One last lap for Lilli

BELLEVUE — Nick Lilli lives by the code of loyalty. The lifelong Bellevue resident remains: • Faithful to the city where he was born, went to school, found employment, raised a family and continues to call home • Committed to his alma mater where he's still a fixture and viewed as a positive role model by many • Dedicated to the future generation, imparting many valuable life skills onto students he's personally experienced to best prepare them for adulthood "For me, it's always been about the kids," Lilli said. "I've always enjoyed being around them with their enthusiasm and trying to motivate them. It actually brings out the little kid in me." The final assignment This weekend's state track and field championships, starting Friday at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University, mark Lilli's final coaching assignment. For him, it'll cap off a nearly 50-year tenure on the sidelines for Bellevue youth-based teams. He's providing moral support for several qualifiers representing his high school, including: • Natalie Littlejohn in the long jump • Brooke Brown, Hallie McCarthy, Katelyn Turner and Amerie Wagner in the 4x200 and 4x400 relays "It's just time," said Lilli, 78, who still lives in Bellevue today. "I don't feel old. Physically, I'm fine. I have been blessed with good genetics. My wife, Kathy, has tolerated me for all these years as a coach in multiple sports and while working a full-time job. We are about to celebrate our 57th wedding anniversary, and I think she deserves to have me around a little more now." Throughout this half-century run, he's served as an assistant coach for Bellevue High School's varsity football and track teams for 41 and 37 years, respectively. He served as the track team's head coach for many years as well. He's mentored many student-athletes and players who have earned high-ranking athletic achievements. This would include five state track champions along with a state runner-up finish in football. Though he's most proud of one aspect in particular. "The hardest thing, for me, is to walk away from all the kids and the camaraderie," Lilli said. "Yes, it's great to have super athletes, but, at the end of the day, I have just wanted to do the best I could for the kids, individually and collectively, so they could take something positive with them once they stopped playing that would help them in life. That is what I am most passionate about." It's this unwavering, optimistic mindset that has garnered Lilli universal admiration from all who've come across him. "Over those years, one thing that he has done extremely well is create personal relationships with the student-athletes he has coached," Bellevue athletic director Cody Cramer said. "He is an incredible motivator and believer of each individual, and he does it in such a way that each athlete believes in themselves simply because Coach Lilli was in their corner." A star athlete himself Born in 1946, Lilli graduated from Bellevue High School in 1965. In the 1960s, he played on four consecutive football championship teams, only losing one game throughout this span. "We had an undersized and undertalented team of individuals who came together and went undefeated, 7-0 (with two ties), and only gave up 14 points," said Lilli, referencing his 1964 senior season. "I'm really proud of that group." He also took part in track, basketball and competed on the school's first wrestling team. An accomplished running back, Lilli attended Ashland University to continue playing football at the collegiate level. In fact, his name with other Bellevue graduates playing for NCAA teams appears on a marquee in the district's fieldhouse. Upon dropping out from Ashland and returning home, Lilli — who originally went to college as an accounting major but ended up despising this field — got a job at the railroad, now known as Norfolk Southern, in Bellevue. "That was supposed to be my in-between job," Lilli said while laughing. "Little did I know I was going to stay there for 40 years. I did enjoy it, working as a carman." Lilli eventually re-enrolled in college, earning an education degree, which likely steered him back toward Bellevue High School. "When I was a kid, I had many coaches in my lifetime who were very passionate about what they did, and it instilled something in me to do the same and give back to others," he said. Appreciate each kid Lilli began coaching in Catholic Youth Organization, often shortened to CYO, youth basketball leagues. He even helped start up the city's first semi-pro football team, known as the Bellevue Bears, in the late 1970s. He also worked as an athletic director for Bellevue Immaculate Conception School, establishing its track program back in the early 1980s. Then a lifelong friend, Gene Linton, convinced Lilli to stand on the sidelines with him while coaching Bellevue Schools' eighth-grade football team in 1984. During his first practice, even after explaining to children the right way to tackle someone and fall down, two students immediately thereafter broke their forearms, requiring hospital stays — and Lilli feared his coaching career would end before it even got started. "I learned very quickly that all kids are uniquely different and built differently in athletic ability," Lilli said. "You can't just teach or coach everyone the same way. You have to work with the individual and help them succeed. You have to appreciate each kid's skill set and try to accentuate that. It's not easy getting the same message across." Lilli learned many other life lessons during this stint and three subsequent years helping out with Bellevue's junior varsity football team. Then, in 1991, Lilli became an assistant coach with Bellevue's varsity football team, a position he kept yearly all the way through this past fall. In