Val Azzoli - Boys' Tennis
ValAzzoli@aol.com
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Boys' Varsity Tennis (Head Coach), Girls' Varsity Tennis (Assistant Coach), Boys' Varsity Ice Hockey (Assistant Coach)
Years at MKA: 4
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:Seneca College, Canada - Business Administration
Other Athletic Accomplishments: Member of the Professional Tennis Registry, 2007 Star Ledger Essex County Boy’s Tennis Coach of the Year, 2007 Colonial Hills Conference Boy’s Tennis Coach of the Year.
Coach's Statement: PERSPECTIVE, PERSPECTIVE, PERSPECTIVE!!! Ninety-six percent of high school athletes will not play a team sport in college. Most of them will never play a team sport again, so let's make it an enjoyable learning experience. Winning comes in many shapes and forms.
Jefferey Beer - Golf
jbeer@montclairkimberley.org
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Varsity Golf (Head Coach)
Years at MKA: 4
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:Trinity College - BA Classics
Prior Coaching Experience: Varsity Squash -- Poly Prep School 1994-2002
Varsity Golf -- Poly Prep School 2002
Other Athletic Accomplishments:Varsity Golf, Captain: Phillips Exeter Academy, 1981
Intercollegiate Squash and Rowing, Trinity College, 1982-1986
Coach's Statement: I don't dwell on the technical aspects of the game because most of our players have received instruction on their own. Instead I try to emphasize the thinking aspects of the game, those aspects that will allow a player to score their best even if they are not playing their best. As Tiger Woods has famously put it: Grind it out!
Nate Burroughs - Wrestling
nburroughs@montclairkimberley.orgCoaching position(s) at MKA: Varsity Wrestling (Co-Head Coach) Head Coach; Middle School Football (Head Coach)
Years at MKA: 4
College(s) or University(s) Attended&Degree:Brown University - BA - English
Middlebury College - MA - English
P
rior Coaching Experience: MKA Assistant Varsity Football Coach, ’04 – ’06
Blair Academy Assistant Varsity Football Coach, ’99 – ’03
Blair Academy Assistant Varsity Wrestling Coach ’99 – ’04
Davis High (Davis, CA) Head Varsity Wrestling Coach ’96-’97
Other Athletic Accomplishments:Captain, Brown University Wrestling Team ’97-’98, ’98-’99
First Team, All Ivy League (Wrestling) ’97-’98, ’98-’99
Academic All Ivy League (Wrestling) ’98-’99
NCAA Qualifier (Wrestling) 1999
Coach's Statement: Desire, dedication, and determination – these three intangibles can take you further than anyone, aside from you, could ever imagine. Setting goals for yourself, believing in them, and putting in the work to achieve them are the keys to success.
Paul Edwards - Boys' Lacrosse
pedwards08@mac.com
Coaching position(s) at MKA:Boy’s Varsity Lacrosse (Head Coach)
Years at MKA: 6 as coach, 15 as a parent, 4 as a Trustee
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:The Johns Hopkins University - BA
Loyola College of Maryland - MBA
Prior Coaching Experience: Youth Lacrosse Montclair and West Essex
Other Athletic Accomplishments: Montclair High School 1970 Co-Captain and First Team All State
Member 1974 NCAA National Championship team at Johns Hopkins
Elected to the New Jersey Lacrosse Hall of Fame 2002
Selected Rizk Division Coach of the Year 2007
Coach's Statement: Lacrosse at MKA is not just about wins and losses. We strive to provide each player with the opportunity to improve their individual skills, and have the experience of bonding with a group of teammates who are all pursuing a common goal. I believe that the team experience and the memories and friendships that come from it, can last a lifetime.
Huey Ferguson - Boys' Soccer
hferguson@tsfacademy.com
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Boy’s Varsity Soccer (Head Coach)
Years at MKA: 3
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:St. Johns University - BS Marketing
Prior Coaching Experience:TSF (The Sports Factory) Academy Manager
Other Athletic Accomplishments:Two-time All American, St. Johns University
All-time Leading Goal Scorer at St. Johns University
Coach's Statement: I want the kids to play good soccer, while enjoying themselves. The goal is to continually develop good student/athletes and to grow the program.
