Coach’s focus is on providing opportunities and giving back

By John Shaughnessy

The quality and character of a person can often be measured by what he or she chooses to do anonymously.

So when a friend nominated Greg Corsaro to receive the 2021 St. John Bosco Award—the highest honor given to a volunteer by the archdiocese’s Catholic Youth Organization (CYO)—the friend focused on Corsaro’s quiet acts of generosity:

“Not many people know this, and Greg would probably be upset with me for sharing this, but there have been countless examples of Greg proactively stepping in and making sure kids that may need help with fees for athletics, equipment, field trips, etc., do not have to worry about how they might participate. Greg’s extreme generosity to so many has always been done with quiet dignity and respect for those in need.”

Asked about his approach in such situations, Corsaro downplayed his efforts, adding that what he tries to do is just a reflection of his upbringing as a child and his involvement in sports as an athlete and as a coach of more than 20 years.

“You see different things in life,” says Corsaro, a member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Beech Grove. “You see that some kids, due to circumstances beyond their control, may not have the opportunity to succeed as much as others. No one should be prevented from reaching their full potential because of things they don’t have. I’ve tried to help in that way.”

The theme of “opportunity” echoes through a conversation with Corsaro.

His voice fills with joy when he talks about coaching—his favorite part being teaching fundamentals to 5- and 6-year-olds. And a father’s love fills his comments about having the opportunity to coach his three now-grown children in their younger days.

“It’s not just the time you were coaching them, it’s the time you were with them, to and from practices and games. That’s the best thing about it.”

That depth of emotion is also revealed when he talks about his marriage of 34 years to his wife, Susie: “She’s the best person I’ve ever known.”

They met when they were both star student-athletes at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis. And Corsaro’s memories of his time at Roncalli have led him to serve with pride as a member of the school’s board of directors—a position he has also held for the past six years with the CYO’s board.

“In our Catholic faith, we’re taught to give our time, talent and treasure. It’s a real honor to give back to a school and an organization that have given me a lot.” †

Related: Archbishop praises CYO volunteers as being ‘enduring witnesses of Christ’