football, he's won dozens of games with Bellevue being among the area's best teams year in and year out. He coached three state final four teams, including a runner-up finish in 2012. Though Lilli wanted everyone to know he treats the star quarterback the same as a backup punter. He does the same with a heralded long-jumper compared to the squad's slowest runner. "I do have a certain expectation of kids to do their best, but I'm not judging them solely on their performance," Lilli said. "I'm judging them on how they handle things and how hard they work. That's the mindset, hard work and how do you overcome adversity, in order to succeed in life." Others ahead of himself Ed Nasonti, a 1977 Bellevue High School graduate, is among the greatest head football coaches in state history. His 260 recorded wins with Bellevue place him in the top 20 all-time in Ohio high school football history. Inducted into the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2022, he achieved a winning percentage of nearly 70%, resulting in 14 league/conference titles, three regional championships and the state runner-up in 2012. And he credits Lilli, who served as an assistant coach, all throughout his 34 years as head football coach. They even coached together for three years prior on Bellevue's junior varsity team. "I've always respected Nick because he was a guy who had buy-in to what we did and had a great work ethic," said Nasonti, noting he and Lilli grew up on the same street, Hobson Street, and share the same birthday: Oct. 21. Nasonti, however, is 12 years younger. Nasonti greatly respects Lilli because he always places others ahead of himself. "Every year, he got two weeks vacation from the railroad, and he would take it when we had two-a-days (two practices in one day), so he could be there for the kids," Nasonti said. "I don't know how many coaches today would give up all of their vacation to come to practices." Another person greatly admiring Lilli went from being coached by him just a few years ago to coaching with him today. For the past nine years, Dylan Fultz, a 2014 Bellevue High School graduate, has shared the sidelines with Lilli in both football and track. A decade earlier, Fultz competed in both sports where he saw firsthand Lilli's competence and kindness. "Coach Lilli is the most selfless human being I have ever met," Fultz said. "There is not a single kid he has ever treated differently. No matter the last name, the skill, the grades, if they get in trouble or not, he looks at every kid the same, and he coaches his butt off every single day to make each kid better." Fultz believes Lilli truly epitomizes the word "coach." "Coach Lilli has impacted so many lives in the Bellevue community. Everyone knows him and everyone loves him," said Fultz who — despite their equal status as coaches, still refers to him as "Coach Lilli" and never "Nick" out of respect. Fultz intends to continue coaching after next year, without Lilli, and will surely remember the many on- and off-the-field lessons he's taught him. "It's truly been one of the best experiences of my life to coach alongside him," Fultz said. "I hope to continue on his legacy, especially in track. We're losing one of the greatest coaches, but (I'm) also very happy for him to be able to spend much-deserved time with his wife, kids and grandkids." When asked what message he'd like to send Lilli upon leaving, Fultz said the following. "Coach, I love you, and thank you for everything you've done for me and all the athletes of Bellevue. You truly are the 'GOAT,'" said Fultz, calling Lilli the "greatest of all time." Family bids farewell While many student-athletes consider Lilli their favorite person, his biggest fans are his four children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Each will admit as much. Prior to the state championship track and field meet, one of his daughters, Jamie Lilli, and one of his granddaughters, Jasmine Buckner, each penned an open letter to him. Jamie Lilli: My dad, Coach Lilli, has always been my greatest inspiration. As he retires from almost 40 years of coaching, I'm filled with pride. He's spent years shaping young lives, always teaching more than just the game. He listened, he cared, and he led with heart. Inspired by Kevin Elko, he often shared, "Be where your feet are," reminding athletes to stay grounded and present. He often used Elko's wisdom to build confidence, strength and purpose in every conversation. Everyone knows my dad, Nick: for the way he makes people feel seen and valued. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he's helped shape, including mine. Buckner: My grandfather is one amazing guy who will go out of his way for anyone, no matter the time or circumstance. Whether it's lending a hand, offering advice or just being there, he never hesitates to put others first. What makes him truly special is the way he mentors athletes not just in their sport but in life. He always emphasizes the importance of being a good human being, teaching that character, respect and integrity matter far more than any scoreboard. His lessons go beyond the game, shaping not just better athletes but better people. Loyal to the end Even though he's retiring, Lilli doesn't intend to stay away from Bellevue athletics. "I don't want to miss a game or meet," Lilli said. "That's what loyalty is all about. I'll still be loyal to my town, my school, my community, my neighborhood. Those are the things that are ingrained in me." All season long, tributes have poured in for Lilli. Most recently, on Tuesday, Bellevue's season-ending track and field banquet occurred, serving as a final farewell for Lilli. "I'm grateful for everything," Lilli said. "All I've ever wanted to do in my life was be loyal to anything and everything I did. And I will forever be loyal to Bellevue."