The COVID-19 pandemic tossed everyone’s summer plans out the window. One Poly coach and his brother adapted by taking their talents and commitment to their sports on the road—coaching on the go.

Poly’s Boys’ Lacrosse head coach Lou Candel has been making lemonade from the pandemic’s lemons. During a normal summer, Lou would be coaching lacrosse for a week at Poly’s summer camp and at a sleep away camp in Pennsylvania for seven weeks. When those two opportunities were cancelled because of the virus, Lou and his brother, Matt Candel, got creative and decided to offer private lacrosse and basketball skills training in the Hamptons. What began as a few families soon grew to 170 families who wanted their boys and girls to get outside, get some exercise, and hone their skills.

“The Candel family has a long coaching history in the sports of lacrosse and basketball and brothers Lou and Matt are two of the finest coaches around.”

Howie Borkan, Former Chairman, USA Men’s National LAX Team

The Candels’ program, LAX & Hoops Prep now includes 28 coaches teaching lacrosse, basketball, baseball, and soccer. Instruction takes place in families’ backyards and is run in accordance with the CDC guidelines for youth sports, including wearing masks and practicing social distancing. Coaches include Varsity Baseball Coach Matt Roventini ’92, P ’21, ’25 and students include Poly students and boys and girls from other Ivy Prep League Schools.

“Being able to provide an at-home or in-the-park opportunity to the kids and families under these circumstances has been positive for all of us.” 

Matt Roventini

“It has been a great experience working with Lou and Matt Candel for LAX and Hoops Prep.,” said Roventini. “Being able to provide an at-home or in-the-park opportunity to the kids and families under these circumstances has been positive for all of us.  As a coach, it is great to be able to get back what we lost in the spring season and get out on the field and coach again, similar for the kids who have not been able to participate with the sports teams and friends.”

Lou says they have also added Computer Coders coaches, as many of the families have asked about activities for their children who are not into sports.

A pandemic may have altered plans, but it is no match for the creativity and enterprising spirit of Poly teachers and coaches.