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Coaches Brian Nicholas,
Joe Nicholas and Earl Taylor Joe Nicholas took over as Knights President in 1995 and turned a struggling organization into a success story almost overnight. Teaming with brother Brian as coaches, his Midget 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, and when you hear him bellow you'll jump back a foot. But his tough exterior belies a gentle, kind-hearted individual who has given fifteen years of his time to teaching the children of Brookline the fundamentals of prep league football. When Coach Joe took over the helm of the Knights program, he inherited a program in decline. Through the hard work and dedication of Joe and his 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's 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. I can't think of enough good things to say about the man. To Coach Joe and the entire Nicholas' family (Lisa, Coach Brian, Kim, Nicole, Jamie, Gina, and Little Joey) the Brookline community says "Thank You." The Nicholas' truly are the First Family of Brookline football.
stand guard over the days activities. In addition to his duties as a coach and acting president of the Brookline Knights football organization, Joe Nicholas is also very busy during the offseason, coaching with the Brookline Little League. Joe was active for many years with the softball program, assisting Angelo Masullo Jr with his C.E.C. team in the Little League and managing Speedy Printing , then 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. Now that son Joey is in the baseball program, Joe has moved over to the adjacent field, managing the Conditioned Air team in Minor League and then the Medicine Shoppe team in the Little League. Brookline is a better place because of the efforts and dedication of men like Joe Nicholas.
* Photos provided by Barbara Giegucz, Carol Taylor and Bob Hayes * |
