Please turn your spotlight to a legend in the Victor Jr. Blue Devils youth football program, as we announce a new “Hall of Fame” inductee. We proudly share with you Coach Dave Tantillo has been voted to join the Victor Jr. Blue Devils Hall of Fame! A coach who by all accounts put his players and their safety first, Coach Tantillo was lead by his commitment and love for his three sons. Jaden, Landon and Asher all got to play with their Dad leading the way.
Now get comfortable as we list just some of the contributions Coach Tantillo made to the Victor Youth Football program…because there are a lot!
Coach Tantillo was at the helm of 3 flag football teams. He was an assistant coach for 4 tackle teams and for 5 years served as a head coach. 7 out of 8 of his teams went to the championship game. 3 of those teams bringing the title home to Victor! He organized the youth summer camp, while also serving our community at large as a Victor Town Councilman for 8 years. Plus, 8 years on the committee for the Parks and Recreation Department. And let’s not forget the time he spent securing the resources and funding for things like the summer and February break camps.
If you could read through the dozens of messages sent from parents over the years you would see thankful comments, like how Coach Tantillo brought out the best in a tough kid, saw potential in every player and placed as much importance on sportsmanship as he did on Xs and Os. Dave Tantillo started coaching Victor youth teams all the way back in 2009 and he’s still going strong, coaching the programs available through Pinnacle during the Covid-19 quarantine.
But it wasn’t just Dave contributing so much to the football program. His wife Jill was also a steadfast source of support. She served on the board overseeing spirit wear, was a team Mom and supported their 3 sons as players. Plus, the countless days and hours she lent her husband to his commitments as a coach.
If you know Dave, held a clipboard with him or better yet your kids played for him, please take a moment to reach out and congratulate him. A thumbs up on social media is great, but ideally we would have acknowledged him in person in a room full of grateful parents and kids. Let’s not let Covid dampen our gratitude! An e-mail, text or (6 foot) thank you would go a long way! Please take a moment to read about Dave’s time in the program in his own words.
Thank you, Hall of Famer…. Coach Dave Tantillo!
LETTER FROM COACH TANTILLO:
If there was one word illustrating how I felt about my last 10 years of coaching Victor Jr Blue Devil Football it would be the word….Proud. I am Proud to have coached for the best youth football organization with the most engaged parents. Proud to have partnered with the most dedicated Dad volunteer Coaches and a very supportive volunteer Youth Football Board. Proud to have coached all of my players who gave it their all every minute of every practice of every game. Proud to have stayed true every season to teach the three basic foundational aspects of coaching youth football: Keep them safe, Teach them the game of Football, and Have fun! Proud of our young men who went to 7 out of the 8 seasons to the Championship Game bringing home 3 Championship Titles. Proud over the eight years having an overall record of 50 wins and 18 losses with 1,269 points for and 635 points against. Proud to have the best wife Jill who volunteered her time being a Board Member and Team Mom over the years and was very supportive as I spent several hours and days from August 1st to November 1st away from the family. Proud to have coached my three sons these past 10 years and to be able to spend quality time with them as their Coach, their Biggest Fan, and most important as their Dad. It is with great honor and my final Proud moment to be inducted into the Victor Jr Blue Devil Football Hall of Fame.