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Thousands pay their respects to Rosselli
Photo
Lewis Ramos of Canfield leans over the barrier to get a closer look at a photo while in line at Dom Rosselli's calling hours. Photos and a memorial for Rosselli were set up in the YSU gym.
Some of the venerable YSU coach’s acquaintances and ex-athletes shared anecdotes.
YOUNGSTOWN — The sign situated inside the doors to Youngstown State University’s Beeghly Center read: “Rosselli Court is closed.”
It was just beyond where the body of Dom Rosselli was laid and lent an apropos air to the occasion as thousands stood in the court before filing into Beeghly’s south lobby Friday afternoon.
The background of those paying respects to the former three-sport coach who died Tuesday at 93 included YSU employees, faculty, former players and fans.
Campus policeman Joe Carbone offered an anecdote about the man who was a head coach of men’s basketball and baseball as well as a football assistant.
A few years ago, Rosselli had a statue outside dedicated to him, showing himself situated beneath bronze figures representing the three sports.
Before Rosselli was unable to attend basketball games, Carbone used to greet the longtime coach as he entered the building.
“He’d say, ‘Joe, I got a beautiful statue outside, but there’s one thing wrong: They didn’t put a coat on me.’ He said, ‘I’m going to freeze in the winter; is there anything you can do for me?’”
Among those waiting to view Rosselli and his family was former baseball player Roy Myers.
He played from 1964-67 as a third baseman.
“I never heard him swear, but his version of cursing was ‘Jesus Christmas’ sake’ and then stamp his foot,” Myers said.
The player who was drafted by the New York Mets (but never signed) also recalled the team’s driving station wagons to away games.
“It was hard to keep up with him,” Myers said. “Then he’d come back looking for us, thinking we were goofing around.”
Myers, who taught in the Badger schools for 35 years and lives in Kinsman, is originally from New Springfield.
Dick Franko, a Woodrow Wilson High School graduate and former YSU quarterback, and his wife, Ann, also were among those leaving Beeghly.
Some of the recognizable faces at Friday’s wake included former basketball players Jeff Covington, Joe Votino and Rich Denamen.
Votino, who played from 1976-80, was grateful to Rosselli for giving him a chance as a walk-on.
“I was one of two from a group of 100 walk-ons who tried out and was picked. There weren’t too many coaches who would look at a 5-6 guard. I owe him everything,” said Votino, who later coached Kennedy Christian to six PIAA Class A state basketball championships.
“I proved myself and played two years as point guard. It’s a sad day for me,” said Votino, now 51.
Denamen (1968-72) played forward and center, including a freshman year with John McElroy and Billy Eckert.
“We had a good run,” said Denamen, 58. “We played in three high school gyms” — South and Struthers his freshmen year, then Austintown Fitch as a sophomore.
“He led by example. I don’t know that we learned a whole lot of X’s and O’s from Dom, but we learned a lot of life lessons.”
Covington, now 53, played from 1974-78. The Washington, D.C., native is still YSU’s leading scorer.
Rosselli had tremendous impact on Covington’s development during a pivotal stage.
“We came in as young teenagers, thinking you might know everything and you really don’t. Through his mentorship and role-modeling and communication — via guidance and counseling, he helped you in the transition to adulthood. He worked wonders with me,” Covington said. “He was a disciplinarian, but he did it with care.”
Covington said he still dispenses some of those Rosselli values in working with pupils at Garrison Middle School in the Baltimore city public schools.
bassetti@vindy.com