Jun 17, 2018 7 min read

His vision 40 years ago to bring youth soccer to Monessen – a hardcore football and basketball town – eventually produced high school playoff teams, even a section championship team, and delivered a handful of players to the collegiate game.

While the beginnings were humble, they were the first steps in the development of soccer in his home community.

Tom Gigliotti was the founder and organizer of youth soccer and its association in Monessen.

“His hand prints are all over Monessen soccer,” said Gina Naccarato, the Greyhounds’ athletic director and a former player for Gigliotti when the school’s girl’s soccer program was in its infancy.

“He knows the game. He teaches the game and he understands young people. We are fortunate to have him working with our high school teams.”

Gigliotti, 69, was a volunteer coach for both the girls and boys programs at Monessen the past few years and will be the girls assistant to coach Bill Halinka this fall.

He was born in Italy and migrated to Argentina with his family before moving to Monessen in 1970.

Gigliotti is generous with his time during and out of season, helping, teaching, and guiding individuals.

Whatever he does or wherever he is, at home, being a dad, grandfather, husband, at church or on the soccer field, Gigliotti makes a difference.

“He’s my mentor,” said Marc Bellora, who graduated from Monessen in the 1980s, played for Gigliotti and has gone on to be a longtime soccer coach at South Park High School and coach for Century soccer club.

“I look at his passion for the game. He continues to coach and teach. He’s been a mentor to a lot of us. We love being around the guy. It wasn’t even so much learning soccer from him, but him leading us in the right direction.

“Back in the ’80s, he’d pick us up and take us to practice. We had friends and with his South American influence, we played a lot of small-sided games in the streets. He has instilled things in me and many others today, tomorrow and forever. He’s just a great person.”

Gigliotti’s love of soccer was developed as he grew up in Argentina. He is taken by the game. Those who have played for and currently play for him appreciate the knowledge and the excitement he exudes.

“When you’re a kid, most kids, one of the first things you do is play some kind of sport or game,” Gigliotti said in his heavy Argentinian accent. “When you grow up in Argentina, you play soccer. I never became a professional at it. But it is something I love, have a passion for and always had interest in.

“For me, it’s much more than just playing the game. It’s more me loving to do something by teaching the game and about life to young people.”

While Gigliotti, who came to Monessen in 1970, is considered the father of soccer in the town, he credits Dennis Laskey – who helped organize youth soccer throughout the entire Mon Valley – for bringing the game to the fore.

The first group of Monessen Youth Soccer players consisted of nearly 30 children. To practice, they shared the lower end of City Park with the midget football teams.

In the fall of 1978, the first games were played as the late Jim Vetere joined Gigliotti as an assistant coach.

As the program grew, games were moved to a soccer field in Dunlevy, the same community where Gigliotti had played the game when he moved here 48 years ago.

In the 1979 and ’80 seasons, games were moved to Memorial Stadium in Monessen as the school district made the field available on Saturdays.

The following season, 1980-81, Monessen Youth Soccer – with the help of Mayor Jim Sepesky Councilman Joe Cieply and Congressman Don Bailey, the Monessen Soccer Field was constructed by the Pennsylvania National Guard at Zajack’s Farm in the city. Youth soccer continues to be played there today, and the field is equipped with lights.

In 1983-84, Gigliotti became the first head coach of the Monessen High School boys soccer team.

“To see some of the more recent success of the Monessen boys program, that’s basically all attributable to what Tom started 40 years ago and now tries to help sustain and improve,” Bellora said. “To me, boys soccer has risen in interest and achievement in Monessen. Getting the youth involved at an early age has been the difference.”

Gigliotti has served as a volunteer coach for both the Greyhounds’ girls and boys teams, with a bit more focus on the la-dies the last few years.

On any given day, or evening, Gigliotti can be seen working one-on-one with a Monessen player providing individual in-struction, encouragement and a unique wisdom about playing soccer.

He currently works out two young goalkeepers (a girl and a boy) – who will be freshmen in the fall – each week, providing tips, technique and drills. The workouts are demanding.

One thing that remains consistent is Gigliotti’s love of soccer and helping kids understand how to play the game.

“Tom is very dedicated to the sport and our kids,” said Sam Perry, longtime boys soccer coach at Monessen. “He doesn’t want a reward. He truly does this from the goodness of his heart and love of the game. His knowledge of the game … he knows the game so well, and not only as a great goalie coach. He has been very good support for Bill and myself.”

Halinka said Gigliotti’s focus on proper technique is what attracts players and makes for an authoritative presence.

“He has an old-school philosophy: work hard and use the proper techniques,” Halinka said. “He wants and expects you to know what you are doing in situations. Today’s soccer is fast-paced. Tom believes in being fundamentally sound and he is looking to improve a player’s skills and technique first. He’s a voice of authority about the game and kids like that.”

Gigliotti’s impact is felt throughout the community and his church parish. He is a tireless worker and servant of the Epiphany of our Lord Roman Catholic Church in Monessen. His enthusiasm and commitment is appreciated and counted on by Rev. Michael J. Crookston, parish pastor.

“I think in the years that I have known him, it’s not just what he does for our parish,” Crookston said. “He’s become a good friend. Tom would do anything you ask of him, probably to a fault. I think Tom has a hard time saying no to anybody.

“He does anything I ask of him. He cooks. He decorates. He helps with the church festival and the fish fries. He does it all. Tom is very active in participating in many of the church’s activities.

“I always wondered why he wasn’t given more recognition for all he has done,” Rev. Crookston continued. “He has given his life to soccer. Anything positive he receives is well-deserved.”

Gigliotti and his wife, Marinell, have two daughters, Lori Thomas and Melissa Sobek, and a granddaughter, Isabella Sobek.

He is proud of his family and the development of soccer in Monessen.

“We had 28 kids at that first registration in 1978,” Gilgiotti said. “We doubled that number the next year. There have been ups and downs. We had a lot of people helping out to make it go – people in the community and politically.

“The building of that soccer field was a dream come true for me. It brings back so many good thoughts and memories. It makes me emotional. It’s just amazing to reflect on it just how many people helped in that effort. We had a lot of support.

“To this day, I am proud to work with kids. I enjoy it. I take very serious the opportunity to help these young people and guide them, give them advice. I get more out of providing a little guidance and advice about their life than I do soccer. When they pass things down as they get older, it makes me proud. I believe we are all here to help others. It makes me feel very good to do that.”