Tom Fleming - Cross Country, Track and Field
tfleming@montclairkimberley.org
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Cross Country (Head Coach), Boys & Girls Cross Country Boys & Girls Indoor Track and Field (Head Coach), Boys & Girls Outdoor Track and Field (Head Coach)
Years at MKA: 8
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:William Paterson University - BA ElemEd and Special Education
William Paterson University - MA Special Education
Prior Coaching Experience: National Distance Coach USATF '91 –‘97
Coach Nike Running Room – 3-time Women’s National X-C Champions ’90, ’91, ‘92
Other Athletic Accomplishments:2-time NYC Marathon Champion ’73, ‘75
Los Angeles Marathon Pro-Am Champion ‘81
2-time runner-up Boston Marathon ’73, ‘74
5-time American record holder
4-time NCAA College All-American
Coach's Statement: Developing a young student-athlete's full potential takes time for physical, mental and emotional maturity. The athlete must understand the coach's training paradigm and philosophy for athletic achievement. The athlete must have trust in their coach in order to get them to reach their athletic goals. Every student-athlete develops at his/her own rate … patience is a virtue!
David C. Flocco - Boys' & Girls' Swimming
dflocco@montclairkimberley.org
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Head Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Swimming
Years at MKA: 13
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:Boston University - BA, MAT
Columbia University - Ed.M.
Seton Hall University - Ed.D.
Prior Coaching Experience:7 Years at MKA – 1995-2002
3 years at Harvard – 1992-1995 (Men’s Assistant Coach)
1 year at Boston University (Graduate Assistant)
Other Athletic Accomplishments:2000 New Jersey (Star Ledger) Girls Swimming Coach of the Year;
3-time Essex County Coach of the Year
Boston University Men’s Swimming Captain, 1990
Coach's Statement:I believe in process before result. Athletics is not, in my opinion, about the time you achieve or the number of points you score. It’s about the learning, the growing, and the improvement that comes through hard work and dedication to your self and your team.
Michael Good - Ice Hockey
mdg66@patmedia.net
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Varsity Ice Hockey (Head Coach)
Years at MKA: 3
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:Fairfield University - BS Marketing
William Paterson University - BA History
College of Saint Elizabeth - Currently pursuing an MA in Education
Prior Coaching Experience: New Jersey Devils Youth Hockey Coach, Assistant Varsity Coach Bernards, Head Varsity Bergen Catholic, National Development Team Program Team Leader and Coach, Atlantic District Coach
Other Athletic Accomplishments: 2007 White Division Champions
2007 Star Ledger Coach of the Year Essex County
Coach's Statement: As a high school coach I strive to instill a strong work ethic, challenge my team with new tasks and support each and every player to the best of their ability. I stress the importance to play as a team not as a bunch of individuals. And ultimately I want my team to be on the ice because they want to be there. The balance of intensity and fun is vital to a team’s success.
Injoo Han - Field Hockey
ihan@montclairkimberley.org
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Varsity Field Hockey (Head Coach)
Years at MKA: 2
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:Colby College - Bachelor of Arts in Government & Art
Prior Coaching Experience:Summer 2001, 2002, 2003 – Coached at top rated Nike Field Hockey camps in New Jersey and Massachusetts for 9-12 grades.
Summer 2000, 2001, 2003 – Montclair Parks and Recreation Field Hockey camp coach.
Summer 2001, 2002 – Garden State Games Field Hockey Selector.
January 2004 - New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Coaching Symposium.
Spring 2007 – MKA Junior Varsity Girls’ Lacrosse Coach.
Other Athletic Accomplishments:Colby College – Four year starter and senior captain for Division III program in NESCAC.
Montclair High School – NJ Group IV All-State selection, First Team All-County, First Team All-Northeast Jersey Field Hockey League, First Team All-Essex County Coaches Association.
Coaches Statement: Every season is a million steps taken in a single direction, by a single team, one small step at a time. The goal of the MKA field hockey program is to foster players who are able to set high standards for themselves and are willing to work hard to strive above it.
Tony Jones - Boys' Basketball
tjones@montclairkimberley.org
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Boys' Varsity Basketball (Head Coach)
Years at MKA: 7
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:Franklin Pierce College - BS Biology
Prior Coaching Experience:Assistant Coach- Essex Catholic High School 1993-2000; Clifford Scott High School 1987-1990
Other Athletic Accomplishments:1980-82 – NJ State Champions – Clifford Scott High School
1000 point scorer – Franklin Pierce College
2-time All conference player in college
Coach's Statement: Coaching is about nurturing excellence both on and off the court.
