They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.  This is one saying to which neither Domenic (La Salle Class of 1967) nor Geoff Marcone can relate.  Father and son have been working very closely together in one capacity or another since Geoff was a freshman in high school.  And, if you really want to get down to it, Geoff has been around football since he was 18 months old. 

“Geoff was a coach’s kid.  His first football game was Warwick Vets versus Toll Gate when he was 18 months old. By the time he was four, I would pick him up after pre-school and bring him to football practice everyday,” explained Domenic.

Geoff changed high schools to play football for his father.  Domenic was Geoff’s high school football coach from 1989, when Geoff was in ninth grade, to 1993, when Geoff was voted all-state quarterback at Pilgrim High School.  Since Pilgrim was not Geoff’s neighborhood high school, he had to drive to school with his dad at 5 a.m. every day.  Domenic liked to get a head start on his day.  Needless to say, this time allowed for father and son to bond.

Geoff played football at Springfield College from 1993-1997 and returned to Rhode Island to be Domenic’s assistant coach for one year at Pilgrim High School.  Geoff then went back to Springfield to be an assistant coach from 1998-2000.

Once Geoff had earned his master’s degree at Springfield, he returned to Pilgrim High School to take over the head coaching position for his father.   Of course Domenic didn’t go very far!   He became Geoff’s assistant for one year until Geoff was bumped out of the position due to union issues.

From there Geoff became an assistant coach at La Salle Academy, Domenic’s alma mater, while Domenic became an assistant coach at Bishop Hendricken High School, La Salle’s long time rival.  Although football had brought these two men together they were now friendly on-field enemies, Domenic recalled,  ‘We coached against each other for three years and La Salle won all three years,” Geoff said,  “I hated it.  I used to get sick anytime we had to play against each other.  This is the man that taught me everything, and there I was trying to beat him.  It just didn’t feel right.”

Then, in 2004 Geoff became and still is the head coach at La Salle Academy and Domenic became his defensive coordinator.  “I get fired at least twice a season,” laughed Domenic. “That’s because he forgets to leave his father role aside!  It’s a tough place to be in -- being my dad all of the time, but my assistant on the field.  Sometimes he gets carried away,” Geoff explained. “Even though I “fire” him every so often, I realize the importance of him being there with me. To coach with my father is something very special to me and something that I will always cherish.” 

Geoff understands the torch that he now carries.  Domenic has always relished his time at La Salle -- always talking about the friends he made and the great coaches and teachers he had.  Geoff knows that tradition at La Salle runs deep and never departs.  Through Domenic’s stories about Jack Cronin, Carl Totti, Lou Cimini and many others, Geoff realizes how lucky he is to be the head coach at La Salle Academy.  It is something he does not take lightly or for granted.  “When I was a kid my father used to tell me that I represent all Marcone’s that came before me. I realize now that I not only represent my family, but anyone who has ever played or coached at La Salle Academy.”

Turning back to the elder Marcone, when asked about his greatest achievements he was quick to answer -- “Teaching, not just coaching but TEACHING for 40 years is my greatest achievement -- teaching the importance of school.  In 40 years I lost only one kid to eligibility due to grades. Coaching is teaching and teaching is coaching whether it is on the athletic field or in the classroom -- it is all about making kids into better people.”

When asked what the most important lesson his father has taught him, Geoff replied, “He told me ‘only control what you can control’-- meaning do not waste your time and effort, mental or physical, on things that are beyond your ability or authority to influence as it will only cause you grief.”

“The years we have had together in athletics have created a bond that is difficult to describe,” said the elder Marcone.  “It does not make any difference if the relationship was coach and athlete, opposing coaches or working together -- sharing a passion for the same thing, be it on the practice field or in the heat of a game, has made our father-son relationship even more special.  Not always smooth and perfect, but very special.”