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BiG shoes to fill: Lady Marauder legend Moschella retires

When the Bishop Guilfoyle Lady Marauders take the basketball court for the 2018-2019 season, there will be a new leader on the bench.

Coaching icon Mark Moschella is retiring after four state championships and 603 victories — accomplishments matched by few coaches in Pennsylvania scholastic basketball history.

“Coach Moschella has not only guided, but has sustained the Bishop Guilfoyle girls basketball program as one of the best in the state of Pennsylvania,” BG athletic director Mike Cacciotti said during a press conference Friday in the school library.

“His accomplishments as a coach are legendary,” Cacciotti said, “but more impressive has been his service and commitment to the BG community and our student-athletes.”

The winningest coach in Blair County history, Moschella guided the Lady Marauders to PIAA Class 1A state championships in 1993, 2007, 2009 and 2010. Five other Moschella teams were state runners-up. The 2006-07 squad set a school record with 31 wins.

Since he took over the BG program from John Frederick in 1991, the Marauders have won 627 games — 603 with Moschella on the bench. He took a one-season sabbatical to help his son, Mark, start a business venture and Donna (Drabic) Kling coached the BG ladies that year.

During Moschella’s tenure, the Lady Marauders won fewer than 20 games just six times, playing a schedule that often included much larger schools in the Mid-Alleghenies Conference, the Mountain Athletic Conference and the Laurel Highlands Conference.

“The kids averaged 23 wins a year against those schedules,” Moschella noted, “so, it wasn’t about me; it was about having a lot of great kids.”

With that many wins and championships, Moschella said he has a myriad of fond memories. However, there’s one that sticks out.

“Having my daughter (Nikki) play in consecutive state championship games was special,” he said. “She still talks about it and it’s a memory we’ll never forget.”

Moschella also has great respect for District 6 basketball and many of its coaches.

“Just look at the results in the state tournaments,” he said. “District 6 is a hotbed for girls basketball and it was great to be able to coach against so many great coaches and programs.”

Michelle Taddie, who has both played and coached for Moschella, said Friday was emotional for her.

“With him, it’s not ultimately about basketball, it’s about building relationships,” Taddie said. “He won’t take credit for anything.

“I love him like a father. He is my friend, my mentor and my hero.”

Rich Consiglio, one of many coaches who worked with Moschella over the years, called him “a good guy who always had rules and priorities — God, family, school, basketball and social life.

“He lives up to that,” Consiglio added.

Many people thought Moschella would step down after the 2016-2017 season when several outstanding players graduated, leaving the program with several players who had no varsity experience. The team finished 11-12 this past season.

“Leaving them would have been hypocritical,” he said.

Moschella, 64, said he never could have coached this long without the support of his wife, Diane, and his children, as well as his employer — The Warren Gingrich Insurance Agency. He also praised the BG administration for its support, but said he’s ready to move on.

“I’m so close to my grandchildren, and I’ll be able to enjoy them and attend more of their events,” he said. “It will be a joy for me.”

He said he would like to lower his golf handicap, but quickly noted: “With my swing, I don’t think that will happen, though.

“I don’t need boats or yachts or fancy cars,” he added, smiling. “I lead a simple life. I enjoy my family and my BG family, and that’s enough joy for me.”

Cacciotti said BG will begin an immediate search for the girls basketball coaching position. Resumes should be sent to mcacciotti@bguilfoyle.org prior to June 1.

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