March 6, 2025
MDCA Girls Basketball Coach Perry Petruccelli Named FHSAA Class 1A Coach of the Year
By Kyle Coppola
MDCA Girls Basketball Coach Perry Petruccelli Named FHSAA Class 1A Coach of the Year
MOUNT DORA, Fla. — Perry Petruccelli, a 2010 graduate of Mount Dora Christian Academy, has been named Lake & Sumter Style Magazine’s Girls Basketball Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Bulldogs to an impressive 18-10 record and an appearance in the FHSAA Regional Finals.
Petruccelli, who returned to MDCA in 2018 to teach middle school math, has made a significant impact both in the classroom and on the court. His innovative teaching methods, which incorporate games, real-life applications, and collaborative learning, earned him the honor of Secondary Teacher of the Year for the 2019-2020 school year. His ability to connect with students and make math engaging has been widely praised.
As head coach of the Lady Bulldogs, Petruccelli has demonstrated a commitment to developing basketball IQ and skills while fostering a culture of teamwork and perseverance. His leadership this season guided MDCA to the FHSAA Regional Finals, where their season ultimately ended against Central Florida Christian Academy. Despite the loss, his influence on the program has been transformative, with players showing marked improvement and growing confidence under his guidance. This team was literally one win away from making it to the FHSAA State Semifinals in Lakeland so that’s a huge accomplishment.
Off the court, Petruccelli plays a vital role in the MDCA community. He serves as a technology resource for faculty, actively participates in student events—including theatre productions, homecoming, and pep rallies—and has served as the junior class sponsor. His positive presence extends beyond athletics, helping to shape the school’s culture in a meaningful way.
What sets Petruccelli apart is his faith-driven approach to coaching. By putting Christ first in all aspects of his leadership, he has cultivated an environment of unity, support, and personal growth for his players. His emphasis on character development ensures that the lessons learned through basketball extend well beyond the hardwood.
MDCA Director of Athletics Megan Ziegelhofer highlighted Petruccelli’s invaluable impact on student-athletes, stating, “Perry’s dedication to equipping these young ladies for success not only in basketball but also in life is truly commendable. His commitment to their growth is evident, and we are grateful to have him as part of our coaching staff and MDCA family.”
Congratulations to Coach Petruccelli along with his staff and amazing team on a fantastic year!
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.
