October 12, 2012
BOYS RECREATIONAL COACH
ENYYSA honors Staten Island's Passantino

Our Lady Star of the Sea Bears coach Michael Passantino has been selected as the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association boys recreation coach of the year.

Passantino has been coaching this Staten Island Youth Soccer League team the past five years.

He has coached the Bears from the SIYSL Division 4 up to their current place in Boys Under-9, Division 2.

Three of the players' mothers from the team nominated Passantino, including Teresa Marino, who wrote, “He teaches the boys that winning is not everything but to give their best shot and work as a team. The team has stayed together and the families have become one big happy family thanks to Mike and his great way if coaching and the comfort and happiness of the kids who play for him. He never yells or shows favoritism. He is fair and gives each child an equal opportunity for positions and time on the field.

“I could not imagine anybody but Mike coaching my son in a sport that he loves to play and Mike has made that possible with his own love of soccer.”

Passantino is being considered for Region 1 honors.