By Mike Schnitzel
"We stuck together and we turned this program around," said Pajer. "Danny gives 120 percent every day. It's like [this team] has two head coaches."
Vito, who completed his 11th season as the Rocks' assistant coach, was presented with the John F. "Jack" Boyle Assistant Coach of the Year Award at the Nassau County Gridiron Dinner on Dec. 6. Nominated by Pajer, the 34-year-old Vito became the fifth recipient of the prestigious Boyle Award.
"It was a tremendous shock," said a still-stunned Vito in a telephone interview. "It's great to be recognized for such a tremendous award."
Vito said that his rough start with the Rocks helped him deal with adversity, and he benefited from learning that lesson early on. His uncle, legendary Roosevelt head coach Joe Vito, said that his nephew's work ethic and desire are what separate him from the pack. "Danny kept attending clinics, wanting to get better at his craft," said Joe. "When we made the playoffs in 1999, I invited Danny and Tim O'Hagan' -- another East Rockaway assistant coach -- 'to come see us play. We showed them what it was like to be on the sidelines of a big playoff game, and Danny took it all in. We ended up playing [East Rockaway] in the championship game a year later."
For his part, Dan credits his uncle with playing a major role in his success. "He's the reason I do what I do," Vito said. "He's the person I looked up to in coaching. His work ethic - I don't know anyone who puts in more time with the kids. He was my role model."
East Rockaway High Athletic Director Dominick Vulpis said that Vito has a unique way of motivating players to be better, on the field and off. "In the classroom [as a health teacher], he looks for innovative ways to reach everyone," said Vulpis," and he does the same thing on the football field."
Vulpis said that rather than just motivate with energy, Vito gives players the tools to believe in themselves, and success follows. "What makes him unique is that he motivates the individual to be their best from within themselves," Vulpis said.
Vito grew up in East Rockaway, and graduated from the high school in 1989. He earned a degree in phys. ed. from C.W. Post in 1993, and also has a master's in special education from Post. He and his wife, Kathy, who were married in 1999, live in Lynbrook with their two daughters, Kara, 3, and Danielle, 1. While they have lived in Lynbrook for three years, Dan still considers East Rockaway home. "It's where I work - it's where I grew up," he said.
Vito said he wants to continue coaching at East Rockaway, where he feels at home, and to continue teaching children and trying to make a positive impact on their lives. He enjoys his working relationship with Pajer, who allows him to run the offense. "I've called maybe two plays on offense since becoming head coach," said Pajer. "The offense is Dan's, and he's excellent."
Vito said that winning football games is only a small part of the success he is trying to achieve. The other part is making players better people through the football program, and teaching them "valuable life lessons."
"He puts in so much time and effort," said Kathy Vito. "His heart is in it, and there's nobody more deserving of this award. I've seen it first-hand."
What the players think
Assistant Coach of the Year Dan Vito has made an impact on many. But the people he seeks to influence most are his players. Here is what two of them had to say about Vito.
Tom Dwyer, 17, senior,
All-Conference fullback/linebacker:
"He's one of the greatest guys I've ever met. He's impacted my life forever, and I feel he's underappreciated. If the players on this team gave as much effort as he did, this program would be unbelievably better."
Cesar Munoz, 17, junior,
All-County running back/cornerback:
"His speeches at halftime, during games, before games - he knows how to get his players going. He's always backing us up, no matter what our record is. Before the Malverne game [on Oct. 29, which East Rockaway won 35-12] he got us so pumped that they just couldn't stop us."Comments about this story? KBarone@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
