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Boys' Lax
Somers once again in search of new coach |
| By Isaac Cass |
John DeVito was influential in establishing the Somers’ lax program back in 1996.
But it wasn’t until this past spring that he grabbed the reigns by becoming head coach. DeVito took over the position after the school board axed former Head Coach Tim Schurr, who is now an assistant.
Schurr’s dismissal — which created a great deal of controversy throughout Section 1 — left the program in turmoil. DeVito, weary of this, stepped in to calm the waters.
However, from the beginning, he didn’t intend on making it a longtime gig and now he’s stepping down.
“It was the setup from a year ago, to be interim head coach,” DeVito said.
DeVito, a Yorktown High School graduate, has been involved with the lacrosse community for the past 40 years, which includes coaching on the youth level in Yorktown. Still, he said the experience of being a varsity coach was like none other.
Despite saying he “loved” the job, DeVito also admitted that it was very time consuming.
“One hour on the field equals an hour and a half off the field,” he said. “You have to do administrative stuff and organizational stuff.”
DeVito said that he wasn’t stepping away from the program entirely, and would still be involved in “some capacity.”
According to Somers’ athletic director Roman Catalino, the school did not have any possible replacements lined up. He said they were just starting to advertise and would begin rounding up candidates.
“In three to four weeks, we will have a better idea,” Catalino said.
DeVito said coaches that have been there (Somers) in the past have generally stayed with the program. Along with Schurr, Somers assistant Jim Donohue has also served as the head coach at Somers.
However, DeVito also said it was not up to him, but rather the school board. He added it was “very premature” to say whom the next coach could be.
Catalino said that the program – despite the revolving door at the head coaching position — is still “in good shape.”
Last season, as ayouthful squad in rebuilding mode, the Tuskers overachieved, compiling an 11-8 record en route to an appearance in the Class B semifinals. Somers only graduated two main components in defenseman Chris Coppolecchia and middie Chris DePaolis.
The key returnee is senior attackman Joe Marasco, who is orally committed to Syracuse University. He was named an All-American last season and was the leading scorer at this summer’s Empire State Games in Binghamton.
“Somers will be an exciting young team next year,” DeVito said. “Last year was not as much about wins and losses, but about keeping the program together.”
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