eastern Conference is something I take great pride in,” he said. “It is a (conference) of tradition, and it’s also one of the most competitive public conferences in the state. “I have been a part of the NEC for over 20 years, dating back to my time as an athlete at Saugus High School, and most recently as the Winthrop AD. It is always easier coming into a new role having had some familiarity with it. I already know the other athletic directors, and that will be a big help in making this transition a smooth one.” The position of athletic director has changed considerably over the years, according to Serino. “In most districts, the AD is also the head of their school’s wellness department, where they oversee the physical education and health teachers, while assisting with curriculum. At Saugus, I will be the Director of Athletics and Wellness,” Matt explained. When Matt was a Saugus High student-athlete, there was no such thing as coop programs. But all of that has changed. Matt, howevNew Saugus High School athletic director Matt Serino, right, is with his daughter Harper, now 5; wife Sabrina, mother-in-law Roseanne Cataldo and daughter Kylie, now 8, from left, during the 2018 SHS Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Serino went into the Hall that year after a distinguished high school career as a two-time state hockey champion. Serino graduated from the school in 2005. He and his wife, Sabrina also have a third daughter, Brinley, who’s now three-year-old. (Courtesy photo) er, wants to get those specific sports currently sharing resources with other area schools to possibly be independent again. “My goal is to help grow all of our programs,” he said. “In addition to hockey, we have a few sports that are also involved in co-ops. I would love to see all of these programs thriving on their own. With the help of the community, I plan to build excitement within our programs to help them grow in order to continue the storied tradition of Saugus athletics.” It does help having a surname that everybody knows in town, but the Serino’s aren’t the only family with longstanding Saugus roots, and Matt knows that. “Saugus is a town rich with athletic tradition,” he said. “There are many storied families, who have seen generations pass through the school system thriving in athletics. There are also new families building their roots here, who will be a part of the next generation of greats.” And Matt will help guide them through the process. He will tell them about those Saugonians, who helped him along the way as a young athlete. Influential Saugus coaching legends helped shape Matt’s life “From an early age, I learned of tradition and loyalty to my community from coaching legends like Ed Nazzaro, John Perullo, Louis Finocchiaro and Jimmy Quinlan,” Matt said. “That pride and love for Saugus only grew. Growing up hearing stories of hockey greats like Jeff Paolini and Bobby Maccini, and then watching Jeff Natalucci, Eric Pedersen and Shawn Sullivan play, I wanted nothing more than to go to Saugus High and wear the Sachem jersey, while playing for my hometown with the same group of friends I had grown up with for 10 years.” Matt went on to say what it will take to bring it all back. “It’s a community effort to keep our kids in Saugus, and I can share with anyone who’s willing to listen why I think Saugus is so special,” he said. “All the pieces are in place. We have beautiful facilities, great educators, school and town officials who are invested in the well-being of our students and a community that comes out to support their athletes, not to mention the opportunity to play a sport with your childhood friends in front of your hometown, which will create memories that will last a lifetime. It’s something you can’t put a price tag on.” And Matt knows what he’s talking about. “I grew up here, and my wife and three of my brothers went to school here. I’ve made lifelong friends here, and now it has come full circle with my children being raised here, and going to school here,” said the new SHS AD. “Both of my parents were also raised here, and were athletes, alumni and teachers here, as well. My mother (Diane) was a wellness teacher at the high school, and also the K-12 wellness coordinator for 30 years. Her passion for teaching and seeing the impact she has had on her students played a big role in me becoming an educator.” Once a Saugonian, Always a Saugonian Matt remembers what his dad told him about the town. “Never forget where you came from is something my father always used to say to me,” said SERINO | SEE PAGE 11

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