Head of DHS athletics finalist for national award
Danbury High School Athletic Director Chip Salvestrini has been selected as a finalist for the 2016 National High School Coaches Association Athletic Director of the Year. He was chosen for the honor initially by the Connecticut Coaches Association as the state nominee.
This is second recent honor for Salvestrini: earlier this month, it was announced that he will be inducted into the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference (FCIAC) Hall of Fame. An athletic director for 25 years, Salvestrini first led the Athletics Department at DHS in 2001 until 2009. After a three-year stint at a New York high school, Salvestrini returned to DHS in 2012. There are 28 sports, 62 teams and 94 coaches under his leadership.
In 2008, Salvestrini was named Athletic Director of the Year by the Connecticut Coaches Association. In 2010 he earned the Paul Bourdeau Service Award for High School Soccer by the Western Connecticut Soccer Officials Association.
Facilities improvements under Salvestrini’s tenure include a new high school stadium with seating for 3,000; new lighting for the soccer, softball and baseball fields; new eight-lane Mundo track with hurdles, jumping pits and pole vault equipment; upgraded fitness center with strength and conditioning equipment; new baseball dugouts and batting cages; rebuilt varsity baseball field; and new lighting and new floors in three gymnasiums.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education, Recreation and Health from Yankton College; a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Physical Education from Teachers College Columbia University; and a 6th Year Professional Diploma from Southern Connecticut State University.