Baldwin’s Falcione recalls fond memories from past 20 seasons

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, June 21, 2018 | 9:55 AM

He is wrapping up a long and illustrious career coaching the Baldwin boys volleyball team.

Eric Falcione is retiring after 20-plus seasons in the program.

“I remember some of the wins and losses,” he said, “but most memories are the fun times I have had with the kids. I'll never forget those.”

Falcione offered some of his greatest memories from his coaching tenure at Baldwin.

• Becoming a head coach at the school I graduated from. I've always been treated like a family member at BHS. (It meant so much).

• As an announcer, having the chance to proclaim coach Chris Kelly as a WPIAL girls volleyball champion a few years ago. (I had tears in my eyes).

• Of course, being a part of a WPIAL championship team in 1996. That was some ride! (I dust that medal every week).

• Chris Repin serving 15 points in a row in a section match versus Belle Vernon in 2000. (Games were to 15 points back then).

• Beating perennial WPIAL champion Mt. Lebanon at Baldwin in 2001 with a rag-tag team that lacked in ability but made up for it with incredible desire. (Lebo went on to be champ again that year).

• In 2010, Baldwin had to win the last game of the season at Bethel Park to either solidify second place, or not make the playoffs. (The section was really close that year).

Baldwin lost the first two sets, and went on to win the next three.

• The Friday night spaghetti dinners/team bonding, hosted at various parents' homes throughout the season. (It gave me the opportunity to wear my Hawaiian shirts and beat the kids in Xbox).

• Watching my former players coach their own volleyball teams. (Something that I am incredibly proud of).

• Ben Remlinger's two Pele-style bicycle kicks during the 2018 season that occurred far off the court while running at full speed; both resulted in points for Baldwin. (I've never seen anything like it). Nobody practices things like that, and he did it perfect both times.

• Being head coach of the 2018 team (I am still smiling).

Some other memorable times included:

• In 2009, having preseason Saturday morning conditioning in the high school swimming pool. The guys all came in with sunscreen on their faces while wearing inflatable animals around their waists. That was another great team with a sense of humor.

• From time to time I would do a Russian folk dance while the guys clapped in the huddle during timeouts. My way of reducing pressure.

• Communicating via Google Translator with a Chinese ESL student who knew very little English. Regardless of my efforts, I couldn't seem to get through to him. Out of frustration, he kept putting his head in his hands. Later I found out that he was … Vietnamese.

• Enjoying all the Christmas alumni tournaments that I have hosted throughout the years. I love it when the guys come back to visit and play every year. Some are now in their 40's.

Falcione continued, “To finish, I would like to thank:

“The coaches that I worked with and learned from. Mike Scahill with his competitive and ‘we are family' attitude. And Tom Sharman, who made me understand the importance of allowing a young person to belong to something; and to stay focused, work hard, but keep it fun.

“All of my assistant coaches that have worked with me at Baldwin, especially Chris Kelly, Adam Foote, Mike Kaleta and Milan Yekich. There's a reason for our success over the years, and it is because of them.

“All of my former players and their parents for deciding to become a part of Baldwin volleyball during my tenure.

“Vince Sortino and our school board for approving my position for so many years.

“And for my family for understanding why I had to miss so many dinners and birthday parties.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Baldwin