September 19, 2024
Did You Know A Former NBA Champion Sam Vincent Coaches In Leesburg for Beacon College?
By Kyle Coppola
Did You Know A Former NBA Champion Sam Vincent Coaches In Leesburg for Beacon College?
Leesburg, Fla. (AP) — Sam Vincent, a former NBA player and 1986 champion with the Boston Celtics, has taken on a new role that blends his passion for basketball and community service. Vincent is now headed into his second season as the head coach of Beacon College’s basketball team in Leesburg, Florida, where he is helping students with neurodiversity hone their skills both on and off the court.
Beacon College, known for being one of only two accredited college in the country dedicated to educating students with learning differences. For coach Vincent he gets to coach his own son Jordique Vincent who attends Beacon College and is a neurodiverse student studying business management. The program allows coach Vincent to work with students who have conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, and autism, emphasizing both athletic and personal development.
(Coach Sam Vincent has a talented roster of players. The first year was groundbreaking. Now Beacon College is looking for sustained success.)
“It’s an honor to coach here at Beacon College,” Vincent said. “I’ve had the privilege of playing and coaching basketball around the world, but there’s something truly special about helping young people with neurodiversity build confidence and find their place in the game.” says Vincent in a recent interview.
After his NBA career, where he also played for the Chicago Bulls, Seattle SuperSonics, and Orlando Magic, Vincent transitioned into coaching. He held roles as a head coach for NBA and international teams, like the Nigerian National Basketball team at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Vincent also coached the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats. His global experience as both a player and coach is proving invaluable in fostering an inclusive environment at Beacon College.
(Sam Vincent played for the Boston Celtics and won the 1986 NBA Championship with the team.)
Under Vincent’s guidance, the Beacon College basketball team focuses on more than just physical skill development. The program aims to build life skills, promote teamwork, and encourage perseverance, qualities Vincent emphasizes from his own experiences in the NBA.
“The students here are incredibly determined, and it’s inspiring to see how basketball can serve as a tool for growth,” Vincent added. “I’m proud to be part of a program that recognizes their potential.”
(We had the chance to get a preview last year on what coach Vincent was building at Beacon College. You can check that out in the link.)
Vincent’s first season was met with high praise. He has brought excitement to the Beacon College community. Parents, faculty, and students appreciate his dedication to integrating the principles of competitive sports with the understanding and compassion required to support neurodiverse learners.
As Vincent leads Beacon College’s basketball program, his championship pedigree continues to be an example of how sports can transcend the court, inspiring students to overcome obstacles and succeed in both athletics and life.
Kyle Coppola was born in Newton, Massachusetts and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communications from Curry College in 2016. After traveling to Florida on a family vacation, he decided he could not get enough of the warm weather and made the move from snowy Massachusetts to central Florida 8 years ago.
For the last decade Kyle has gained valuable experience in social media content creation, marketing and sales, writing, video production, sports announcing and even broadcasting for local radio stations, such as FM 102.9 in The Villages and FM 91.5 in Massachusetts. Every year he volunteers at The Villages Charter High School as a play-by-play sports announcer for the football games as well as a public address announcer for the basketball games, including the annual Battle at The Villages Tournament.
Outside the office Kyle is a husband and father to two beautiful girls along with their cat. In his spare time he likes to spend time with his family, travel, play golf and swim. He is also a huge sports junkie and even bigger motorsports fan and loves to attend racing events when he can.
