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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