Coach of the Year
By Robert Civitano
Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author exclusively.
By Robert Civitano
Editor's note: The opinions expressed herein are those of the author exclusively.
The Executive Director of Pop Warner football submitted the following letter to Autism Speaks that he received from the proud parent of a son with Asperger's Syndrome. The parent, Robert Civitano, sent the letter to the organization to request recognition of Coach Eugene Napoleon, who patiently coached his son, and made playing football a memorable experience for not only Justin, but all of the boys on the team.
Dear Mr. Mutz:
As the end of the regular season comes to an end, I feel now is the most appropriate time to let you know about the special season my son had, and the coaches responsible for it.
My son Justin was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (a form of autism), Pervasive Development Disorder and Tourette's. Needless to say, life is very difficult for him, as it is also for us. These are not afflictions, which heal like a broken bone, but are a life-long struggle with the simplest of tasks.
Earlier in the year, my son told me and my wife that he wanted to play football. My immediate response was no, based on his handicap. Who wants to set up a disabled child for failure, was my reasoning. After discussing this with my wife, we decided to give it a try with the assumption it would be like other attempts at organized sports, which did not turn out to be a very good experience for him.
On the 4th of July weekend, I met his soon-to-be coach, Eugene Napoleon, at a fireworks show in town. He expressed concerns about Justin being able to handle the mental and physical demands that would be placed on him. We decided that we would give him the chance to try, and if the coach didn't think it was working out, I would remove him from the program.
After about three weeks into practice, I stopped Coach Eugene and asked him how everything was going. His response was an extended hand to shake, a smile, and the statement, “I want to thank you, Mr. Civitano, for giving me the opportunity to coach Justin. He has far exceeded my expectations and is going to be fine; we will work with him. I am here to teach football, but more importantly, I am here to teach life skills: to teach respect for yourself, respect for your teammates, respect for your coaches and respect for the game.”
What more can be said of the character of a man than the humility he presents.
There have been a few problems, but nothing that Coach Eugene and his staff were not able to handle. As the season progressed I watched at practice, how the coaching staff took the extra time to help Justin, the patience and compassion they showed, and the praise they gave him.
It was amazing to watch him, a disabled child, play, make open field tackles, and even get to the quarterback a few times.
I would like to thank Coach Eugene and his staff: Coaches Butch, Bone, and Perk for making a difference in the life of a child with autism, for giving him the confidence he so needs, the compassion he deserves, and for making him feel like an equal with the other members of the team - for just giving him a chance.
I don't know if there is a “Coach of the Year” program within the Pop Warner organization, but if there is, I would like to nominate Coach Eugene and his staff. They set the standard for what the Pop Warner Coach should be, by the virtues they help to instill in the youth of our town, and for leading by example. For anyone else to receive this award would be a travesty.
Again, I give my sincerest and deepest thanks to Coach Eugene Napoleon and his staff and to the Rahway Pop Warner Program.
Sincerely,
Robert D. Civitano
As the end of the regular season comes to an end, I feel now is the most appropriate time to let you know about the special season my son had, and the coaches responsible for it.
My son Justin was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (a form of autism), Pervasive Development Disorder and Tourette's. Needless to say, life is very difficult for him, as it is also for us. These are not afflictions, which heal like a broken bone, but are a life-long struggle with the simplest of tasks.
Earlier in the year, my son told me and my wife that he wanted to play football. My immediate response was no, based on his handicap. Who wants to set up a disabled child for failure, was my reasoning. After discussing this with my wife, we decided to give it a try with the assumption it would be like other attempts at organized sports, which did not turn out to be a very good experience for him.
On the 4th of July weekend, I met his soon-to-be coach, Eugene Napoleon, at a fireworks show in town. He expressed concerns about Justin being able to handle the mental and physical demands that would be placed on him. We decided that we would give him the chance to try, and if the coach didn't think it was working out, I would remove him from the program.
After about three weeks into practice, I stopped Coach Eugene and asked him how everything was going. His response was an extended hand to shake, a smile, and the statement, “I want to thank you, Mr. Civitano, for giving me the opportunity to coach Justin. He has far exceeded my expectations and is going to be fine; we will work with him. I am here to teach football, but more importantly, I am here to teach life skills: to teach respect for yourself, respect for your teammates, respect for your coaches and respect for the game.”
What more can be said of the character of a man than the humility he presents.
There have been a few problems, but nothing that Coach Eugene and his staff were not able to handle. As the season progressed I watched at practice, how the coaching staff took the extra time to help Justin, the patience and compassion they showed, and the praise they gave him.
It was amazing to watch him, a disabled child, play, make open field tackles, and even get to the quarterback a few times.
I would like to thank Coach Eugene and his staff: Coaches Butch, Bone, and Perk for making a difference in the life of a child with autism, for giving him the confidence he so needs, the compassion he deserves, and for making him feel like an equal with the other members of the team - for just giving him a chance.
I don't know if there is a “Coach of the Year” program within the Pop Warner organization, but if there is, I would like to nominate Coach Eugene and his staff. They set the standard for what the Pop Warner Coach should be, by the virtues they help to instill in the youth of our town, and for leading by example. For anyone else to receive this award would be a travesty.
Again, I give my sincerest and deepest thanks to Coach Eugene Napoleon and his staff and to the Rahway Pop Warner Program.
Sincerely,
Robert D. Civitano
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