Souderton golf coach Fred Ciccaci was recognized for 30 years at the helm.
LEDERACH - To say Fred Ciccaci is beloved would be something of an understatement. The Souderton golf coach is in his 30th year at the helm, and there’s no mistaking the affection the long-time coach has for his players and they – in return – have for him.
“He’s a different coach than I’ve ever had before,” senior James ‘Bigs’ O’Malley said. “He’s unusual, but he’s a really good coach. He’s really inspiring and helps us do better.”
The Indians’ number one golfer smiled when asked for any Ciccaci-isms.
“He’s says schnacks, he pronounces his Bs as Ps, and he used to call me Pigs,” O’Malley said of the veteran coach who hails from the coal region. “It kind of became my nickname freshman year, and I was like we’ve got to stop this. He’s fixed it by now. Everybody on the team gets a kick out of it.”
There’s no mistaking the enthusiasm Ciccaci brings to his position.
“He’s always very excited when we play well, and that gives the team something to play for,” junior Stephen Butler said. “Before every match, he gives us the quote of the day, whether it’s related to golf or another sport or life in general – something to motivate us.
“There’s just something about him that makes us play well and makes us glad he sticks around. He adds a lot of humor. He’s a good guy. We keep wondering if he’s going to keep staying around, and he keeps staying around. I’m glad he does.”
Several alumni also showed up to pay tribute to their former coach.
“He was just always keeping it fun,” Clay Anders said. “He sings his van ride songs to and from the courses – songs like ‘Buckle up for Safety’.”
“There’s never a dull moment with him,” said 2012 grad Rodney Anders. “Whether it be singing songs on the bus ride or giving pointers about the golf course – telling us to avoid the land sharks on hole three, he’s such a fun guy. I loved having him as coach.”
Clay Anders and Lenny Welch were key players on Souderton’s 2013 SOL Continental Conference championship team.
“My favorite thing about coach Ciccaci is senior year we would go in, and we would bring everyone together on the putting green for a huddle, and he would give us an inspirational quote,” Welch said. “It was like coach Shakespeare laying out the law for that day, taking the positivity and going into your golf round.
“It was never a critique that had anything to do with a pointer or your golf swing, but it was just how to take on the day mentally, and that was one of my fondest things about coach. He touched a lot of people coaching the team for so long.”
At a surprise reception at Lederach Golf Club after the Indians’ match against Pennridge, athletic director Dennis Stanton presented a commemorative silver plate to Ciccaci.
“We talk a lot in sports about coaches and leaders and being servant leaders,” Stanton said. “Fred is truly a servant to our teams, to student-athletes.
“Obviously, he wants to teach them how to be good golfers, but so much more about this is developing them into young men. I love coming to the matches, especially for when he shares quotes and thoughts about the day. It makes it so much more about the experience, rather than the wins and losses and the strokes that our young men and women are achieving every day.
“Speaking of achieving, Fred and his programs have achieved unbelievable success throughout his 30 years. We couldn’t be more thankful and grateful for his contributions.”
The engraved silver plate with the Souderton emblem at the top said simply, “Coach Cicacci. Thank you for 30 years of dedication to the Souderton Area High School Golf Team.”
“This was a complete surprise – unexpected, unnecessary but appreciated very much,” Ciccaci said. “The past 10 years, this young man, (assistant) coach (Mike) Stadnycki, has a lot to do with our success.
“This year has been fabulous. The guys have senses of humor. They’re courteous, they’re respectful, they’re cordial – they’re nice guys. I talked to Stads the other day, and I said, ‘Can you remember any two years where we had the amount of losses we had this year?’ He couldn’t remember, but you know what – it’s been a great year. It really has been a fantastic year. This is special.”
PENNRIDGE 199, SOUDERTON 202
Lederach Golf Club, Front 9, Blue Tees
Pennridge (199) – Brendan Bauer 35, Jack Lenox 37, Blake Stewart 39, Connor Frisch 43, Ashley Ea 45, Taryn Shine 45, Christian Guildin 49, Jeff Seiler 52.
Souderton (202) – James O’Malley 38, Stephen Butler 39, Jacob Ukropec 41, Kenneth Kreitz 42, Chris Cunningham 42, Jack Graboski 44, Cameron Bussom 45, Luke DeSpain 47.
BENSALEM 231, HARRY S TRUMAN 241
Bensalem (231) – Sean Swentkowski 42, Jason McVeigh 45, Austin Spicer 46, Evan Crowell 48, Jack Wineberg 50.
Harry S Truman (241) – Jake Vogt 43, Brendan McGinnis 47, Will Brennan 48, Logan Pizzullo 50, Ryan Vogt 53.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 208, QUAKERTOWN 231
The Bucks Club, Blue tees (boys)/Gold tees (Girls)
Central Bucks South (208) – Jack Neumann 38, Will Locovare 41, Ryan Zakrzewski 43, Lizzie Palmieri 43, Zachary Conklin 43, Emma Reilly 45, Matt Resnick 46, Jared Goldberg 46.
Quakertown (231) – Cole Mehrman 41, Madilyn Siuta 46, Andrew Saglimbeni 47, Brendon Ruzicka 47, Ty Wilkin 50, Seth Lowande 60, Dan Carroll 60.
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