Meet the Pat Sempier Foundation Board Members!
Carol Sempier
“I was married to Pat for 26 years. Prior to that, we were friends at North Bergen High School for many years, as Pat was a teacher, and I was a secretary in the main office. Coaching was a true passion of Pat’s, but it wasn’t until we were married that I fully understood how much coaching meant to him. He spent the weekends traveling throughout NJ training different kickers, calling coaches, making college videos. He spent hours on the phone with his kickers. He lived for football and coaching. He loved his kickers as though they were family. When Pat had several setbacks, he was always determined to get on that field and continue to coach. He had a glow about him during football season. He looked forward to working with his kids and bonding with them. He was not only a coach, but a mentor and friend.”
Mary "Patti" Russo
“I was blessed that Pat Sempier was my father. He was loving, patient, supportive and easy going. He always had a smile and was quick to laugh. He believed in following your passion. His passions were teaching and football, particularly kicking. Coaching was the perfect fit. Year after year seeing his capacity for generosity and the dedication he gave not only his family but to so many others was incredible. Living his life true to himself and his beliefs was the greatest lesson a father, grandfather and great-grandfather can give. He was amazing. He was one of a kind. He was my Dad. It is with great pride and respect to continue his legacy through this foundation."
Kerri Anne O’Connor
“Having Pat as a grandfather meant having a constant fan in the stands to cheer me on and having emotional and mental support no matter if I won or lost. Off any field, having Pat as a grandfather meant having unconditional love, decades of laughs, jokes, wisdom and always going above and beyond for me. Pat was the most generous man I ever knew. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for someone. Whenever I needed him, he was there. He always cared about what was going on in my life, no matter how small I thought it was. He taught me how to pitch and with that, he taught me determination, patience, dedication, how to be confident; but above all, he taught me it's ok to have an off game and lose but leave the negativity and loss on the field because the sport was not my whole life, and the losses don’t define me as an athlete and person. Positive thinking for the next practice and game were important. I loved softball but I loved spending one on one time with him the most for all those years. He taught me so much. To know Pat was to love him, admire him and realize that people do amazing things to help others, without Receiving anything in return. To so many, he was known as the kicking guru and a legend but to me, he was Papa.”
Kimberly Wilderson
“Pat was a friend. My son, Matthew Wilderson was a student of Coach Pat’s. Coach Pat was more than just a “coach.” He was a mentor an advisor and an advocate for his athletes. It was an honor to know Coach Pat for 5 years. I enjoyed picking up Coach Pat during the week to practices and on Friday nights to take him to DePaul Catholic Football games. It was great to listen to all of his stories. I am very grateful to be part of his foundation.”
Valentino Ambrosio
“I am currently a junior at Tulane University. As a placekicker, my team and I won the 2022 American Athletic Conference Championship and went on to win the 2023 Cotton Bowl. I met Coach Pat when I was a freshman in high school, and he stayed with me until he passed away. He tried to make every game and he was with me when I kicked in the North vs. South game. Even when I decided to go back to soccer in college, Coach Pat and I talked every day. Pat to me was very selfless and all he wanted to do was help people at the cost of nothing. He truly was inspiring to me because he was very persistent in getting it done the right way and he really taught me how to not give up. Not only did he teach me how to become a better kicker, but he truly taught me how to be a better man and I will forever love him for that.”
Angelo Guglielmello
“I met Coach Pat while playing football in 6th Grade. Coach always had a way of making you feel at ease when kicking. He brought a calmness and confidence in his kickers. He was all about the positive, no negative statements or attitudes were allowed. Pat taught not only techniques on the field, but also provided lessons on life, how to treat people, and how to set an example for those who were coming up behind us. Because of Pat’s support and guidance, I was able to play Varsity football for four years at St. Joseph Regional High School and break the school’s kicking points record, holding the New Jersey state record for kicking points, and attend a division 1 college on a scholarship. I was truly blessed with a mentor, surrogate grandfather, and dear friend.”
Matthew Wilderson