She was once that little kid who would accompany her family to the Italian feast and oldies music concerts in Lyndhurst, NJ, during the summer months.
And in the blink of an eye, she’s graduated high school and is heading to the University of Central Florida to begin a new phase of her life.
For Mia DiPiano, the past 18 years have indeed flown by. From the little girl who sheepishly asked me for one of the zeppolis, covered with sugar, I had in a paper bag while Kenny Vance and the Planotones were playing in Lyndhurst, she’s gone on to be a very good athlete and tremendous student.
The surname, DiPiano, certainly speaks of athletic greatness. Mia’s grandfather, Michael DiPiano Sr., is a legendary wrestling coach and Olympic-quality athlete. Her dad, Michael Jr., has won well over 500 games as a high school coach, in multiple sports, most notably soccer and wrestling.
Mia’s uncle, Frank DiPiano, is the athletic director at St. Benedict’s Prep, and was also a highly successful wrestling coach at Nutley High. Both Mike and Frank were also tremendous athletes in their own right.
Her cousin, the former Deanna Giordano, was a marvelous softball pitcher in high school and college. Mia’s aunt, Michelle Puzio, was also a tremendous softball player at Nutley.
With that kind of legacy, one would think there’s pressure attached for a youngster, especially since Mia’s head soccer coach and assistant softball coach at Nutley High, was her dad.
That certainly was not the case.
“I spent most of my life devoting my time to sports,” said Mia, as she was packing for college. “Whether it be practicing, playing, watching, or traveling, aside from school and work, it was always sports, sports, sports.”
And while she was a talented athlete, Mia never felt the need to compete with a legacy. If anything, she embraced it.
“I had the privilege of coming from a family of athletes that supported me every step of the way,” she said. “But with the last name came high expectations.”
She admits to growing up quickly, when it came to developing a thick skin. But that’s part of life, too.
“Along the way, I found that there was always going to be a teammate, parent, or complete outsider that had something to say,” she said. “While it was never easy to hear, it would hurt a little more when it was from someone I thought didn’t care about my ‘connection’ to Nutley Athletics.
“But through perseverance and remaining true to myself, I grew and developed leadership skills that I will use for the rest of my life.”
Mia played on some very good softball teams at Nutley High, and was a 4-year starter at second base. As a senior in 2023, she was one of the leaders of a very young squad, and helped to make that team better with each game, which should enhance next year’s squad.
“Every single win, and even the losses, made all the hardships worth it,” she said. “Contrary to popular belief, my dad did not go easy on me. While most people would assume I would be coddled, I was actually pushed much harder. Rather, I had to put even more effort into every sprint, shot, swing, or throw.”
Her dad is a hard-working man, who excelled in athletics and earned a degree from the College of New Jersey, while wrestling on the collegiate level.
With that kind of legacy, one would think there’s pressure attached for a youngster, especially since Mia’s head soccer coach and assistant softball coach at Nutley High, was her dad.
That certainly was not the case.
“I spent most of my life devoting my time to sports,” said Mia, as she was packing for college. “Whether it be practicing, playing, watching, or traveling, aside from school and work, it was always sports, sports, sports.”
And while she was a talented athlete, Mia never felt the need to compete with a legacy. If anything, she embraced it.
“I had the privilege of coming from a family of athletes that supported me every step of the way,” she said. “But with the last name came high expectations.”
She admits to growing up quickly, when it came to developing a thick skin. But that’s part of life, too.
“Along the way, I found that there was always going to be a teammate, parent, or complete outsider that had something to say,” she said. “While it was never easy to hear, it would hurt a little more when it was from someone I thought didn’t care about my ‘connection’ to Nutley Athletics.
“But through perseverance and remaining true to myself, I grew and developed leadership skills that I will use for the rest of my life.”
Mia played on some very good softball teams at Nutley High. As a senior in 2023, she was one of the leaders of a very young squad, and helped to make that team better with each game, which should enhance next years squad.
“Every single win, and even the losses, made all the hardships worth it,” she said. “Contrary to popular belief, my dad did not go easy on me. While most people would assume I would be coddled, I was actually pushed much harder. Rather, I had to put even more effort into every sprint, shot, swing, or throw.”
