Former Saugus High School soccer star Dan D'Amico is returning to campus this fall as the new Sachems' varsity boys soccer coach, SHS Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Mike Nelson announced July 23. D'Amico, the Medford High School freshman coach from 2010-12, before becoming its varsity assistant in 2013, replaces Tom Duplisea. Duplisea was the Sachems coach since 2009.
D'Amico, a 1998 SHS graduate, was a center-midfielder/forward for Coach Mike Hashem's (the current SHS principal) teams, and was its captain in his senior year, when they went undefeated during the regular season, before losing to conference rival Danvers in the second round of the state tournament in an upset. The Sachems defeated Danvers twice in the regular season, shutting them out to boot on both occasions.
D'Amico attended Malden Catholic in his freshman year, before transferring to SHS, where he played soccer in his junior and senior years after sitting out his sophomore campaign as a transfer student. His younger brother, Marco, took the same route to SHS to form a formidable tandem with him on the pitch that was difficult to beat.
The Saugus native went on to Suffolk University, but a knee injury prevented him from continuing his soccer career on the collegiate level. D'Amico, however, did play for a men's semipro team in Boston after years as a club soccer player with The Force.
D'Amico is working as a correctional officer at the Nashua Street Jail in Boston after earning a Criminal Justice degree from Suffolk. He has one daughter, Isabella, who's 6 and playing in the Saugus Youth Soccer Association.
Pre-season practice is still several weeks away, but D'Amico can't wait to get started. But until then, he found time to answer the following questions posed by the Saugus Advertiser about the sport's past, present and future in town from his point of view.
What was Saugus like for you as a young athlete, and when did you start playing town sports, and was it just soccer?
Saugus sports were always fun and enjoyable. I played both soccer and basketball, and it was a way to get together with friends outdoors, and enjoy [each other's company] with no worries, especially on Saturdays and Sundays, when we were dedicated to sports.
Growing up in town, who was considered to be most influential in your life as an athlete? What was your family's involvement in sports, and how did that influence you?
My younger brother Marco was most influential in my life. We pushed each other on a daily basis, competing to be the best we could be.
My family was very involved in my athletics. My mom and dad both coached on the town level, and also dedicated their time driving us to games and practices. My dad was very passionate about the game, and sometimes carried that passion onto the field. He cared a lot about his players. He was the best.
Page 2 of 3 - List the schools that you attended in town, and any of the teams that you played on? Any championships?
I attended Waybright and junior high school in town, before attending Malden Catholic, but then I transferred to SHS.
We went undefeated in my senior year to win the Northeastern Conference [soccer] title. I played in the Agganis game that year, as well.
I also played youth soccer, making numerous trips to the Pingree Cup tournament. I played youth basketball, winning a town championship, while also making the all-star team and winning the Coaches' Award for my work ethic.
I also played club soccer for The Force, capturing the U-17 state championship. Then, we played in the regional tournament, and that was fun.
Why did you leave Malden Catholic for SHS?
My brother and I attended MC to have the opportunity to play alongside my two cousins, who were on the varsity team. It was awesome all four cousins playing on the same high school field together.
After they graduated, we decided let's return to Saugus, where we felt we could get a similar education, and a different high school experience.
What will you expect from your team as a varsity head coach? What will your philosophy be, and will you be utilizing any methods from coaches that you have had over the years, and who would they be?
As the coach, I expect dedication, hard work and commitment. My goal is to win our league, and hopefully reach and win the state tourney, but as long as my team gave it everything they had, and left it all on the field, I can't ask for anything more.
I want my players to learn, and also get to experience the same type of fun I did. To see their smiles and determination will be a great reward in itself for me.
After watching the World Cup this summer, I want to win with the style and formation that Germany won with, and I would love to implement the same system throughout all of our youth programs.
At the end of the day, if you play within a team concept, and you put your heart and dedication into it, and have a will to win anything is possible. Soccer is a game of discipline and class.
How did you find out about the position, and why did you apply for it, and what's it like to be coming back to your alma mater?
I always wondered what it would be like coaching in my hometown after being in Medford for years. It has been a goal of mine to coach here one day. I ended my career a bit too soon so coaching was an easy choice, especially the way it ended in my senior year.
Page 3 of 3 - So after being notified that [Michael] Hashem was now the school's new principal, and is trying to create a new culture here in Saugus, I thought what better time to apply for the job. My old coach is now the principal, how ironic. Life comes full circle.
I thought about inquiring about the position years ago, and when it did finally open up again I was extremely honored and privileged to apply.
I am very excited to be back in Saugus to revitalize this program like it was when I played here. I want to make it fun and enjoyable like it was for me.
Have you spoken to the players/parents as of yet, and if so or not what did or will you say to them?
I have spoken with the team, and told them in a nutshell to enjoy their summer, but still practice, practice, practice, and come ready to have fun, learn and work hard this fall.
I could definitely use help from the players' families with a lot of the off the field stuff, as well.
What do you most remember about your SHS experiences, especially in soccer?
The biggest memories, besides getting an education from the school's great teachers, I would say are the friendships I made there.
My soccer team was mostly made up of my best friends. And as a whole at Saugus whether you are a senior or freshman you feel like you are a part of one tight-knit community.
What are some of your plans to build up the soccer interest in town for future high school teams?
I am actually settling into the position. I have been staying in contact with both [Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Mike] Nelson and the girls coach Chris Coviello about trying to get the soccer program as one.
I have also reached out to the Saugus Youth Soccer Association. I definitely want our youth system to one day make goals about playing at Saugus High School, because of the leaps it has made.
Ideally, I'd love a system where the youth players are on the same page with us, so when they come to SHS they are ready to play from day one. I'd also like to have a JV and freshman team in place to get them ready for the varsity.
Have you named your coaching staff yet, and if so what are the reasons why you picked those individuals? If not, what are you looking for in your assistants?
We actually are in the process of filling the JV position, and I have spoken with Mike Nelson to ask his opinion who the right candidate might be.
But in the end, I want someone with a great work ethic, open to learning and able to have fun with kids, so that if on any given day someone is called up to the varsity they will be ready to play after learning the system as a JV player.
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