By: Community Magazine | February 20, 2022 | Local | Colts Neck
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FEATURED PHOTO: Coach Hansen O’Connor, Coach Jack D’Eletto, Player Jack Schatzle, Coach Jimmy Schatzle, Player Colin Pinguelo, Coach Christian Pinguelo, Coach Joseph Bartolomeo, Player Anthony Bartolomeo, Coach Jake Adams, Player Ryan Adams, Coach Aidan Donahue
“Big brothers, big sisters” programs have long been a way for older children or teens to help younger children, and the Colts Neck Sports Foundation’s recreation basketball teams have taken the idea literally. Four pairs of brothers have the older sibling volunteering to coach their younger brothers’ teams and loving every minute.
“I have had the chance to coach both of my sons, Jimmy & Jack, in basketball, soccer, and baseball. This season of basketball with the high school kids coaching the eighth-grade basketball boys has been terrific,” said Jim Schatzle. “The High School Coaches (many of them having their younger brothers on the team) have been calm, great instructors, and so positive toward the players. It has also been great to watch the coaches be competitive with each other and talk it up on the court. I have to say it’s been as fun watching the coaches as the game this year. I am so proud of all the coaches and commend them for taking the responsibility on of being excellent role models for their brothers, players, parents, and community.”
The four teams include: Jake Adams and Christian Pinguelo, who both attend Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft (CBA), coach for their brothers Colin Pinguelo and Ryan Adams; Jimmy Schatzle, CBA, co-coaches a team with Hansen Occonor, CBA, for his little brother Jack Schatzle; Joseph Bartolemeo, Colts Neck High School (CNHS), co-coaches with Jack D’eletto, CBA, for his brother Anthony Bartolemeo. Aidan Donahue, Red Bank Catholic High School, and Eric Lukenda (CNHS), also volunteer as coaches for a team. All the younger brothers are in eighth grade at Cedar Drive Middle School.
“I love getting to see my brother improve as the season goes on. It also makes my job a lot easier because my brother already knows everything about my teammates, both as players and friends,” said Jimmy Schatzle. “The thing I love the most about coaching the team is getting to see how similar the kids are to my friends and I. I see them before and after the games and sometimes I’m in shock watching these kids have the same conversations that me and my friends had when we were their age.”
Colts Neck Sports Foundation, an entirely volunteer-run organization, operates recreation and travel programs for 10+ girls and boys sports annually. Programs are open to youth in town and will support players from surrounding towns when possible. For information on sports and registration, visit coltsnecksportsfoundation.com. If you are interested in getting involved, please reach out to cnsfboard@gmail.com.
