DEFINING OUR SPECIAL CULTURE Dear Steel Sports Family and Friends,
OUR TEAM FOUNDER / CHAIRMAN Warren Lichtenstein PRESIDENT/COO Mark Cole VICE PRESIDENT, STRATEGY & GROWTH Nanette Yang Nathan Clinkenbeard Annette DiGorga Steve Jones Jollene Norton Joe Santilli John Semel Cody Thompson 1221 Hermosa Ave., Suite 210 Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
MISSION To inspire youth to reach their potential, on and off the field, by developing them as athletes and people through the Steel Sports Coaching System.
VISION Through our kids first approach we will establish the Steel standard in youth sports and coaching. We will forge the next generation of leaders, on and off the field, by instilling Steel Sports’ core values: Teamwork, Respect, Integrit and Commitment.
Studies show that only about a third of all employees in the United States feel engaged in their jobs. That means two out of three employees go to work every day feeling less than inspired and just going through the motions. Can you imagine feeling that way or being surrounded by others who feel that way? How depressing! Fortunately, things are very different at Steel Sports. The pervasive sense – borne out in survey results – is that working here, people feel part of something special. Many factors contribute to this: having a purpose – our mission, working with great people and being immersed in our culture. Thanks to the efforts of our Company Culture Team, we can better define what we mean by our culture. First and foremost, the Steel Sports culture is grounded in our core values: Teamwork, Respect, Integrity and Commitment. We want each of our athletes to be instilled with these values. We also want them to guide the decisions we make and to characterize how we interact with one another. But our culture goes beyond our core values and includes concepts found throughout all Steel Partners companies, such as continuous improvement and our recruit-retain-reward approach to staff development. Five other characteristics of our culture stand out, characteristics which already exist and which we deliberately emphasize. • Approachability – A first step in improving communication. We are always willing to listen. When talking to others, we give them our full attention. • Family Atmosphere – Our understanding of mission, vision and core values binds us as a family. We are genuinely interested in the lives of those we work with. We treat staff, coaches, players and parents as family. • Fun – We offer enjoyable, entertaining and amusing activities for our players of all ages! We don’t put wins and losses above enjoying ourselves and enjoyment for our players. We appreciate humor. • Opportunities – We provide all players pathways to achieving
I want all staff to know they are part of something special working here at Steel Sports. It is up to each of us to understand and embrace the characteristics of our culture that make it special.
CORE VALUES
TEAMWORK RESPECT INTEGRITY COMMITMENT info@steelsports.com
life lessons through sport. We provide clear pathways to athletic excellence for every age and every level of youth player. We provide mentoring and professional development that enable all staff members to excel in their positions and advance within Steel Sports and Steel Partners. • Dynamic Staff – To ensure we hire the right people, our hiring process insists each candidate is aligned with our core values. Our staff are always ready to go above and beyond when necessary and are always willing to help those around them. Staff are committed, passionate and compassionate, experienced and educated, personable and reliable.
Sincerely, Mark Cole President, COO Steel Sports
IN THE NEWS
TEAM STEEL CONCLUDES SEASON WITH FAMILY PICNIC Baseball Heaven hosted a team picnic on August 24 for all Team Steel players and their family members. The picnic included a full buffet lunch, a massive inflatable slide and games on Field 5, cornhole and other activities for everyone to enjoy capping off a great season.
STEEL SOCCER HOSTS CAMP AND SCRIMMAGES FOR OMG, INC. Steel Soccer had a blast this summer with OMG, Inc. employees and their kids playing and teaching soccer. Steel Soccer hosted a kids camp and employee scrimmages for the Steel Partners company’s Massachusetts location. Following the events, some of the OMG, Inc. employees enjoyed playing so much they found teams to continue playing on their own. SteelWell promotes a healthy, active lifestyle for all Steel Partners companies and employees, and this was a fun way to connect two groups and enjoy exercise through sport. steelsports.com 3
FORGING LEADERS
HARRY BECKWITH HONORED WITH INAUGURAL TOMMY LASORDA LEADERSHIP AWARD An integral part of Steel Sports vision is to help forge the next generation of leaders on and off the field, and to show its success the Tommy Lasorda Leadership Award was created. FCUSA Maryland alumnus Harry Beckwith, now a midshipman in the Navy, was awarded as the inaugural recipient this October. National Baseball Hall of Famer and Los Angeles Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda was instrumental in the creation of Steel Sports back in 2011. Tommy won two World Series with the Dodgers and over 1,500 games, but it was his leadership and inspiring personality that won over sports fans’ hearts. Beckwith is in a unique position to lead in the Navy. After college he will be placed in a position of responsibility as an officer that many people never obtain in their respective careers. Beckwith credits Steel Sports and FCUSA for helping to develop his leadership skills. “When I was initially appointed captain at a relatively young age, I did no more than call the coin toss at the beginning of the game and wear an armband around my arm,” Beckwith said. “As I grew up, I realized that this was a role that had a lot more meaning and something I should utilize to help the team itself. The most important takeaways I learned from being captain is that the team and the people around you come first and that every individual has the opportunity to lead and make a difference.” When FCUSA Maryland Director of Coaching John Steele saw the award application, one name came immediately to his mind. “Coaching Harry for four years, he has always shown an incredible amount of respect and commitment to the team and to improving himself both as a soccer player and in other aspects of his life,” Steele said. “Harry could not be more deserving of this award, and I am certain he will go on to be very successful in whatever path he chooses.” In addition to the award, Beckwith received a $5,000 scholarship to help with school costs. He’s a shining example of the leadership skills, character traits and core values Steel Sports is trying to cultivate in every one of its athletes.
