College coach has influence on Crognale

By BRANT JAMES

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 10, 2001

BROOKSVILLE -- There is perhaps no greater compliment to a mentor than emulation.

Charlie Giangrosso is proud of Central coach Steve Crognale, whom he coached at Saint Mary of the Plains College in Kansas.

Watch Crognale zoom around the the Bears' practice field like a loose fire hose, hat backward, screaming until his throat surrenders, and you see Giangrosso's passion for the game.

"It's good to be enthusiastic for the kids," Crognale said. "This is a fun time, and I do enjoy it."

It's a passion Giangrosso instilled in his former center with arduous effort.

"I was hard as nails on that kid," Giangrosso said. "But he was one of the best offensive centers I had in 20 years of coaching."

Giangrosso stays in contact with Crognale and has been trying to get him to come to Murfreesboro, N.C., one weekend to watch Division III Chowan College, for which he serves as defensive coordinator.

"My wife (Patsy) says he can come as long as he brings his baby daughter," Giangrosso said. "He spent a lot of time at my house when I coached him. He loved spaghetti."

Crognale has repaid some of that grocery bill in recruits. With Joe Condron's enrollment at Chowan for the fall, six Central grads are scheduled to play for the school.

"They call it Brooksville North," Giangrosso said jokingly. "And I know when I get someone from (Central), there always "Yes sir, no sir."'

DRINK: Crognale said he hasn't had to re-think his practice routine with the recent spate of heat-related deaths.

"It's something I can honestly say I've always taken a big concern in," he said.

"We try and do our drills for 20 minutes and then give them a water break; not old school where you practice without water like some of us did it. Kids need water."

-- Staff writer Brant James can be reached at (800) 333-7505, ext. 1430. Send e-mail to brant@sptimes.com.

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