A Thank You To Eric Breeden & Joseph Naselli

Dear Eric & Joseph,

As the sports banquet just ended, and we close the book on the 2014-15 season and prepare for the 2015-16 season, I want to thank Eric Breeden and Joseph Naselli for their outstanding contribution to Penn State Brandywine hockey.

Eric – I remember when you first showed up to play for us during the 2007-08 season. We needed you to play defense even though you were a forward. The following two years, you distinguished yourself as an all-DVCHC forward. As a player, your contribution to this team can't be measured by any statistical measurement, even though you did well statistically. You were a very good leader on a team with lots of personalities. You physically tried to impose your will on teammates, as well as opponents, in a way no one else has done recently.

You spent the next five years as an outstanding coach, even though the team went through some tumultuous seasons. You were always level-headed and tried to keep things calm even when it seemed like the wheels were coming off the cart. Coaching is so much more than X's, O's and systems, and I think you understood that. I think that is why our players responded so well to you and respect you so much.

Joseph – You came here when our team might have been at its best. We were loaded with talent and you were an impact player right from the jump. As a freshman, you were not only one of our best defensemen, you made the all-DVCHC team as one of the best defenders in the conference. You continued your dominance for the next four years and honestly, I can't remember a time when you were not this team's best player. In addition to your play, you set a great example for other players to follow. You never put yourself above anyone else even though you clearly could have. You set an example for players that I hope future players will follow.

I can't tell you how much I appreciated you coaching for the last two years. You did a great job with the defense even when we had to change the way we played this past season. The players respected you because you knew how to communicate with them. You got those kids to play to their best potential.

I am going to miss you two! I have been the coach here for 12 years now and you two have been a huge part of this team for the past 7 ½  years. This upcoming season is going to be the first time in a very long time I am not going to have a Breeden or Naselli as part of the team. I will always remember you and the contributions you both made to this team. I will take the best of you with me and try to use that during the next season when we will likely have 17 freshmen. I want you to know I love you both even though you don't tell me you love me back. I wish you both health and happiness and I hope you raise fantastic families. So from this old guy to you, thank you!

Best regards,

Coach Gilligan