Athletic director leaves his mark on Milton Eagles sports

By AMBER PERRY amber@appenmedia.com

MILTON, Ga. — Gary Sylvestri, a family man with a strong faith in God, is winding down after more than a decade as athletic director at Milton High School, where he oversees one of Fulton County’s largest sports departments.

Sylvestri, aka Coach Sly, started coaching football at Milton in 2010. Two years later, he was promoted to athletic director. Along the way, Sylvestri also helped brand the school.

“We made it the ‘M,’ and the empire,” he said. “Everyone knows us for that now.”

Milton’s athletics department, which has 23 varsity sports, 90 coaches and around 1,050 athletes, has racked up major milestones during Sylvestri’s tenure.

In 2018, the Eagles won their first football state championship when they defeated the Colquitt County Packers in the finals. That game was also the first time since 1995 that a team outside of South Georgia and Gwinnett County won in the state’s highest classification. Milton is a 6A school playing 7A, Sylvestri said.

But Milton has claimed a total of 20 state championships with eight runner-up finishes across multiple sports, including football, baseball and basketball, while Sylvestri has led athletics. Sylvestri also emphasized the ties he has with teams that don’t do well.

“I think people forget about that part of it,” he said. “Failure is the foundation to success, right?”

‘The grind’

With an Italian background, Sylvestri is tan, weathered from days on the field, and stocky. He sports a collection of tattoos on both arms, including one of two hands alluding to “The Creation of Adam.” A tattoo on his left hand says, “One love,” paired with Rastafarian colors.

When he retires in June, Sylvestri said he’s going to continue traveling to Jamaica and spend more time with family. Some are up North, and he has grandkids around the country he’ll get to visit. His daughter Danielle lives in Virginia, and his son Nick lives in Utah.

But he’s not going to stop working. He serves as the associate pastor at a local church, a role he had when he lived in South Florida. He also plans to start up a podcast called “Behind the Bench,” where the first guest will be James Hines, the executive director of the Georgia High School Association.

“I’m not going to sit down at 60 and just sit by a palm tree,” Sylvestri said.

Sylvestri said slowing down “the grind” is going to be a shock, considering his work routine. As athletic director, he carries a host of administrative tasks related to buses, clubs, custodians, facilities and parking at the school.

He also stays involved with coaching. Sylvestri put one hat down in 2016 when he stopped coaching football but soon picked up another, training the girls lacrosse team in CrossFit in its off seasons.

School spirit moves through his family, too. Sylvestri’s wife, and his best friend for more than 30 years, works in the football office at Milton High School. His other two children work at Milton as well.

Sylvestri’s son Vincent, affectionately “Vinny,” is the running back coach, and his daughter Dominique is a community-based instruction (CBI) teacher, working with students who have special needs. She also used to coach junior varsity soccer at Milton.

A time in uniform

Sylvestri moved to Milton from South Florida, where he worked as a police officer. After the night shift, he’d take a nap then go off to coach football at inner city schools. He first started coaching in 1983.

“My wife, God bless her…” Sylvestri said. “She put up with a lot.”

On the force, he learned to be a “chameleon,” jumping from call to call, which served him in athletics leadership.

“When you’re dealing with parents or you’re dealing with students … you’re dealing with different personalities, different cultures,” he said. “If you’re set in your ways, you’re not going to get very far. It’s a relational job.”

Sylvestri said he tries to “chill in life” because of what he had seen in his 20 years in police work.

“I have a lot of stuff locked up in a closet in my head, to keep there forever if I can,” he said.

When he retires, Sylvestri said he’s going to miss impacting the lives of Milton’s kids. He’s always had an open-door policy for anyone that needs to talk. Sylvestri believes part of God’s plan for him is being there for people.

“I’m a safe adult for them to talk to. I’m not going to judge them,” Sylvestri said. “I’m not going to condone what they’re doing sometimes. But I’m going to educate them. There’s more learning going on in the hallways, and in the sports field, than in the classrooms in this building.”

Calendar

ROSWELL DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS ‘MARY POPPINS’

What: Follow Mary Poppins as she adds sunshine, adventure and magic to the previously solemn and serious Banks home. Join Jane and Michael as practically perfect Mary introduces them to the charming Bert. They explore the rooftops of London, enjoy a spoonful of sugar, fly a kite and do it all in the most delightful way.

Sandy Springs Farmers Market

What: Shop for fresh produce and artisan foods every Saturday morning from April 8 to November 18, where more than 30 vendors set up shop around the City Green, many bringing their farm to your table. Other vendors offer artisan foods, and many participants offer pre-orders.

When: Saturday, April 8, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

When: March 30-April 1, times vary

Where: Byers Theatre, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

Cost: $30

More info: citysprings.com

GEORGIA ENSEMBLE THEATRE PRESENTS ‘BRIGHT STAR’

What: An editor in 1940s North Carolina sets out to find the true story of her difficult history in this homey musical that flits between the present and the past in a heartbeat. The emotional and uplifting Appalachian tale is inspired by a true story and features a Tonynominated bluegrass score by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell.

When: March 30-April 16, time vary

Where: Roswell Cultural Arts Center, 950 Forrest Street, Roswell Cost: Tickets start at $32 More info: get.org

Dunwoody Farmers Market

What: The Dunwoody Farmers Market brings together a variety of vendors selling local and organic fruits, veggies and produce, coffee, breakfast, baked goods, prepared meals, frozen treats, eggs, grass-fed meat and fresh seafood.

When: Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Where: Brook Run Park, 4770 North Peachtree Road, Dunwoody

More info: dunwoodyga.gov

Fairy House Or Gnome Home Workshop

What: After a long, cold winter the fairy houses and gnome homes are ready for a refresh. Bring your imagination to the first Spring Fairy House and Gnome Home event. Kids and adults will be provided with natural materials like seed pods, pinecones, bark and nuts to build a structure to take home or to leave at Lost Corner for all to enjoy. Registration is encouraged but walk-ins are welcome.

When: Saturday, April 1, 10 a.m.

Where: Lost Corner Preserve, 7300 Brandon Mill Road, Sandy Springs

Cost: $15 per person, $30 per family

More info: sandyspringsga.gov

‘THE NICETIES’ AT STAGE DOOR THEATRE

What: Zoe is a young Black student at a liberal arts college. What begins as a polite clash in perspectives of the founding fathers between her and her

Where: City Green, 1 Galambos Way, Sandy Springs

More info: citysprings.com/farmersmarket liberal, tenured professor explodes into a tightrope of what it means to hear and what it means to listen.

When: Up to April 2, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

Where: Stage Door Theatre, 5339 Chamblee Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody

Cost: $35 for adults, $20 for students, $15 for children

More info: stagedoortheatrega.org/ the-niceties/

Lazy Dog Spring Menu Tasting

What: Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar is hosting a special sneak peek event to celebrate its new, seasonal menu additions. Taste your way through a special four-course menu featuring reimagined favorites from past menus and new flavors to kick off the season. The event is for two people.

When: April 2-April 4, 4-9 p.m.

Where: Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar, 4532 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody

Cost: $85 for two

More info: lazydogrestaurants.com/ spring-menu-tasting