John Fitzgerald certainly got a kick out of this.
The head coach of the NPSL’s American Soccer Club was recently awarded the Mike Berticelli Excellence in Coaching Education Award by his peers through the United Soccer Coaches organization.
“It was a nice, pleasant surprise that I didn’t know was coming,” Fitzgerald, a leader in Long Island youth soccer development, told The Post.
Fitzgerald believes his over 35-year career is being defined at the helm of the Nassau County-based ASC Fighting Tomcats and soccer education, as he reflected on the relationships that have “transcended” the pitch into life.
“One of the things I teach is that you’re making an impact on your players right now, even if they’re very young,” said the award recipient.
A strong suit of Fitzgerald’s is his motivational abilities, demonstrated through a simple yet profound mental task for players and coaches alike. He asks them to reflect on a person who has had a personally positive impact on their lives.
“Then I’ll say to them, ‘Do you think you’re making somewhat of an impact like that on the people you’re working with? Players, the people around you?’ ” Fitzgerald said.
“If I want them to take it to another level, I’ll have them reach out to that person.”
The coach said that his meaningful emotional exercise is often well-received and typically yields an incredibly positive, team-building response.
“I love to hear the stories they come back with,” said Fitzgerald.
“Usually, it’s the players themselves who are more excited about it than the people they contacted. They say, ‘I felt so good doing that.’”
Boys soccer playoff semifinals have arrived in Nassau County as the 1-seed Oceanside takes on 4-seed Syosset at 6 p.m. Saturday at Farmingdale State College. No. 2-seed Port Washington faces 6-seed Herricks right after at 8:30.
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