Coral Springs residents Sal Capezza and his 14-year-old son Nicholas were looking for a sport that was more fast-paced and exciting than baseball.Since he had enjoyed it when he was younger, Sal suggested that Nicholas check out lacrosse. Three years later, Sal is a member of the Board of Directors of the Chiefs lacrosse club and Nicholas is having a blast playing “The fastest game on two feet.”
“When I called the Chiefs,” Sal begins, “they were so welcoming and friendly!” When Sal shared that he had played lacrosse at one time, the Chiefs encouraged him to come out and begin coaching. He and his son have fallen in love with the sport together. “The Chiefs are a really great organization,” Sal tells us. “This is a wonderful bunch of parents and volunteers who are; number one, looking to do good for the community of Coral Springs, two, wanting to promote this fast-growing, fun game, and three, focused on giving the kids a great experience to learn from… not just in sports, but in life.”
Teammates with the Chiefs can begin at the age of five and play through 9th grade in high school. The Chiefs, whose home field is North Springs Park, play in the Florida Lacrosse Association against other recreational teams. “It’s great that we’re out there playing other cities, getting exposure and lots of experience,” Sal says with a smile. “It’s preparing these kids to play at the high school level if that’s where they want to go with it. Lacrosse with the Chiefs is a terrific opportunity and a whole lot of fun.” Sal gives a lot of credit to Coach Ryan Burton from Douglas high who has partnered with the Chiefs. Sal is grateful that Ryan is creating instrumental building blocks that are helping the older players get situated on their high school teams in an effort to continue the love of the game through their senior year and on into college.
In an effort to educate and enlighten families about the game and its culture, the Chiefs are offering free clinics (see below). Sal encourages parents and children who are interested in finding out about the sport to go to one of them. He says that a lot of people don’t really have much of an idea about what lacrosse is all about, but when attending a clinic, you get a feel for the entire aspect of the game… especially the friendliness and camaraderie that goes on at the sidelines between families. He thinks it will have a big influence on any parent’s decision-making with regard to their child getting involved. “If you have a kid showing an interest in lacrosse and you’d like to find out more about it… or maybe they’d just like a shot at it, come out to a clinic and see what it’s all about,” Sal urges.
One thing that Sal hopes he is able to teach his son through this game is that you can always make something of yourself if you work to achieve it. He tells about being a good baseball player when he was younger but then going to a large high school where he couldn’t make the team. “I picked up a lacrosse stick and I practiced really hard and I tried my best. Because of that, I was able to make the varsity lacrosse team at this big school. I want Nicholas to know that you can do anything as long as you’re willing to work hard.”
And for Sal, Nicholas, and anyone out there contemplating lacrosse, we know that hard work opens up a whole world of new friends and fast-paced fun!
Check out the FREE Lacrosse Clinics – Sundays, Sept. 20 & Oct. 18 – From 1-3PM, come to Turtle Run Park, 6400 Wiles Road, Coral Springs, and find out why it’s called the fastest game on two feet. Boys and girls of all ages and skill levels are invited to try the sport with loaner sticks available! For more info, see www.CoralSpringsLacrosse.com or call Anthony LoFurno 954–868–4735.
