HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE
JOHN "BUTCH" ROSSI, BISHOP FENWICK
1995 RECIPIENT
I always asked the Fenwick players to work and play hard, to be dedicated to being the best person they could be, both on and off the floor. I have a firm belief that the teaching of fundamentals is the most important aspect of coaching.
For thirty-six years, John
"Butch" Rossi dedicated himself to a career in education. Throughout this
career, he served as a highly regarded teacher, coach and administrator.
When Bishop Fenwick High School opened in 1952, he became a member of the
school's first graduating class. He returned to Fenwick as a faculty member
in 1958. Over the next 36 years he held every position of responsibility in
the school: classroom teacher, dean of discipline, director of athletics,
assistant principal, and in 1989 became the school's first lay principal.
Butch developed a special affection and unique success with the
student-athletes who had the privilege to play for him. His coaching career
included football, track, tennis and baseball. In 1978 his Fenwick Falcons
baseball team qualified for the state finals. When he was appointed Athletic
Director in 1965, the school began its emergence as an athletic presence in
the Southwest District and throughout Ohio. The Falcon athletic teams have
been crowned state champions in four separate sports - football in 1973 and
1974; baseball in 1974 and 1981; boys basketball in 1982; and girls track
(Division III) in 1993.
It was in basketball, however, that Rossi demonstrated his remarkable range
of skills and abilities when working with players. Over the course of 31
season, he led Fenwick to a record of 402 wins and 282 losses. His teams
were regional runners-up on three occasions and won seven district titles,
in addition to the 1982 state championship. In 1985 he was named the Class A
Coach of the Year. Coach Rossi never shied away from scheduling tough teams
for his squad. Most years his schedule was loaded with teams in larger
divisions than Fenwick.
For many years he served Southwest Ohio and the Ohio High School Athletic
Association community and the state through his involvement in service
projects and various boards. In addition, he has been District 15
representative to the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association,
serving as president of the group from 1976 through 1978, and as editor of
Hooplines, the coaches' newsletter. The Fenwick community renamed the
school gym the John "Butch" Rossi Gymnasium in honor of his achievements and
his dedication to Bishop Fenwick High School.
Rossi was named to the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame and the Butler
County Softball Hall of Fame. He belongs to Holy Family Parish and the
Knights of Columbus. He married Mary Ann Swarcz in 1961, and together they
have raised their ten children: John, Ann, Teresa, Joe, Peg, Liz, Mary,
Stephanie, Steve and Andrea.
Return to the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Home Page
©2003 Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association