SPECIAL GUEST-NARRATIVE EDITION

George R. Bisacca, “The Father of Fairfield Basketball”

Bisacca Tribute video link:

From the Tribute to George R. Bisacca on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 at Alumni Hall and Alumni House.

110 years ago, a wise man wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”   

An even wiser man said, “if you don’t learn from past excellence, then excellence will escape you.”

George R. Bisacca is by far the best example of excellence this University has ever seen, and may ever see.  And that is why we are all gathered here today.  We come to celebrate and recognize that excellence, but also in gratefulness for his life having touched and impacted ours for the better.  We come also in gratefulness to his family for having shared him so generously with us, and for making us part of their extended family. 

I saw a quote about Coach Bisacca saying, “His time as the men’s head basketball coach is considered one of the most successful eras in the history of our program.” In the history of Fairfield Basketball, we have had 3 coaches with winning records: Number 1: Coach George R. Bisacca recorded 64% winning percentage, while playing the toughest competition imaginable:  Big East powerhouses BC, Providence, Villanova and Georgetown, against whom we won more often than not.  In his final year as coach, we played three of the Top-10 Nationally-ranked schools…  In 2nd place is the great Ed Cooley, who is now coaching at Providence College, who recorded a 57% winning percentage.  In 3rd place is another outstanding coach, Fred Barakat (R.I.P.), who recorded a 56% winning percentage. … Clearly, George Bisacca, is in the eschelon of these great coaches, … and in my humble opinion, and proudly, admitted-biased opinion, I believe he IS the most successful coach in Fairfield basketball history.

Also, during his 6-years at Fairfield Prep, Coach Bisacca’s teams had a 74% winning percentage …  à  … that is Power Memorial-esque!

 We were graciously invited to do a video taping, and during that honor, we were each asked the question, “How does Coach Bisacca embrace the Jesuit mission?”  I thought it was a trick question, and then upon reflection, I thought the right question should have been, “How is the Jesuit mission aligned with the real-world, Bisacca-Family Values? “

In the Feb. 24, 1965 edition of The STAG, on page 11, there is an editorial in “The Sports Desk” by Phil Sinisgalli, and with your indulgence, I would like to quote some meaningful passages:

“At the start of the season, the cagers met the bulk of these contenders with St. Joe’s, Providence and St. Bonaventure leading the way.  It was at this time that critical comments (in this context meaning criticism) …critical comments of the “big-time” scheme were heavily concentrated on all sides, as a cloud of skepticism shaded the plan, and it’s no secret that the bulk of this band-wagon of unfavorable criticism was directed towards a successful attorney in Fairfield.”...and then in a tone of sarcasm Phil wrote,  “…After all, one cannot possibly flourish in more than one field of endeavor (Whatever happened to the Jesuit concept of “the complete man” that Jesuits say exists from a liberal arts education?)” ...

   “... A man who would take as much interest in his players to the extent of splitting-up his law-practice (and the motivation must be interest) – a man who would take time out, not only from practicing law but also from coaching, in order to help one of his individual players in time of need – this, is “big-time.” ...

    “ … Fairfield is fortunate, indeed, to have one person with as much genuine interest in its students as Coach Bisacca has shown.  It is difficult to realize that one person is responsible for lifting the Stags from the very comfortable but antiquated, Tri-State League, creating Fairfield’s design for “Big-Time” competition, and the present success and respect that has been coming our way.  This, he has done and still had borne the brunt of criticism in an admirable fashion from scribes throughout the state when the chips appeared to be down."

      Yes, all this Coach Bisacca has done – not bad for a “part-time” coach, right?”

The prescient editor captured the true character of Coach Bisacca, and presaged the quantum improvement the following year when the ’65-’66  Bisaccamen posted a “19 & 5” record and set numerous milestones, and most of those milestones have not been eclipsed in more than 50 years.

***Writer Phil Sinisgalli would have understood that the invitation we received for today’s event should have read, (very proud) Parent 1974 for Beth, but also P’59 through P’68 for all his players for whom he was in loco parentis.

The mission Coach Bisacca undertook at Fairfield University (Coach & Athletic Director) was done basically Pro-Bono and out of love.  Coach Bisacca did not take a balanced approach to tasks, … he was all-in for everything he did… 100% all-in: for his Law-practice, all-in for his Coaching and all-in as Athletic Director. … The balance in his life was provided by “Mrs. B”,  … and a loving, understanding family … a family who made us their extended family.          

