There is a new head coach on the sidelines for Newtown High School boys’ lacrosse and a familiar former team leader who will still be on hand at Blue & Gold Stadium — only in another role — this spring.

As Anthony Fitti takes charge as the head coach with the Nighthawks, Scott Bulkley — who led the team from 2016 through 2022 — will be around to support his daughter, Brooke, who is a sophomore on the NHS girls’ squad, from the stands. Bulkley will also support his son, Jake, playing at Manhattan College after graduating from NHS last spring.

“It was time for me to just be a dad,” said Bulkley, who stepped down after last season, capping a seven-year career with the Nighthawks.

“I loved my time at Newtown. I love the town, I love the players who played for me, and I really appreciated the opportunity to coach all the fantastic young men that I did. Yes I will miss the coaching but it is time for me to sit in the stands,” Bulkley said.

The Nighthawks did not wait long for success, capturing the South-West Conference championship with a triple-overtime victory over Weston in 2016.

“Obviously winning the SWC at Newtown High School my first year was amazing. The atmosphere and the support of all the fans made winning in OT so memorable. The other memories were coaching my son Jake and coaching with the Groccia brothers (Assistant Coaches Steve and Nick). Every day I got to coach with those three people was a blessing,” Bulkley said.

“I don’t know if there are many people more knowledgeable about the game of lacrosse in the area than Scott,” said Newtown High School Athletic Director Matt Memoli, adding that Bulkley — who coached at Greenwich High before joining the Hawks — brought great passion to the lacrosse field and will be missed.

Memoli said Fitti brings a wealth of experience at both the high school and collegiate level as a player and coach to the program and looks forward to seeing things unfold in this new era of boys’ lacrosse in town. Fitti played at the University of Massachusetts Boston and coached at UMass Boston and Post University in Waterbury.

“His energy, and enthusiasm, and desire are what separated him,” Memoli said of Fitti earning the job from a strong pool of candidates.

Fitti is thrilled to take over the lead role with the Hawks.

“We just want to be masters at how we show up every day from an energy and effort standpoint,” said Fitti, adding that coaches need to do their part in making student-athletes into well-rounded individuals on and off the playing field.

“It’s about developing young athletes the right way,” Fitti said.

Part of that will entail having the team members involved in community service/volunteer projects during the spring, Fitti said. And the coach plans to be heavily involved with the town’s youth lacrosse program and will get his Nighthawks involved with the future high school players.

“A big emphasis on what we’re trying to do is really connect with the youth program and create a one-program feel across the board,” Fitti said. “The plan is to get these guys out coaching, giving back, and being a good example.”

The Nighthawks begin the season Thursday against visiting New Milford and fell 11-5.

Sports Editor Andy Hutchison can be reached at andyh@thebee.com.