photos by Christopher Rolinson
sp o rt s
Mike Bertenthal (gray sweatshirt) was one of seven high school students who volunteered their time to coach
Lebo Cup soccer this year. Bertenthal, a senior, shown here with his seventh- and eighth-grade charges, got
his own start in Lebo Cup and also played on the varsity team.

TEEN COACHES
E mmett Garbett, Lebo Cup soccer com- Ben Richardson, Samantha Schiraj and
missioner, was having trouble finding junior Kara Stoever split the coaching
adult coaches who could give the time duties of three of the Lebo Cup teams.

commitment to coach a team, anywhere
“They were a Godsend,” says Garbett.

from 3 to 6 hours a week, every Saturday The almost-peer coaches reaped a num-
and one or two days through the week. It’s ber of benefits.

been a problem Garbett has encountered
“Where the kids may not listen as
throughout his
closely to adults,
three-year involve-
they were absolute-
ment with the orga-
ly in awe of the high
nization, which
school coaches,”
offers youth soccer
Garbett adds.

for children from
All of the stu-
fourth to eighth
dent coaches were
grades. former Lebo Cup
Last year, Garbett
players themselves,
got in contact with
and Bertenthal,
Judith Kolko, vol-
Drasinover, Merz and Richardson play for
unteer coordina-
the Blue Devils.

tor at Mt. Lebanon Iva Drasinover, left, and Samantha Schiraj, teamed
They brought an
High School, and up with Kara Stoever (not pictured) to coach the added dimension
she was able to Lebo Cup seventh- and eighth-grade girls. Between of skill and knowl-
furnish him with a the three, the 5- to 6-hour time commitment was a edge some adult
few names. Seven lot more manageable.

coaches may not
students eventu-
have. ally took part in the
“Many of the par-
program. Seniors Mike Bertenthal, Iva ents weren’t raised with soccer the way
Drasinover, Vincent Merz, Jordan Phillipi, the kids have been,” Garbett says.

www.mtlebanon.org 53