Anthony P. Lambert - Girls' Basketball
TLambert@montclairkimberley.org
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Girls' Varsity Basketball (Head Coach)
Years at MKA: 5
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:
Davidson College - B.A.
Middlebury College - M.A.
Prior Coaching Experience: Blair Academy (8 years): Defensive Coordinator in Football; Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball Head Coach; Varsity Girls Softball Head Coach.
The Taft School: JV Basketball and Assistant Football Coach.
Other Athletic Accomplishments:Played 4 years of Varsity Football at Davidson College
Coach's Statement: My goal in athletics is to combine healthy, physical development with the valuable life lessons of sportsmanship and working as a team. I am interested in student-athletes who have a desire to learn in the classroom and succeed on the field and court.
Beth Larkin - Girls' Lacrosse
Coaching position(s) at MKA:
Girl’s Varsity Lacrosse
Years at MKA: 7
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:
Loyola College - B.S. Industrial Design/Graphic Design
Philadelphia College of Arts
Prior Coaching Experience:
Program Director/Founder – Montclair Girls’ Youth Lacrosse Team
Other Athletic Accomplishments:
Stripes Division Coach of the Year 2005
2005 Stripes Division Champions
2007 Stripes Division Co-Champions
Coaches Statement:
As a coach, I believe in the benefits of hard work and dedication, both on a personal and team level. The lessons we learn together on the lacrosse field, many times can transfer over to our daily lives. I believe in working together for a common goal and building each other up in the process. Most importantly, having fun is paramount to our successes – if we aren’t enjoying ourselves out there then we aren’t really accomplishing anything.
John Odell - Softball
jodell@montclairkimberley.org
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Girl’s Varsity Softball (Head Coach); Girl’s Varsity Volleyball (Assistant Coach); Girl’s Varsity Basketball (Assistant Coach)
Years at MKA: 6
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:Syracuse University - BA in Communications
Montclair State University - Master in Elementary Education
Prior Coaching Experience: Softball, Basketball and Volleyball Staff at Mt. St. Dominic (2 years)
Varsity Girl’s Tennis Coach Montville High School (2 years)
Boy’s Basketball Staff Verona High School (3 years)
Boy’s Varsity Tennis Coach Passaic Valley High (2 years)
Other Athletic Accomplishments:All-State Group 1 Boy’s Tennis for Verona High School (1991)
Coach's Statement: My coaching philosophy is to teach the game in a fun but productive manner so that my athletes improve their skills both mentally and physically. I aim to create an atmosphere of family and togetherness to build team chemistry.
Ralph Pacifico - Baseball
rpacifico@montclairkimberley.org
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Boy’s Varsity Baseball (Head Coach)
Years at MKA: 18
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:University of New Haven - BA Education
Seton Hall University
Montclair State University
Prior Coaching Experience: West Orange HS assist Football 1987-88
Irvington HS assist football coach 89-91
MKA Head Football coach 92-99
Montclair State University Assist coach 2000-present
Other Athletic Accomplishments:1985 Philadelphia Eagles (Training Camp)
1985 Baltimore Stars (USFL)
1986 Toronto Argonauts
HOF Immaculate Conception HS
Essex County Baseball Coach of the Year (1997)
Colonial Hills Conference Coach of the Year (2002)
Coach's Statement: The baseball program at MKA provides student-athletes with a firm knowledge of the game through excellent coaching and instruction. The main goals of the program are to place our student-athletes in a position to succeed by stressing hard work, fundamentals, dedication, and respect for the game. Baseball at MKA provides this by scheduling top-flight teams in both the state and county. We pride ourselves on being prepared and willing to take on any challenge provided.
