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Meet the Athletic Team

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Rocco DeMaio

Director of Athletics,
Head Baseball Coach,
Chair of the Athletic Advisory Committee
rdemaio@hopkins.edu
203.397.1001 x518

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Rocco DeMaio began working at Hopkins in 1992 as a coach and assistant athletic director. He was named the Head Athletic Director in 2015. DeMaio graduated from Hopkins in 1986, and was a three sport athlete during his years as a student. He was awarded the Billy DeGenarro Outstanding Male Athlete Award in 1986.

Rocco attended Trinity College, where he played both football and baseball. Additionally, he was the captain of the Bantam’s baseball team his senior year. While at Trinity, DeMaio was named the football team’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player (1991), was awarded the George Sheldon McCook Trophy for the Top Senior Male Athlete, and was named All-ECAC and All-NESCAC for both baseball and football (1990 & 1991). He still appears among Trinity’s all-time save leaders and receptions per season and career as a tight-end. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, he worked as the Tight End Coach for Trinity Football for one season before returning to the Hill.

In his tenure at Hopkins, Rocco has coached Varsity Baseball, Varsity Boys Basketball, Varsity Golf, Varsity Football, and various intramural courses.

Born in New Haven, Rocco still resides in the city with his wife Karla (Hopkins 1998) and son Rocco III.

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Kenneth Ackerman

Equipment Manager
kackerman@hopkins.edu
203.397.1001 x517
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Kenny Ackerman has worked at Hopkins since 1997. A New Haven native, he graduated from Hillhouse in 1959. He then served as a member of the US Navy from 1961-1963. After that, Kenny worked for the NY/NH/Hartford Railroad. Ken also worked as a Technician in Research & Development for Armstrong Tire for 33 years.

Additionally, Ken is a Hopkins Parent to Kenneth Joseph (1986) and Grandparent to Tyler Michaels (2011).

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Christina Balsamo

Assistant Athletic Trainer,
Assistant Athletic Director
cbalsamo@hopkins.edu
203.397.1001 x513
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Christina Balsamo has been employed by Hopkins since 2009. Christina graduated from Endicott College in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training. She then attended Southern New Hampshire University as a graduate assistant. Christina graduated with a Master’s degree in Sports Management in 2008. While there, she worked with Division II athletics. She also has experience in physical therapy clinics as well as public high schools. Christina is currently a Clinical Preceptor for Southern Connecticut State University and Quinnipiac University. She is also an American Heart Association CPR instructor and is certified in Graston Technique.

At Hopkins, Christina also coaches junior school swimming and junior school softball. Additionally, she teaches middle school weight training and fitness throughout the year.

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Dante Brito

Athletic Department Associate
dbrito@hopkins.edu
203.397.1001 x647
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Dante joined the athletics team in 2018 by way of Avon Old Farms where he was a teacher, coach, advisor and dorm parent. He is a native of New Haven and was a three-sport athlete at Hamden Hall. Dante attended Stonehill College where he played football and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a minor in Sociology. Dante was a member of the co-New England 10 Champions football team during his junior year. Despite a series of injuries (2 ACL surgeries), he still managed to acquire 40 tackles, 1 sack, 1 interception, a forced fumble, and a blocked field goal return for a 97-yard score.

Coach Brito will work with basketball and football at varsity, JV and Junior School levels including the Defensive Coordinator for the varsity football team. He will also be teaching weight training and fitness classes. Dante will assist in the athletic department in all aspects of the day to day operations.

In addition to his work in the Athletic Department, Dante will also assist with Pathfinder and Equity and Community.

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Matthew Ferreira

Director of Medical Services
mferreira@hopkins.edu
203.397.1001 x514
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Matt Ferreira has been employed at Hopkins since 2023. He graduated from Springfield College in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training. Matt graduated from West Virginia University with a Master's degree in Athletic Training in 2019. He has experience in Division I athletics, college club sports, and was previously at the boarding school Lawrence Academy. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, Functional Movement Screen certified, Selective Functional Movement Assessment certified, and is certified in level 1 of Graston Technique.

At Hopkins, Matt is the Director of Medical Services.

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Peter Giatrelis

Equipment Manager
203.397.1001 x517
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Pete Giatrelis has been at Hopkins since 2008. He manages the equipment room in the evenings and on weekends. Pete graduated from North Haven High School in 1974, and entered the workforce shortly after. Prior to coming to Hopkins, Peter worked as a driver for John Deere for 11 years.

