INPERSON
STEPPING
UP to the Plate
After wearing several hats over the past decade , Bob Bozzuto takes over as Administrative Vice President for the Washington Wild Things .
BY KATHY RUDOLPH
Photo courtesy of North Allegheny School District
Commuting from his home in the Greensburg area to his office at North Allegheny ( NA ) Senior High School in Wexford for 17 years , and then to Washington County to work for the Washington Wild Things for over a decade has been no big deal for Bob Bozzuto .
“ I am very fortunate that I only need a couple of hours of sleep ,” laughs Bozzuto , Washington Wild Things ’ new Administrative Vice President and NA School District ’ s athletic director . “ Some people joke about my replying to emails at 1 a . m . The commute is not tiresome because I don ’ t see it as work — just a way of life .”
That way of life includes recently being honored with a promotion from Wild Things head coach to the team ’ s Administrative Vice President .
The Washington Wild Things are a member of the East Division of the Frontier League — an independent baseball league . The team ’ s home games are played at CONSOL Energy Park in Washington .
Bozzuto has worn many hats since joining the organization in 2006 , including bench coach , infield coach , hitting coach and third base coach — all before becoming head coach in 2014 . He helped to guide the team in some of their most successful seasons , including multiple postseason berths , a club-record 63 wins in 2005 and a trip to the Frontier League Championship Series in 2007 .
“ My favorite memories as a coach include a number of things ,” says Bozzuto . “ Working with past coaches , dealing with the owners ( Stu and Francine Williams ), coaching young guys who are working their way up to affiliated ball — and especially talking to the fans . I love Washington , PA !”
Bozzuto has also created memories on the Wild Things ball field with his youngest son , Anthony . He and his wife , Shelley , are parents to a daughter and two sons .
“ My son is graduating from Pitt-Greensburg and has played baseball there ,” says Bozzuto , who holds a dual degree in Political Science and Business from the University of Pittsburgh . “ He has grown up with the Washington Wild Things for nine-and-a-half years as a bat boy and bullpen catcher , and was very fortunate to have had some experiences that many people don ’ t get .”
The move to a behind-the-scenes position will be a positive change for Bozzuto .
“ I know well the everyday grind that goes on for the players and the coaches , and now I get an opportunity to do the administrative part ,” says Bozzuto . “ I will do whatever is needed — whether it is day-to-day tours , special projects or to simply be someone the staff can bounce ideas off of .”
Francine Williams is the managing partner of the Washington Wild Things organization .
“ Bob has been with the Wild Things in several key roles throughout the years ,” she says . “ With the addition of his tenure as field manager for the 2014 and 2015 teams , and his experience as the Athletic Director for North Allegheny , Bob is the best possible adviser to assist us as we move our sports and entertainment venue into the future .”
Besides his promotion , Bozzuto recently became the recipient of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Directors Association ( PSADA ) Robert Buckanavage Citation , in recognition of the exceptional time , effort and energy that he has devoted to his position at NA School District . Other PSADA honors awarded to him include the Athletic Director of the Year , Distinguished Coaching Educator and the Distinguished Service Award . But , the Buckanavage Citation means a bit more to Bozzuto . Bob Buckanavage was an athletic director in the Pennsbury School District in Bucks County and became the first executive director of the
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