Scott Yasgoor says his old friend and fellow coach is the non-secular center of Westlake High’s tennis program.
The one Joe Tomasello spreads joy like a sunny day.
“His contagious laughter delights each and every one of those around him,” Yasgoor said, in his fourth year as the Warriors’ head coach for the men’s and women’s teams.”He is very carefree and is helping each and every one in each and every game and workout.Jovial is to fall short.
“Women love him because he has a nickname for everyone on the team.He’s the kind of guy you know, you never will be.”
Yasgoor calls Tomasello his “dear friend” for more than 35 years, and assistant coach of the Warriors tennis teams.
Now Yasgoor is leading the effort to ease his friend’s monetary burden after getting COVID-19 last spring.
Tomasello, 71, and his wife Nora were inflamed with the insidious virus in March, while running an Airbnb hotel he ran.
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Nora recovered in no time. Joe was hospitalized for six weeks at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles and ventilated for five precarious days.Now he’s home, but he can’t communicate because he handles the sequelae of the fan tubes on his vocal cords.Dizzy.
Faced with physical challenges, Yasgoor said his is still as positive as ever.
“That’s right, optimistic, ” said Yasgoor.” We have a position that started talking (by email) about the quality of our women’s team next season.We can’t wait to come together and put ourselves in a position for the season.”.”
Tomasello lives from a constant source of income and relies on Medicare for his health coverage.
Yasgoor has established a GoFundme link for medical costs.It has recently raised $15,029 and no limit has been set.
“There are so many things that go beyond hospital prices,” Yaspassor said. “There is home nursing care, therapist visits, oxygen pricing and more and more being added.”
Yasgoor is encouraged through developments.
“Eat better, start gaining weight and walk a little more every day,” Yasgoor said.
Several Westlake tennis players responded on GoFundme’s website, Kyle Abes: “Keep fighting Coach Joe!We miss you on the floor,” Abes wrote.
Yasgoor said his friend received the information provided.
“He’s impressed,” Yasgoor said, “he’s very grateful for what other people do for him.”
Yasgoor Tomasello is the ideal assistant coach.
“It’s the best complement for me, ” said Yasgoor.” It’s soft and airy and I’m not.I’m serious. It lets me loose and helps keep the players loose.He’s helping everyone play better.”
At age 71, Tomasello remained active, Yasgoor said.”He’s the fastest 70-year-old on the planet,” Yarnell jokes.
Now your friend is just a short walk away. Yasgoor expects that to change.
“He’s going to fight, ” Yasgoor.” I’m going to convince him to play pickleball with me.”
Yasgoor took over the show after the retirement of the mythical coach Connie Flanderka, and the fall 2019 season presented some memorable achievements.
The Warriors won the Marmonte League championship and reached the semi-finals of the CIF-SS Open Division playoffs, the tennis player of the year being senior Samantha Noh.
Yasgoor said the Warriors would welcome a highly praised recruit for women in 2021.
“We are in a position to compete for the Open Division Championship and Joe will be a great component of our success.”
Loren Ledin is the editor-in-chief of The Star.It can be [email protected] or 805-437-0285.