Buscaglia Celebrates 600th Career Victory
Brittany Fortuna
Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: Sports
|
This victory was the 600th of his illustrious career.
Buscaglia, who is in his seventh year of coaching here at Robert Morris and 32nd year overall, was very kind when speaking about his 600th career win, giving credit to his mother and how she raised him and his two other siblings. "She had an outstanding work ethic," Buscaglia said. He went on to note how the athletic department at Robert Morris also played a huge part in his success.
Before Buscaglia's arrival in 2007, the Robert Morris women's basketball team suffered through a 1-26 season. Since then, the basketball team averages 73.0 points per game and even finished 23rd in the national average, something unheard of before 2007.
"We have some of the best people in the athletics department. There are outstanding resources and administration," Buscaglia said as he laughed. "So I'm not surprised for accomplishing [my 600th career win] at RMU."
Buscaglia's life has always been involved around sports. Holidays would consist of sitting around the television watching basketball or countless other sports with his whole family. His brother was a coach and his mom was very sports-orientated. While he never had an outstanding career as a player in basketball, he did play in high school.
"I was decent enough to play on the Division I or Division II, but didn't. I was a great student of the game. I wasn't a big man [because] I had a small frame." Buscaglia laughed as he thought back to his high school career.
Apparently a big frame doesn't matter, so long as Buscaglia can coach a big game.
Buscaglia thanked many more people as the time he generously granted went on, but most of his thanks went out to his team. "It gives you time to reflect on all the outstanding young ladies and how they were the main part of [the wins]," he confessed. " I'm proud of the fact that we've achieved these wins. And with the help of my son, I realized we could accomplish great things at RMU."
The time spent here with Robert Morris University has been tremendous for Buscaglia. Before he decided to come here, he was actually hesitant applying to a school that had such a bad record. But he ended up dishing out the $9 to send his résumé via express mail. Susan Hofacre was the athletic director at the time and made no hesitation to hire Buscaglia.
"She hired me, no questions asked," Buscaglia recalled. "The nature of RMU and the people I report to make you feel good about being there. They are very personal. I'm not going anywhere."
With the reassuring feeling that the RMU women's basketball team will continue to thrive under the careful eye of Buscaglia, we can all expect great things to happen in that department.
Wanting to bring another championship to Robert Morris, Buscaglia said he will continue to build on the 600 victories.
"Review film and keep doing what I do. These young ladies deserve it," he admitted. "Keep on with my work ethic that I've learned. It's nothing sophisticated or complicated."
Following his outstanding work ethic and his motto of "Whatever you what to be, you can achieve it.", Coach Sal, as he is respectfully called, will have a bright and promising future here at Robert Morris with the promise of celebrating many more milestone victories.
Be the first to comment on this story