Dom “Coach” Rosselli, 93

Calling Hours: Friday, October 10, 2008 4 to 8 p.m.
Beeghly Center South Main Lobby, Y.S.U.
Services: Saturday, October 11, 2008
10:00 a.m. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church

Poland - Dominic Louis “Coach” Rosselli Sr., 93, passed away Tuesday morning, Oct. 7, 2008, surrounded by his family. Mr. Rosselli was born, one of seven boys, to Marcella (Agnello) and Alphonso Rosselli on March 19, 1915 in Youngstown, and was raised in Smokey Hollow, where his deep family values and commitment to work were rooted. He was married for 66 years to the love of his life, Constance Napolitano Rosselli.

Mr. Rosselli was a proud graduate of The Rayen School, and a member of its Athletic Hall of Fame. He served as president of his class and continued to meet with a small group of fellow alumni into the 1990s. His image is part of the historic mural at The Rayen School. He served with the U.S. Air Force in Special Services/Morale Support. He was stationed in California during WWII and served as a Captain with the 4126th AAF BU SBAAF, providing support activities for the troops during this difficult time.

Mr. Rosselli earned his undergraduate degree in education from Geneva College, where he was a standout basketball and football player. He earned a masters degree from The University of Pittsburgh, and he received an honorary doctorate degree of Humane Letters from Youngstown State University in 2005.

His love of sports began with ping pong games at Youngstown’s YMCA. His first awards included being named Ping Pong Champion. Coach Rosselli started his career at Youngstown College as assistant coach to both the football and men’s basketball teams. As head men’s basketball coach, Mr. Rosselli established a final record of 589-388, in addition to leading YSU to eight 20-win seasons, 26 winning seasons, 19 postseason victories, and appearances in four NAIA National Tournaments, including two Elite Eight appearances, and nine NCAA Regional Tournaments. During the 1970s, he was part of the group of illustrious coaches who had achieved 500 or more wins. This group included Adolph Rupp, Ray Meyers and John Wooden.

In 1948, Coach Rosselli initiated the YSU baseball team, which he coached for 24 years earning a 418-219 record that includes two NAIA District Championships and three NCAA Playoff appearances. Through his 39-year tenure as basketball and baseball coach at Youngstown College and Youngstown State University, he tallied a record of 1,007-607, placing him 10th in NCAA history in total collegiate victories.

Throughout his career, Mr. Rosselli was remembered not just as a coach, but as a mentor to student athletes. He was equally proud of his players’ achievements on and off the court. He sought to share his love of sport and work with as many young people as possible. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, he started the intramural activities program at Youngstown College. He also served as the first faculty advisor to Alpha Phi Delta Fraternity (Youngstown chapter), which recently recognized him as an honorary brother.

During his successful career, Coach Rosselli received numerous honors and awards from national, state and local organizations including the 1995 YSU Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award, NCAA Division IV Coach of the Year, two-time Ohio College Coach of the Year, national and local Italian Coach of the Year and 1999 Penguin of Year.

He was inducted into the Youngstown Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame in 1978, Charter Class of YSU Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Geneva College Hall of Fame. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the Salvation Army’s Youth Award. He was named to Greater Youngstown's Baseball Old Timers’ Hall of Fame. He also received cherished awards from the Youngstown’s Park and Recreation Commission, recognition from the Youngstown community that provided him with many free opportunities during his childhood, which meant a great deal to him.

A bronze statue on the south patio of the YSU’s Beeghly Center, donated by the Tony Lariccia family, commemorates his career at YSU. Always, he felt these awards and accolades belonged to the players and the community of fans who supported him and his teams.

Mr. Rosselli was a craftsmen who enjoyed the challenge of new building projects. He built houses and boat docks, furniture and toys. He was “Mr. Fix It” to his family and friends. He volunteered his skills for a short time to Habitat for Humanity.

Mr. Rosselli was a member of the Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Anthony's Churches in Youngstown, where he was actively involved in their religious communities. His church families brought him great joy. He was among the first babies to be baptized at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel and was married there. For years, he and his wife enjoyed making pizza and Easter bread with St. Anthony’s church friends very early on Friday mornings.

Besides his wife, Constance Napolitano Rosselli, whom he married Nov. 8, 1941, he leaves three daughters and a son, Rosanne Volpini (Jim Ditch, fiance) of Poland, Mary Lou Africa (James) of Aurora, Stephanie Rosselli (Gene Grupp) and Dominic Louis Rosselli Jr. (Eleanor Siovasky) of Poland; 10 grandchildren, Connie (Tony) Wolgamuth of Bloomington, Ill., Arthur (Tami) Volpini and Stephanie (Greg) Hann of Poland, Amy (Charles) Drew of Washington D.C., Joseph Callahan of Portland, Ore., James Africa of Aurora, Anne Callahan of New York City, Alexis Africa of Williamsburg, Va., and Dominic Louis Rosselli III and Anthony Rosselli, both of Poland; three great-grandchildren, Ellianna and Arthur Volpini of Poland and Preston Drew of Washington D.C.; and many dear nieces and nephews. He leaves the Eugene Grupp extended family and Tony, Mary, Natalie and Dana Lariccia, whom he cherished as family.

He was preceded in death by brothers, Ralph, Joseph, Louis and Tony “Bull” Rosselli; two infant brothers, Frank and Joseph Rosselli; and two granddaughters, Christina and Alyssa Rosselli. His stepmother, Anna Thomas; and stepbrothers and stepsisters, Victor, William, and Patsy Thomas, Irene Sequella and Doris Rango are also deceased. Mr. Rosselli’s legacy as a kindhearted and a unselfish father, coach and friend is a testament to his love of family, friends and the Youngstown community.

The family thanks St Elizabeth’s Hospital Coronary Care and MVI. They offer special thanks to Dr. Thomas Detesco for his compassionate care for close to 30 years.

Services will be held today, Oct. 10, 2008, at the Youngstown State University, Beeghly Center Main Lobby from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Msgr. Michael J. Cariglio and the Rev. Msgr. John H. DeMarinis at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 343 via Mount Carmel Way in Youngstown.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Youngstown State University Foundation/Dominic Rosselli Scholarship, Geneva College, the National Kidney Foundation, Inc. or the donor’s charity of choice in Mr. Rosselli's name. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of the Rossi Brothers & Lellio Funeral Home, 4442 South Ave. in Boardman.