Yo. Christian promotes Hoelzel to varsity coach

July 16, 2010 at 12:08a.m.

By TOM WILLIAMS

YOUNGSTOWN

A former serviceman and a 20-year police officer, Bill Hoelzel also has worked his way up the ranks to become a varsity basketball coach.

Hoelzel, a midnight sergeant with the Austintown Police Department, is Youngstown Christian’s new girls basketball varsity coach, replacing Tony LaGamba who is moving to Louisiana.

“He’s a very good tactician, a student of the game,” Youngstown Christian athletic director Dolph Carroll said. “We have all the confidence in the world in him.

“Most important to us is that he brings a Christian aspect,” said Carroll of Hoelzel. “That’s one of the biggest reasons [he was selected], it may be more important than anything.”

Last season, Hoelzel was Youngstown Christian’s JV coach and varsity assistant.

A 1985 Fitch High graduate who wrestled, ran track and played football in high school, he also wrestled while serving in the Air Force.

“I had no basketball background until I had girls of my own,” Hoelzel said.

His coaching experience began about 12 years ago when he took his daughter Sarah, then 5, to the YMCA for a weekend program. Sarah was mistakenly placed with older girls and “overmatched.”

Hoelzel’s wife, Christine, encouraged him to help. First, he put her into the right age group. Then he began studying DVDs for tips.

He later worked with middle school and junior high players before becoming the YCS freshman coach.

Hoelzel said assisting LaGamba “was an awesome experience, the opportunity to coach with him was tremendous. Tony is very organized and a great motivator. He’s laid a great foundation for our program.

“I’m sorry to see him move on but he’s found a nice job and coaching position in Louisiana,” Hoelzel said. “It’s a real nice advancement for him.”

Carroll said LaGamba is giving up being an Assembly of God pastor to concentrate on teaching Bible classes and coaching.

With one of the smallest student populations in Ohio (Hoezel says the only reason Youngstown Christian is Division IV is because there is no Division IX), the coach says the Eagles took some big steps last season “by slaying a couple of dragons.”

He was referring to a 52-49 regular-season win over Chaney and a 58-41 tournament victory over Mathews.

“Those were a couple of real nice wins,” said Hoelzel, adding that they can be the groundwork for building a winning tradition.

This year’s team will feature senior Rashida Strozier working with five sophomores who lettered as freshmen.

As for his family, Sarah is a senior at Fitch and plays volleyball. The Hoelzels’ other daughters — Natalie (sophomore) and Elizabeth (eighth grade) — attend Youngstown Christian and play basketball.

Asked to pick which job provides the most stress, Hoelzel laughed.

“I absolutely adore what I do as police officer,” Hoelzel said. “I haven’t gone to work in 20 years because I really enjoy it. I’m very fortunate.”