First, congratulations to the athletic teams that have done so well in
state competition. When the final results are all in, I want to list their
accomplishments. Secondly, congratulations to the students who were recognized
as examples of the ideal Ignatians from the various years. These awards are
presented at the end-of-the-year Mass in the presence of the entire student body
as well as the Jubilarian alumni...those who graduated at least 50 years ago.
Some of you will know why the "Pintozzi Junior-of-the-Year Award holds a special
interest for me, and this year that award went to Kent Hutchinson. If you know
Kent, be sure to congratulate him.
This past Sunday (May 26), there was a gathering of some of Ignatius' old guard. There were two men whose names you might not know, especially if you are younger than 48 years old...but should. They are Bob Gabric and Ron Cygan. From 1968 to 1979, Bob and Ron were the school's basketball coaches, Bob coaching the varsity, and Ron coaching the freshmen. For nine of those years, I was sophomore coach
The Gabrics, Bob and his wife Pat, were coming through town and wanted to meet up with some old friends from back in the day. So Ron and Arlene Cygan, who still live in the area, along with the Luzzis, the Spaldings, Sue Connelly (widow of our dear departed friend, Jim) and John Chandler met for dinner and had a grand time.
Bob had joined the staff at Ignatius in the fall of '64 as the P.E. teacher and a assistant basketball and baseball coach, but in the fall of 1968, Bob replaced Tom O'Connor as the head basketball coach. Bob was not only a great coach but a fine mentor to Ron and me. It occurred to me, as I transitioned to coaching tennis in the '80's, that I learned a great deal about coaching from Bob. The respect that his players had for him is reflected in how many have stayed in contact with him despite his having been gone for over 30 years. Some have even traveled to Tucson to visit him. I have written in earlier blogs, that, besides an impressive work ethic, Bob had a way of seeing the simple solution to each problem, much as did Pat O'Mara. Bob and Pat are retired now, and, after a stint coaching and participating in the Senior Olympics, Bob is devoting himself to playing as much golf as is humanly possible. The Arizona summer heat doesn't bother him. I believe his quote was, "The hotter the better."
Ron Cygan was hired to teach math and coach in 1968. He continued to coach basketball, eventually as Bob's assistant with the varsity. When Ron Cygan left Ignatius, also in 1979, he went to Lemont High school to teach math and stayed involved in athletics, both of which he continues to do to this day.
I would be remiss not to add that Jim Luzzi also coached basketball, helping me with the sophomores. In 1969, Jim was hired to teach math. Even though he only coached b-ball for one year, he enjoyed the experience so much that he accepted the position of varsity soccer coach which he has held ever since.
So this past Sunday, we met at a restaurant and did what old friends do after long separations. We talked about our families, our health, what we are up to these days, and, of course, we reminisce about "the time when ..." and "Do you remember the game where ...?.
While the main topic of this blog is about a couple of former basketball coaches, I'm sure you'd like to know how Sue Connelly is. Knock wood, she's doing fine, surrounded by friends and family members. How's John Chandler? John is John, he's great. He is doing what he always does, dedicating himself 110% to the care and well-being of Saint Ignatius College Prep.
As for me and my wife, Mary Jo...thank you for asking...we never had a bad day.
This past Sunday (May 26), there was a gathering of some of Ignatius' old guard. There were two men whose names you might not know, especially if you are younger than 48 years old...but should. They are Bob Gabric and Ron Cygan. From 1968 to 1979, Bob and Ron were the school's basketball coaches, Bob coaching the varsity, and Ron coaching the freshmen. For nine of those years, I was sophomore coach
The Gabrics, Bob and his wife Pat, were coming through town and wanted to meet up with some old friends from back in the day. So Ron and Arlene Cygan, who still live in the area, along with the Luzzis, the Spaldings, Sue Connelly (widow of our dear departed friend, Jim) and John Chandler met for dinner and had a grand time.
Bob had joined the staff at Ignatius in the fall of '64 as the P.E. teacher and a assistant basketball and baseball coach, but in the fall of 1968, Bob replaced Tom O'Connor as the head basketball coach. Bob was not only a great coach but a fine mentor to Ron and me. It occurred to me, as I transitioned to coaching tennis in the '80's, that I learned a great deal about coaching from Bob. The respect that his players had for him is reflected in how many have stayed in contact with him despite his having been gone for over 30 years. Some have even traveled to Tucson to visit him. I have written in earlier blogs, that, besides an impressive work ethic, Bob had a way of seeing the simple solution to each problem, much as did Pat O'Mara. Bob and Pat are retired now, and, after a stint coaching and participating in the Senior Olympics, Bob is devoting himself to playing as much golf as is humanly possible. The Arizona summer heat doesn't bother him. I believe his quote was, "The hotter the better."
Ron Cygan was hired to teach math and coach in 1968. He continued to coach basketball, eventually as Bob's assistant with the varsity. When Ron Cygan left Ignatius, also in 1979, he went to Lemont High school to teach math and stayed involved in athletics, both of which he continues to do to this day.
I would be remiss not to add that Jim Luzzi also coached basketball, helping me with the sophomores. In 1969, Jim was hired to teach math. Even though he only coached b-ball for one year, he enjoyed the experience so much that he accepted the position of varsity soccer coach which he has held ever since.
So this past Sunday, we met at a restaurant and did what old friends do after long separations. We talked about our families, our health, what we are up to these days, and, of course, we reminisce about "the time when ..." and "Do you remember the game where ...?.
While the main topic of this blog is about a couple of former basketball coaches, I'm sure you'd like to know how Sue Connelly is. Knock wood, she's doing fine, surrounded by friends and family members. How's John Chandler? John is John, he's great. He is doing what he always does, dedicating himself 110% to the care and well-being of Saint Ignatius College Prep.
As for me and my wife, Mary Jo...thank you for asking...we never had a bad day.
I saw the notice in the Alumni News and I can think of a dozen guys who would have loved to have joined the old guard - Spalding, Gabric, Cygan, and Luzzi (hoops Jim?) to just listen to your stories. I think Chandler may have had the best seat in the house. Do you remember the game when... man, I remember games when I was in 6th grade with Wheat, Bluit, Goldrick the elder et al. Great teams and great times. Nevertheless Luzzi, Chandler, and I saw the light and concentrated our efforts on fall sports, probably to basketball's relief. Best to you all.
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