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“The most important takeaways I learned from being captain is that the team and the people around you come first and that every individual has the opportunity to lead and make a difference.”
THE PARENT ZONE
KEEPING YOUR KID HUMBLE “My 13-year-old son has had a growth spurt in the last six months or so, and he is suddenly achieving much more on the field. The increase in achievement has boosted his confidence ... maybe a bit too much. How can I teach him easy lessons in being proud but humble before his coaches or teammates are tempted to teach him some harder lessons?” Positive Coaching Alliance response by Will Jackson, PCA Trainer – Atlanta Your son’s situation occurs frequently in youth sports with adolescent growth spurts. Help your son recognize that while he may now have some early physical advantages, his teammates and competitors
will continue to mature and improve within their own evolving developmental schedules. Today’s biggest, strongest kid may be tomorrow’s very average athlete. The real measure of success will be how your son and his peers push to improve through their motivation and effort. Help your youngster by realigning his goal posts: What can he improve at? What weaknesses in his game can be addressed? How can his positive leadership help his team and teammates? How hard is he willing to work to improve himself and his skills?
Help him structure goals that focus on his own attitudes and enthusiasm for improvement, not just the score of today’s game. I strongly encourage you to read Carol Dweck’s book Mindset. Her discussion of fixed vs. growth orientations can be a very useful resource for you moving forward with your son. This resource stems from a question submitted to the Ask PCA blog, where responses come from experts including PCA trainers across the country.
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COACHES CORNER
THE ATHLETE AS “ELEVATER” USING IDENTITY TO DEVELOP PEOPLE OF CHARACTER By Jim Thompson, PCA Founder and Steel Sports Advisory Board member
With regard to developing people of character, I start from a simple premise: identity is the foundation of character because it drives behavior. My Stanford professor, Jim March, whose favorite novel was Don Quixote, stressed that the best way to get people to change their behavior is to change their sense of who they are and want to be. Rewards and punishments do drive behavior, especially in the short term, but rewards are expensive; punishments make people angry. But identity is cleaner. Who we want to be is key to how we will act. Is it possible that youth coaches can help athletes develop an identity that extends beyond the playing field to help them become people of strong character who do the right thing even
when it is hard because they know who they are? Absolutely, but it requires that youth athletes have a clear model of an identity that they can aspire to.
ELEVATER: AN EXPANDED IDENTITY FOR LIFE Positive Coaching Alliance developed the Triple-Impact Competitor® model to personify what a person of strong positive character looks like in sports and life. A Triple-Impact Competitor is an “Elevater” who looks to elevates himself, her Jim Thompson teammates,
and the game and the larger community by how he or she competes and lives. Elevater sounds like “elevator,” the machine that moves people between floors in a building, but it is a new word for a new identity. Being an Elevater requires two things: first an ongoing sense of possibility for what exists in every situation. An Elevater says to himself, “No matter what is happening here, I can find a way to make it better.” Second, it requires being willing to be uncomfortable because elevating a situation often requires doing hard things. Individuals who aspire to be Elevaters recognize that they will need to develop positive character traits to be able to elevate oneself, one’s teammates and the game.