A wise man said that behind every great man there is a great woman. 

A wiser man said, …and I know Coach Bisacca would agree, …that behind every great man there is an even greater woman … that would be you, “Mrs. B”! …

 … For well-over 50 years, you have opened your home to us and have adopted us as your extended family.  We would like to recognize the generosity of the Bisacca family and their dedication to make this event happen, and we thank you all for giving us the opportunity to all come together to avow our gratefulness to Coach B. 

…Coach, you have touched our lives, and have shown us how to handle adversity with the class and grace of a true gentleman.  You have also demonstrated to us what is really important in life, and Coach, this can be summed up in your quote in the 1968 Manor:

"The most cherished memories in my coaching career will be those that form the human drama of which I have been a part."

 In closing, may I address all the Coach Bisacca former players, … those pioneers who laid the foundation in the Tri-State League and afterward: … Thanks to Coach Bisacca, we were a family… we were a team …we sacrificed personal glory for the greater glory of our Fairfield Family / our Fairfield team.  Coach Bisacca led us to challenge ourselves to be all we could be as exemplified by Athletic Director Bisacca constructing a more difficult schedule each subsequent year.  …. 

We won, we won together, we won in the most difficult environments, we won against all odds.  On the rare occasions when we lost, we won the respect of our adversaries … and then came back to win the following year.  When you received you diploma, the relationships continued even stronger.

May I take poetic license with an alliteration in addressing you all:

“…We few, we happy few, we Band of Bisacca Brothers.” *

… Thank you Bisaccamen! Thank you teammates!

 …  and I give you … Brother Bill Boyd.

 * (Shakespeare, Henry V, Act 4, Scene 3)

 

WILLIAM BOYD (’67) ADDRESS:

 As parents and grandparents we worry when our children and grandchildren leave the protective and sheltered environment of our homes to go to school. We did our jobs to make sure they had the tools to stand on their own and now we crossed our fingers and hope we’d done enough. But our greatest hope is that the kids are fortunate enough to be taught, coached and mentored by people who truly care. When I chose Fairfield University as my home away from home in 1963 I was a very lucky young man because I came under the influence of Coach George Bisacca. My parents didn’t have to worry any longer.

 About 6 weeks ago George’s oldest and closest friend, Lou Saccone died suddenly. I attended the funeral and sat with George and Millie. I drove back to Massachusetts the same day and couldn’t sleep that night thinking about Lou and George. I got up early the next morning and wrote a letter to George. I will share some if it with you now because it puts in a nutshell what George means to me and probably all of you who took the time to come here tonight to honor him.

 Just a quick aside, before I do. Over the four years I spent at Fairfield, on many occasions Coach lectured us (at the time I thought constantly) about our life and our places in it. He would say: “ I know some of you who aren’t listening now will wake up some day and write me a letter telling me I was right. Just mark my words.”

 The letter I will read to you now is not my first to Coach, not by a long shot but it is the most recent one. .

But here it is.

Dear George,

As I sat next to you during Lou Saccone’s memorial service yesterday and listened to the beautiful heart felt eulogies by his sons, grandson and you, it became crystal clear to me the impact you have had on my life.

 Over 52 years ago, you met me for the first time.  You picked me up from the Fairfield train station in your little VW convertible and drove me to the campus gym to work out with the varsity players.  After the four or five hours, you set up a brief visit with Father Murphy, the admissions director. Before I boarded the train back to Brooklyn, you gave me a official letter containing the offer of a  full four-year scholarship and directed me to take it home to my parents to review. It was an incredible opportunity to join you and the great team you had assembled at Fairfield University.

 I was seventeen years old.  Fairfield was only 55 miles from Brooklyn, as my dad measured it, but light years away in so many ways.

  During the four great years I spent at Fairfield, I was a challenge for you just as I was for my dad; I guess that was what you could call “growing up”. But in a family you don’t give up on your children and you never gave up on me. Many of the lessons I learned from you and my dad and others who tried to put my on the “right path” as I charged through adolescence didn’t sink in until years later; such is the major frustration of mentors, coaches and parents.

