Nelson Cupello (fourth from the left) on Joe Mancarella: “Coach was always about inclusion. He never made cuts.” (Photo courtesy of Nelson Cupello’s Facebook page)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

A pair of Monroe Community College men’s coaches who made an impact with several generations of soccer players have been honored with a special plaque at the school’s soccer field.

Joe Mancarella and Nelson Cupello coached the Tribunes in back-to-back tenures for almost six full decades – 55 years – while achieving unprecedented success.

Mancarella directed MCC from 1963-1989 while Cupello, who played for him for two seasons, ran the show from 1990-2018.

Both men already were inducted into the MCC Athletics Hall of Fame, so this certainly was a special honor.

“I really was pushing to name the field after coach Mancarella, I just could not find anyone that had a million dollars laying around,” Cupello said. “The next best thing was the plaques.”

Cupello played for Mancarella for two seasons before moving on to Brockport State. He then pursued a professional soccer career with the Rochester Lancers (North American Soccer League) and Rochester Flash (American Soccer League) before turning to coaching.

May be an image of 2 people and monument

“Coach was always about inclusion,” he said. “He never made cuts. I had many a player that were on his teams that conveyed that to me. I remember that when I played for him, we carried 35 players and at certain games, he made sure they all played. That made it special for them. Everyone wore the black and gold jersey.

“I, on the other hand, made cuts due to budget. I carried on many of his traditions. Always had bags of apples on away trips on the bus. Coach was a ‘gentleman.’ ”

The plaques will be placed next to the field.

“I stand on the shoulders of Joe Mancarella,” Cupello said. “Coach laid out the groundwork and I followed. Coach proved that you didn’t have to have played soccer to coach it, you had to play the game of life!!”

Mancarella started the Tribunes’ soccer program in 1963. By the time he retired after the 1989 season, he had accrued a 364-76-13 record. He was named NJCAA Region III coach of the year twice (1976 and 1982). Mancarella guided nine Region II championship teams and 40 All-American players.

The plaque says, “in recognition of his inspiring leadership and positive impact on MCC and its students.”

Cupello, who coached the Tribunes from 1990-2018 and earned a 367-38-38. He directed the team to 14 Region III titles and was named region coach of the year 17 times and the Northeast District coach of the year on three occasions. Named NSCAA coach of the year in 2012, Cupello distinguished in an MCC uniform, finding the net 54 times in two years. He was inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame in 2002.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.