DRESS REHEARSAL FOR LIFE Making sports a “dress rehearsal for life” brings the needs of youth and the larger community together in an exciting way. Coaches can begin to instill a sense of purpose in their athletes by telling them, “Our team needs you! We can’t be our best without you being an Elevater.” Depending on the age of the athletes, a coach can also say, “Our world also needs you. The skills and lessons you will learn on this team will also help you be the kind of person who can help make the world a better place.” Sports, with as many as 30 million youth in the U.S. competing, is the ideal setting for building character because in sports, character is tested all the time! And character does not advance without regular testing and opportunities to act in accord with one’s character.
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HOW PCA THINKS ABOUT CHARACTER Recently I came across a saying about character that I love. Kurt Hackbarth said, “Character is what you do when it counts.” This evokes Martin Luther King, Jr: “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” At PCA we took our definition of character from David Weekley: character is the mental and moral framework of values that guides a person’s behavior. A person with strong, positive character understands right from wrong and acts accordingly, especially when it counts!
THE TWO BUCKETS OF CHARACTER There are two main “buckets” of character: “Performance Character” and “Moral Character.” Performance Character traits allow one to achieve goals, such as work ethic, self-control, self-discipline, competitive spirit, resilience, reliability and perseverance. I call Performance Character the “Mental Toughness Bucket” because individuals with strong Performance Character are able to exercise their will to achieve their desired results. The question to ask regarding Performance Character is, “Am I a competent person?” Moral Character traits include characteristics that help other people thrive such as compassion, kindness, honesty, a cooperative spirit, generosity and respect. Note that Moral Character traits tend to rebound positively: people treated generously and compassionately tend to reciprocate. I call Moral Character the “Empathy Bucket” because it largely revolves around being sensitive to others and taking them into account in our actions. The question to ask regarding Moral Character is, “Am I a virtuous person?” Two-Bucket Characteristics: Some characteristics transcend both buckets: • Courage, doing what needs to be done when one is frightened to do so, may be the fundamental positive
character trait, without which one would not be able to exhibit other traits. For example, if one is afraid to speak up when he sees a person being bullied, he is likely to remain a bystander rather than acting on behalf of the bullied person. • Moral Courage, a subset of Courage, is standing up publicly for what you believe is right even when your “tribe” disagrees. We often think of courage as a physical thing—running into a burning building to rescue a child—but often it is fear of making friends, family and community unhappy that causes us to remain quiet when speaking up is required. • Teachable Spirit is the hunger to learn anything and everything that can result in self-improvement. A Teachable Spirit is crucial to continue learning and growing to become both more competent and more virtuous.
THE ELEVATER IS THE COMPLETE PACKAGE Individuals may be strong in only one bucket. For example, someone may be mentally tough, with the resilience to bounce back from setbacks but not possessing compassion for others or being concerned about the impact of their actions on others or the larger community. Alternately, individuals may be
compassionate and caring toward others but lack the competence to act in ways that will benefit others. The complete package is for youth athletes (and coaches!) to develop high degrees of performance character and moral character—and become individuals able to achieve their goals while helping others be successful as well. There is no better place for young people to develop Performance and Moral Character traits than youth sports—and no better person to help athletes develop these crucial positive character traits than high school and youth coaches. We call a coach who develops both Better Athletes and Better People a DoubleGoal Coach®. A Double-Goal Coach is an “Elevater Coach” with the goal of developing Elevaters who acquire the positive character traits necessary to successfully elevate whatever situations they find themselves in. Being an Elevater who looks to make every situation better can lend meaning to a person’s life and enhance that life in wonderful ways, well beyond the playing field. It can set youth athletes on a lifelong journey in which they have a clear idea of the person they want to become, and it will benefit our society so that ultimately we all win.
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MEET THE COACH
WITH STEEL SOCCER’S LUIS PRADO Coaches are an integral part of Steel Sports, so in each issue we want to highlight one of our coaches for their outstanding work on and off the field. This issue, our focus is on Steel Soccer’s Luis Prado. Luis never misses an opportunity to teach the Steel Sports core values, and he gave his UK Elite Summer Select Team an incredible lesson on integrity during a championship game in July. After scoring when the goalie was injured, Luis’s team decided to allow the opposing team to score. Allowing the goal had an impact on the game, but the lesson on integrity was more important than a win. One of the team’s parents sent a letter thanking him and Steel Soccer for doing the right thing when faced with that situation. “Steel Soccer should be proud to have such a dedicated coach who is not only out there to get the best out of the kids, but most importantly, out there to teach our kids what it means to be a decent human being.”
