By Brandon Ingram
After fifteen years of coaching in Henrico County Schools, driver’s education instructor and golf coach Tony Sorbello won 2011 Capital District Coach of the Year.
Coach Sorbello grew up playing baseball, but his interest in golf began at a young age.
“When I was in high school, golf and baseball were in the same season, so I wasn’t about to give up baseball for golf,” Coach Sorbello said. “I never played golf in high school, but it’s one of my regrets in life. I just love the game.”
Coach Sorbello got his first job in Henrico County at Brookland Middle School in 1996 as the head coach for the boys track team. Principal Tracie Omohundro was the assistant coach.
His next job came in the fall of 1997 as an assistant coach for the football team. He then coached boys and girls basketball at John Rolfe Middle from 1999 to 2002.
“I didn’t know much about track. I just did it to get my foot in the door. I needed a job,” Coach Sorbello said. “A lot of those jobs I just did for experience and to get my name out there.”
In 2002, Coach Sorbello came to Varina as the baseball coach. He coached baseball for four years and then took over as the golf coach after Coach Anne Owens stepped down.
“Her first year, she asked me to help out, which I did for two years, and when she stepped down, I stepped in,” Coach Sorbello said.
“He really tries hard to recruit kids,” Mrs. Omohundro said. “Some schools have been coached by personal coaches. To bring in a new player is hard,” Mrs. Omohundro said.
The golf team had six returning players this season and two new ones.
“We listened more this season to the coach than last season. We took his advice instead of ignoring it,” sophomore Troy Fiorillo said.
After leading his team to a three win improvement, Coach Sorbello won Capital District Coach of the Year. Voting for the award was held during a coaches meeting before the district tournament. Coach Sorbello said when they announced the winner, he was shocked.
“I was surprised, but it made me feel good that my peers recognized hard work,” Sorbello said.
His coaching peers were not the only ones to acknowledge his dedication. Players and Director of Student Activities Kevin Adams knew the kind of work he was putting in behind the scenes.
“I was happy to hear he won Coach of the Year because Mr. Sorbello does everything he can for us,” junior Bryce Conway said.
Mr. Adams sees the effort Coach Sorbello must put in to build a team each year.
“It’s challenging because he doesn’t have relationships with middle school golfers and has to try to recruit players, which makes his Coach of the Year well deserved,” Mr. Adams said.
The golf team expects an improvement next season with hard work and practice during the offseason, and Coach Sorbello said there is no sport he would rather be coaching.
“In my seven years, this probably ranks up as one of the top seasons. We had good kids and we had fun this year. I just want to continue coaching golf, I love it,” Coach Sorbello said.
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