Lance Ramer - Football
Coaching position(s) at MKA:
Head Football Coach
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Middle School Basketball Coach (2005-2007)
Years at MKA: 4
College(s) or University(s) Attended: University of Rochester BA – Mathematics & Psychology
New England College MSEL – Master of Science in
Educational Leadership
Prior Coaching Experience:
2001 – Coached at Alma Mater (University of Rochester) – Linebackers
2002 – 2004 (Blair Academy) – Asst. Varsity Football Coach
Head JV Football Coach
Asst. Varsity Baseball Coach
Head JV Baseball Coach
Other Athletic Accomplishments:
Professional Football Player – NJ Revolution (present) and Rochester Brigade
Led Team to Conference (UCAA) Championship in 2000
NCAA Division III All-American (1st-2nd-3rd Team)
Single-Season Records in 2000: 156 Tackles, 19 Sacks, and 26 Tackles for Loss
School Record: 35 Sacks and 42 Tackles for Loss
Top Ten in the Country in Tackles – Sacks – Tackles for Loss in 2000
Named All ECAC First Team
Named All UAA - 3 Times
Named All UCAA - 3 Times
Coaches Statement:
My coaching philosophy is simple. I want my team (family) to be comprised of players who play hard, play smart, play together, are coach-able and have fun. I believe in the “we” approach and our football program will be based on the motto below.
One Team – One Heartbeat – One Goal – One Day at a Time
We are MKA Football!
Todd Smith - Girls' Soccer
tsmith@montclairkimberley.org
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Girl’s Varsity Soccer (Head Coach)
Years at MKA: 8
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:Lafayette College - BA Government Law
Lehigh University - M Ed Educational Leadership
University of London
Prior Coaching Experience:Head Girl’s Varsity Tennis Coach, Blair Academy (1994-1998)
Assistant Men’s Varsity Tennis Coach, Lehigh University (1999-2000)
Head Boy’s Varsity Tennis Coach, MKA (2000-2001)
Assistant Boy’s Varsity Soccer Coach, MKA (2000)
Other Athletic Accomplishments:Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy, Co-founder and Director of Academy Development
Member of the NSCAA (National Soccer Coaches Association of America)
Colonial Hills Conference Coach of the Year (2003 – Girl’s Soccer; 2002 – Boy’s Tennis)
Lafayette College Varsity Tennis - Captain, MVP, Scholar Athlete Award winner
Coach's Statement: My goal for MKA Girls’ Soccer is simple: to create a program that will help players solidify their athletic and personal foundation, which they will build upon for the rest of their lives. The team has a wonderful group of athletes who are committed to working hard, playing hard, and most importantly, having fun. Soccer is alive and well at MKA and we have a vision and commitment to develop and build one of the strongest prep soccer programs in the state.
Mike Tully - Girls' Volleyball
edgetully@optonline.net
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Girl’s Volleyball (Head Coach), Middle School Softball (Assistant Coach)
Years at MKA: 3
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:Holy Cross College - English
Prior Coaching Experience: Lacordaire Academy 1991-2004; College of St. Elizabeth
Other Athletic Accomplishments: National Baseball Writer, United Press International
Coach's Statement: Have fun…work hard…get better!
Kerry Verrone - Fencing
kverrone@montclairkimberley.org
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Boy’s and Girl’s Varsity Fencing (Head Coach) & Varsity Cross Country (Assistant Coach)
Years at MKA: 4 years
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:Brown University - A.B. Egyptology & Ancient Studies
Yale University - M.A. Near Eastern Languages & Civilizations (Egyptology)
Prior Coaching Experience: N/A
Other Athletic Accomplishments:Foil Captain - Brown University Fencing Team (1999-2000)
3rd Place – New England Fencing Championships (2000)
NJ Prep-State Champions – Oak Knoll School (1998)
Coach's Statement:I believe that the first goal for any fencing coach should be encouraging as many kids as possible to become familiar with this unique sport. My primary focus is footwork, and much practice time is spent drilling the technical aspects of movement, while considering their tactical implications. Overall, I stress to each fencer the importance of his/her individual contribution for the success of the entire team
Bill Wing - Girls' Varsity Tennis Coach
bwtta@aol.com
Coaching position(s) at MKA: Girls' Varsity Tennis Coach
Years at MKA: 12
College(s) or University(s) Attended & Degree:Suffolk University - BS Psychology
Prior Coaching Experience:Newton North HS Boys Tennis Coach
Passiac Valley HS Boys Tennis Coach
Drew University Mens Tennis Coach
Seton Hall University Mens Tennis Coach
Other Athletic Accomplishments:2004 New Jersey (Star Ledger) Girls Tennis Coach of the Year
2-time Essex County Coach of the Year
Coach's Statement:The philosophy of the girls varsity tennis program is to compete at the highest level of competition while maintaining sportsmanship and teamwork in an enjoyable environment.
