Team Pastore

 

He is a father, a coach, a brother, a leader, a mentor and one of the greatest men I know.

Team Pastore started from an idea my sister Allison and I had to honor our father for his birthday, by raising money to donate to Parkinson’s disease research.

My sister and I want to share our father’s inspiration, determination and all the things that make him special with everyone by spreading the word about Parkinson’s Disease, research methods and the immediate need for more funding to help find a cure.

To learn more about Coach P and his amazing accomplishments helping children grow and become responsible, educated and successful adults, feel free  to browse his resume.

As a soccer coach, Coach P is equally accomplished having won praise and accolades from his peers, players and most everyone he meets.

We love our father and hope you can gain insight into the man that has dedicated his life helping others.

We Love you Dad.

 

 

Coach P (front and center) in Germany on a recent trip

with the Adidas ESP All-Star team.  The team finished

3-0 defeating top quality youth teams from the Bundesliga.

 

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Here’s what others are saying…

"Coach Al is an inspiration to all who cross his path.  He is especially inspirational to

the kids he coaches.  To continue to believe and see the very best in the children of 

today is a true gift."    
Russell Herring

 

"Every child Al Pastore works with is touched by his knowledge and inspiration"
Jay and Cindy Talbert

 

A Letter to Coach P

Albert… 

Hard for me to put into words the feelings I had for you and the team last night. Although I flunked freshman English at Wake Forest with flying colors, I find it much easier to express it in writing than to say it. 

The transformation of this team over the past few seasons is remarkable…both you and the players deserve an awful lot of credit. 

The New Hanover program was at a low point when you came on board. In conjunction with a commitment by the players, the parents, and the administration, you have reinvigorated the program, the culture, the pride, and most importantly, the self esteem of anyone playing soccer for New Hanover. A coach has to have kids with talent and commitment in order to be successful but beyond a certain point, it’s up to the coach to foster the commitment and blend the talent into a unified team effort. It is up to you as the coach the turn individual players into a team Many coaches fall woefully short in attempts to do this. You have done it…the ovation you received last night during the awards ceremony says it all. You are most deserving. 

As for coming up a little short against Myers Park…last night and still today, it hurts. But, down the road, these kids will remember not that they lost the match last night, but that they got there and they got there as a team. It’s really easy to lose site of the fact that when it was all said and done, there were only two teams on that field last night…just two teams out of 94 across the state. At the 4A level in any state, that’s an incredible accomplishment and one for which both you and the players should be proud. And, I think it is worth noting, if memory serves me correctly, no 4A team south or east of Raleigh has ever played for the state championship (I know that Hoggard certainly never has). In short, moan the loss briefly but cherish the accomplishment forever. This is a team that will have bonds that will long outlive last night’s defeat. 

As for the game itself, your guys took it to them right away, held them close, gave up a couple of quick goals, but then made a most valiant effort at the end. It is noteworthy that the MP coach did not "empty his bench" in the final moments…he definitely had the words of Yogi Berra on his mind and knew the match wasn’t over until it was over. Obviously, he saw the fight and determination in the eyes of the Hanover kids. He will remember that match last night and not just for the simple fact that they barely survived. I am confident that he is fully aware that his kids had to fight harder last night than at any other time this year. Although I’m not certain, but in light of their record this year, I’m would hazard a guess that they most likely never had to come from behind. Both MP and New Hanover deserve a lot of credit and should be congratulated for their respective efforts throughout the season and especially last night. Knowing you, I know you can hardly wait until the first training session for next season. One thought…since we live really close together…just remember to knock on the Miller’s door and not mine at 7:00 am next season. 

Albert, I congratulate you, the players, and their parents on an incredible season. 

Stan