Shawn DiVece is aware of concerning the nice custom of Cherokee soccer.
He has really lived it for a lot of his life.
A former participant and assistant coach for the Chiefs, DiVece is now taking the subsequent step as the brand new head soccer coach at Cherokee.
He replaces Brian Glatz, who resigned after the season, which was his seventh as head coach.
“I’m past excited to essentially simply proceed the custom and excellence that I used to be principally instilled by my former coach John Scott and training beneath PJ Mehigan and Brian Glatz, each former Cherokee gamers,” DiVece stated.
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DiVece, 43, is a 1999 graduate of Cherokee. As a senior in 1998 he performed on an 8-3 crew that superior to the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals.
DiVece hardly ever left the sphere.
“He was a very good participant, one of many leaders on the crew,” stated Glatz, who was a Cherokee assistant coach when DiVece was a participant. “He was a starter at large receiver and security/linebacker and was robust and aggressive.”
From there, he attended La Salle College, the place DiVece began at receiver as a sophomore, moved to protection and performed linebacker his junior season and was a beginning large receiver as a senior. He additionally was a school punt returner.
DiVece realized rather a lot concerning the sport each in highschool and faculty and in 2003, he turned an assistant coach beneath Mehigan at Cherokee.
Throughout his time with Mehigan, DiVece coached receivers and was a passing sport specialist, absolutely concerned in sport planning.
In his seven seasons beneath Glatz, DiVece was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
When DiVece talked about the good custom of Cherokee soccer, he actually knew what he was speaking about.
For the reason that creation of NJSIAA soccer playoffs in 1974, Cherokee has made 34 postseason appearances, with 17 sectional closing appearances and 12 sectional titles, in accordance with Gridironnewjersey.com
Underneath Glatz, the Chiefs gained two sectional titles – the Central Jersey Group 5 crown in 2019 and the South Jersey Group 5 championship in 2023.
What has made the run much more spectacular is Cherokee yearly performs among the many hardest schedules in South Jersey. This previous season the Chiefs went 5-6, however nonetheless gained a playoff sport whereas competing within the West Jersey Soccer League American Division, which consisted of Group 4 state champion Winslow Township, Central Jersey Group 4 champion Millville, South Jersey Group 3 champ Mainland and at all times robust St. Augustine, which gained seven video games.
“I believe taking part in such a tricky schedule makes you battle-tested,” DiVece stated. “In 2019 as an example our schedule was brutal, and we misplaced 4 in a row resulting in the playoffs after which gained the sectional title.”
That season the Chiefs beat Kingsway, 35-18 to win the Central Jersey Group 5 championship.
DiVece, has been a math instructor at Cherokee since 2007, after serving the identical place the earlier three years for Westampton Tech. He not solely has the requisite soccer data, however a life-long affinity for his highschool.
“Shawn isn’t just a soccer man however a Cherokee soccer man,” Glatz stated. “He’s homegrown, and really obsessed with Cherokee soccer.”
Along with taking part in soccer, DiVece was a 3rd baseman on the Cherokee baseball crew. His senior 12 months in 1999, the Chiefs gained the South Jersey Group 4 title. He’s an enormous believer in multi-sports athletes.
“We stress multi-sports athletes,” he stated. “I believe it helps in all of the sports activities.”
By seeing his resume one can absolutely see that DiVece has actually paid his dues climbing the teaching ladder.
“I wouldn’t commerce it for something on the planet and I’m very grateful for PJ giving me the chance and to additionally coach beneath Brian,” he stated. “It’s been nice. and I’m so excited to get to the subsequent chapter in my life and my subsequent chapter in Cherokee soccer.”
Marc Narducci is a contract reporter for the Courier-Put up. He could be reached at cpvarsity@gmail.com
This text initially appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Put up: Cherokee Excessive College names Shawn DiVece as head soccer coach
