Longtime Valley Junior Athletic Association coach receives surprise send-off
SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) – Many of us remember participating in youth sports growing up. The benefit goes far beyond the realm by promoting children’s health and well-being and building their confidence and character.
Longtime Valley Junior Athletic Association coach Lee Massenzio has been doing just that for 25 years.
On Saturday morning, his players, fellow coaches, family and friends surprised Coach Lee with a special retirement send-off, including a proclamation signed by Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon.
Before becoming ‘Coach Lee’, he was your typical parent, signing up his own children to compete in youth football.
I signed up my daughter, who is now 32, when she was a freshman, and said I would be an assistant coach. They handed me a team and said “let’s go”. Since then I have been coaching and doing everything I can to help the league.
COACH LEE MASSENZIO, VALLEY JUNIOR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
His humble demeanor may deceive you, but Coach Lee has worn many different hats in his 25 years of volunteering with VJAA…coach, referee, building and grounds keeper, janitor and most recently , president of the league.
“I just want the kids to hang out, have fun and hopefully learn something.”
COACH LEE MASSENZIO, VALLEY JUNIOR ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
Even though Coach Lee is technically retiring, he says he still plans to help the league on weekends.
If you would like to learn more about the VJAA or register, click here.