At sporting goods store, soccer is king

KENT — For Tony Di Preta, owner of the Kent Sports Specialty Store at 5 Fulling Lane, soccer and other sports aren’t just games. They’re a way of life.

Di Preta’s family comes from Italy where his grandfather and his father were both soccer players.

“I immigrated here along with my family in 1962,� Di Preta said. “We all wanted to find work, tranquility and opportunity. Over time, I found out that if you work hard enough for it, it all comes together.�

Di Preta played in the professional Metropolitan Soccer League in New York City from 1972 to 1986.

He also started the Ridgefield Soccer Academy in 1977, which he said was the first advanced soccer academy for children.

Now he owns and operates the sports store here in Kent, which sells a wide variety of sports equipment including shoes, balls, jerseys.

He has gear for field hockey, tennis, basketball, baseball and football. But his first love is still soccer.

“I still do some private lessons, group lessons and I train soccer coaches,� he said. “To be good at soccer there are a lot of factors. I grew up in a country where soccer was the primary sport. One important factor is commitment. You have to be totally committed to playing to be good at it. You cannot play five different sports and be good at them all. You need to commit to just one.�

Di Preta has also developed a line of soccer cleats, called the American Pro, which he sells at the store.

“My cleats are made from kangaroo leather,� he said. “They are soft, supple and have an easy touch on the ball.�

The Kent Sports Specialty Store is at 5 Fulling Lane and is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call 860-927-0937.