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Joe Nicholas began his coaching career with the Brookline Knights in 1993, and took over as President in 1995. He turned a struggling organization into a success story almost overnight. Teaming with brother Brian as coaches, his teams won titles in four out of five seasons from 1996 to 2000. But winning titles and getting the most from his players is but one of Joe Nicholas' many fine qualities. As a full-time Pittsburgh Police Officer, Joe employs a no-nonsense approach in his dual role as President and Coach. At first glance you might step back an inch. When you hear him bellow you'll jump back a foot. But this tough exterior belies a gentle, kind-hearted individual who has given nineteen years of his time to teaching the children of Brookline the fundamentals of prep league football.
Through the hard work and dedication of Joe, his wife Lisa, and a faithful group of volunteers, the Brookline Knights Football Association has risen to new heights, earning itself respect as one of the best youth programs in the City of Pittsburgh. It has been my pleasure to have known and worked with Joe now for many years, and he has proven himself to be a good friend and someone to look up to. He is a role model for the hundreds of kids who have passed through the Knights program. To Coach Joe and the entire Nicholas' family (Lisa, Brother Brian, Kim, Nicole, Jamie, Gina, Joey and Little Jaedyn) the Brookline community says "Thank You." The Nicholas' truly are the First Family of Brookline football.
In addition to his duties as coach and acting president of the Brookline Knights football organization, Joe Nicholas was also very busy during the offseason, coaching with the Brookline Little League Association. Joe spent several years with the softball program, assisting Angelo Masullo Jr with his C.E.C. team in the Little League, then managing Speedy Printing and M.J. Automotive in the Senior League. In true Nicholas tradition, daughter Gina's C.E.C. team brought home a title in 2001, then Gina combined with sister Jamie to bring home the final Senior League championship in 2003. Once the girls had moved on, Joe switched to the baseball diamond to help with Joey, managing Conditioned Air in Minor League and then Medicine Shoppe in Little League. His baseball/softball coaching career ended in 2008. The City of Pittsburgh and the Community of Brookline are a better place because of the efforts and dedication of men like Joe Nicholas.
* Photos provided by Barbara Giegucz, Carol Taylor and Bob Hayes * |
