Athletic Camp Coaches
Liz Bona-Beach
Associate Director of Athletics, Girls Varsity Basketball Head Coach, Director of Mott-Leeney Baseball Camp
Liz Bona came to Newark Academy in 2005 to serve as an assistant athletic director. During her time at NA, she has coached in the girls’ basketball, field hockey, and softball programs, serving as varsity girls’ basketball head coach since 2006. During her tenure, the team has won the Prep Championship twice and appeared in the sectional final in the state tournament. Liz celebrated win number 250 at NA in 2023 and has coached hundreds of players including a NJ Gatorade Player of the Year in Jocelyn Willoughby.
Prior to coming to Newark Academy, Liz played professional basketball in Luxembourg and Germany for 16 years, where she was a player-coach for 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. Liz holds a B.S. in Mathematics from Allegheny College, where she played basketball and participated on the track and field team.
Nick DeChino
Health Faculty, Strength and Conditioning Coach
Nick DeChino joined Newark Academy as the Strength and Conditioning Coach and Health/PE staff member in 2023 after eight years of coaching youth and professional athletes at both the team and individual levels.
Nick is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and Registered Strength & Conditioning Coach under the NSCA. Prior to joining NA, Nick worked at and owned private training facilities, was the head strength coach at Montville High School and interned for Rutgers Football and the New York Jets. Nick received his Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science-Allied Health Track from Salisbury University in 2014.
Tessa Ferentinos
Middle School Office Manager, Varsity Softball Head Coach
Tessa Ferentinos joined Newark Academy in 2021 and was named varsity softball head coach in 2025. In addition to leading the softball program, Tessa also coaches middle school volleyball and previously served as an assistant coach for both varsity cross country and varsity swimming. She also holds the role of Middle School Office Manager.
Prior to coming to NA, Tessa attended Centenary University, where she earned a B.S. in Forensic Science. A standout student-athlete, Tessa earned numerous all-conference honors as a member of the softball team and also played on the women’s soccer team.
Harcourt Lucius
Admissions Associate - Outreach Coordinator and Athletics Liasion, Varsity Track & Field Head Coach
As the Admission Associate - Outreach Coordinator and Athletics Liaison, Harcourt Lucius helps to identify and coordinate external relationships and partnerships that support the larger Enrollment Management plan and goals; Harcourt also oversees our Scholar Cohort programs. As Athletics Liaison, Harcourt guides scholar-athletes through the admission process and connects them with coaches and teams. A member of the Admission Committee, Harcourt also conducts Candidate and Parent Conversation and supports the Committee review process. Harcourt joined Newark Academy and the Office of Admission in 2023. He started his career in Corporate Risk Management and Insurance, before making the decision to pursue his passion of working with middle and high school students. Over the past 20 years, he has served in various roles focused on helping students and families navigate the high school and college application processes, as well as navigating options after College graduation. He also serves as the Head Track & Field Coach at Newark Academy and is a member of the Equity and Inclusion Team. In all of his roles, Harcourt develops close and long lasting relationships with students and families and his commitment to student success extends beyond the classroom. Outside of work, Harcourt is the proud father of two. His daughter currently attends Duke University and his son is a member of our Upper School. He also enjoys video production/photography, traveling, attending live sporting events and concerts.
Daniel Petrillo
Humanities Faculty, Boys Varsity Basketball Head Coach, Girls Varsity Golf Head Coach
In 2023, Dan Petrillo joined the NA upper school coaching staff as the boys' varsity basketball head coach after five years teaching middle school humanities and serving as a coach in multiple schools at both the middle and high school levels. Dan is a 2006 graduate of Newark Academy, who during his tenure, was a four-year starter in both basketball and baseball. Dan earned multiple accolades during his athletic career including All-Conference, All-County and All-State team honors; Conference Player of the Year; and captain of both the boys’ basketball and baseball teams as a senior.
Dan holds a B.A. in History from the University of Rhode Island and a Masters degree in Special Education from Saint Elizabeth College. In 2021, he was inducted into Newark Academy’s Hall of Fame, honoring his accomplishments and records as a student-athlete.
Scott Rowling
Mathematics Faculty, Girls Varsity Soccer Head Coach
Scott Rowling joined Newark Academy in 2019, as a math teacher and varsity head coach of the girls’ soccer program. He has led the team to multiple division championships and was named the SEC Coach of the Year in 2019. Prior to NA, Scott spent time teaching and coaching at independent schools in New York City and New Hampshire. Scott played collegiate soccer at the University of New Hampshire, where he was a four-year starter and two-year captain. Scott has also represented Team USA for the Maccabiah Games in Israel, where he captained the team to its first-ever gold medal.