All good in one of my old ‘hoods…
GFGF! You are not sure what that means? As Hamilton said to Spicoli in Fast Times “Learn it, know it, live it” and those that know a difference making High School Head Football Coach by the name of JEFF ROTSKY know that GFGF stands for “GOD, FAMILY, GRADES, FOOTBALL” or at times in the secular world “GENEROSITY, FAMILY, GRADES, FOOTBALL.
Some of you may not like Jeff and have their stories how young men and their families move to districts where he coaches. I will say that I have seen this happen in other districts if schools are more viable and perhaps winning more. When I was mentoring young men in Bedford I knew of cases where families moved from other burbs or even the city proper to attend Bedford and vice versa. It’s easy to do when you do not own a home and a lease expires.
One difference with Jeff is that HE WINS and that rubs some folks the wrong way! Shucks I know of cases where a father rented an apartment in a Southwest Suburb so his son could play football there and I am aware of a similar situation with two basketball players – one who moved to Akron and one to Lorain County so please do not say this is a “Jeff Rostsky thing.” Again, winning makes others jealous and prone to say things that have little to no substance. I also must say that Jeff is a friend and Brother and I do not identify just anyone using those monikers.
Jeff is in his 2nd year as HC of Villa Angela St. Joseph and when he arrived on the Lakeshore Avenue campus last year you could feel the winds of change blowing in from Lake Erie which is due north of the school, literally a punt from their football field.
St. Joseph and now VASJ has had a history of winning on the football field as well as the hardwood and the football prowess of this great school has waned in recent years, in results and in numbers of young men playing a very tough sport. What’s the saying? Practice is THEIR time; the GAME is our time!
Jeff has been the co-head coach at Cleveland South High, St, Peter Chanel, Maple Hts, Cleveland Hts, Euclid and now as noted above he is the head coach of Villa Angela St. Joseph. Jeff wins. Simply put but he does more than that…he does God’s work with the student athletes on his team and in the school. He instills pride in the young men and young women who attend the schools, and he makes them winners in life as well as on the gridiron! Not hitting the study table? No practice and in turn no games.
I have been to many of his practices and have always been warmly received by wonderful, polite, respectful young men. Ok, I know many still call me the OG but in reality, I may be the squarest white dude in Northeast Ohio. I have prayed with his teams at PUBLIC and PRIVATE schools and watched young men grow as men and football players.
Jeff’s pay? Doing God’s work and just like the great Ted Ginn Sr. he is doing more than coaching football. He is saving souls. A story that Jeff told me a few years ago resonates with me to this day. He was out shopping and a young man he had coached called out his names and came over quickly with a baby carriage and a young woman. The former player hugged Jeff and without hesitation noted “Coach I would like introduce you to my WIFE and son.” The Emphasis was on the word WIFE and my heart still smiles when I hear that story. High School football is special for so many, and I can guarantee you that men like Jeff Rotsky truly make it more than a game.
Please enjoy every sandwich and take care of each other. Pay attention, it’s your world. For now, ADIOS AMIGO long may you run.
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