Philly Leader

After more than four decades in high school football coaching, Ray Reca finds himself in his fifth season at Academy at Palumbo. Reca's journey to the Philadelphia school came after moving from New Jersey and encountering restrictions on coaching while drawing a paycheck there.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reca discovered an opportunity at Palumbo through Indeed and applied. Initially, only eight students attended his first practice. However, Reca was determined to foster a sense of family within the team. "The mentality was to bring them into a family and give them a family atmosphere," he explained.

Reca invested personally in the program, spending over $1,000 of his own money to clean uniforms found neglected at the school. He also provided meals for players before games and purchased necessary equipment like helmet stickers and mouthguards.

His efforts have yielded results. Last season, Palumbo had 43 players on its roster and won its division for the first time in history, advancing to a higher tier in the Philadelphia Public League. "I kind of looked at my opportunity at Palumbo when I got hired at 58 years old... I still value that opportunity to still be an influence to young people," said Reca.

Tragedy struck early in 2024 when a player lost his life. The community rallied together under difficult circumstances. "It was very hard to come to grips with what had happened," said Reca. The team dedicated their season to their fallen teammate.

The team's motto, "One heartbeat. One soul. One goal. Palumbo!" has become integral to their identity, appearing on T-shirts and serving as a rallying cry before games and practices.

As playoffs approach against Mastery Charter North, Palumbo holds a .500 record despite challenges faced this year. Due to health issues, Reca will not coach but remains involved with the team.

Reflecting on being named Coach of the Week by the Philadelphia Eagles, Reca expressed gratitude: "I am deeply flattered... I'm eternally grateful."