The CBA boys soccer team is one win away from playing in the section championship.
The coach, Joe Papaleo, knows all about winning. He’s done it at all levels, from high school to college to the Major Indoor Soccer League.
Through the ups and the downs, Marcello Vitale has been by his side.
What You Need To Know
- Joe Papaleo is the CBA boys soccer coach
- Marcello Vitale is the CBA girls soccer coach
- Vitale and Papaleo have been friends since they were kids
- The pair played together at SU, where Vitale broke the scoring record and Papaleo was tabbed an All-American
“Marcello has been helping me through. The first two state championships, Marcello was with me to volunteer for the first eight, nine years,” Papaleo says.
“Haven’t won since, Joe,” Vitale chimes in with a smirk.
“Yeah, thanks for reminding me,” Papaleo chuckles.
Papaleo and Vitale have been friends for over 40 years.
“I don’t have a brother, but this is my brother. He means everything to me,” Papaleo says.
The two played at SU in the early ’80s.
“He still has the SU record, 44 goals. Nobody even knows about it. Nobody talks about it. 44 goals. No one has come close,” Papaleo says.
Vitale scored the goals. Papaleo saved them. He was the first SU goalie ever to be named an All-American.
The duo led the Orange to a win in the first Big East soccer tournament. So many firsts on the pitch, but their bond goes so far beyond that.
“We went through a tough time. He was there for me, checking in on me,” Papaleo says.
Checking in, when Papaleo’s worst nightmare became a reality.
“You put a wall around to protect your daughter. Then God says it’s time. If we didn’t have the family, I don’t know how you survive,” Papaleo says.
In 2012, at age 23, Papaleo’s daughter, Lauren, passed away due to a heart defect that the family learned about the day after she was born.
“Lauren was a smart one. Lauren was a kind one. I told her Lauren, ‘It’s amazing I have a child that goes to Vanderbilt. I can’t even spell Vanderbilt,” Papaleo says.
He said she didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her.
What Papaleo wants, however, is this: “I just want to make sure that the next family has all the resources so they can have 23 beautiful years or more with their child,” he said.
That’s where events like the “Red Out” come in. All the proceeds from the day of soccer in September went to the American Heart Association.
“We’re very fortunate in Central New York to have such wonderful and beautiful people who care about our kids and care about everything. A special thanks to everybody. That’s all,” Papaleo says.
Everybody, including Marcello, who isn’t just a friend. He’s become a brother.
It just seems fitting that the pair coaches the boys and girls team at CBA. They are brothers for life.