STEEL SPORTS: How did you get into coaching youth soccer, and why did you want to take on that role? LUIS PRADO: After high school, I started college back home. While studying at night, my academy gave an opportunity to start as the babies coach (ages 2 and up). There, I found a passion for coaching to the point that I changed my major from computer science to teaching. Currently, as a teacher and coach, I try my best to be a role model for my players and students. That is why I wanted to take this role: to help others become the best they can be. SS: How would you describe your coaching philosophy? LP: It is based on respect, problem solving, professionalism, how to deal with setbacks and most importantly, coach players for lifetime skills. SS: Why do you think it’s important as coaches to help players develop off the field through Steel Sports’ mission and core values? LP: It is important because soccer gives you teaching or coaching opportunities whereas a coach, you
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can teach valuable life lessons. A player’s development inside the pitch should reflect what we expect from them outside in the society. The core values of Steel Sports reflect just that. SS: Back in July, when your team went up 1-0 you realized you scored when the goalie was injured. You made the decision to let the other team score to tie the game. Walk us through what happened. LP: While the goalkeeper was receiving medical attention in the field, I gathered my team and talked about the situation. We decided to let them score when the referee restarted the game. My goalkeeper stepped away from our goal, and my players stayed still so they could score. By then, there were only five minutes left on the clock to win the championship since the clock kept ticking after the incident. The opposite team then scored a second goal with two minutes left, and they won 2-1. SS: What were you trying to teach in that moment? LP: Integrity and fairness. Do the right thing regardless of who is watching.
GET TO KNOW COACH LUIS Favorite soccer team: Real Madrid Favorite soccer player (current or former): Ronaldo Nazario What do you enjoy doing in your spare time: Spending time with my wife and family Favorite memory growing up playing soccer: When I was a kid, I used to be very short. I was always the shortest on my team. However, I was really fast and skillful. You could hear parents talking about how I did not seem to be good for my own age group. However, you could also hear at the end their impressions about how good I was despite of my physicality.
PLAYER SPOTLIGHT ALI DORREGO Hometown: Chatham, NJ Club Team: FCUSA NJ 04 G NPL High School: Morristown-Beard School Positions: Center mid, center back Number: 29
STEEL SPORTS: When did you start playing soccer, and what is your favorite part about the game? ALI DORREGO: I started playing soccer in kindergarten. It is hard to just pick one part of the game as my favorite. I love implementing all of the new skills and passing combinations I learn in practice into my gameplay, creating bonds with teammates both on and off the field, and having the opportunities that come along with it. SS: What are a couple keys to being a good midfielder? AD: The most important thing is having trust in the players around you. You rely on them for almost everything. You rely on them for communication, letting you know when you have time and space versus letting you know if you have a close man-mark. You also
rely on them to feed you the ball into the center, and make runs so you can distribute an effective pass out of the midfield. Besides that, some other keys are to have good field awareness and know where your teammates are. It is also important to be composed and calm when you are on the ball but also not to move too slowly. The trick is to find the perfect balance. SS: What was your favorite moment from the 2019 season? AD: The 2019 season brought many unforgettable memories, including making my high school’s varsity team as a freshman and getting to visit London because of our Yokohama sponsorship. With these taken into consideration, my favorite part of the 2019 season still has to be traveling to Spain through Steel Soccer. This trip was my first ever experience of
European culture, and I feel the style and tempo of play there really helped me understand the game better and improve my impact on the field. SS: What goals are you setting for yourself in 2020? AD: Going into the 2020 season, I have many personal goals that I want to achieve, including taking more of a leadership role on and off of the field and trying to improve certain aspects of my game. That said, my main goal which I am really trying to push for is to help my team win as many games and tournaments as possible. I feel with more wins under our belt, we will have confidence stepping on to the pitch and improve our skillsets. SS: One of the Steel Sports core values is Teamwork. What does Teamwork mean to you? AD: To me, teamwork means putting the goals of the team before your personal goals. In other words, teamwork is looking for the assist to a player in a better position instead of looking for a shot. Teamwork like this does not only apply to games. Even in practices, while pushing yourself to work hard is good for your own benefit and improvement, you should push even harder to make your teammates better by applying constant pressure that may show up in real game play.
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A NEW ERA P
ink and black are dominating the pitch as UK Elite Soccer and The Football Club USA have made brand transitions to Steel Soccer and Steel United. All UK Elite programming has been rebranded as Steel Soccer, and coaches and players are fully outfitted with new PUMA Steel Soccer apparel. Steel United California is the first club to use the new Steel United brand since they were a newly formed club in 2019. The FCUSA clubs in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, Maryland and Washington will transition to Steel United during the 2020 season. The pace of transition will increase in the next few months leading into the spring season, however some teams outside of California have competed as Steel United. In July, two FCUSA NJ teams competed as Steel United New Jersey in Spain’s international Donosti Cup. Both the boys and girls teams finished in the elite eight out of 40 teams. Eighteen male and female players from the Steel United National Camp will compete as Steel United at the Las Vegas Showcase in February. While UKElite.com is still online, the new SteelSoccer.com is close to completion and is set to launch before the end of the year.
