This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
04/13/2017 12:00 AMBranford High School alum Alec Jannotta didn’t stay away from the baseball program for too long. Alec, who graduated in 2012, played four years of college baseball at the University of Bridgeport before accepting the job as head coach of the Hornets’ freshman team this year.
“It happened so quickly. I just graduated in May of 2016 and started my career. All of a sudden, I got in contact with [Branford Head Coach Steve Malafronte] and we went back and forth. He told me to come around and I thought that was an awesome idea to stay around the game,” Alec says. “Everything fell into place and it was a smooth transition. They said I was a great fit. I don’t think I’m a great coach yet by any means, but I’m trying to learn something new every day. I was lucky enough to have two great athletic directors who had no hesitation in hiring me.”
Although Alec is new to the Branford coaching scene, he does bring some experience to the Hornets. Alec was an assistant coach for the Connecticut Gators—an AAU program based out of Orange—and he’s also been involved with a few U-16 and U-18 programs elsewhere. Alec says the thought of coming home to coach his alma mater has been in the back of his mind, as he was always keeping an eye on the Hornets while playing at Bridgeport.
“For me, it was always something on the back burner. I was always interested in what was going on and how the program was doing,” says Alec. “I was tuning in and checking box scores, so to come back, especially right away, was awesome. It’s just a cool feeling to come back and see all these new kids. I’m not nervous, but more excited and pumped for the season to give back to these guys.”
Branford’s co-Athletic Director Jake Palluzzi saw Alec play for the Hornets and knows that Alec’s familiarity with the program will serve everyone well. Palluzzi says he’s happy to see Alec back in the Branford dugout.
“We’re very happy Alec wanted to come back. He had a good career here under George Dummar, had a great career at Bridgeport, and we’re very excited to have him back. I think he’s the type of kid that will be great for our kids because he’s a guy that went through our system, so I think he’s a nice addition,” says Palluzzi. “He’s fresh and he’s taking the knowledge he received at college and is bringing it back to our kids. He’s a great catch for our kids and our coaches...It’s nice to bring guys back that have been successful here and want to give back to the program that was good for them.”
A big plus for Alec in his new role is that he patrolled all ends of the field during his playing career. Alec was primarily a catcher throughout his Branford days, but played both the infield and the outfield at Bridgeport.
“Being a catcher, you have to be the vocal person and the loudest guy on the field, as you have to position the infield and outfield. You have to control the game, and I like being involved in every play. I liked calling pitches for all my pitchers. Being on the same page and control the game, there’s not a better feeling,” says Alec. “In college, throughout those four years, I was able to play eight of the nine positions. I was mad I couldn’t get an inning on the mound. Being well-rounded was big for me, so I can help wherever I’m needed.”
Something else that will help Alec is his leadership experience. Alec was a captain for both Branford and Bridgeport, and so he’s no stranger to uniting people while working toward a common goal. And as the young guy on the Hornets’ coaching staff, Alec can relate well to what the kids are dealing with on an everyday basis.
“I was a psych major, so being able to work with people has been awesome. It definitely gives me some pros where I can talk to these kids now,” he says” I remember the pressures of certain things in high school. They weigh you down. They’re looking for guidance from me. The bad thing is I don’t have the experience, or I’m not wise like the other coaches. We balance out well. Between the seven or eight of us, everybody fits their role perfectly.”
With the 2017 baseball season just underway, Alec is pumped up for this new opportunity and is looking for a great start to his high school coaching career.
“Branford baseball has been good for the last 20 or 30 years and I’m going to bring in some sort of flare for all of my college experience,” says Alec. “Being around the guys has been an awesome experience so far. Everyone on the staff, we’re all guys who want to give back to this program. We look forward to bringing this town more championships. I’m blessed to get this opportunity right out of college.”