Former YSU AD dies

Staff report

Joe Malmisur had already crafted an enviable athletic legacy even before he began his final professional chapter as the athletic director at Youngstown State.

But Malmisur’s 11 years — 1983-94 — in that role are what many remembered most Sunday when they learned the former standout athlete, teacher, coach and administrator had died early that day at the age of 89.

Malmisur spent more than 50 years as a coach or administrator, but is best known as the athletic director who hired Jim Tressel, then 33, to coach the YSU football program in 1986.

But Malmisur was responsible for much more than that as he guided the transition of the university’s athletic program into Division I status and beyond.

“There is no person I know that had more passion for his country, his hometown, his university and his family than Joe Malmisur,” said Tressel, who was a mostly unknown college assistant coach when he took YSU job. “He changed my life and the lives of countless others.”

Malmisur, a former college football coach himself at Heidelberg — his alma mater — and Hiram, saw Tressel take the Penguins to six Division I-AA national championship games and 10 playoff appearances in 15 seasons.

But the Youngstown native and 1946 East High School graduate also ushered in a new era for all of YSU’s athletic programs.

“Joe was relentless in his pursuit of bringing championships back to the Youngstown community that meant so much to him,” YSU athletic director Ron Strollo said. “His efforts in starting the YSU Athletic Hall of Fame and Student-Athlete Academic Awards banquet have recognized thousands of Penguin athletes and will continue to impact generations to come.”

The Penguins sports teams were part of the Ohio Valley Conference during Malmisur’s early years. After nearly making the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in 1985 and winning the OVC football title in 1987, YSU left the conference after the 1987-88 athletic year. The Penguins were independent in all sports until joining the Mid-Continent Conference — with the exception of football — in 1992.

YSU was part of the Mid-Con until May 2001. The football program remained as an FCS or I-AA independent during Malmisur’s tenure.

Tressel — then an Ohio State assistant — took over the football program in 1986. What followed as the most successful run of any YSU sports program, with four national championships during the 1990s.

Off the field, Malmisur created YSU’s Athletic Academic Counseling Center for student-athletes, which resulted in increased graduation rates for student-athletes and continues today at YSU. He hired full-time academic advisers and purchased computers to provide a study area for student-athletes.

Malmisur worked to increase department revenues to accommodate a self-supporting scholarship system and to cover all department expenditures. He created the YSU Scholarship/Ring Dinner, which has been used to raise funds for championship rings for all YSU teams and salutes a Penguin of the Year annually.

“I am shocked and saddened by the news of Joe Malmisur’s passing,” former YSU head athletic trainer Dan Wathen said. “I was at his home just last week.

“His leadership as AD brought YSU athletics to local and national prominence. Joe was a visionary who worked tirelessly to upgrade all aspects of the department and showcase YSU. He was never shy about voicing his concerns and expectations. He was a champion for YSU and the Mahoning Valley.”

Malmisur came to YSU from Hiram, where he had been the Terriers’ football coach for 14 seasons and also an assistant professor of physical education. He also served as a fundraiser and recruiter for Hiram.

Malmisur was a three-sport athlete in high school, playing football, basketball and baseball at East. He was offered a contract at one point in his baseball career by the St. Louis Browns. Malmisur received a degree in education from Heidelberg in 1951 and a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University.

Malmisur began his professional career upon being discharged from the service as an assistant football coach, head track and field coach and assistant dean of men at Heidelberg. He was the head football coach at Wellston High School where he coached the Golden Rockets through the 1958 season. His next high school head coaching experience was at Lima High School from 1960-68.

Malmisur was enshrined in the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991 and the East High School Hall of Fame in 1992. In 1994, he was named a YWCA Youngstown Man of the Year.

“We’d go round and round about everything sports and Youngstown because he passionate about those two things,” said former YSU sports information director Greg Gulas. “He was a football coach, but baseball was his first love. He loved his family, religion and hometown more than anyone I have ever known. I am going to miss our friendly banter.”

Malmisur is survived by his wife, Olga D., and their children, Joseph and Martha, and eight grandchildren.

Malmisur family has announced that calling hours will be Thursday from 4-7 p.m. at Rossi Brothers-Lellio Funeral Home on South Avenue.

Services will take place on Friday at Sacred Heart Church.