Currently the head coach of the Irvine Little League AA Ball Rangers, 40-year-old Tom Ricci is more than a veteran coach, he’s a true believer in youth sports participation. A teacher by trade, our Coach of the Week excels as a mentor no matter the sport.
From track & field, to wrestling, baseball and his main area of expertise, football, Coach Ricci has that essential ability to foster a fun and educational sports environment for everyone involved with the team.
“I think coaching is the only thing I am really good at. Don't tell my boss I said that. I like them to think I am a pretty good teacher too,” wrote Ricci.
He’s passed on his love of sports and teamwork to each of his four children as well. Sons Tommy, Andy and Joey each played Little League and Tommy, just made the Irvine High School ball club. His daughter Seraphina, plays softball and swims for the Irvine Novas, a competitive USA swimming club. Coach Ricci’s wife Shannon is of course never too far from the sports action as well.
And she’ll have a lot to cheer for this spring as Coach Ricci, her son Andy and the rest of the Ball Rangers, trek through their spring schedule. Already sporting a solid 3-0-1 record, the undefeated team actively uses their Weplay team page to celebrate all the season happenings.
“Weplay has had a positive influence on my team because it gives them a place to congregate and talk about the game,” wrote Coach Ricci sharing that his athletes rush to their computers after their post game pizza dinners together to check the game recap page and photos. “It makes my players feel like rock stars to see themselves featured on our page – it’s awesome!”
Coach Ricci's Keys to Success:
Remember, it is not about you, it is about the kids
Teach, model, reteach, let them do it, make it fun
Repetition, repetition, repetition