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UK ELITE SOCCER AND THE FOOTBALL CLUB USA MAKE THE MOVE TO STEEL SOCCER AND STEEL UNITED
VISIT THE NEW STEELSPORTS.COM! Steel Sports has officially launched the new SteelSports.com to tell its story of how it’s putting kids first and helping young athletes reach their potential on and off the field. Users can easily navigate to the Steel Soccer and Steel Baseball brands, learn more about the unique Steel Sports Coaching System, find out what defines Steel Sports, read news stories and more. Go to SteelSports.com to see how Steel Sports is making a difference in the lives of over 100,000 young athletes and their families each year.
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STEEL SPORTS WELCOMES COUNTRY’S TOP TEAMS AND PUTS ON FIRST-CLASS EXPERIENCE AT NATIONAL YOUTH BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
BEST OF THE BEST
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he 12th annual National Youth Baseball Championships featured the event’s most competitive field ever as 70 teams from 16 states battled for national titles in the 10U-14U age divisions. Steel Sports hosted the event July 22-28 for the sixth consecutive year at Baseball Heaven on Long Island, New York. CBS Sports Network provided live television coverage of eight games during the week, including four of the five national championship games. All eight televised games were also streamed online at MLB.com, and every NYBC game was available through live streaming on HiCast Sports. Teams arrived at Baseball Heaven on Monday, July 22 for check-in and a welcome party with music, vendors – including Under Armour’s 30-foot walkin merchandise trailer – food and games. The tournament got underway Tuesday, July 23 as
Photos by Major League Photos The MBA Utah Grays celebrate winning the 13U national championship and pose with their rings (left).
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teams played four pool play games each before being seeded into the single elimination championship or silver brackets. NYBC Director Nathan Clinkenbeard has been a part of every NYBC since the event’s inception, and he remains focused each year on making it the ultimate championship experience in youth baseball. “Steel Sports has made this event known for both the high level of competition on the field and for going above and beyond in the experiences we create throughout the week and entire year,” Clinkenbeard said. “The NYBC is much more than bringing the best of the best together, rolling the ball out and playing. It’s about being a part of a firstclass championship experience and living out the Steel Sports core values of teamwork, respect, integrity and commitment.” Part of the dedication to an
incredible experience included a daily stage show held in Baseball Heaven’s main concourse. Throughout each day, NYBC emcees Ryan Longoria and Mathieu Schneider interviewed players, coaches and VIPs on the NYBC stage and hosted recap shows. The stage show programming was distributed through NYBC’s social media networks including Instagram and Facebook Live. Teams earned spots in the 2019 NYBC through 14 qualifiers held around the country with select partners as well as special invitations based off in-season performance. Four different states were represented as national champions as Utah claimed its first NYBC title. California’s MVP Hustle organization won its record-extending fifth and sixth NYBC titles with championships in the 10U and 12U divisions.
The Puerto Rico Avengers 12U became the first Puerto Rican team in NYBC history.
Players from Tri State Arsenal National and IAM Baseball show respect for each other after a wellplayed 11U title game.
Ryan Longoria interviews a player on the NYBC stage.
NYBC Parent –
“We are lucky enough to have had the opportunity to play all over the country. The NYBC Championship Week continues to bring in the best competition, and Baseball Heaven is definitely one of the best facilities in the nation.”
