Knoch basketball coach boasts impressive statistic - his consecutive-day running streak

Through sickness and in health, on the muggiest and the most bitterly cold mornings, veteran basketball head coach Les Shoop has pounded out a remarkable streak.

And it has nothing to do with the hoops game.

At 55, Shoop still can coach a high school basketball team as well as anybody in the Valley. He's been doing Xs and Os on the court for 34 consecutive seasons.

But Shoops' most amazing statistic might be his dedication to his morning run and, more importantly, his desire to stay in good physical condition and health.

8,341.

That's how many consecutive days he has gone running. He knows the exact number because he keeps a running log. He has a stack of old logs about two-feet high.

At 5:30 a.m. every day, Shoop sprints out his front door and goes for a run in his neighborhood. There's no break for holiday or illness, or even just a well-deserved vacation.

As sees it, why should he take a day off• He's the one who will benefit in the long run.

In fact, the running streak has become a point of pride for Shoop.

"My players know I'm dedicated," Shoop said. "I see players I haven't seen in three or four years, and they say, 'What's the streak up to, coach?' Even when I was sick, I still ran. But I've been fortunate, I guess. Running makes you healthy."

It's easy to understand Shoop's dedication to fitness. His life was touched by tragedy shortly after his arrival as a teacher/coach at Knoch High School.

Shoop watched his first wife, Karen, go through a prolonged battle with cancer before succumbing to the disease in 1984.

In Karen's memory, the Knoch basketball boosters created an honor for the senior player who displayed the greatest dedication to the team.

At the end of the season, the players vote and the winner receives an individual memorial cup. His name also is engraved on a special cup kept at the high school.

The names on the cup at the school aren't necessarily a list of the most talented players, but they are a roll call of the hardest working.

"I try to tell them about the quality of the award," Shoop said.

"She had cancer for many years. One of the things that goes into being a person is being tough, persevering. It reflects the spirit of her, too. Even when she was sick, she would never miss a game. The kids really feel it's quite an honor to be voted that special award."

After his first wife died, Shoop not only had to deal with the emotions of losing a loved one, but also taking care of three children -- two teenagers and a younger child.

But Shoop got through those tough times, with the help of his family and the community. People brought dinners to the Shoop house and displayed other acts of kindness that Shoop is grateful for.

Then he met Marsha in 1985, and they have been happily married for 18 years. Proving once again that beside every strong man there is usually a strong woman.

Marsha is a registered nurse at UPMC Passavant in North Hills.

Shoop and Marsha have two children, including Jordan, a 6-foot-2 freshman who is backup point guard for the Knoch Knights.

Shoop loves coaching his son, but it remains to be seen if Les still will be leading Knoch onto the court when Jordan is a senior.

Shoop is considering retirement from his teaching career, which has spanned the same time as his coaching life.

"If the school district would let me, I might want to continue coaching," Shoop said.

Shoop's marriage to basketball began when he was a boy growing up in the small town of Rural Valley, near Kittanning.

Later, he played varsity basketball for three years at Shannock Valley High School.

In his senior season of 1964-65, the 6-foot-2 center guided Shannock Valley to a section title and the WPIAL playoffs.

His team defeated West Deer in the first round before losing in the quarterfinals to Braddock at the Pitt Field House and finishing with a 22-2 record.

Shoop was named third team All-State.

Shoop then went on to play shooting guard at Indiana University of Pennsylvania for four years. He completed his notable career with 991 points.

"I was nine short of 1,000 points," Shoop said. "I always think about that."

After graduation, Shoop accepted a job teaching social studies and coaching basketball at Punxsutawney High School, which is about 35 miles northeast of Kittanning.

He was 21 years old. Just three years older than his seniors.

"Somewhere I read I was the youngest head coach in Pennsylvania at that time," Shoop said.

Over 13 seasons, Shoop led Punxsutawney to five District 9 Class AAAA titles and a 212-98 record.

Then the job opened at Knoch, and Shoop decided to relocate to the Alle-Kiski Valley.

"I wanted to get closer to Pittsburgh," Shoop said. "Punxsutawney is out there. I like going to Pitt games. It's over a two-hour trip from there."

Shoop is a Pitt basketball season-ticket holder.

Since coming to Knoch, Shoop's record is 445-313 and he has led Knoch to one section title -- in 1989.

His love of basketball has been handed down to more than one of his children. Josh, 30, is head coach of the Homer Center High School boys team.

And through it all -- the good times, and the worst times of all -- Shoop has kept his head held high, the ball bouncing and his feet moving.

He's happy to be alive and looking forward to many more great seasons and great years with his friends and family.