Aces of Trades: Angie Sabatucci is the executive director of Kids America

COSHOCTON – She’s not where she expected, but she likes where she is.

“I grew up on a dairy farm,” recalled Angie Sabatucci. “I was a tomboy, always wanting to do what the boys were doing. I was strong, stubborn, and always wanted to be the best. I wanted to be a beach volleyball player, but my height never caught up with that dream. Then I wanted to be a surgeon, but I never liked school, so that didn’t seem to work either.

“So the Lord definitely led me to all things sports,” she added.

Today, Sabatucci is the executive director of Kids America Inc, a sports complex and fitness center.

“I had never heard of Kids America till a few years ago,” she said with a grin. “It never hit me I’d be here someday. But I’m invested in KA. I have so many ideas for here and I have a hand in everything, although I rely on sport directors and managers to run their areas.”

Sabatucci grew up in a small town called Hanoverton in Columbiana County, graduated from United Local in 1997, then Malone College (now University) in Canton in 2001 with a degree in sports ministry.

“Right before I went to college,” she said, “I changed my major to sports ministry and have been doing that in some capacity ever since, mainly at a church in Canton called First Friends Church where I was the director of women’s sports. I did a lot of what KA’s sport directors do here. I interned there through college and then went on staff upon graduation.”

Years later, in July of 2023, Sabatucci started at Kids America Inc.

“My husband owns a baseball academy,” Sabatucci continued, “and he started bringing teams to KA a few years ago and was coaching at one of the baseball tournaments here. He found out the previous director was leaving and told me about it. It was a good time in our lives to make a change because we just became empty nesters, and we were open to whatever God was putting in front of us. It seemed like a natural progression from what I had been doing so it was intriguing to me. I turned my resume in, and the rest is history.”

Rachael McCreery is a PPR teaching professional and pickleball director at Kids America Inc.

“I’ve seen Angie go above and beyond,” said McCreery, “by attending meetings (not mandatory) to help better serve the programs and the athletes at Kid’s America Inc. She’s available for her directors and staff. She quickly responds to any questions or concerns we may have. She’s not afraid to ask questions for clarification, even the tough ones. She takes time to listen and understand. She’s not afraid of hard work. If something needs to be done, she doesn't hesitate. I look forward to great things here at Kids America Inc under her leadership.”

“God created me for sports and for ministry,” Sabatucci responded. “Although this isn’t a ministry in the day-to-day, I’m praying daily for wisdom and guidance in all that I do, and praying for opportunities that God gives me through this experience.

“I gave my life to Christ a long time ago and I want to be in His will always,” she summed. “I know I’ve seen His hand guiding me throughout my life and I believe I’m where He wants me right now. I’m excited to look back on this time when it’s all said and done and see what all He was doing.”

Kids America Inc. is located at 1600 Otsego Ave. in Coshocton. For more information, call 740-622-6657 or log on www.kidsamerica.org.

Aces of Trades is a weekly series focusing on people and their jobs – whether they’re unusual jobs, fun jobs or people who take ordinary jobs and make them extraordinary. If you have a suggestion for a future profile, let us know at ctnews@coshoctontribune.com.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Angie Sabatucci is the executive director of Kids America.