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OHSAA honors Nero
By Greg Gulas
Rocco Nero is the first to admit that he wasn’t the most gifted athlete, yet realized at an early age that in order to be happy in life then he had better find a job that would keep him involved in sports.
Over his five decades spent in education, colleagues have come to realize Nero might very well be one of the state’s best administrators.
At halftime of Friday’s Division I semifinal boys basketball contest between Cincinnati Moeller and Pickerington Central, Nero was honored by the Ohio High School Athletic Association with one of its two “Naismith Awards.”
Steve Williman of Liberty-Benton High School was the other recipient. The awards are presented annually to two individuals for their meritorious service to the sport of basketball or interscholastic athletics.
“It chokes me up just thinking about it, simply because of the name on the award,” Nero said prior to the ceremony. “When you think about the many recipients before you who have earned this honor, it’s just so very humbling. I am truly at a loss for words.”
A 1972 graduate of Lowellville High School where he played both basketball and football, Nero is in his 40th year in education having spent the last 17 years as superintendent.
He’s currently in his third year with the Southington Local Schools. He held the same position for Bristol Local Schools (2000-01 to 2003-04) and was superintendent of Lowellville Local Schools (2004-05 to 2013-14).
Nero is a member of the OHSAA’s Northeast District Board where he serves as its Class A, small school representative.
He was president of the Northeast District Board on two separate occasions, first in 2005 and again in 2014 and serves as head of its finance and scholarship committee.
“It’s so much fun to be part of the Northeast District Board, simply because of the many great things that we are able to do for the schools and many great student-athletes that we represent,” Nero said.
“The finance and scholarship committee awards 50 scholarships yearly, each valued at $750 each to student athletes that will be attending non-Division I and II schools,” Nero said. “To be able to help those individuals as they get set for college is a fantastic feeling.”
Nero said that education and sports has provided him with many memorable experiences, also taking him to places that he ordinarily would not have visited.
“Without sports and education, I would never have met the people nor would I have forged the friendships and made the acquaintances that I was able to make,” Nero said. “I have watched many student-athletes grow into young professionals, boys and girls of the highest character who have left their marks both inside and away from the athletic arena. It has been one unbelievable experience.”
Nero has also been a teacher, coach and principal and was a member of the OHSAA‚àBoard of Directors from 2008-10, also serving as board vice-president during the 2009-10 academic year.