I am an assistant wrestling coach for a JV team at a local high school on the East End of Long Island.
I started wrestling in high school after being cut from soccer try-outs freshmen year and wound up taking 4th in the state as captain of the team by my senior year. The sport truly molded me into the young man I’ve become, teaching me the value of discipline, hard work, and a willingness to listen. I went on to wrestle at a DIII program at Washington and Lee University, where those same life lessons were reinforced with the intensity that typically characterizes collegiate athletics.
Following my college graduation, I returned to Long Island to pursue a doctorate in marine science. Once back home, I found myself missing wrestling a lot. From the camaraderie to the physical challenge of the sport itself. Having gotten my younger cousins into wrestling at an early age, I found myself attending their competitions and consuming wrestling content more and more. So, when a position opened up to be a coach for a JV team, I jumped at the chance.
My primary motivation for taking the job was to help the student-athletes on my team to become respectful, disciplined, and hard working young men. That’s what my coaches provided me with when I came to learn the sport and I’ve been loving the opportunity to give back.
I even called my high school coach, who coincidentally is also my godfather. He said something that will stick with me forever. “The funny thing is that people think coaching is about the sport. Part of it is, but really it’s about being part of a team. How many matches of yours do you remember? Probably not many, but I bet you remember all the jokes, laughs, and good times.” As I sat with that I realized, wow, that really is the magic of it all. Creating an atmosphere where student-athletes can learn, grow, and connect through mutual experiences and come out the other side better for it. That’s coaching, and is what I strive to do for the team I’m now responsible for.
I started wrestling in high school after being cut from soccer try-outs freshmen year and wound up taking 4th in the state as captain of the team by my senior year. The sport truly molded me into the young man I’ve become, teaching me the value of discipline, hard work, and a willingness to listen. I went on to wrestle at a DIII program at Washington and Lee University, where those same life lessons were reinforced with the intensity that typically characterizes collegiate athletics.
Following my college graduation, I returned to Long Island to pursue a doctorate in marine science. Once back home, I found myself missing wrestling a lot. From the camaraderie to the physical challenge of the sport itself. Having gotten my younger cousins into wrestling at an early age, I found myself attending their competitions and consuming wrestling content more and more. So, when a position opened up to be a coach for a JV team, I jumped at the chance.
My primary motivation for taking the job was to help the student-athletes on my team to become respectful, disciplined, and hard working young men. That’s what my coaches provided me with when I came to learn the sport and I’ve been loving the opportunity to give back.
I even called my high school coach, who coincidentally is also my godfather. He said something that will stick with me forever. “The funny thing is that people think coaching is about the sport. Part of it is, but really it’s about being part of a team. How many matches of yours do you remember? Probably not many, but I bet you remember all the jokes, laughs, and good times.” As I sat with that I realized, wow, that really is the magic of it all. Creating an atmosphere where student-athletes can learn, grow, and connect through mutual experiences and come out the other side better for it. That’s coaching, and is what I strive to do for the team I’m now responsible for.