URI Sailing Media
URI Sailing Team: 2006-2007
Sailing team hopes new coach will bring success
09/22/05 - It is turning into a reoccurring theme with University of Rhode Island sports teams - Just like the baseball team, one year removed from a successful season the sailing team has also changed coaches. Former coach Scott Norris, a winner of two major sailing championships, left his post as head coach to compete on the professional circuit. His replacement, Joey Mello, a 2004 graduate of URI, was enthusiastic to take over the position as head coach of the sailing team.
Regarding the job Mello said, "I do have a great appreciation for it. My last winter at school I took on the role of captain and ran with it. I filled in for Chuck [former captain of the team] when he spent time sailing in Florida and found that I loved it, boat work, team race meetings, and keeping the team on track, all of it." In addition to this experience, Mello said, "Coach Norris' knowledge from his two World Championships and general expertise in sailing contributed to making him[self] a better coach."
Since Mello was born, he said sailing has been infused into his blood. His father was a yacht rigger, so the boat yard was practically his second home. He started in the yacht club program in fourth grade and has been sailing ever since. Mello's prior coaching experience includes the New Bedford Yacht Club, Providence College and Bishop Stang High School. Last year the Rams finished second in the World Collegiate Keelboat Championships and the Captain Hurst Bowl, both major events in the collegiate sailing world. This season the Rams will hope to repeat their success, however it will be tough with the team's youth. The number of freshmen on the team is equal to the number of sophomores, juniors and seniors combined at 15 each.
When asked if he thinks this will be a rebuilding year, Mello said, "This season will be unique from last year, because this year's team is very young. I absolutely hate to use the word rebuilding, but I would have to say it is. Not to say these kids lack talent, because they are a very gifted and enthusiastic group of kids, but they lack the experience of teams of the past few years." As it is with all sports, talent is necessary to succeed, but it is going to take strong leadership from captains Amy Combs and Jeff Kittredge to pull through this year. Even though the team lacks experience, Mello believes it can still place high in competition. "I want to see nothing more than URI sailing [to] be successful and if I can help and guide the team then I would love to do it," Mello said. Hopefully this enthusiasm will transfer over to his team and result in a successful season for the Rams this year.