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SOMERS, N.Y. Vin and Nick Savastano have devoted their coaching lives to developing lacrosse players and programs in the Westchester communities and are currently leading their Westchester Warriors Summer Lacrosse Club as well as coaching boys lacrosse at Kennedy Catholic High School.
The Savastano brothers, who previously coached the four-time Section 1 champion and John Jay High School team to its first state title game, have 35 years of coaching experience between them, an asset that helped turn the Kennedy Gaels program into a 10-7 winner last season.
Vin Savastano, who has coached lacrosse at Hendrick Hudson, Greenwich, Conn., John Jay and Brewster high schools over two decades, is a physical education teacher in the Brewster school district. Nick teaches physical education at the John Jay Middle School and was the head coach at John Jay High School where the brothers coached together through 2008.
First and most importantly (we will build a program) by creating a winning culture by turning around attitudes and talking about past experiences to get the kids excited about possibly doing something special (like winning a championship or by doing something that no team at your school has done, Savastano said.
And the coaching brothers stress details and fundamentals.
We concentrate on what we call, details', Vin Savastano said. All the little things; from dressing exactly the same during every practice, working fundamentals over and over until they are protected to the best of their ability, going all-out in every practice, playing tough, not having kids sit out of practice, and discipline and respect. We have a 'package' we implement and it is based on Princeton, John Hopkins and Syracuse and their great coaches -- proven stuff that works.
As for the Westchester Warriors, the Savastanos have developed 13 All-Americans and helped countless players reach the college level in the concentrated summer program
During the summer we do fun unique drills and create and build self-esteem, Vin Savastano said. We get kids connected with college coaches, which we have major connections too. This summer program is like playing a full season. They will gain some major knowledge and game experience that will be very beneficial for them. The relationships that they make will last a lifetime.
Westchester Warriors registration is currently open for 15- and-Under and 17-and-Under summer teams that plays a June 12 to July 15 schedule. Those interested may log on at www.westchesterwarriors.org for information or to register.
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