May 6, 2009

Rosselli Family to Throw Out First Pitch at Saturday's Doubleheader

    Youngstown -- The family of deceased Youngstown State athletics icon Dom Rosselli will throw out the first pitch prior to the Penguins' doubleheader at noon Saturday at Eastwood Field.
    The team will honor Rosselli's accomplishments as YSU's head baseball coach for 31 years and head men's basketball coach for 38 years.
    Youngstown State has been wearing a "DOM" emblem on its batting helmets throughout the season as a symbol of respect and remembrance.
    The Penguins have reached two historic milestones this season that began with Rosselli, the program's first head coach in 1948. YSU won its 1,000th game on Feb. 27, and it played in its 2,000th contest on April 29.
    Rosselli accumulated a 31-year career record of 489-316-1 for a .607 winning percentage as the head baseball coach. In 1958 and Rosselli led the Penguins to an 11-6 record and the NAIA District 22 championship. YSU repeated as district champions in 1959 with a 10-6 mark. In 1964 and 1966, YSU appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
    From 1969 to 1977, Rosselli led the Penguins to nine consecutive 20-win seasons, including a 26-8 record and an appearance in the NCAA Division II Regionals in 1977. During that nine-year span, the Penguins amassed a record of 199-101 for a winning percentage of .663. Rosselli recorded his 10th 20-win season with a 21-5 mark in 1979, and he collected his 11th and final 20-win campaign in 1982 with a 23-14 record.
    Rosselli was named to the Curbstone Coaches Hall of Fame in 1978 and was named to the charter class of the Youngstown State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 1985. He was also named the Penguin of the Year in 1999.
    Youngstown State's lone senior John Koehnlein will also be honored prior to the contest as part of the annual "senior day" festivities.