- April 18, 2024
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Dr. Phillips resident Gino Rossi has become a stalwart at the Dr. Phillips YMCA, volunteering and coaching youth basketball teams for the past four years. Rossi brings a passion to each of his youth teams he coaches and often will coach more than one team if the Y is in need. Senior Youth Development Director Jason Hernandez calls Rossi “a true volunteer who wants to see the youth get better.”
I coach because, when I was growing up, I didn’t have this. It’s an opportunity. My son is into basketball, so I’ve been coaching him since he was a little kid. I’m basically doing it because I want to teach the kid opportunities I didn’t have when I was growing up. … I love the game of basketball.
Them calling me “coach” — that’s the thing. My son, he doesn’t look at me as his father when I’m coaching him. He looks at me as coach.
The hardest thing is them focusing. It’s hard at the younger ages for them to comprehend the little things, but it’s a process.
Seeing these kids grow. A lot of these kids I coached in third grade and now they’re in sixth or eighth (grade). About 90% of the kids I coached are still playing basketball.
A couple weeks ago, they chose our team, and we played during the halftime show for the Orlando Magic. These kids may not ever be on that court ever again unless they play college or pro basketball. Some of these kids had never even been to a Magic game. To see their faces and how excited they were was amazing.
A lot of stuff. We love going to Chick-fil-A, and we go to SeaWorld a lot — we have annual passes.
Just do it. It doesn’t matter if you fail or succeed, try once.