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Jillian Gleason

Assistant Athletic Trainer,
Athletic Communications Coordinator
jilliangleason@hopkins.edu
203.397.1001 x515
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Jillian has been employed at Hopkins since 2007. She graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2007 with a Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine and a minor in Biology. She interned at Hopkins School during her senior fall semester. Jillian graduated from American Public University with a Master's degree in Sports Management in 2015. Jillian is currently a Clinical Preceptor for both Southern Connecticut State University and Quinnipiac University. She is also an American Heart Association CPR instructor and is certified in levels 1 and 2 of Graston Technique.

At Hopkins, Jillian coaches junior school volleyball and helps run the athletic training room during the day. Additionally, she aids in maintaining the Hopkins Athletics website and social media.

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Michael McManus

Director of Racquets
mmcmanus@hopkins.edu
203.397.1001 x785
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Michael McManus has been working with Hopkins Athletics since 2014, and joined the Athletics Department as the Director of Racquets in 2019. His main role has been as Head Coach of Varsity Girls' Tennis. Michael was named the New Haven Register Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2018. Michael attended Notre Dame West Haven where he was an All-State player and an Academic All American. He continued his tennis career as a scholarship member of the Division I University of Connecticut Huskies. Coach McManus competed as both a singles and doubles player for the team. He is currently the Director of Tennis at Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club during the summer months and a teaching pro in the off-season at Milford Indoor Tennis Club and North Haven Health and Racket Club.

During his time at Hopkins, Michael has coached Varsity Girls' Tennis, Junior Varsity Boys' Basketball, Thirds Boys' Basketball, and various informal weight training courses. He is excited to bring his passion and knowledge to the Squash and Tennis programs at Hopkins where he hopes to continue the tradition of excellence for years to come.

Michael was born in New Haven and grew up in Hamden. Michael currently lives in Orange with his wife, Stela, and their three sons, Murphy, Michael Jr., and Myles.

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Jason Nevis

Director of Aquatics
jnevis@hopkins.edu
203.397.1001 x524
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Jason Nevis is the Hopkins Aquatics Director, the Head Coach of Boys Water Polo (fall) Boys & Girls Swimming (winter) and Girls Water Polo (spring).

Jason has been at Hopkins as an assistant coach to Chuck Elrick since 2016, and joined the Athletics Department full-time as the Aquatics Director and Head Swimming & Water Polo coach in 2022. Jason has a BS in Kinesiology/Physical Education from California State University Long Beach in 2003 and a MS from Azusa Pacific College in 2007. He also obtained his Administrative Certificate from Loyola Marymount University in 2011.

Jason was born and raised in Northern California having swam and played water polo beginning at 6 years old until Junior College and then switched to row competitively as part of the Long Beach State crew team winning the PCRC and WIRA championship as part of the Lightweight Four boat. Since 2003, he has been a public school teacher of both PE & Health in California and locally in Bridgeport, CT since 2016. Jason has also been both a Dean of Students and Athletic Director at two different Catholic schools in California. Jason has been an Aquatics Director as well as a Head Swim & Water Polo coach with 5 different public schools in Southern California as well as a water polo official.

Jason and his family (wife Courtney, Maggie (Hopkins Class of 2028), John & Beau live in Orange, CT. He is also the Director of Camp Argo, a local non-profit outdoor recreational day camp located in Orange, CT.

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Kristen Wich

Assistant Director of Athletics
kwich@hopkins.edu
203.397.1001 x383
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Kristen has worked at Hopkins since 2007, joining the Athletic Department full time in 2019. Prior to becoming Assistant Director of Athletics she worked in the Communications office and in the office of the Dean of Students. She is an assistant coach for both the Varsity Girls Lacrosse and the Junior School Girls Soccer teams, and teaches weight training. Additionally, Kristen is the Coordinator of Auxiliary Programs and works to partner with outside groups wishing to use Hopkins' facilities.

Kristen graduated from UConn in 2002 where she was a four-year starter and co-captain of their Division I Women’s Lacrosse team. While at UConn, Kristen was recognized as Defensive MVP and was named to the NCAA Academic All-American Team.

Kristen grew up in Bel Air, Maryland where she also earned team and individual honors in soccer and lacrosse. She is a proud member of the C. Milton Wright High School Athletic Hall of Fame. She currently lives in Hamden with her husband, Scott '89, and their two children, Charlie '22, and Violet '25.

986 Forest Road
New Haven, Connecticut 06515
(203) 397-1001

- Voted #1
  Best Day School
  in CT, 2024

Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.