Another era ends at North Allegheny

One week after hiring a new football coach, North Allegheny High School is looking to replace another Hall of Famer.

Bruno Schwarz, the winningest boys soccer coach in PIAA history, will not return for the 2005 season. He also plans to retire as a German teacher at the end of the school year.

Schwarz, 64, formed the North Allegheny boys' soccer program in 1967 -- on a total budget of $1,000 -- and built the Tigers into a model team. They went 529-192-50 in his 37 seasons, winning seven WPIAL titles and one PIAA championship. He entered last season No. 9 among boys' soccer all-time coaching victories, according to the national record book.

Schwarz contributions extended beyond North Allegheny. Known as the "godfather of high school soccer," Schwarz is credited with spurring the sport's growth in the region through coaching clinics and youth camps.

"Bruno is a magnificent human being," NA athletic director Bob Bozzuto said. "He's a phenomenal soccer coach and an even better person."

Bozzuto, who said the coaching search will begin immediately, is keeping busy this winter. Art Walker Jr. was hired last week to replace Jim Rankin as football coach.

North Allegheny also is looking for a new girls' tennis coach. Jim Sloan retired after 31 seasons. His teams were 427-77.

Schwarz had initially planned to retire following the 2002-03 school year, his 35th at the school. But he had second thoughts and returned for two more seasons.

"Because of the foundation that Bruno has laid down, it will be a smooth transition," Quaker Valley coach Gene Klein said.