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There’s not doubt that Marie DiStefano loves sports, but we aren’t just talking about her Philadelphia Phillies through whom she has witnessed the up-and-down times first-hand while working in one of the retail locations at Citizens Bank Park. However, the resident of the 3200 block of South 20th St., has made a difference in teaching life lessons through sports. Instead of just coaching, this mother of two — daughters Lisa Rubin, 29, and Kristine, 25, has taken on the leadership role by forming softball leagues for ages 7 to 13 and 14 to 18 at Columbus Square, 12th and Reed streets.
“I was always on the baseball field from the time I was 5 or 6 years old,” she said. “I look at sports as a way to help a kid. I always treated every kid that I coached like they’re my kids.”
That has included waving the league fees for families who couldn’t afford the added expense.
“There are many times where I probably lost money, but I would rather see that kid playing,” she said.
The Region 6 Catholic Youth Organization also holds a very special place in her heart from coaching multiple championship teams to becoming the first ever local female CYO commissioner. While winning championships is a rewarding experience, the won/loss records have never been a priority for the St. Nicholas of Tolentine – now part of the merged St. Anthony’s – basketball and softball coach.
“When I see a kid get their first hit or score their first basket, that’s why I do it,” DiStefano, who also runs a successful South Philly-based 11-team women’s fastpitch softball league during the spring and summer months, said. “I want everybody to give it 100 percent. I want to bring out that confidence in them.”
She has been spreading her winning message for so many years that she has lost track of how many kids she has coached, which has included paid stints at Neumann-Goretti. Now, many of those former pupils of the game, including Kayla Glendening and Kristen Giangiordano, have returned as volunteers.
DiStefano may be the Difference Maker, but she notes that her moment in the spotlight has truly been a team effort.
“Without all of the support and all of my family and friends, I wouldn’t be able to do this,” she said.
Her husband, Mike, is her biggest supporter.
“Obviously he supports me or I wouldn’t be doing it,” DiStefano said.
Contact Editor Bill Gelman at bgelman@southphillyreview.com or ext. 121.
2014 Difference Makers
/ L. Jay Agnes / Christine M. Beady / Jessica Calter / Mikki Capo /
/ Barbara Capozzi / Giovanna Cavaliere /
/ Christopher DiCapua / Marlo and Jason Dilks / Marie DiStefano / Beth Dougherty /
/ Cornell Drummond / Maureen Fratantoni / Etrulia (Trudy) Gay / Jess Gould /
/ David and Lisa Grainge / Richie Lazer / Tim Lidiak /
/ Shane Martin / Laura McColgan / Akhenaton Mikell / Russell Shoemaker / Lionel Simmons / Tom Wyatt/
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