“When my sons Jonathan and Jordan got involved with FCA last year, I prayed a lot about wanting to help. I told Sean McNamara I just want to help a great organization such as FCA — I don’t care if it’s lining the fields, shagging balls or picking up water. I want to be a part of what FCA has to offer.

Deats said the biggest honor he has ever had was when Coach Scott called him in the fall of 2014 to ask him to join his coaching staff. “There are so many lacrosse clubs around, but when I look at what FCA has to offer, the others cannot compare. I believe in what the ministry stands for, and it has helped my sons become more positive role models in their school,” said Deats.

Deats played three sports in high school, including soccer, basketball and golf. He also played soccer at Genesee Community College in 1986-87 where he earned an Associates Degree. Deats also received an Associates Degree from Corning Community College and a Bachelors Degree in Special Education from Keuka College. He holds a Masters Degree in General Education from Elmira College.

Deats has been a teacher and a coach with the Bath Haverling Central School District for eighteen years. He teaches high school special education, and has coached girls JV and varsity soccer. Deats claims that FCA has helped him to mature as a coach: “When I first started coaching in my twenties, I had goals of winning the state title. At that time, it wasn’t about working with kids and helping them become better people through athletics. But, FCA has helped me become a better coach — to look at the kids as a whole and not just at the wins and losses,” Deats said.

Deats attends Victory Highway Wesleyan in Painted Post, NY. He enjoys spending time with his sons Jonathan and Jordan, and he also likes to golf: “I’m horrible at it, but I love the game.”