2023 Year in Review: Coach of the Year: Blake Schinto

For lifelong Palisades resident Blake Schinto nothing is more gratifying than seeing his children succeed in sports and in life. This year he piloted his daughter Caroline’s All-Star basketball team to the Citywide Minor championship in April, guided his son Wyatt’s Pali Black to the PPBA Pony Division title in May and coached Wyatt’s Corpus Christi School varsity flag football team to a CYO Open Division crown in November.

“I have so many memories playing in our sports leagues,” Schinto recalled. “I played YMCA basketball, Rec Center T-ball, basketball and flag football, AYSO soccer and I was in Herb Furth’s Sunday basketball league. I loved it all!”

Schinto attended Corpus Christi School, Loyola High and USC. He played basketball at Loyola.

“I’m blessed that I’m still in this wonderful community and raising my children here,” Schinto continued. “I hope I can help contribute to each and every child having a similarly memorable experience. I feel like I’m still a kid whenever I coach. As a kid I loved playing all the different sports and as soon as a season ended I’d look forward to the next sport and season. Each one presents different challenges. My goals are always to help each player improve his or her individual skills, learn lessons like teamwork and sportsmanship and to have fun! I primarily coach basketball, football, and baseball which are also my favorite sports to play and watch.”

Growing up, Schinto’s fathercoached him in basketball, AYSO and his first season of PPBA and it left a lasting impression.

“I had great coaches like Bob Benton in 5-pitch at the Rec Center,” he added. “I’ve been fortunate to coach with my friend Tripp Nassour and fellow PPBA board members. My own coaching skills grew at St. Matthew’s Day Camp in the 1990s where I worked as a counselor in the summer in high school and college. I’m a huge fan of John Wooden and his Pyramid of Success and I admire Pete Carroll for his enthusiasm, positivity, and desire to always compete.”