MVP Hustle Ruiz 10U
MBA Utah Grays 13U
Tri State Arsenal National 11U
Bronx Bombers 14U
2019 NYBC CHAMPIONS 10U CHAMPIONS MVP Hustle Ruiz (CA) 11U CHAMPIONS Tri State Arsenal National (NJ) 12U CHAMPIONS MVP Hustle Rodriguez (CA) 13U CHAMPIONS MBA Utah Grays (UT) 14U CHAMPIONS Bronx Bombers (NY)
MVP Hustle Rodriguez 12U
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MAKING A
DIFFERENCE STEEL SPORTS NAMES 2019 COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS
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ith over 300 soccer and baseball coaches committed to inspiring youth to reach their potential, on and off the field, Steel Sports is proud to name Steel Soccer’s Martin Doherty and Steel Baseball’s Nick Attardi as its 2019 Coach of the Year Award recipients. Since the Steel Sports Coach of the Year Award was created in 2016, the number of nominated coaches has increased each year. This year, a record 53 coaches were nominated, surpassing last year’s total of 42. Athletes, fellow coaches, parents, and mentors nominate the coaches with the award given to someone that had
a positive impact on the lives of their athletes while helping them develop important life skills such as the four Steel Sports core values: teamwork, respect, integrity and commitment. In addition to coaching five teams, Martin Doherty serves as The Football Club USA’s Boston Boys Director. He got involved in coaching while he was still playing as he was motivated to help others grow their game. “I want to give my players the platform and opportunity to reach their highest potential possible,” Doherty said. “I love being on the field working with our players and see their growth both on and off the Joseph Mattero – Steel Baseball
Nick Attardi Photo by Major League Photos
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“Coach Joseph loves the children and only wants what’s best for them. He works hard to make sure every child feels like they’re important and that they’re valued no matter what their background is or how good they are at the sport. His heart is for the children and for helping them become the best versions of themselves. That is hard to come by in a person.”
Martin Doherty (left) with Andrew Broadbent
field. I’m absolutely delighted to be named Steel Sports Coach of the Year. It’s a great honor to be selected and recognized by our players and families at the club.” Even more important than the victories on the field, Doherty prides himself on molding strong leaders and a cohesive team. Several of Doherty’s players graduated this spring and went on to college, something he immediately notes as a highlight from this season. “It means everything to me to see our players reach their potential off the field and become respectful young athletes,” Doherty said. “It’s great to see our players working as team to achieve a goal and have an impact on each other’s development.” Doherty was complimented for putting the team and improvement first above winning in his nominations. One parent said, “Martin finds a way to teach the kids what it means to be a good teammate. Everyone has a role to play and everyone has a chance to make a contribution. He is an amazing coach, teaching the boys how to be good people and great players.” Steel Baseball’s Nick Attardi coached Team Steel’s 8U and 9U
Gold teams in 2019, and as a junior he helped lead Farmingdale State University to the Skyline Conference championship and a spot in the NCAA Division III Regionals. “Growing up as a kid, other than my parents, my travel baseball coach was one of the biggest influences in my life,” Attardi said. “He motivated me every day to not only be a better athlete but also a better person. I take that with me as a coach and try to impact my players lives on and off the field.”
Every time Attardi steps on the field with his teams, he tries to create a positive environment to ease the pressure and remind his players that baseball is supposed to be fun. “Baseball is bigger than a game, and you can teach life lessons through baseball,” Attardi said. “I try to make my players be good teammates, have each other’s back, compete and learn while on the field. The lessons I talk about on the field they can take with them into the classroom or outside the field. It is an honor and blessing to be named Steel Sports Coach of the
Steve Gerasimovich– Steel Baseball
“Steve encourages the children to grow personally as well as work hard for the win. They try to keep their focus on learning important life habits through their participation in sports.”
Year because I truly enjoyed coaching my teams this year and helping grow their love for the game.” In his Coach of the Year nominations, Attardi was complimented for always discussing and referencing the Steel Sports core values with his players along with the personal relationships he built with each player. “Nick is one of the most genuine, caring and considerate people I have ever met,” a Team Steel parent said. “The way the kids adore him is second to none. Coach is just one tiny aspect of the person I have seen him grow into the past two years. He’s an idol to his players. The way he interacts with each player is so special.” Youth coaches have a unique opportunity to help their kids grow as athletes and people, and Steel Sports is committed to putting kids first. Each coach is forging the next generation of leaders through the Steel Sports Coaching System and instilling the core values of teamwork, respect, integrity and commitment. John Pompeo – Steel Soccer
“John’s coaching style of positivity, fairness, inspiration, properly used sarcastic humor, passion, etc. brought back our son’s love of the game. John’s ability to encourage the boys to dig deep and put forth the effort they need until the final whistle of games, even in times of a loss, is a gift.
