By Nick Curcuru
Sports Editor
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The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) cites excellent character, impact upon students and community and coaching quality when awarding coaches of the year for each respective sport. Those attributes just so happen to perfectly describe Rockport head soccer coach Dave Curley, who was recently named the MIAA 2012 Boys Soccer Coach of the Year. Curley, who has had two stints as Rockport head boys soccer coach dating back to the late 1980's, will be presented the award on May 30 at the MIAA Office in Franklin.
"I am honored and humbled to be selected, it's an incredible award," Curley said. "I think it speaks to the team that I work with. When a player is selected as Most Valuable Player they couldn't have gotten there without their teammates and the same can be said for a coach of the year. I certainly share this honor with all of my players and my coaching staff; John Parisi with the junior varsity team and Michael Rustowski as a volunteer assistant, both play huge roles in what we do.
Athletic Director Mary Ryan and the parents have also been great, Rockport is a wonderful place to work."
Curley, who is also the former Gloucester High School hockey coach in the late 1980's and early 1990's, points to his job as Rockport Middle School Guidance Councillor for helping him build relationships with his players before they even reach the high school level.
"It's nice to be involved in their education process in middle school and stay connected through high school," Curley said. "It makes it that much easier to coach them and that much more rewarding to watch them grow."
In the fall 2011 season, Curley led the Vikings to a 14-5-2 record and a trip to the Division 3 North Semi Finals where they fell 1-0 to Georgetown. Over the past three years Curley and the Vikings have enjoyed unprecedented success compiling a record of 46-14-6 that includes two trips to the Division 3 North final and the Division 3 North Sectional title in 2010.
"We've been on quite a run and we've been blessed to have some very talented and more importantly very hardworking players," Curley said. "Most importantly we have players who were willing to be part of a team and perform roles. Every team needs kids to do the grunt work and our reserves are there every day working as hard as they possibly can to make us better by pushing the starters."
What may be most remarkable about the Vikings success over the past three seasons is the fact that they are the smallest school in the Cape Ann League, a conference that is difficult for most Division 2 schools and is incredibly deep. Being the smallest school hasn't deterred the Vikings, it's made them work even harder.
"It's very difficult to find success in the Cape Ann League," Curley said. "Our league has so many great coaches which is why it's such an honor to be selected. Coaching in the CAL makes me a better coach because you have to bring your best and prepare for every game."
