Coach Joan Spedafino’s winning streak at Rye Neck spans almost three decades. She reached an all-time high last month when the varsity softball team marked her 400th career win.
By Janice Llanes Fabry
Coach Joan Spedafino’s winning streak at Rye Neck spans almost three decades. She reached an all-time high last month when the varsity softball team marked her 400th career win.
“We were 11 and 0 going in, but we couldn’t predict it,” said Spedafino. “It just made me feel so proud of all the years of hard work, from the modified level on up, with great teams and great coaches alongside me. It just showed us how successful we’ve all been.”
An athlete herself in high school, she played field hockey, basketball, and softball for Mamaroneck. As a 20-year-old, Spedafino started coaching varsity basketball at Rye Neck, and shortly afterwards, began coaching varsity softball. She’s now in her 25th year in that position. She began her teaching career in the district as a student teacher 27 years ago.
About her tenure as a fourth-grade teacher and team leader, Spedafino commented, “I love it. Fourth graders are mature enough, yet still innocent enough to enjoy being children. Sometimes it’s tough with so much state testing, but I incorporate it with the things we love to do. They’re like sponges at this age.”
Determined to get the younger set into the swing, Spedafino also runs a softball clinic every spring for grades 3 through 6. She offers pitching instruction on Tuesday nights and covers hitting and fielding fundamentals on Saturdays.
“Joan has built a strong program,” said Rye Neck Athletic Director Joseph Ceglia. “She is a strong advocate for her sport and for all her players. She also builds a strong internal affinity within the team. Her girls play hard.” Indeed, for four consecutive years, the varsity softball team has made it to sectional finals.
Spedafino shares her success with her husband Frank, who has coached with her for two decades. They’ve raised two sons, Robbie, 24, and Angelo, 16, both Rye Neck star athletes. The last three years, Robbie has been an assistant coach on his mother’s softball team. “It’s definitely our passion,” she said.
A testament to her lifelong relationship with her players, the teacher mentors high school interns whom she either taught or coached as youngsters. She’s also attended many of her students’ weddings and their children’s christenings.
Wearing many hats through the years, she has also been the CYO Sports Coordinator for St. Vito’s, serves as chair of Mamaroneck’s Recreation Commission, and is currently president of Rye Neck’s Booster Club. How does she manage to hit all the bases?
“Time management, and I surround myself with great people who have always supported me,” she replied.
