Carmen DePoalo (2023)

For over fifty years Carmen has dedicated his talents and efforts into coaching students in sports. He is currently the Head Varsity Coach of the Schenectady High School football program. In this role he has led efforts to raise $50,000 to support players and their needs both on and off the field.  As well as coaching various football skills Carmen also teaches the importance of being a good citizen on the team and in the neighborhood.  He stresses the importance of a good education and encourages players to always do their best in the classroom and on the football field.  In 2007-2008 he coached the team to their first winning season in 20 years and was named the AA Coach of the Year. 

Under the coaching and leadership of Carmen, the 2015 Schenectady/Belmont Pop Warner Team won the New York State Championship and was the runner up in the eastern region.   In 1983, Carmen was hired at Mohonasen to resurrect a program that was eliminated the year before. Carmen spearheaded fundraising efforts which led to the construction of improved facilities and new lights. As a result of those efforts, they partnered with Rotterdam Pop Warner Football and held developmental clinics for players and coaches.  The Mohonasen High School Football and Rotterdam Pop Warner Team continue to be strong today.

Carmen has also coached Girls Softball and Varsity Track.  He is the founder of the Rotterdam Girls Softball League which started in 1976. He was instrumental in working with town officials to obtain land for permanent playing fields which are highly regarded in New York State.

Carmen was the Business Agent for Local 301 of the I.U.E.-CWA, a position he held from 2001 to 2011. He represented a 1,200 a member local work force in day-to-day operations.  Carmen placed a strong emphasis on working conditions and key issues pertinent to the lives of union members.