NA coaching legend to kick off his final season
When fall sports practice kicks off Monday, it will be a bitter-sweet day for a high school coaching legend.
North Allegheny's Bruno Schwarz, the most winning boys soccer coach in PIAA history, will hold his final opening-day practice.
Schwarz will retire as a German teacher and soccer coach at the end of the 2002-03 year, leaving behind an unmatched legacy.
"Thirty five years is a nice, round number," he said.
Schwarz, 62, is the only boys' soccer coach they've had at North Allegheny.
More importantly, he has taught the game he loves to countless children at youth camps and aspiring coaches at clinics.
Schwarz expects between 100-125 players at opening practice, which will be held, appropriately, at Schwarz Field, the North Park field named after him in the spring of 1999. The players are shooting for about 40 roster spots.
Schwarz never needed to make cuts in 1967, when he convinced the North Allegheny athletic director to start intramural soccer. The sport became varsity the next year, and the man known as the "godfather of high school soccer" continued to field championship teams.
"Back when we started the program, whoever showed up could play," Schwarz said. "Any warm body was welcome. But we've developed some talent over the years. We've had some success, and a lot of kids come out because everyone wants to be involved."
Schwarz hasn't officially told his players this is his final season. But the word is out.
"I think they can sense it," Schwarz said.
North Allegheny will open the 2002 season against Fox Chapel on Friday, Aug. 30 at Newman Stadium. The game is a rematch of Fox Chapel's stunning 3-2 first-round victory over No. 3-seeded NA in last year's WPIAL Class AAA playoffs.
The Tigers graduated 13 seniors from the 15-3-2 team, but returns all-WPIAL goalkeeper Brian Levey.
"Brian is our ace in the hole," Schwarz said. "If we can muster a team around him and we're able to score a goal or two, we'll be OK."
For sure, the North Allegheny players will try to match the exploits of the school's 2002 boys volleyball team, which gave beloved coach Bob Miller a memorable going-away present by reaching the state finals.
"(Coach Schwarz) has done it all, and we're going to do the best we can to end his legacy on a good note," senior midfielder Kevin Fives said. "It's a motivation for us."
Another compelling story as fall practice begins: Shaler runner Sam Bair's bid for an elusive cross country title. The record-breaking track champion placed third and second in the WPIAL cross country finals the past two seasons, but rivals Dan Mazzocco of Baldwin and Shawn Cavanaugh of Mt. Lebanon have graduated.
North suburban schools opening the defense of WPIAL team titles are Pine-Richland girls volleyball and Sewickley Academy boys soccer.
