‘Grandma' wins another gold

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. - Some call her grandma. Others call her coach. Either way, Joanne Persico-Smith is a winner.
At the ripe old age of 41 - twice that of many of her players - the St. John's women's volleyball coach led the New York City women's open volleyball team to their fourth straight gold medal at Pace University, an Empire State Games record.
For 25 years, Persico-Smith has played volleyball at the Empires. She started as a freshman at St. Francis Prep, continued while at Syracuse, and has not stopped even as she has found her way into middle age.
&#8220I just know that I always love athletics, I always love to play,” she said. &#8220And I've been successful in volleyball and we tend to do things we're successful in.”
It is an odd transition. Each of her 13 years at St. John's, Persico-Smith has gone from coach to teammate with many of her pupils at the Jamaica school. Recently, they have taken to calling her grandma, an endearing nickname Persico-Smith does not mind. It is better than calling her coach, on the court, anyway.
&#8220To go from her coaching me to playing next to her is something spectacular,” former player and city teammate Patricia Hardimon said. &#8220I was a little skeptical at first, but when I did see her on the court, I was like ‘okay.' She still brings that competitive nature with her. She is hardcore on the court. But you feel it more. She's with you; she's next to you.”
The summer games also transition well into the fall season. Last year, St. John's enjoyed a dream year, notching the best record in school history at 31-5; advancing to their first NCAA Tournament; earning their first national ranking when they climbed as high as 24; and garnering their first Big East regular season crown after completing a perfect conference season. Persico-Smith credits her return to the court for such success.
&#8220This is better than any book I can read; this is better than any videotape I can watch,” she said. &#8220Being on the court is completely different. There are a lot of things that are different from when you are watching. Sometimes as a coach you forget it, and this brings me back to the basics.”
Last summer Persico-Smith said she would continue playing until she was dragged off the court. Now, she is contemplating retirement. However, the longtime coach also is not ruling out a go at a five-peat.
&#8220We'll see what we all are doing a year from now,” Persico-Smith said. &#8220It's hard to keep it up day after day. I do not want to end up a cripple out there. I want to end in a good place. I want to end where I deserve to be on the team. If I feel I can't contribute and there is a young person who can contribute more than I can, I definitely will step aside.”