Her dad is a hard-working man, who excelled in athletics and earned a degree from the College of New Jersey, while wrestling on the collegiate level.
“(With my dad), the coaching did not stop off the field,” said Mia. “Even on days that I didn’t get into a game, I would hear about losses at the dinner table. But, it only further proved his love for sports and coaching, and to be a part of that, I wouldn’t trade for the world.”
Growing up in Nutley was the perfect setting for her.
“Nutley High School is a very special place,” she said. “Most days, I would walk in tired, not so ready for the school day ahead, to be followed by a game or practice, sometimes work, homework, and then trying to maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
“But the friends and connections I’ve made along the way were all worthwhile. I feel so grateful for having gone to NHS, and the privilege of having family that lives close to come watch my games, or attend other school events.”
The DiPiano name is certainly familiar to those in Nutley. But for Mia, it was always about family, first.
“I’ve felt an unwavering support, because I always had a family member in the crowd watching,” she said. “It is tough to leave it all behind, coming from such a close-knit community, but I am excited for what’s to come.”
Mia was honored with multiple awards for her academic prowess at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Most notably, she received the Principal’s Distinguished Service Award, for her energy and enthusiasm in bringing the most school spirit to the halls of Nutley High.
She will study Business Pre-Marketing at the University of Central Florida, in Orlando. And, of course, family will be close by, as her grandparents, Karen and Michael DiPiano Sr., reside about an hour away, in Florida.
As she settled into her new dorm, the emotion of being on her own was evident among the family, but in a good way. Mia can’t wait for the next phase of her life.
“I plan on jumping right in, and getting involved in anything that interests me on campus, to foster those similar connections.
“But I’m sure none will add up to what I’ve created for myself, in my hometown of Nutley.”
And from someone who remembers Mia in that first photo, of she and her dad in the fall of 2010, on her first day of Kindergarten, to communicating recently with an incredibly mature young woman, it’s safe to say I can’t wait to see what she will accomplish.
During the past 13 years, she was always a class person, coming over to say hello and sharing her dreams for the future.
Good luck, Mia!
“(With my dad), the coaching did not stop off the field,” said Mia. “Even on days that I didn’t get into a game, I would hear about losses at the dinner table. But, it only further proved his love for sports and coaching, and to be a part of that, I wouldn’t trade for the world.”
Growing up in Nutley was the perfect setting for her.
“Nutley High School is a very special place,” she said. “Most days, I would walk in tired, not so ready for the school day ahead, to be followed by a game or practice, sometimes work, homework, and then trying to maintain a healthy sleep schedule.
“But the friends and connections I’ve made along the way were all worthwhile. I feel so grateful for having gone to NHS, and the privilege of having family that lives close, to come watch my games, or attend other school events.”
The DiPiano name is certainly familiar to those in Nutley. But for Mia, it was always about family, first.
“I’ve felt an unwavering support, because I always had a family member in the crowd watching,” she said. “It is tough to leave it all behind, coming from such a close-knit community, but I am excited for what’s to come.”
Mia was honored with multiple awards for her academic prowess at the end of the 2022-2023 school year. Most notably, she received the Principal’s Distinguished Service Award, for her energy and enthusiasm in bringing the most school spirit to the halls of Nutley High.
She will study Business Pre-Marketing at the University of Central Florida, in Orlando. And, of course, family will be close by, as her grandparents, Karen and Michael DiPiano Sr., reside about an hour away, in Florida.
As she settled into her new dorm, the emotion of being on her own was evident among the family, but in a good way. Mia can’t wait for the next phase of her life.
“I plan on jumping right in, and getting involved in anything that interests me on campus, to foster those similar connections.
“But I’m sure none will add up to what I’ve created for myself, in my hometown of Nutley.”
And from someone who remembers Mia in that first photo, of she and her dad in the fall of 2010, on her first day of Kindergarten, to communicating recently with an incredibly mature young woman, it’s safe to say I can’t wait to see what she will accomplish.
During the past 13 years, she was always a class person, coming over to say hello and sharing her dreams for the future.
Good luck, Mia!
Mike Lamberti, From Margate To Cleveland, And Back ! 