The River Valley School Board approved hiring Rick Spallone as the new boys’ varsity basketball coach at their meeting Wednesday night.
Spallone takes over for Don Stitt, who resigned from the position last week. Spallone served as his assistant last year when the Panthers finished with a 12-12 overall record, a 9-4 Heritage Conference record, and an appearance in the District 6 Class 3A playoffs. Stitt accumulated a total record of 179-117 in his 12-year career as a varsity basketball coach, 10 with Saltsburg and two with River Valley.
Stitt said the reason for his resignation was due to a career opportunity that would’ve affected his schedule during the season.
Stitt offered the following statement on his time with River Valley:
“It was a privilege being able to build this River Valley Basketball program. Though I am sad to leave, I am happy that I know this program is in good hands. The transition from Saltsburg to River Valley was pretty smooth due to the fact that the kids were all for it. Throughout my 12 years, I owe it all to the student athletes. I am going to miss it, but I will always be their number one supporter. When I am able to make games this year, I will be there. It’s been a privilege, and you never know someday I may beable to get back into coaching, and if I do, I wouldn’t want to be nowhere else besides River Valley School District”
Stitt also offered a statement on working with Spallone:
“I have worked with Coach Spallone the last 4 years. He coached in our last year at Saltsburg and so far the first 2 seasons at River Valley and all this off-season preparing for this upcoming season. Rick before this was also an assistant coach at Blairsville for several years. So he knows this school district and more importantly knows these kids. He has put the time in as an assistant coach and deserves this opportunity. When I had a team meeting last week to notify the team that I had to resign because of a new job opportunity with a different company all the kids showed support of Coach Spallone to take over the program….to me the less of a change over the better with the type of team we have coming back. I believe Coach Spallone and Coach Shannon will do wonderful things and they will continue to build what we have built here at River Valley.”
Along with Spallone, the board hired Steve Shannon as his assistant and JV coach.
Comments