Educational Services, Motivational Clinics, Workshops, and Public Speaking Events

WINS 4 Life

The WINS For Life All-Star team

Administrators, Speakers, Coaches, Instructors

The WINS For Life staff is committed to providing  individual attention while  enhancing  Individual improvement.

Dear Friend,

 

Thank you for taking a moment to learn more about the WINS For Life staff. The variety of events we offer afford participants with unique opportunities to work with others and have fun, while enhancing their individual skills, knowledge and experience. We hope to meet you at a future event. We offer educational services and motivational events for athletics, schools and human services. Our mission is to educate, inspire, and assist others in as many ways as possible. We achieve our objectives by providing a range of services, supported by our dedicated and experienced staff.  One of our common themes is TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More). Listed below are some of the all-stars that contribute to our dynamic team. We look forward to introducing ourselves in person.

David Vasquenza—Founder, President, Events Director

Dan Vasquenza— Vice President, Board of Directors, Guest Speaker/Coach

Scott Curtis—Guest Speaker/Coach

Jerome (J. R.) Hargreaves—Coach/Instructor

Steve Repass—Guest Speaker, Entertainment Coordinator

Mr. David Vasquenza has a range of valuable work experience and a wealth of insight on teaching and motivating students, athletes and adults. For over twenty years he has worked for public school systems, colleges and other educational organizations. He has extensive experience in providing educational services to individuals who require counseling, behavior management and crisis intervention. He has worked in mentorship and self-determination programs and maintains active participation in Unified Sports and Special Olympics. David is currently a staff trainer at Oak Hill School where he has been employed since 1986. He is a certified instructor in PMT, and American Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED.

 

David has successfully coached basketball at a variety of levels (middle school, high school, college, and AAU). From 1996-2000, he was instrumental is assisting the Worcester State College Men’s Basketball team to a school record for the most wins in a four-year period (66-42); including a 19-8 MASCAC Championship season in 1999-2000, and two ECAC Bids (1997-98, 1999-2000). During his three years as an AAU coach (1994-96), Coach Vasquenza led his teams (Connecticut Starters) to three consecutive Connecticut Boy’s AAU State Championships. In 1996, his team finished 13^th out of 76 teams at the National AAU Championship in Kingsport, Tennessee. The majority of that that team advanced to outstanding collegiate athletic careers, including three Ivy League graduates. From 1993-1996, he served as a boys basketball coach for the Plainville public schools. “Coach V” has worked as a coach or guest speaker at numerous basketball camps in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Arizona, and Maryland.

 

His dual career in human services and coaching has focused on a central purpose: a commitment to the physical, intellectual, social and moral development of countless individuals, students and athletes. With his inspiring positive energy and unique blend of work experience, David has journeyed to the public speaking circuit where he has started another career, as Founder and President of WINS For Life, LLC.

David lives in Manchester, CT.

There are people who are blessed to be great teachers and successful coaches, and Scott Curtis is a model example of both. Scott teaches math at Ellington Middle School (CT), where he has been selected “Teacher of the Month” on numerous occasions.

 

Scott was the Varsity Boy’s Basketball coach at Ellington High School (CT) from 1998-2003. During the 2001-2002 season, Coach Curtis led the Purple Knight’s basketball team to the “Class S” State Championship game, finishing the year with a record of 21-5. Both his 1999-2000 and 2002-03 teams reached the “Final Four” in the state tournament. Scott’s  five-year record at EHS was 73-42, earning a winning record in every season.

 

Teams under the guidance of Coach Curtis emulate his strong character, and are recognized for their chemistry and hard-working competitive spirit. Scott has successfully coached baseball at the middle school and high school levels. His range of talents as a teacher and coach are most valuable to the variety of basketball programs offered by WINS For Life. During the summer months, Scott is employed as a painter. He keeps busy with a variety of outdoor activities, including coaching his children and youth sports teams. He is a 1991 graduate of the Central Connecticut State University. Scott resides in Tolland, CT. with his wife Becky and their children Rachael and Matt.

Tim Goodwin—Guest Speaker/Coach

Great men do great things. For over 13 years Tim has done many great things while cultivating personal growth, success and achievement in the lives of countless students at The Masters School (Simsbury, CT).

 

Whether in the classroom, or on the basketball court, Tim has enriched the lives of many while serving as a history-social studies teacher and the Varsity Boy’s Basketball coach. He is a loyal educator who is very committed to his students. His faith, compassion and positive energy serve as a natural inspiration to those he leads.

 

Coach Goodwin’s basketball teams are consistently one of the top prep school basketball programs in New England. His career coaching record is an impressive 196-91. He has compiled numerous New England Christian School and Connecticut Independent School Championships. He has also experienced success while coaching cross country and baseball at the high school level.

 

Tim is the Director of the highly respected Upward Bound Basketball Camp. He is Co-Founder and Co-Director of Maximum Impact coaching clinics (with David Vasquenza). Tim has a Masters degree in Athletic Administration from Springfield College, and he is a 1991 graduate from The King’s College. Tim lives in Litchfield, CT. with is wife Jennifer and their daughter Amaris.

