MILTON, Georgia — Through his own experiences, Tony Palazzo has seen firsthand how football can help teach essential skills. Now that he’s established himself in the North Fulton business community, he wants to give back and help shape the next generation of players.
Palazzo graduated from Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and played defensive end with the Paladins after a successful high school football career. The founder, president and CEO of Berkeley Capital Partners, he is a distinguished investment professional and financial services executive.
However, his passion is giving back to the community. He actively coaches football and baseball with a weekly commitment to promoting the development and growth of community youth.
In 2024, he joined the North Atlanta Football League’s Board of Directors. NAFL is the largest youth athletic organization in North Fulton, comprising more than 700 families. Palazzo lives in Milton, Georgia, with his wife and three sons, including one who plays tight end and defensive end in the league and one who plays flag football.
How did you come to be involved in NAFL?
My sons play in NAFL, and I have always wanted to be more involved in coaching youth football. I was honored when the league invited me to join the board. I eagerly jumped at the opportunity to support our local youth and help foster the development of tomorrow’s leaders.
Why is NAFL so critical to youth development?
Football encourages physical activity and promotes a healthy lifestyle, which is better than staring at a screen. The sport also teaches players the importance of nutrition, hydration, and caring for their bodies, habits that set the foundation for a lifetime of health and wellness. Beyond merely coaching Milton’s youth in football, as leaders in the organization, we perceive our role as imparting essential life skills such as teamwork, community engagement, and self-assurance.
Why is youth football so important?
Football is a vehicle for so many life lessons, and teaching these lessons in an enjoyable way makes it more likely that our players will take them to heart. The world has so much negativity, and our youth need more opportunities to participate in uplifting activities. More than anything, league sports teach the values of teamwork and critical thinking, two of the most important life lessons that are invaluable at every stage of life. Research indicates that participation in team sports fosters leadership qualities, ultimately leading to community service in adulthood.
What makes NAFL so unique?
While football should be safe and fun, we take it further and use it to help build community and help athletes develop life and character skills. We provide a safe playing environment, using age-appropriate equipment and coaching methods and create a positive atmosphere for kids to enjoy the game and develop a love for athletics. But it’s not just about the on-the-field work. We encourage players to volunteer and support local charities when they aren’t on the fields. We also just purchased 253 state-of-the-art VICIS helmets for our players to ensure they can safely enjoy the game of football.
How does your involvement in NAFL help you in your professional life?
One of the most rewarding things we can do is engage with the local community. We don’t work in silos; our professional lives are only as strong as the communities where we live and work. Everyone can have a huge impact on their local communities. Stepping out and volunteering presents countless opportunities to make new connections and help shape the trajectory of where we live. I believe that when we make our local community a better place, everyone will benefit, and that will also benefit our professional lives.
What would you tell someone thinking of volunteering or signing up their children to participate in NAFL?
What are you waiting for? We have a tremendous, close-knit organization here in North Fulton. Everyone involved in it is committed to fostering community. I’ve seen the power of football throughout my life, and I hope to instill many of these same lessons in the players who participate in our program. Everyone can make a difference in our youth’s lives by mentoring young athletes, helping them grow and contributing to their development both on and off the field. It’s an experience that is as rewarding for the adults as the players.
For more information, visit nafl.club.