Joey Perruzzi(left) coaching on the Sidelines of Pruitt Field in the game against Ohio State
“I think the best thing I have to offer this team is my amount of experience” Joey Perruzzi, head coach of Ohio University’s Mens Club Lacrosse team told me as he cleared off an ottoman covered with papers, notebooks and pens. Just a few moments before, I was welcomed into Joey’s off-campus apartment, in which jerseys and sports memorabilia covered the walls. I took a seat in the family room where a 60 inch flat screen television practically filled the wall, more than ideal for tuning in to any ‘big game.’
Joey Perruzzi moved to Athens this fall to pursue a master’s degree in Coaching Education here at OU. He received his undergraduate degree in Sports Management from Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina, the spring prior. At Belmont, Joey played lacrosse for four years at the Division II level.
Making Moves
 |
| Joey commanding his troops against OSU |
“Moving from a college with 1,200 people to one with 25,000 was a big adjustment. BAC and OU are two different worlds,” Joey said. While he had to get used to his new environment, he found himself taking on more of a responsibility than just keeping up with grad school classes. After only one interview, Joey had been named the new head coach of the struggling team. According to many of the players, Joey was quickly accepted into the Bobcat family and was respected by all the players. Some find it hard to believe that these players warmed up almost immediately to a new coach; however, after talking to Joey for even a few minutes, I saw his charisma and confidence shine through like a high beam. The epitome of extrovert, he has that intangible attention-getting quality.
Perfect Fit
In recent years, the OU Club Lacrosse team has had its fair share of ups and downs. With no spare funds to pay a coach, they found a diamond in the rough when Joey reached out to them. He wanted to gain experience, build his resume and do what he loves while attending school. The team needed someone with a higher level of experience. He was a perfect fit. |
| Joey hugging a teammate after beating Hilliard Darby |
Perruzzi had eight years experience of lacrosse. He was the co-captain of his high school varsity team and made All OCC. When Joey was a college freshman in 2008, he and his team at Belmont Abbey were Conference Carolina Champs, beating the 3rd best team in the nation. When he had any free moments, he coached at youth summer camps and coordinated tournaments. Last summer he spent a month in Maryland, coaching at the Navy Lacrosse Camp.
In the time since Joey has taken on the role of Head Coach, the team has been undefeated. He admits he is not a passive coach,“I am extremely leadership-oriented,” he said. This value of leadership not only comes from lacrosse, as I found out later. Joey also played baseball for nine years, hockey for ten and football for four. Talk about athlete!
From Making Goals to Setting News Ones
For a 22-year-old, this lacrosse guru has made leaps and bounds in his field of work and study. So my biggest inquiry was, what’s next?
“I would love to coach in Florida, that is the goal,“ he told me with a day-dreamy gaze.
With vastly growing programs accompanied by a sunny palm tree setting, it would be no shock to us if Joey ends up in Florida sometime soon. In ten years he says he hopes to be a head coach for a Division II Program and on his way up the latter to even better opportunities.
So as I was ready to depart from Joey’s sports-splashed apartment, I turned to him with one last question.
“If you could have one super power, what would it be?”
Joey started to smirk. Then, with a twinkle in his eye he replied, “It would have to be…to fly”
TRIVIA
Favorite Color: | Red |
He drives a… | 2012 Black Volkswagen Jetta |
Favorite NFL Team: | The Cleveland Browns |
Broken Bones? | Both wrists and fingers multiple times |
Your IPod is full of… | Jay-Z and J Cole |
Favorite TV Show: | Entourage and Boardwalk Empire |
Two most favorite athletes: | Joe Haden and Booby Gibson |
The Bahamas or the West Coast |
By Megan Tyler
No comments:
Post a Comment