Athletics

Newark Academy’s mission to instill in its students a passion for learning, a generosity of spirit and a standard of excellence is pursued daily through Minuteman Athletics. Being part of an athletic team at NA is a rich learning experience — a fundamental part of education that challenges students to continuously improve, to strengthen resolve and resilience, and to cultivate a love of competition.

Athletics also teach our students to rise to competition while remaining graceful in defeat, to cultivate drive but also maintain perspective. And because our school community celebrates achievement in every area—in the classroom, but also on the court, in the pool, and on the turf—sports help our students widen their horizons, cultivate balance, and respect a broader array of talents, interests, and strengths.

In 2019, the NA community, including student-athletes, coaches, parents, faculty members, and alumni, gathered to discuss and define excellence for our athletic program, which resulted in the following statement:

Athletic excellence at Newark Academy is defined as offering an outstanding experience for every student-athlete, at every level, through a program of serious and competitive teams which are highly-organized, grounded in solid fundamentals, character-oriented and emotionally rewarding.

Athletic team participation is offered in three seasons:

Fall
Cross Country
Field Hockey
Football
Soccer
Tennis (Girls)
Volleyball

Winter
Basketball
Fencing
Swimming
Winter Track & Field
Wrestling

Spring
Baseball
Golf
Lacrosse
Softball
Tennis (Boys)
Track & Field

Minuteman Athletics Website

Chase '22 Discusses The NA Upper School Athletics and Academic Experience

Meet the Minuteman Staff

List of 6 members.

Liz Bona-Beach

Interim Director of Athletics, Girls' Varsity Basketball Head Coach

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Liz Bona came to Newark Academy in 2005 to serve as an assistant athletic director in conjunction with assisting with the varsity girls’ basketball, field hockey, and softball programs. In 2006, she was named head varsity girls basketball coach. During her tenure as head coach at NA, the team has won the Prep Championship twice, been promoted and competed in the highest division in the county, along with sectional final appearances in the state tournament. In 2017, she received the Semper Fi Award from the Marine Corp at the Glazier Coaches Clinic. Liz and celebrated win number 200 at NA in 2020.
Prior to coming to Newark Academy, Liz played professional basketball in Luxembourg and Germany for 16 years, where she was player-coach her final five years in Luxembourg. During that time, she also worked at the International School of Luxembourg, teaching math and physical education, as well as coaching their youth teams. Additionally, Liz coached with the National Federation of Luxembourg Under-14 team for four years while she was overseas.
Liz holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Allegheny College, where she played collegiate basketball for four years, was the team’s defensive player of the year her senior year, as well as competing on the Track & Field team for two.
Always on the move, Liz also coaches middle school sports at NA. Outside of school she and her husband Mike Beach enjoy spending time with family, traveling, and working out.
Bella Galvez

Assistant Athletic Director for Middle School Sports, Varsity Girls' Volleyball Head Coach

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Bella Galvez joined Newark Academy in 2016 as the head volleyball coach, currently she serves as the Assistant Athletic Director for Middle School Sports. Prior to Newark Academy, Bella was the head volleyball coach at Morristown Beard and coached winter and spring track at Villa Walsh Academy. Bella holds a BA in Communication from Michigan State University where she was also a member of the varsity track and field team, competing in the throwing events. At Michigan State, Bella interned for the Athletic Department within the Event Management division, which grew her passion for athletics and led to her completing her MS.Ed in Sport Administration from the University of Miami. Bella loves coaching and aims to create an environment where everyone feels welcomed, challenged and successful. When Bella isn't coaching she loves to attend as many MSU games as possible, hang out with her dog Breslin and travel.
Marissa Marino

Athletics Office Manager

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Marissa Marino joined Newark Academy in July 2008 after completing her first season as the Newark Academy varsity softball assistant coach. Marissa was a recent college graduate and served as the Head Softball Instructor at Frozen Ropes in Pine Brook, NJ before accepting her position in the Newark Academy Athletic Department. In college, she worked for the Ramapo College Athletic Departments' Sports Information Office and was a 4 year member of the nationally ranked softball team, making appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2004, 2006 and 2007 with an appearance in the Division III World Series in 2006 finishing #7 in the country ranked by the NCAA and NFCA. Marissa holds a B.A. in Communications, Media and Cinema Studies from Ramapo College and a M.A. in Athletic and Coaching Administration from Concordia University Irvine. Outside of work, Marissa enjoys spending time at her beach house with her family, travelling, watching sports and spending time with her husband Brian, her son Angelo and two step-sons Gael and Mateo.
Sarene Thomas

Head Athletic Trainer
Nina Shirey

Athletics Staff
Austin Mease

Assistant Athletic Trainer