2019 STEEL SPORTS COACH OF THE YEAR AWARD NOMINEES Michael Alexander STEEL SOCCER Brendan Alberto STEEL BASEBALL Nick Attardi STEEL BASEBALL Billy Babayo STEEL SOCCER Domenico Barbuto STEEL SOCCER Craig Barclay STEEL SOCCER Tom Bashen STEEL BASEBALL Eric Brown STEEL BASEBALL Matt Campbell STEEL SOCCER Dakota Carroll STEEL SOCCER Mike Ciccolella STEEL SOCCER Adam Corlett STEEL SOCCER David Deconto STEEL SOCCER Alex Devey STEEL SOCCER Nick DiGirolomo STEEL BASEBALL Martin Doherty STEEL SOCCER Steve Gerasimovich STEEL BASEBALL Mark Gillot STEEL SOCCER Tom Hamilton STEEL BASEBALL Steve Hassan STEEL BASEBALL Dave Henderson STEEL SOCCER Steve Horner STEEL BASEBALL Charlie Lewis STEEL SOCCER Hermes Lima STEEL SOCCER Joe Mattero STEEL BASEBALL Craig McGinn STEEL SOCCER Sean McMurray STEEL BASEBALL Kevin Nash STEEL SOCCER Gary Nolan STEEL SOCCER Keith Osik STEEL BASEBALL Heather O’Rourke STEEL SOCCER Tom Petersen STEEL SOCCER David Pitman STEEL BASEBALL John Pompeo STEEL SOCCER Dominic Rice STEEL SOCCER Scott Robertson STEEL SOCCER Brad Sellar STEEL SOCCER Stuart Sharples STEEL SOCCER Melissa Sherwood STEEL SOCCER Cameron Sorgie STEEL BASEBALL Rob Speed STEEL SOCCER Ray Stafford STEEL SOCCER John Steele STEEL SOCCER Ben Stuart STEEL SOCCER George Taylor STEEL SOCCER Heath Terry STEEL BASEBALL Adam Tourle STEEL SOCCER Chad Triplett STEEL SOCCER Sal Trovato STEEL BASEBALL Pier Vega STEEL SOCCER John Webber STEEL SOCCER Mike Welsh STEEL SOCCER Luke Williams STEEL SOCCER Anthony Zitaglio STEEL BASEBALL steelsports.com 15
STEEL UNITED NATIONAL CAMP
ONE
BIG FAMILY
Steel Soccer launches Steel United National Camp as 48 of the club’s top players joined together for competition, education and lifelong friendships
C
reating new opportunities for players to experience a higher level of competition and education, Steel Soccer hosted the inaugural Steel United / FCUSA National Camp on August 1-4 at Drew University in New Jersey with the help of Soccer.com and PUMA. Forty-eight players (24 boys and girls) in the 2005 birth year age group from FCUSA and Steel United teams from across the country were identified and selected to attend by each region’s Technical Director along with Steel Sports Director of Coaching Steve Jones. Players from Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, California and Massachusetts came together for this unique opportunity and experience to train and learn in an intense and fun atmosphere. Steel Soccer’s National Director of Operations Martin Brown
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was instrumental in launching this event, and he loved seeing an environment where different players from all over the country could come together, develop their skills and form new friendships. “It was great for us to see the players interact and feel a part of one club and be united,” Brown said. “To see these players become ambassadors for our club and highlight our core values in an intensive training environment was something very special and led to a very successful experience for the players and families.” On day one, players arrived to find a kit box filled with swag, including PUMA cleats and Steel United gear. Other camp highlights were a player photoshoot, training sessions under the lights with coaches from across the country, a live streamed intrasquad game, and each training session included data analysis featuring GPS
monitoring. There were also video sessions, a college development discussion, player profile classroom talk, and even a trip to a local ice cream shop. FCUSA Pennsylvania’s Lily Fusco said the National Camp experience was truly incredible, and it was
Martin Brown – Steel Soccer’s National Director of Operations
“It was great for us to see the players interact and feel a part of one club and be united,” Brown said. “To see these players become ambassadors for our club and highlight our core values in an intensive training environment was something very special and led to a very successful experience for the players and families.”
exciting to compete at such a high level with every player bringing something unique to the table. “Being one of 24 girls selected from elite players across the entire country was an absolute dream come true,” Fusco said. “The entire week we competed at the highest level I am sure any of us have played before. The coaches had classroom sessions, field sessions and so much more prepared specifically for us. Competing with elite players from all over the country, who share the same core values and goals was amazing, and unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of.” Another unique aspect of the camp was the friendships formed between the players that have lasted beyond the week in New Jersey. Fusco said she left camp with 47 new friends. “One of the amazing things about Steel United is that no matter what part of the country we play in, we are ALL teammates,” Fusco said. “… With each training session, I got
to know new players and soon we were all one big family. If you didn’t know better, you’d think we were all lifelong teammates, not players who had just met for the first time.” To continue the program further, 18 of the 24 male and female players have been selected to participate in a tournament in Las Vegas in February. “I’m excited to see the players that have been selected to participate in a tournament in February as a Steel United National team, and I know they will represent our club’s values and mission to highest level,” Brown said. “I look forward to the future of our National program as we expand the program to additional age groups in 2020.”
