BRANCO’S PASSION TO BOLSTER AACS BASEBALL

Attention to detail, a tireless work ethic and a
passion for teaching are among the qualities Manny Branco acquired
during his three years as an assistant to Arundel High coach Bernie
Walter.

â??I
was an assistant to Bernie in 2002 and in 2003, and again last year
[2007,] and I learned a lot from him,â? said Branco, 29, who will apply
what he learned as the new head coach of Annapolis Area Christian
School of the MIAAâ??s B Conference.

Branco,
who led Anne Arundel Countyâ??s Southern High to two Class 2A South
Region titles in three seasons as the Bulldogsâ?? head coach, was named
to that position on Friday by athletic director Joe Palumbo.

â??Heâ??s
young, experienced and heâ??s exited — thatâ??s a great combination for
our program,â? Palumbo said of Branco, who inherits a squad that returns
its entire roster from a team that went 7-8 last spring.

â??I
have a passion for teaching and coaching, and I think this is a a great
opportunity under a good athletic director,â? said Branco, a 1995
graduate of Meade High, where he starred as a second baseman. â??I really
feel as though this is a program that is on its way up, athletically.â?

Manny Branco

Branco will said he will begin,
immediately, preparing AACSâ?? players for the spring season.

â??As of right now, weâ??re getting kids
organized to play fall baseball,â? Branco said. â??What I want to do is look at
every kid who played last year and evaluate where we can go. Thatâ??s our No. 1
priority right now.â?

The vice president of Marylandâ??s
State Association of Baseball Coaches, Branco takes over at AACS for Bob Lamb,
who left to spend more time with his son, an incoming freshman at South River
High.

Branco will remain on staff as a
physical education instructor at Central Special in Edgewater, a public school
for children with special needs including physical handicaps, mental
retardation and autism.