WOODBURY—When Nonnewaug students think of their athletic director, a golf cart immediately comes to mind—driving it up to every game, around the fields, and parking it in front of the school.
For the past six years, the driver’s seat belonged to now-assistant principal Declan Curtin. This changed when the 2024-25 school year started, and Curtin handed over his keys to new AD Andrew Tammero.
Before becoming a Chief, Tammero worked as a health teacher in New Milford and Newtown. Even though the golf cart keys are a plus, Tammero took the position of Nonnewaug Athletic Director and Dean of Students for his own personal reasons.
“All I ever wanted to do in education was something with sports, and dealing with kids who might go down the troubled path every now and then,” Tammero said. “As someone who was a troubled kid I always looked for guidance from adults, so I wanted a job that kind of met both of those; Nonnewaug had that opportunity. When I did a little more research, it really seemed like a place that was welcoming and inviting. Driving the golf cart is a sweet perk, and I just have to drive it better than Mr. Curtin, which I’m good at so far.”
Nonnewaug principal Mykal Kuslis is comforted knowing that Tammero has the former AD to help him with anything he may need.
“I think he’s going to do well,” Kuslis said. “He’s young, he’s motivated, he’s excited, and it’s the best-case scenario because our [former] athletic director is still in the building, and he did a pretty good job.”
Like Kuslis, Tammero is grateful to have Curtin in close quarters.
“I’m lucky that I have Mr. Curtin a door away,” Tammero said. “Whenever I need something, I just yell at him, and he comes running over and helps me out. Chaos is the best way I could describe [this new job], but fun chaos.”
Before teaching health and accepting his new position at Nonnewaug, Tammero’s main interest was sports.
“Sports were always my passion in life,” Tammero said. “The funny thing is, I was like the biggest benchwarmer on planet Earth, which is OK; everyone’s got to ride the bench, and that was always me. But sports were always my passion. I was always the first one to practice, and the first one to games. I was always doing everything I can to pick up my teammates, and in every sport I would be involved in some way.”
Once he was done playing school sports, Tammero stayed close to sports through coaching.
“I loved coaching, too,” Tammero said. “Once I got out of high school, I started coaching youth hockey at a very young age. Then I went into high school hockey, and I’ve done Unified Sports as well. I’ve coached girls cross country, and girls basketball. I just love what sports does for people—both playing and being in the stands. They bring people together, and it’s where you guys really shine, and you can be yourselves. That’s what I love to see.”
Many students have welcomed Tammero into the Tribe family. Sophomore Aubrie Salisbury feels that he is an asset to all Nonnewaug sports teams.
“I think he’s great,” Salisbury said. “I think he’s really good at being equal about every single sport, and having pride in every single sport. He comes to every game and pays attention at every game, and I think he’s fun and a good addition to our Nonnewaug tribe.”
Tammero doesn’t just appreciate Nonnewaug sports—he admires the students and fans as well.
“I’m most excited to get to the games,” Tammero said. “I know you’ve built a really good culture here over the past few years, you know, getting the crowds full and being loud and rowdy, but respectable. That’s what I love most.”
