Anonymous wrote:My advice would be to steer clear of SJC because of Sal. He ignores most of the boys on the team other than his chosen few, and there is pressure to play at Achilles. He is rude, disorganized, and a bad communicator. Go there at your peril. There are much more pleasant school soccer environments imho

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone have any current experience with SJC and boys’ soccer? We are applying and play club now but not at Achilles. Thank you!

Anonymous wrote:My advice would be to steer clear of SJC because of Sal. He ignores most of the boys on the team other than his chosen few, and there is pressure to play at Achilles. He is rude, disorganized, and a bad communicator. Go there at your peril. There are much more pleasant school soccer environments imho

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I believe, but am not positive, that Vin Caccavale works with the St. John's JV squad. He's an excellent coach and in charge of the younger boys at Achilles. Hundreds of smart parents and kids have made the choice to play for Sal and Vin at Achilles and St. John's. STJ Varsity is 9-1. The JV is 6-1. Achilles 07s, 09s, 10s, and 11s are all among the top teams in the area. Check out a practice or a game and talk to the coaches and parents. I hope your son finds a great fit.

OP here -- thanks very much! Yes, I plan to meet the coaches later this month. My son is tough, and I think he could put up with just about anybody, but I won't be comfortable if the coach is a jerk. And we don't plan to join Achilles, so if that is needed to get playing time at SJC, then we will pass. We really like SJC as a school, so just need to figure out the soccer piece. I am hoping all of the concerns about the coaching staff is overblown.

Search the soccer thread for "Sal" or for "Achilles" and judge for yourself.

Sounds like the OP has the right idea to talk to the coaches and see the team play. To PP: Reading comments on an anonymous message board is not an effective way to "judge for yourself."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My advice would be to steer clear of SJC because of Sal. He ignores most of the boys on the team other than his chosen few, and there is pressure to play at Achilles. He is rude, disorganized, and a bad communicator. Go there at your peril. There are much more pleasant school soccer environments imho

Current SJC parent here. All of this is very true and our experience with Sal.

Part of the rationale for playing HS soccer is to play for a coach that is also focused on developing young men and women of character. Sal is not a teacher and was difficult to communicate with. Achilles players get priority.

Fortunately my son found other opportunities to be a part of the community at SJC.