Joseph Canzanella, New Haven’s citywide athletic director, was named Athletic Director of the Year for 2012-13 by the Connecticut High School Coaches Association. He was honored for the achievement Thursday at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.
Canzanella oversees physical education and athletic programs for 47 schools in the district. He is a lifelong resident of New Haven.
During his time with New Haven Public Schools, Canzanella has worked as a physical education teacher, coach, principal and athletic director. He coached football at Hillhouse and Wilbur Cross high schools, as well as soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball at various schools. Canzanella helped create New Haven’s first Unified Sports Program in 1990.
Canzanella officiated boys’ and girls’ basketball for 31 seasons and officiated basketball and softball at the college level, including league tournaments, the NCAA Division 1, 2 and 3 regional tournaments and the Division 3 World Series.