Former Youngstown State coach Rosselli passes away

Oct 7, 2008 - 10:46 PM YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (Ticker) -- Dom Rosselli, who guided the Youngstown State basketball team to more than 580 wins, passed away, the school announced Tuesday. He was 93.

The winningest basketball coach in school history, Rosselli led Youngstown State for 38 seasons until 1981-82, compiling a record of 589-388. He also guided the Penguins to a mark of 24-3 during the 1956-57 campaign, setting school records for most wins in a season and highest winning percentage (.889).

Along with coaching the hoops squad, Rosselli also managed the baseball team for 31 seasons, going 418-219. He also served as an assistant football coach for 21 seasons.

"Dom Rosselli was one of the true champions of YSU, not only on the basketball court, the baseball diamond and the football field, but across the university and the Mahoning Valley," school president Dr. David Sweet said. "Though he was small in stature, he was a giant in YSU athletics and a role model for us all - students, faculty and staff.

"His enthusiasm for the university was relentless. His contributions to the university were innumerable. And his memory will live forever. My most heartfelt sympathies go to his family. He will be missed."

During his tenure with the baseball team, Rosselli helped develop pitcher Dave Dravecky, who went on to pitch in the major leagues for eight seasons with San Diego and San Francisco.

A captain in the Air Force during World War II, Rosselli is survived by his wife, Connie, four children and several grandchildren.