Leading by example is a powerful way to teach. At the young age of 23, Jerome has already proven to be an effective teacher and inspirational role model. He is a 2004 graduate of Central Connecticut State University (BA, Sociology). During Jerome’s junior year at CCSU he earned a 3.4 GPA, while serving as a member on the CCSU Men’s Basketball team. JR was honored with the prestigious CCSU Student-Athlete Academic Achievement Award. This award is most impressive because during his rigorous academic and athletic schedule, JR managed time to direct efforts towards saving the operation of a local youth center.

 

In 1999, he became Co-founder of Youth Dynasty, Inc. In only a few years, Youth Dynasty has established itself as one of the premiere AAU Basketball programs in Connecticut. As a student-athlete at Middletown High School (CT), Jerome was a member of the DECA Club, Minority Student Coalition, and Peer Meditation Group, while earning “honor roll” in the classroom and serving as captain of the basketball team. From 1994-1996, JR was a member of a Connecticut Starters AAU Basketball team that won three consecutive CT State AAU Championships.

 

Jerome demonstrated his range of skills and athletic ability by playing four different positions. Now he demonstrates his range of skills as a mentor and coach. He works for Hartford Public Schools. Jerome lives in Middletown, CT.

Albert Einstein said “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.”  Steve Repass couldn’t help himself; he has become both.

 

Steve works for Oak Hill School/Connecticut Institute for the Blind. Steve’s contributions and performance in his vocation as a staff trainer are vital to the over-all success of the agency. He is a valued member of a seven-person training department responsible for providing certification and training to a work force of over 1,400 people. Steve teaches several courses essential to providing quality human services, including the diverse week-long new employee orientation. Steve’s broad based knowledge and his seasoned work experience in the mental health field afford him the ability to teach several human interactions courses, including Adult CPR, First Aid, Physical and Psychological Management (PMT), Positive Behavioral Supports and Human Rights & Abuse Prevention.

 

A man in humble possession of many talents, Steve is a skilled artist and musician. Steve is the coordinator responsible for producing much of the music and entertainment at events hosted by WINS For Life. He also shines in the public speaking arena. Steve and his wife Lana live in Manchester, CT with their children Michael and Alex.

Success has been a close companion for Dan throughout his career. He maintained a high level of achievement in radio sales for several years before making a successful transition to management. He currently works for WZLX-Boston. Dan has an extraordinary work ethic with a true sense of loyalty. His experience and knowledge in the business world are valuable assets.

 

Dan was a key staff member for the Connecticut Pride CBA franchise, helping set the foundation for their 1999 CBA Championship. Dan’s innate understanding of team dynamics, combined with his basketball knowledge, served him well as Founder and Director of the Connecticut Pride Summer Basketball Camp. Dan has coached at other popular basketball camps, including the Jim Calhoun Basketball Camp and the Nelson Sanders Basketball Camp.

 

His admirable interpersonal skills and leadership traits compliment his natural ability as a coach and speaker. His broad knowledge and work experience includes employment in the Arena Football League, the CBA, and for two of New England’s top radio stations. Dan has coordinated multiple fund raisers and special events, such as the Snapple Hoop Fest and the Leukemia Big Climb. He is a 1993 graduate of the University of Southern New Hampshire (formerly New Hampshire College). Dan lives in South Boston, MA with his wife, Sara and son Jack.

Rashamel Jones—Guest Speaker/Coach

Rashamel is an important role model to the basketball loving state of Connecticut.

He was a three-time First Team All-State selection at Trinity Catholic High School (Stamford, CT), where he scored an amazing 2,301 points during his scholastic career. Rashamel was honored as the New England and Connecticut High School Player of the Year in 1994-95. As a high school senior he averaged 27 points, 10 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists per game. In true form to his loyalty and character, Rashamel opted to “stay home” and attend University of Connecticut. He was a major contributor to the 1999 NCAA National Championship won by the UConn Men’s Basketball team. His value as a three year co-captain for the Huskies had as much to do with skills and talent, as it had to do with character and those all important intangibles. His leadership, mental strength and team philosophy made him a well respected student-athlete. “Rash” was his team’s best defender, often guarding opponents bigger in size.

 

As a sophomore (1996-97) he averaged 13ppg (2^nd on team) and nearly five rebounds per game. He averaged 6.5 points and 3 rebounds per game during his UConn career. Rashamel played in 132 career games, he is tied for No. 2 in UConn history. He holds the UConn record for most NCAA Tournament games played (13) and was named to the 1998 BIG EAST All-Tournament team. Rashamel is currently finishing his degree in Communication Sciences, while he works as a student-assistant for the UConn Men’s Basketball team. Rash had a great playing career. Now, he is destined to have a great coaching career. Rashamel lives in Stamford, CT.      

Coach Dan Vasquenza

Coach David Vasquenza

Coach Tim Goodwin

(In blue)

Coach Scott Curtis