Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame Honors Pair of Roman Catholic Coaches at 66th Annual Banquet
May 11, 2013, Philadelphia, Pa: The Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame recently honored Head Coach, Ray DeStephanis with the 2013 Chick Fallon Award for Service to Soccer. Additionally, Assistant Head Coach, Jerry Brindisi was inducted into the SEPA Soccer Hall of Fame at the organization's 66th Annual Gala at Cannstatter's Catering in Northeast Philadelphia.
After a twenty year coaching career at North Catholic, twelve served as head coach resulting in four Catholic League Championships in 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2008 respectively, Coach Jerry Brindisi joined the ranks of Hall of Famers after a fitting introduction by legendary Archbishop Wood Head Coach, Joe Krantz.
Professor like and humble, Brindisi delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech with a touch of good natured ribbing when appropriate. He was sure to acknowledge on behalf of all his coaching peers the support and understanding of his fiancée Ellen. As he said at the podium, "it's hard to do what we do if the one who loves you doesn't fully understand and support your passion and love for what we do." And In typical Brindisi style, he never lost sight of the players that have played for him throughout the years, "In the end, it's not about us, it's about the kids you coach."
Head Coach, Ray DeStephanis, in keeping with tradition, was the previously un-announced recipient of the Chick Fallon Award for Service to Soccer. In a fitting introduction to close out the program, SEPA Hall of Fame Vice President, Gordon Dunlop described DeStephanis as part of the fabric that makes up the soccer community in the region while calling note to his remarkable organizational skills in regards to PCL standings and Hall of Fame sponsored high school tournaments. Dunlop also commented that DeStephanis is responsible for managing an email list that numbers well over 1400 in order to "get all things soccer and then some... out there".
Upon receiving the award DeStephanis spoke of the importance of keeping everyone in tune through communication. "Not everybody gets to read the daily paper - but we all read emails at work, at home and on our phones... If in some way a simple email with game results, standings and info helps to keep everyone informed, then I feel I am helping the entire soccer community" DeStephanis remarked. "Soccer has been good to me" he concluded, "it's only fair that I'm good to the sport in return."
Roman Catholic Soccer Head Coach, Ray DeStephanis and Assistant Head Coach, Jerry Brindisi. 2013 Chick Fallon Award and SEPA Hall of Fame Inductee, respectively.
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For more information: Mark Casasanto - 215.681.3031
After a twenty year coaching career at North Catholic, twelve served as head coach resulting in four Catholic League Championships in 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2008 respectively, Coach Jerry Brindisi joined the ranks of Hall of Famers after a fitting introduction by legendary Archbishop Wood Head Coach, Joe Krantz.
Professor like and humble, Brindisi delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech with a touch of good natured ribbing when appropriate. He was sure to acknowledge on behalf of all his coaching peers the support and understanding of his fiancée Ellen. As he said at the podium, "it's hard to do what we do if the one who loves you doesn't fully understand and support your passion and love for what we do." And In typical Brindisi style, he never lost sight of the players that have played for him throughout the years, "In the end, it's not about us, it's about the kids you coach."
Head Coach, Ray DeStephanis, in keeping with tradition, was the previously un-announced recipient of the Chick Fallon Award for Service to Soccer. In a fitting introduction to close out the program, SEPA Hall of Fame Vice President, Gordon Dunlop described DeStephanis as part of the fabric that makes up the soccer community in the region while calling note to his remarkable organizational skills in regards to PCL standings and Hall of Fame sponsored high school tournaments. Dunlop also commented that DeStephanis is responsible for managing an email list that numbers well over 1400 in order to "get all things soccer and then some... out there".
Upon receiving the award DeStephanis spoke of the importance of keeping everyone in tune through communication. "Not everybody gets to read the daily paper - but we all read emails at work, at home and on our phones... If in some way a simple email with game results, standings and info helps to keep everyone informed, then I feel I am helping the entire soccer community" DeStephanis remarked. "Soccer has been good to me" he concluded, "it's only fair that I'm good to the sport in return."
Roman Catholic Soccer Head Coach, Ray DeStephanis and Assistant Head Coach, Jerry Brindisi. 2013 Chick Fallon Award and SEPA Hall of Fame Inductee, respectively.
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For more information: Mark Casasanto - 215.681.3031
