Shay approaches 700th career win
Bill Shay didn't think he'd be coaching this long.
No, the Community College of Allegheny County men's basketball coach probably didn't envision 700 wins when he started in 1968.
"I didn't plan on being here or not being here," said Shay, who is 60. "I had some nice opportunities to go coach at other places, but I always felt that this was a challenging job and I liked teaching.
"It goes back to being around so many people that have helped me out. So many people have supported me."
Shay took the basketball post after working as an assistant director with the Big Brother program for two years. Prior to the program, he was an assistant coach for the Michigan State freshman basketball team.
"I picked up a lot at Michigan State," said Shay, who teaches physical education at CCAC.
He picked up enough to be able to coach for his 700th win tonight at Jamestown (N.Y.) Community College. He now stands at 699-291, but you won't hear Shay taking credit for any of those wins.
"Truthfully, most of those games we won, we just had better players," Shay said. "I truly believe that.
"I don't take any credit. I think anyone can coach, if they work hard at it. I got a lot of help."
The 700-victory plateau is just another step in Shay's illustrious coaching career. He's been inducted into three halls of fame, captured a National Junior College Athletic Association championship, eight NJCAA Region XX titles, five Division II championships, four NJCAA inter-regional championships, eight PCAA titles, 16 WPCC championships and so much more.
Shay's goal, coming in, was to establish CCAC in the junior college ranks.
"I wanted to see how good some of these teams were, so I hitched a ride out the national tournament with (former Robert Morris coach) Gus Krop," Shay said. "He was the coach of one of the best JUCO teams, and they were in the tournament."
Eventually, Shay built a respected team.
"Our goal was to realize at some point, we could line up against some of these national powerhouses and have a respectable performance," Shay said. "From that point, we were able to play with some of the best teams in the country.
"We were fortunate to get some of the best players in the city."
And those players were lucky enough to get him.
"He's one of the premier coaches in the country at any level," North Carolina State coach Herb Sendek said. "He's a remarkable person. He's tremendous."
He's also consistent.
Shay's teams have made an unprecedented 32 consecutive regional tournament appearances. He also has 18 20-win seasons and four 30-win seasons as well as having the longest continuous reign as a college basketball coach in Pittsburgh history. Shay passed former Pitt coach Doc Carlson two years ago.
"Win or lose, we're going to work to maintain that tradition," said Shay, who is the winningest coach in Pittsburgh college basketball history. "Our goal is to score more points than the other guy, but still keep the rules and tradition for the people in the program."
As much of a shadow that Shay leaves on the basketball court, it's even bigger in the community.
He is a member of the board for the HOPE Network in Harmarville, the Sarah Heinz House and the Harmarville Hoops Classic. He also co-founded the Pittsburgh Steelwheelers, a paraplegic wheelchair basketball team.
"I met a lot of good people, and you have to learn from everyone you know in life," Shay said. "I enjoyed having the opportunity with the Steelwheelers. I've made a lot of life-long friends as a result of it."
Shay also has enjoyed his time with young people.
"I look at every individual as someone who is engineered for success," Shay said. "I try to promote effort, and I suggest education. It presents keys into doors of opportunity."
Sendek, who met Shay through basketball camps, always has heeded the CCAC coach's advice.
"He has been one of the great influences," Sendek said. "I talk to him regularly and council him for advice. He's always there for you.
"He's very secure in who he is."
