The Spencerport Lightning know how to strike, thanks to John Presciutti, head coach of the U12 soccer team. Gearing up for a big season, the boys travel team has already participated in a number of scrimmages thanks to early planning by Coach Presciutti and his team of volunteers. With seven years of coaching experience and lifetime of soccer fandom, the Lightning are in good hands with our Coach of the Week.
In less than two months, Coach Presciutti will lead his team onto the field for season play, just as he did during his first coaching experience with a 6U co-ed soccer team in the early 2000’s. Coach Presciutti, like many youth sports coaches, will also have the opportunity to cheer on his son, Gianni, 12, who plays for the Lightning. Gianni’s younger brother Anthony, 9, an Ogden Bears Pop Warner football player, also chips in on the sidelines, helping dad with logistics.
Gianni and Anthony have found a home in youth sports just as their father did when he began playing organized soccer at age six. An avid attendee of soccer clinics and camps, Coach Presciutti competed in soccer programs through his senior year in high school.
“I lived breathed and slept soccer as a kid, I could never get enough of it,” wrote Coach Presciutti.
Fond memories and winning moments on the field have stuck with our youth sports coach throughout his lifetime. One of his favorite soccer highlights took place on the midfield of the Rochester Lancers stadium (a pro soccer team in the NASL). A finalist in a season long juggling competition, Coach Presciutti competed against his final opponent in front of thousands of soccer fans at halftime, overcoming his stage fright and winning the competition.
Coach Presciutti not only rose to the occasion, he reinforced the benefits gained in youth sports involvement. He has proven that sports participation can lead to a lifetime of activity and mentoring. From physical and mental education to treasured memories, we hope you and the Lightning create many amazing moments together this season.
Coach Presciutti’s Key’s to Success:
Before you can become a team, you must become friends. There is no room on a team for kids that don't like each other or who don't treat each other with respect. Unfortunately, this is seen in professional sports all the time. I want every player on my team to be close friends and know that they can always count on their teammates, both on and off the field. To encourage this, we have team activities off the field that are non-soccer related.
Weplay is another tool that I use to create the team closeness that I am striving for. I will post questions to the kids on the message board. What is your favorite subject in school? What did you do over winter break? Who is your favorite professional athlete? Who do you think is going to win the Super Bowl? These questions encourage the kids to get involved with each other while off the field and get to know each other better.
I also use the Weplay calendar as a birthday reminder. All my players and coaches birthdays are entered into the Weplay calendar and then we use the message board to send out birthday wishes. I like to hand out the “gifted” prop to the birthday kids as well.
Another major key to success is to have a great supporting cast. My assistant coaches are outstanding and they each bring their own unique style of coaching to the table. We learn from each other and use those learning experiences to our team's advantage.
