SJ Sports: Inside Collingswood Sports

There's A First Time For Everything
Rich Culpa has never coached softball in his life. He has never been the head man in any varsity sport, yet he takes over the Collingswood High School softball team this spring, which is coming off a season in which it won just three games. He doesn't seem too concerned. The young coach, who was hired to succeed Doug Schmitt in December, has jumped into his new job with energy and optimism. "I'm sure I'll take my lumps this year as far as learning to be a head coach and leading a program," Culpa admitted. "But I've jumped in with both feet and I believe I can be successful."

Culpa, a special education teacher at Collingswood who has also coached freshman boys soccer at the school, saw an opening for the JV program and applied for that job, only to be offered the varsity post. Although not entirely familiar with the ins and outs of the sport, he jumped at the opportunity and used the pre-season as on-the-job experience. "The biggest thing for me will be learning when to call certain plays," said Culpa. "In that way, the scrimmages have been just as important for me as our players."

Culpa, a 1989 graduate of Gloucester Catholic, played for the Rams' storied baseball program. During his career, he learned from two very successful coaches in South Jersey baseball history. At the time, Al Radano was Gloucester Catholic's head coach; current Audubon head baseball coach Rich Horan was a Rams' assistant. "I would say (Radano) was a big influence," Culpa said. "I also had two years of playing under Rich Horan and learned some things from him. Just the way they did things, the way they ran a program. When you did something wrong, it was more of a teaching experience than a tongue-lashing. I was average at best, so I always had to work hard. As a coach, that's who I like to pull for — the kids who work hard and are dedicated to getting better and learning the game."

As Culpa teaches his players the intricacies of the game, he also wants them to see results. That won't be easy in the strong Colonial Conference, but he's not overly concerned with wins and losses, just getting better and competing on an everyday basis. "Coaching female athletes has been a pleasant experience for me," Culpa said. "They are very positive and receptive to what you're teaching. Girls' athletics have always been good at Collingswood and I see no reason why this program can't be successful, too. We have good senior leadership and some young girls who can play. I believe we can be competitive this season and make strides in the program." One of the promising young players is Lauren Silliphant. The sophomore has already taken on a leadership role and has impressed Culpa with her versatility. Of course, Culpa will also be leaning on Johanna Delicana, who was an all-conference outfielder last season and moves to shortstop this year.

Movin' On Up
In his second season as the head coach of the Collingswood boys' basketball team, Joe McLoughlin carried the Panthers to an excellent campaign this winter — a 15-10 overall record and a 13-7 Colonial Conference mark, improving upon last year's 9-15 and 5-13 marks, respectively. The Panthers also advanced to the South Jersey Group II playoffs for the first time since 1997 before ending their season with a 75-49 loss to Buena of the Cape-Atlantic League. While key players Stu Slattery and Kevin Leary ended their high school careers this season, talented underclassmen like Brandon Whittington and Joey Soto, will likely keep the future bright for Collingswood basketball.

Comeback Kid
Collingswood's Paul DiLiberto, a junior 189-pounder, pulled off one of the shocking wins of the season in South Jersey during the preliminary round of the state tournament. Trailing Paulsboro senior James Funk by a 10-1 score late in their match, DiLiberto pinned the Red Raider with just eight seconds remaining in the match to earn a ticket to the state tournament in Atlantic City.

Content provided by South Jersey Sports Club.

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Author: SJ Sports Club-Matt Cosentino