What makes Mike Latessa special? For starters, it’s how he connects the Rotary motto to his experience as a traveler in South Africa. It’s his longtime commitment to playing and coaching football, and what he contributed to one of YSU Football’s championship seasons. He also has a connection to Kentucky Derby history.
Name: Michael Latessa
Preferred Nickname: Mike
Years in Rotary: 4
Resident of: Youngstown
Hometown: Youngstown
How long have you lived here? All of my life - 41 years!
What brought you here, or kept you here? I love Youngstown! My family, friends, football, and career have made it easy to stay!
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Youngstown State University, 2002; Master of Science in Education, YSU, 2016
Occupation: Associate Director of Development, The Rich Center for Autism
Who is in your family circle? Surrounded by great family and friends; regularly in contact with my parents, sister and niece.
Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names and what are they like? I think I am allergic, ha ha. I do own a very small fractional percentage in Authentic, winner of the 2020 Kentucky Derby. Does that count? (Although I have yet to see him in person.)
When you are not working, how do you like to spend your time? For 27 out of the last 30 seasons, I have been a member of a football team as a player or coach. That has kept me busy. With my 'retirement' in process, I hope to learn how to play the guitar or write a book or something like that.
Why did you join Rotary? It was always something I was interested in, but the timing with career changes and continuing education never seemed to align. In 2016 I went on a short study abroad trip to South Africa. While there, I attended a Rotary Club of Knysna meeting and exchanged flags (thanks to Scott Schulick for giving me the Youngstown one). After doing something official like that, I figured it was finally time to join! But it's really the people. You rock!
Why do you remain a Rotarian? The people and the impact we continue to make in our community.
Which Rotary Project resonates with you and your understanding of our community's needs? While I do enjoy a good Groundhog Beerfest, the work with Operation Warm and assisting our youth in need resonates the most.
What does Rotary's motto "Service Above Self" mean to you? When I was in South Africa, the philosophy of ubuntu became a common theme. Quite simply, it means 'I am because we are.' Many have sacrificed for the opportunities I have and I have to find ways to give back without expecting anything in return.
What would you be doing on Wednesdays if you didn't attend the weekly luncheon meeting? I'd probably still eat lunch, but it wouldn't be as impactful. Maybe work on that book or guitar lessons or something like that.
Which type of Rotary socials do you prefer - black tie affairs or casual attire? Casual events more regularly, but I do like a good black tie event here and there
A Rotary tradition is to have sing-alongs during meetings. Would you ever lead us in a song? Sure. While muted and on Zoom!
What do you think of Scott Schulick's Rotary pants, and would you wear a pair? When I was a young professional just out of college, I met Scott while starting the MVP 20/30 Club (now Mahoning Valley Young Professionals). He was a role model of sorts, to the point that a coworker and I came up with the WWSSD (What Would Scott Schulick Do) bracelet as a constant reminder of how to navigate through young professionalism. It's been 'a few' years since then, but I still feel as if that is a great mantra to live by. Except the pants. That's all him. Only Scott can pull those off.
What's a story of yours that you don't get to tell often enough? I own a pair of 'magic shoes.' During my sophomore year in high school, my parents bought me a 'good' pair of turf shoes to last me all three years of high school. We practiced on grass and played home games on turf, so I didn't use them every day. They lasted all three years. While I had those shoes on, we never lost a game. Makes me wish we played on turf vs. grass (a different shoe back then) in our last playoff game my senior year ... a loss. I pulled the shoes out my first year at YSU to practice in during the playoffs. I was a redshirt member of the team, so I just practiced and would not suit up for the playoff games. I wanted to do my part. We won every game en route to the 1997 National Championship. A lot of people credit the coaching of Jim Tressel, the play of our defense, or the offensive line with this title run, but very few acknowledge my shoes. I pulled them out one last time in my first year as an assistant high school coach. Wore them during our playoff run. We won every game en route to a state championship. I had to retire them after that! And no, they don't work outside of football. Wore them the first time I took the CPA exam and well, they were not so magical ...