Anthony Castellon
Anyone who has grown up in Branford knows the name Castellon as the family that ran its eponymous bakery on Main Street for more than 75 years.
But Anthony Castellon forged his path to the Branford Sports Hall of Fame through his own success as a businessperson, coach, and athlete.
The 1973 graduate of Branford High School was a four-year two-sport athlete in basketball under Coach Tom Murray (1992 Inductee), who led them to the 1972 Housatonic League Championship, and baseball under coaches Bob Ellis and Jack Corning, winning the John Knecht Sportsmanship Award in his senior year. Anthony also enjoys playing tennis, golf, kayaking and soccer.
The lifelong Branford resident graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration in 1977 from Central Connecticut State University, where he served for three years as a student assistant to basketball coach Bill Detrick.
Anthony began a successful banking career in 1978, moving to commercial banking in 1985. He continues his 25-year career as Senior Vice President, Corporate Banking Division at Citizens Bank. That’s what paid the bills, but he always found time for coaching.
He graduated from coaching various youth sports, primarily basketball and baseball, to joining in 1993 the nascent volunteer nonprofit Branford Soccer Club as an assistant at the junior level. The organization was “created for and committed to promoting youth and adult soccer in the Town of Branford.” Anthony’s interest in self-improvement and love of the sport spurred him to pursue soccer coaching licensing, starting with his F license at Southern Connecticut State University, E License at Morgan High School under coaches Bob Dikranian (2016 Inductee) and Rudy Meredith, and on to D License at Quinnipiac University in 2003 under coach Dave Clarke.
He has been coaching youth travel teams for the Branford Soccer Club (BSC) for more than 30 years, primarily the girls’ under-10 through under-15 teams, and winter and summer league high school players, and also served on the BSC board. This year, Anthony was named the head coach for the inaugural season of the Walsh Intermediate School girls’ soccer team.
In addition to serving on the BSC board, Anthony has served on the boards of the New Haven Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, Long Wharf Theatre and Junior Achievement of Southwest New England.
Anthony and his wife Cindy raised three children in Branford: Branford resident Stephen, assistant boys’ varsity soccer coach at Hopkins School in New Haven; Allison, who works at Post University; and Florida resident Brian, an ardent Manchester City F.C. soccer fan.