 As you successfully juggled your duties as head coach, athletic director, full time lawyer, and father of six beautiful child and husband to Millie, you were leaving unmistakable life lessons, like breadcrumbs along a path, for all your children and players to collect. When and whether they learned the lessons are not as important as your unwavering desire and ability to teach, coach, father and mentor. I absorbed many of those lessons and in turn have tried to pass them on to my children, grandchildren and the many people I came in contact with through my job and outside activities over these last fifty years. So all your words and actions were not given in vain. Hopefully, they will be passed on and the world will be a better place.

 When we went to the restaurant yesterday to celebrate Lou’s life, someone at the table said that probably 70% of the 100 or so people attending were family members. I would contend all of us were family members because of the way you and Lou lived your lives. When I accepted your offer to come to Fairfield all those years ago ,I didn’t realize I was accepting the priceless opportunity to join the extended Bisacca family.  As I approach 70 years old and have been blessed to have most of my large family around me, I am more and more thankful for the chance so many years ago to join your family.

 Coach, keep doing what you have been doing for 87 years, it’s working!

Love,

Bill Boyd

George R. Bisacca

– Retired from coaching in 1968, designated Mentor of The Class of 1968.

He was the quintessential lay-person espousing the Jesuit values, and there were many who said that George R. Bisacca was the role-model to which Jesuits should aspire.

Fairfield Basketball During the Class of 1968 Tenure:

Most Successful Coach in Fairfield Basketball History, George R. Bisacca

·        *  8 winning seasons, 1 even season, only 1 losing season.  Established the gold standard of a Winning Culture taking-on the most difficult schedule possible.

1965-’66:

1)   Played #4 St. Joseph’s College and #10 Providence College.

2)   19 wins vs. 5 losses, 79.2% winning percentage.

3)   Original Running Stags averaged 84.7 ppg without 3-point line and held opponents to 72.0 ppg., The average margin of victory at 12.7 ppg,.,  a record, vs. toughest competition.  That remains a record after 50 years.

4)   13-game winning streak remains a record after over 50 years.

5)   Alumni Hall most points scored at 111-points vs. Bridgeport most points in a game without the 3-point line.

6)   51-point margin vs Bridgeport (111 vs. 60) is the largest margin of victory.

7)   First Fairfield Basketball Team to receive a Top-20 Vote in a National Writers’ Poll.

8)   N.I.T. Invitation bid not received.  Villanova at 18W-11L was chosen over Fairfield for political reasons.

Not being chosen for the N.I.T. is a badge we proudly wear today!

1966-’67:

1)   Played #9 Providence and #10 Boston College

2)   12 wins vs. 9 losses

3)   Defeated University of Massachusetts in the U. Mass Fieldhouse.

4)   Defeated St. Joseph’s College in the St. Joseph's College Fieldhouse, by 20 points, their first defeat in 10 years on 12/16/1966 by a score of 88 to 68!

1967-’68:

1)   Played #1 Houston  University, #3 St. Bonaventure and #6 Dayton University

2)   16 wins vs. 10 losses

3)   Defeated Villanova University with a buzzer-beater in the Palestra in 12/16/1967 by a score of 62 to 63!  On the same date in the prior year, if the Stags visited your home court before Christmas, they wrapped up a victory in the city of Brotherly Love and placed it under the Christmas tree in Fairfield!  The tradition pre-holiday shopping-for-victories was started in the 1965-’66 season with victories on 12/18/1965 at Xavier, on 12/20 at Duquesne (Pittsburg Civic Center) concluding on 12/22 by defeating St. Francis of Pennsylvania (Jaffa Mosque).   Note to Fairfield Opponents: you might not want to schedule a pre-Christmas visit from Fairfield University’s Basketball Team, unless you don’t mind losing at home to The Stags!

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MANOR-isms: we have reviewed our issues of The Manor which, thanks to Paul “Bear” Greeley and his dedicated staff, is a treasure-trove of recollections of life on the Fairfield University campus.  We will be developing a repository where all NARRATIVES, links to all issues of The Stag, and MANOR-isms which will, with pictures, titles and captions, help us to tell the NARRATIVE of the Class of 1968.  Though most will deal with the serious issues of campus life and life in the mid-late ‘60s, here is a humorous version, just in time to usher-in Halloween.