The ballots poured in and the readers have selected their favorites in 40 categories ranging from wings to cannolis and from happy hour to tradition. The votes have been tallied, so here are the best of South Philly in 2011:
Bok Tech football coach Tom DeFelice, who will retire at the end of the school year, was voted as best coach.
Tom DeFelice opposes those who feel talent is selective.
Everybody has a little stardom inside. Coaches and teachers are the ones who make it blossom,” he said when learning of his victory as top high school coach.
No stranger to plaudits, the long-tenured figure at Edward Bok Technical High School, 1901 S. Ninth St., adds another achievement to his 42-year career at the Passyunk Square school.
DeFelice claims his second honor in three weeks. On March 4, the Glen Mills resident received the Maxwell Club’s Robert T. Clark Award for his contributions to high school football. He headed the Wildcats’ varsity team for 18 seasons and amassed 129 wins. A successful turn as a baseball coach and time as a health and physical education instructor further prove his love for educating.
“A good coach must first be a good teacher, DeFelice, who will retire in June, said of communicating with his players.
He learned how to be both by gorging on instruction from his own mentors.
“I am respectful of my lineage because I know there is no harder job than being an educator,” he said.
Departing from Bok will not end his time as an inspiring voice. He wishes to start a community outreach program for inner-city children. If he follows through, others surely will sample his spunk.
“Being called ‘coach’ is invigorating,” he said. “Being called ‘top coach’ is even more so.”
Neumann-Goretti boys’ basketball coach Carl Arrigale boxed out in second place, while the Saints’ baseball coach Lou Spadaccini swung away in third.
South Philly has spoken and once again has voted Neumann-Goretti High School, 1736 S. 10th St., best high school team making the Saints South Philadelphia’s athletic juggernauts.
Of course fans of the school have to give love to the Saints after witnessing the program achieve athletic excellence season after season with the boy’s basketball team setting the bar for its fellow athletes.
The black and gold fields squads in football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, golf, soccer, lacrosse, bowling and softball although most of the schools recognition comes from the achievements on the hardwood and diamond.
Talent, grit and determination form the trinity of the teams’ keys to success. Earlier this month, the boys’ basketball squad captured its second straight Catholic League and City crowns and the boys’ baseball team will begin defense of its Catholic League and City titles next week.
This season the Saints’ basketball team made history by becoming the Catholic League champions for the third straight year.
“It‘s such a good thing that the school is recognized.” athletic director Pat DiPilla said. “It shows just how much commitment and work each and every one of our teams puts in every season. I know our school and all our teams take pride in seeing each other succeed and every one deserves this.”
Southern once again came in second while Bok took third-place.
The ballots poured in and the readers have selected their favorites in 40 categories ranging from wings to cannolis and from happy hour to tradition. The votes have been tallied, so here are the best of South Philly in 2011:
The ballots poured in and the readers have selected their favorites in 40 categories ranging from wings to cannolis and from happy hour to tradition. The votes have been tallied, so here are the best of South Philly in 2011:
The ballots poured in and the readers have selected their favorites in 40 categories ranging from wings to cannolis and from happy hour to tradition. The votes have been tallied, so here are the best of South Philly in 2011:
The ballots poured in and the readers have selected their favorites in 40 categories ranging from wings to cannolis and from happy hour to tradition. The votes have been tallied, so here are the best of South Philly in 2011:
The ballots poured in and the readers have selected their favorites in 40 categories ranging from wings to cannolis and from happy hour to tradition. The votes have been tallied, so here are the best of South Philly in 2011:
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