ANTHONY "TONY" BERTO

Anthony "Tony" Berto was selected to the Wall of Fame as a coach. He and his wife Marilyn had 4 daughters who all graduated from Delphi: Michele, Kim, Cherie, and Terrie. Terrie was inducted into the Delphi Hall of Fame/Ring of Honor as a professional and collegiate golfer in 2024.

He is only one of 3 individuals to be selected under the non-athlete classification. Tony grew up in Clinton, IN where he was a 3 sport start graduating in 1939. He earned a scholarship to Purdue University where he played halfback on the football teams form 1940-43. During that time he also played basketball and baseball for the university. After graduating from Purdue he attended the US Navy, Columbia Mid Ship School where he became a commanding and executive office joining the war effort in 1942. He served dutifully until 1946 when he returned to civilian life after World War II concluded.

Tony started his teaching and coaching career at Otsego (46-48) before transitioning to Boonville (48-52). Tony and his wife Marilyn moved to Delphi in 1952 where they resided until their passing. In that tenure he served as Delphi's head football coach from 1952-1985. He retired in the top 10 all-time in football wins in the state, and as Delphi's winningest all-time head coach. During that time he coached many sports as an assistant and also head coach including basketball, baseball, and golf. Around the state he is highly regarded as one of the finest coaches and gentlemen to have stood on a HS football sideline. He was a founding father of the Indiana Football Coaches Association (IFCA), elected as its president, served as a coach in the IFCA all-star game multiple times, was a member of the team who successfully lobbied the IHSAA to create a football state championship tournament over multiple years, and was inducted into the IFCA hall of fame on August 8, 1986.

He was at the helm of 4 undefeated seasons. Those included the legendary 1960s undefeated teams of 64-66 which held a 33 consecutive win streak that ended in 1967, and the 1977 team that won Delphi's first football sectional title and was a part of a 19 game winning streak. His final career record was 203-150-4.

Tony became only the second coach ever to be awarded a Sagamore of the Wabash award by Gov. Evan Bayh following the legendary John Wooden. On September 9, 1995 the Delphi football field that he helped to design and build with the help of many local contractors and farmers was rededicated and named in his honor, Berto Field.