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TEAM STEEL COACHES
EXCEL DURING COLLEGE SEASON SEVERAL TEAM STEEL COACHES AS WELL AS STEEL SPORTS ACADEMY’S LEAD INSTRUCTOR FRANK CATALANOTTO HAD VERY REWARDING 2019 COLLEGIATE SEASONS WITH POSTSEASON APPEARANCES. In just his first year on the job, former Major Leaguer Catalanotto led the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) Bears to Regional and Super Regional titles and a spot in the Division II College World Series. The
Farmingdale State Coaches
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Frank Catalanotto
Bears won only 13 games in 2018 and easily surpassed that mark with a 3716 record in 2019. Despite dropping their only two games in the World Series, it was a remarkable turnaround that has the
program headed in the right direction. Catalanotto’s positive coaching approach, a philosophy shared by all Steel coaches, had a major impact on the team’s mentality and success. Keith Osik, a former Major League catcher and Steel Baseball Coach Developer, led his Farmingdale State Rams to the Skyline Conference championship as well as a spot in the NCAA Division II Regionals. The Rams went 32-9 in 2019, and Osik’s coaching staff included fellow Team Steel coach Anthony Zitaglio. Nick Attardi, another Team Steel coach, was a starting outfielder for Osik and Farmingdale State. Team Steel coach Cameron Sorgie helped lead Adelphi University to a 34-9-1 record and a national ranking as the team’s pitching coach.
STEEL SOCCER HOSTS
GLOBAL 5’s
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Steel Soccer hosted the 4th annual Global 5’s National Championship on July 27 with 52 teams competing to take home the 5-a-side title in their respective division. New Jersey’s Frank Sinatra Park, with its extraordinary views of the New York City skyline, played host once again to the Global 5’s. The 52 teams in this year’s edition played 78 total games and scored 442 goals in this fast-paced version of soccer. Partners PUMA, SKLZ and the City of Hoboken made tremendous contributions in helping make this national event possible. “Global 5’s is the perfect blend of venue, action and competition when it comes to a national championship event,” Steel Soccer Executive Director Craig McGinn said. “Players and coaches love the 5v5 format as there is constant excitement and creativity, and playing with the New York City skyline in the background is a oneof-a-kind experience. We witnessed some amazing play, and the place was alive from the first whistle in the morning to the last trophy raised that evening.” The New Jersey Fire program stood out during the event, winning three Global 5’s championships in the U12, U13 and U14 Girls divisions. Steel Sports’ FCUSA Massachusetts 2004 won the U15 Boys division, going 3-0 on the day with 16 goals scored and just four against.
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GLOBAL 5’s NATIONAL CHAMPIONS GIRLS U10 – FC Check Swipe (CT) U12 – NJ Fire (NJ) U13 – NJ Fire Black (NJ) U14 – NJ Fire (NJ) BOYS U9 – Cedar Stars Academy (NY) U10 – ACC (CT) U11 – ACC (CT) U12 – Metro Stars (NY) U13 – Hawks Football Zamora (CT) U14 – Matrix Mutiny (MD) U15 – FCUSA Massachusetts 2004 (MA)
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GIVING ALL KIDS A CHANCE TO PLAY
STEEL SPORTS FOUNDATION LAUNCHED TO FINANCIALLY ASSIST YOUNG ATHLETES Youth sports participation rates are declining, and a contributing factor is rising costs to play organized, competitive sports. In an effort to help give all kids a chance to play sports, the Steel Sports Foundation recently launched as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission of the Steel Sports Foundation is to provide all youth the opportunity to develop as athletes and as people through sports related education and competition, regardless of income level. Through
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generous donations and partnerships, the Foundation provides needs-based assistance for young athletes to help promote life skills through sport and help foster a growth mindset where players gain the grit and resiliency needed to achieve their goals. Through its partners, the Steel Sports Foundation provides over $100,000 annually in financial aid to support youth participation in sports. Sports are an incredible vehicle to gain valuable character traits, spend time with friends and enjoy
a healthy lifestyle. The Steel Sports Foundation’s financial aid helps kids stay on the field as the costs to play continue to rise. The financial aid programs are only possible through generous donations, and current donations can have twice the impact as there is currently a challenge grant matching all donation dollar for dollar, up to $100,000 total. To learn more and donate go to SteelSportsFoundation.org.