To the Editor:
I am writing in reference to a negative article published in your paper a few months ago.
A young girl on a middle school basketball team claimed that my friend was mean and rough on her. It seems to me as if this girl has an issue with discipline and is spoiled.
While I do not want to appear biased, I have a 23-year-old nephew, who I love, who has a problem with discipline and grew up very spoiled. He has a $120,000 education and waits on tables in a restaurant. He is unable to make decisions on his own, lacks direction and does not respect anyone who tries to help him or give him advice.
My friend coached Bethel Park High School's girls' basketball team for five years. When he first took over, they were losing. But with discipline, respect, hard work and honesty, he made them winners, as they often dove for loose balls, hittting the hard-wood floors. In his second year of coaching, they finished 19-5.
I am fighting cancer for the second time. While I do not like it, I have never complained and I am giving everything I have to win this battle. I wonder if I could be this strong without God, a loving grandfather, a tough step-father and a high school coach who kept us in line.
My friend grew up in a hard-working Italian-American family with seven siblings. They are honest, successful and hard working, as some of them shoveled coal in the steel mills in the summer to pay for college.
Until my early 30s, my life was very troubled, but my friend's family accepted and encouraged me as if I was one of their own. My friend's mother, Rose, is 92 pounds of love.
I will never forget the time when I could not pay my rent and my friend gave me a check for $400 and said "Pay me back when you can." I had not asked him for the money.
This September my friend, with three others, organized the Rams Club banquet featuring Joe Montana, Fred Cox and Ken Griffey Sr. The proceeds from the Rams Club go to kids to give them opportunities to better themselves and achieve success.
My friend is a stalwart in this organization, as he has devoted his life to helping youths.
My friend is a man of honesty and integrity who truly cares about kids, and it is a shame that someone has issues with his discipline and work ethic.
This is not just one great "Joe" from the wonderful town of Monongahela. This is also Joe Ravasio, my friend.
Robert Simcic
Pittsburgh
