Coach Gene with the athletes. The personalized Super Bowl style rings he purchases for the teams.
Everyone knows Coach Gene at the New Tampa YMCA. Our amazing volunteer basketball coach began with the Center in January 2017. He is a father figure to many of the athletes, even helping with funding sporting fees, purchasing Super Bowl style season rings and so much more. Gene Siudut is a true inspiration, and New Tampa Y’s Volunteer of the Year as well for 2023.
Assistant Editor of La Gaceta, an English-Spanish-Italian weekly newspaper based in Tampa, Gene is also the co-chair of the New Tampa YMCA Board of Directors. And is a well-known name in the volunteer sector giving his time to the Salvation Army, was the past president and treasurer Lions Club of Ybor City, and charter member/former treasurer - Kiwanis Club of Ybor City to name a few.
“The YMCA is a warm community center. I really liked it when I joined years ago. I’m just trying to help the athletes get better by not only coaching basketball, but also teaching them grace in both losing and winning. I’m like a parent for them even though I have no children of my own,” Gene shares.
He estimates coaching over 200 kids by now; two age groups: 11 and 12, and 13-15, and highly recommends volunteering to everyone.
“Whether you have children or not at the Y, it doesn’t matter. They need the volunteers. If you have only one hour over the weekend, then start. The most important thing you can give is your time. Do your part in giving our youth a code of respect, sportsmanship and courtesy. We are a better society for it.”
Eamonn O’Sullivan, Sports and Teens Program Director at the New Tampa Y can’t say enough about Coach Gene.
“Gene was selected as New Tampa’s Volunteer of the Year for his continuous dedication to both our basketball program as well as for serving on New Tampa’s Advisory Board. He is well known and appreciated by our members and families. He has coached two teams consistently year-round (we do five seasons of basketball each year) for many years. He is always willing to offer help wherever he can. He cares a lot about the kids at the Y and enjoys doing what he does. He is here every Tuesday evening for practices and Saturday mornings for games, giving his time to the program.”
All in all, the Y is one of Coach Gene’s favorite places with a “sense of familiarity.”
“The Y is a good, honest, decent place. I enjoy being here so very much. Being a coach is part of my identity.”
Thank you, Coach Gene. We deeply appreciate you making us your Y!
Published Wednesday, June 14, 2023.