By Dr. Phil Faquet
;)
On Saturday Coach Joe Piacentino coached his last game on the pitch at Kings Park. The Paladins lead early on; however, fell behind 2-3 late in the game. A late header would have tied the game but a heroic diving save prevented the goal. His team presented him with a framed Jersey signed by his present team as well as past team members. This U18 team has had over 40 boys wear the Jersey many of the members are playing in college. It was an emotional fair well from the Coach and the parents.
Coach Joe was a graduate and soccer player from Kings Park High School in 1976 ;)
and Syracuse University in 1980. He is computer expert and has been working at Brookhaven National Labs since 1998. Soccer is his passion. Before, during and after college Joe has always been involved with soccer. His personal involvement evolved from player to mentor; he coached and managed the Kings Park Soccer Club program. He has coached boys and girls travel and school teams; his teams have won titles on many different levels. He is proud that his teams have also won quite more than a few Sportsmanship Awards over the years. Joe has worked tirelessly to improve the soccer program in Kings Park and was one of the prime movers in the enhancement of Tiffany Field and its maturing into a first-class place to play this beautiful game . He is quick to point out that there are many members of the Kings Park Soccer Club who devote a great deal of time to our town and work just as hard to help our kids. His continued involvement with the Kings Park Soccer Club and his 40 years of Kings Park soccer experience is a testament to his dedication. The Kings Park Soccer program has had over 25,000 kids come through.
Thanks for your dedication - Congrats Coach Joe Piacentino!