NEWS STORIES/ESSAYS

From An Essay by John Pezzulo, March 2004

John is a former Red's Player

There have been two people in my life who have impacted me in so many positive ways. The first person was a childhood coach, Stephen O'Grady. He emphasized the importance of being a team player and taught me how to be a leader on and off the playing field. I was very blessed to have him not only as a coach but as a friend as well. Steve showed me how to keep your spirits high whether you win or lose. He taught me these values in an appropriate fashion and that you should never make your opponent feel any less than you would have felt if you had lost. Sportsmanship was extremely important to Steve and I am a better athlete and person because of him.

As my life progressed Steve acted as a mentor who was leading me down the path to success, until a September day in 1999 when Steve was killed by a drunk driver coming home from New Hampshire. Ever since that day I have dedicated all my hard work to what he had taught me from fair play to team leadership in the classroom and on the playing field. When it was time for me to enter high school it was almost like Steve wanted me to be successful because I was greeted by another coach who believed in me and pushed because he knew I had great potential to succeed in life. His name is Paul Worth, and he has been an individual I look up to as a coach and respect as a teacher. Coach Worth has guided me through my four years at NST in football, basketball and baseball. He has been the one that made sure I achieved my full potential on and off the field.

If it were not for my two coaches who became mentors in my life I do not think I would be where I am today.