June 22, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CLARK, NJ – Johnson Tennis first year head coach Craig D’Amico, was selected by The Star Ledger as the 2007 Union County Coach of the Year, in their annual All-State Selections issue.

From the 6/22/07 Union Edition of The Star Ledger:  

“Coach of the year: Craig D'Amico may be the youngest coach in Union County but his hard work and enthusiasm has helped him keep pace with his more experienced counterparts.

The 21-year old, in his first season, led the Clark school to a 12-7 mark and a third-place finish in the Mountain Valley Conference, Mountain Division. The 12 victories and third-place finish were the program's best since 2003. Additionally, he sent a doubles team, juniors James Villari and John Monagle, to the state doubles tournament for the first time in school history. All the starters at least doubled their career victory totals this season.

D'Amico, who graduated from Monmouth University in May, became one of only three coaches in the tennis program's 41-year history to have a winning season in their first campaign.

The future for Johnson looks positive with all seven starters returning next season.”

D’Amico wrapped up his eighth season with the Arthur L Johnson Boys Tennis program, his first season as head coach after serving the last two seasons as an assistant coach under Michele Zaleski.

“I’m honored, excited, and somewhat humbled. There are so many good teams and coaches in our county, that to be recognized and have my team be recognized for their accomplishments is very special,” said D’Amico.

At only 21 years of age, D’Amico was the youngest head coach in the history of the program and the youngest serving head coach in Union County. He also was the first former Johnson Tennis player to return at the helm.

The Crusaders will return all thirteen letterwinners in 2008, and will be looking to make a run at their sixth Mountain Valley Conference championship.