Serra Catholic’s Brian Dzurenda surpasses 300 career wins
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Saturday, April 7, 2018 | 7:11 PM
Two weeks ago, longtime friends and rivals Jerry Malarkey of Upper St. Clair and Joe Maize of Peters Township reached a milestone of 400 career victories within five days of each other. The baseball coaches have just begun their 34th season at their schools.
Meanwhile, another district coach with just more than half as much experience picked up his 300th win this week.
Serra Catholic's Brian Dzurenda is in his 19th season as coach of his alma mater and said he never dreamed the program would be so successful.
“I thought the potential was there to build a championship team,” Dzurenda said, “but I never envisioned the amount of success we've had here.”
The numbers are impressive. His record since taking over in 2000, including this year's 6-0 mark, is 301-86. Win No. 300 came Thursday in a 15-3 win over Bishop Canevin, and No. 301 came via a 10-0 triumph Friday over Western Beaver.
The 45-year-old Dzurenda has guided the Eagles to three WPIAL championships, one PIAA title and six 20-win seasons.
“I was a slightly above average ball player,” Dzurenda said of his time at Serra Catholic. “I couldn't hit a curve ball, and I know there was no way I would start with this year's team.”
His late father, Steven, was instrumental to his coaching career, as is his former coach and current boss, Serra Catholic athletic director Bill Cleary.
“They stressed the importance of organization, preparation and details,” Dzurenda said.
However, it was his younger brother who helped plant the coaching seeds. “I started to think about coaching very young,” Dzurenda said. “My younger brother, Trevor, is 7 years younger than me, and I coached his little league team up through colt league. I really enjoyed coaching to the extent that it became a passion, and I liked it even more than playing.”
Another passion is taking care of Little Boston Field for Eagles home games. On most days when teams are postponing games due to the weather or field conditions, Dzurenda is doing whatever it takes so his kids can hit the diamond.
“I put in at least 10 hours per week preparing the field for practices and games. Our field is not nice, but I take pride in preparing it and making it ‘clean.' ”
To Dzurenda, once an Eagle, always an Eagle.
“This is my home, and Serra is where I'll end my coaching career, God willing.”
Don Rebel is a TribLive High School Sports Network broadcaster and staff writer. Reach him at drebel@tribweb.com.
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