Full Circle: From Student-Athlete to Leader — Anthony’s Journey of Giving Back

For Anthony Tuitele ‘09, aka Coach Bones, Damien Memorial School has always been more than a place to learn, it’s been home. Now serving as Interim Athletic Director, Tuitele reflects on his journey from student-athlete to coach to school leader as a full circle experience.

After high school, Tuitele went on to play college football in North Dakota and Missouri, where he learned to adapt and find strength in unfamiliar places.

“Being away from home taught me about life,” he shared.

“It taught me to appreciate what I had and to understand that home is built through people and values.” Little did he know that his experiences off-island would fuel his leadership and in inspiring our students.

Upon returning to Damien in 2015, Tuitele admitted that he was unsure about accepting the job as a teacher. Looking back today, he realized how not only it was a blessing, but he was meant to be back at his alma mater.

Little did Anthony know he would be back at his alma mater a few years after high school.

Today, Tuitele’s leadership extends far beyond the field. Taking what he’s learned from his mentors and coaches, he works with our football players instilling in them our school values of respect, responsibility, and community mindedness.

Ask Tuitele what defines a good athlete, and he won’t talk about speed or strength, he’ll talk about respect.

“Respect the people who came before you. Respect those around you,” he explained.

“Success can blind you if you forget where you came from,” he added.

That’s why, under his guidance, Damien’s football program has become as much about community as it is about competition.

“Community service humbles you,” said Tuitele.

He described how Monarchs don’t just train; they serve. They volunteer. They give back to their school and to their island. Tuitele hopes that one day they will give back to a broader community because they learned it at Damien.

Our Monarchs embody heart and teamwork in every game, reflecting the guidance and leadership of our Interim Athletic Director.

Looking ahead, his vision for Damien athletics goes beyond trophies and titles.

“I want people to be talking about us, not about winning, but about the culture we have as an athletic program that fits the mission of our school,” he explained.

Tuitele’s leadership is built on connection and it shows in the way our athletes carry themselves. “I want people to know that our athletes aren’t just good players — they’re good people.”

In his words, and in his work, the heart of Damien beats strong — one rooted in values that never go out of season.