February 26, 2024
MDCA Perry Petruccelli Named Lake & Sumter Style 2024 Girls Basketball Coach of the Year
By Kyle Coppola
MDCA Perry Petruccelli Named Lake & Sumter Style 2024 Girls Basketball Coach of the Year
Perry Petruccelli has been voted the as Lake & Sumter Style Magazine’s girls basketball coach of the year. Perry Petruccelli is a 2010 graduate of Mount Dora Christian Academy. He returned to MDCA in 2018 to teach middle school math. Perry excelled in the classroom and was chosen as Secondary Teacher of the Year for the 2019-2020 school year. Perry is an innovative teacher who is always implementing teaching techniques such as games, real life situations, and collaborative learning to increase his students’ engagement and comfort with math.
Perry led the Lady Bulldogs to a record of 18-10 this year. He was able to get MDCA to the FHSAA Regional Semifinals where the girls season would ultimately come to an end against North Tampa Christian Academy. But it’s his commitment off the court that is where coach Petruccelli truly shines.
Perry connects with his students and makes math fun to learn. Perry is also a teacher leader on campus. He serves as a technology resource for the faculty and is always willing to share his ideas and knowledge with his colleagues. Perry makes a positive impact on the MDCA campus culture by attending and participating in student events such as the theatre productions, Spring Formal, homecoming, Bulldog Bash, Night of Stars, and pep rallies. Perry also served as the junior class sponsor for several years.
As a coach, Perry has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to building a strong foundation for the MDCA girls basketball program. His focus on developing basketball IQ and skills has been instrumental in the growth and success of the team. Through his guidance and expertise, the MDCA players have shown significant improvement and have become more confident in their abilities on the court.
What sets Perry apart is his unwavering dedication to putting Christ first in everything he does. His faith-driven approach has not only created a positive and supportive environment for the student athletes but has also fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie within the team. Perry’s leadership has not only shaped the players’ basketball skills but has also instilled important values and life lessons that will serve well beyond the court.
One of Perry’s greatest strengths is his honesty with his players. He provides them with candid feedback about their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to identify areas for improvement and grow both as athletes and individuals. By creating a culture of accountability and personal growth, Perry has empowered the MDCA players to take ownership of their development and strive for excellence.
Megan Ziegelhofer, who is MDCA’s Director of Athletics, speaks highly of Perry’s impact on our female athletes. She recognizes his significant role in their development, both on and off the basketball court. “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 holistic growth is evident, and we are grateful to have him as part of our coaching staff.” says Ziegelhofer.
Mount Dora Christian Academy has said “We would like to express sincere gratitude to Perry for his exceptional leadership and dedication to our girls basketball program. His passion for the sport, combined with his unwavering commitment to our athletes’ growth, has made a profound impact on their lives.”
Perry embodies what it means to be a part of Bulldog Athletics. Congratulations to Coach Petruccelli on being voted the Lake & Sumter Style Coach of the 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.