St. Joseph’s named Cooper Calzonetti as interim basketball coach for the 2023-24 season on Monday.
Calzonetti is taking over duties for Gabe Michael, who died last week at age 43.
Calzonetti has been a member of the Marauders staff since 2020, and played college basketball at Medaille. His previous coaching experience includes Division I stops at Towson and Iona, and at Division III Hartwick College in Oneonta.
“Coach Gabe was not just a coaching colleague, but a mentor, a friend, and someone I considered family since we met 14 years ago,” Calzonetti said in a statement. “It was a privilege to coach alongside him for the last three seasons, and I am deeply honored to carry forward Coach Gabe’s visions for the St. Joe’s basketball program.”
St. Joe’s also announced a series of tributes to Michael. Players will wear shirts with Michael’s initials and a commemorative patch on their jerseys. Also, the first coach’s chair will be unoccupied in each game.
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When St. Joseph’s hosts Canisius on Dec. 22, a pregame ceremony to honor Michael is scheduled. Michael graduated from Canisius in 1998, and Crusaders coach Kyle Husband identified the coach as being “a dear friend.”
“Coach Gabe always believed in surrounding his players with several quality coaches and leaders,” St. Joseph’s athletic director Brian Anken said in the statement. “This created an incredible collaborative learning environment within our gym where players and coaches were both provided the opportunity to develop.
“Coach Calzonetti has been an integral part of our staff since 2020 and shares the same vision and commitment to success as Coach Gabe. He is a great leader who will help our program navigate through this very difficult time.”
The school also plans to create the Coach Gabe Michael Memorial Basketball Endowment Fund.
The Marauders open the season Saturday in a tournament in the Pittsburgh area.
Williamsville South’s Kristen Dolan steps down
Due to personal reasons, Kristen Dolan has stepped down as Williamsville South girls basketball coach, Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Adam Erickson confirmed to The News. She will remain with the program as a volunteer assistant.
“Coach Kristen Dolan is stepping down as the Williamsville South Varsity Girls Head Coach for the 2023-24 season due to family health reasons,” Erickson said in a statement. “The Billies are excited Coach Dolan will still be involved with the program as a volunteer assistant this season. We are in the process of hiring a Varsity Girls Head Coach for the 2023-24 season.”
Dolan, a former Canisius player, led Williamsville South to a New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class A state championship in 2015 and nine sectional championships.
The Billies open the season Saturday against visiting Colonie from Section II.