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Monroe’s Circosta Earned Respect On, Off Field

Bubba Kapral Executive Sports Editor

WOODSFIELD — Working at a job for 50 years is remarkable. Coaching football for that length is really hard to fathom.

But coaching football was never a chore for Jay Circosta. Rather, it was a labor of love for the Monroe County legend.

Although he has been pondering retirement for the past few seasons, Circosta’s announcement May 11 was a “where-were-you-at moment” when hearing the news.

His magnificent record is well-documented. That being 336 victories in directing Woodsfield and Monroe Central high schools to a combined 14 OVAC championships and a like number of Ohio playoff berths. He leaves as the fifth-winningest football coach in Ohio High School Athletic Association annals.

Impressive numbers indeed.

Circosta’s coaching success was steeped in class. The Shadyside grad was the model of decorum for a half-century on the sidelines. He personified sportsmanship.

Circosta had several opportunities to coach at larger schools. Success, combined with doing things the right way, leads to nice opportunities.

His heart, however, was and still is deeply rooted in Woodsfield. The West Liberty University product, a sure-fire OVAC Hall of Fame first-ballot selection in 2019, is embraced by former players, coaches and countless others for his loyalty, commitment and love for the football program, his family and the community.

Following is a small sample of his myriad of supporters:

LANCE LAFOLLETTE: “Jay was my coach in 1977-78 and I made the OVAC All-Star Game and played for Dave Bruney. I think of Jay as a perfectionist. From taking our shoes home the night before game to polish them. Jay made sure you looked good, played good and behaved the right way. We have been good friends ever since.”

TOM RATAICZAK: “Like Dave Bruney, I’ve known Jay all my life and have followed his career for 50 years. Jay and Woodsfield are synonymous, and perhaps due to its smaller, closer-knit community, Circosta is a giant. The field, the fieldhouse, the town all have been molded and shaped by Jay. One needs only to drive through Woodsfield to realize what an impact he has made. While he has had a profound effect on football, he has had an even more profound effect on the young men he coached. He has impacted generations of players, many who still live in the community, stay in touch, and seek his advice. Jay is a total class act, one who younger coaches need to emulate, and his absence from the program will be huge. He has definitely given back to the community more than he ever took, but I’m certain he’ll still be around the field come fall. Enjoy your well-earned retirement, my friend.”

MARK COOK: “To call Jay Circosta a perfectionist would be an understatement. Watching Jay’s career as far back as a high school athlete at Shadyside until present truly defines the meaning of competitor. Jay always did things the right way and was a true role model. He undoubtedly added to the Barnesville-Monroe Central football rivalry. Ohio Valley football will miss Jay Circosta.”

TROY BAKER: “Coach has been a great example for me in how and what it means to run a successful program. To try and achieve and accomplish the things that Coach Circosta has been able to do is and would be impossible but it is still a great example to try and follow. Coach was extremely dedicated in making the football program at Woodsfield and Monroe Central the best it could be and first class. For me personally, coach’s greatest asset was the way he motivated his players. His speeches before a game were the best I have ever witnessed or heard even to this day. I don’t think anyone can imagine someone else being the football coach here at Monroe Central. Coach will definitely be missed and congrats to him. He has given this community some very memorable Friday nights and moments we will be proud of the rest of our lives. Thanks, Coach Circosta.”

SCOOTER TOLZDA: “I can see why Jay has been so successful. He is a gentleman and genuinely cares about the school and doing things the right way. He has set the standard high for coaches. Beallsville and Monroe Central are bitter rivals and when I went from Beallsville to Monroe, Jay welcomed me with open arms and showed me around the school. He truly cared about me being successful. We had an open trust. There will never be another Jay Circosta.”

RYAN ROSNICK: “Coach Circosta impacted many lives in his coaching career. His presence on and off the field set high standards not only for our student-athletes but our community. He led by example. His involvement at Monroe Central High School and MCHS football set a high precedence. He leaves a lasting mark on Ohio Valley football and sets the bar high for the future of the MCHS program.”

MIKE SNIVELY: “Having been around Jay for a while now, the two things you really notice about him are his communication skills and his meticulous nature. There is no beating around the bush with him. There are no gray areas. So, in essence, you know where you stand. There are no stones left unturned. If there is a problem, it usually gets fixed in a very timely fashion. He wants things done right. If I hang something from a wall in my house, it’s not complete until Susan approves that it is straight. But she will then defer to Donna Sue and Jay. If Jay gives the final approval that the wall hanging is straight, my job is complete! Jay’s qualities of communicating and making things close to perfect convert well into a high school football program. It comes as no surprise to me that Jay has endured the success he has had since the early 1970s.”

MARK HOLENKA: “He is a guy who loved to kill his hometown roots but yet remember his seeds. Coach Jay was a true gentleman of the profession. Friends prior from his hometown, our friendship and respect grew more through healthy competition than the results. When you played a Monroe Central team you had better be prepared to beat them with your performance because seldom would they beat themselves with blunders. In preparation, you knew that if they ever got behind you better be ready for the book from the pole cat to the bounce passes. We are losing the last of the true legends of the valley. He was taught the old-school way, adapted through time, yet coached under those same principle rules. For me, regardless of the score, looking across the field has now lost that home-friend feel.”

MIKE FLANNERY: “Jay is one of the most respected guys in our coaching fraternity. We have always had a great relationship. After every game we have played, Jay is the first person I look for and the second person, win or lose, is Jay’s wife, Donna, who I give a big hug to. She is one of the kindest and true coach’s wife there is. Jay is the captain but she is the glue that holds it all together. I love his family and his two daughters who are married to great guys. Every year when the preseason preview comes out, my wife says how good looking Jay is. I still say he has used the same picture since 1971 … now maybe the truth can come out.”

MICHAEL JORRIS: “Coach has been very important in my life since my eighth grade year. He infleunced me in a lot of positive ways. He taught us football but also the game of life. Jay was great at motivating kids. He got a lot out kids and making them believe in themselves.”

DAVE SCHUERMAN: “As a student-athlete and as a young adult what a role model to follow. In my 29 years of coaching with Jay it was never a job. He treated us exceptional as coaches. It was a great ride. It was his way or no way. That is a reason for so much success. It was a pleasure to work with him and we had a great relationship. He always treated you with respect. You could never ask for a better role model.”

JERRY CALDER: “His dedication to his dream all these years is what sticks in my mind. He always pushed to have Woodsfield and Monroe Central football to be the best it could be. He has dedicated his whole life to that as well as his family. His attention to detail is another thing I will always remember. He was very particular on how he did things. That has always helped coaching and in his work as a school counselor. His work ethic and how he approached his job and coaching on a daily basis was tremendous. It was a great ride for Jay and all those associated with him.”

BIG REDS GREAT

Bill Thomas, one of the greatest athletes of all-time at Bellaire High, died May 9. He was 84.

Thomas capped his stellar Big Reds track career in 1952, finishing second at the Ohio state meet in the 120-yard high hurdles with a sparkling effort of 14.6 seconds. He also was fourth that year in the long jump.

Thomas attend Mississippi State on a football scholarship while also lettering in track his freshman year with the Bulldogs. After two years at MSU, he entered the Army.

Thomas finished his college career at West Liberty State College. He lettered in football and baseball with the Hilltoppers. He also enjoyed a successful career in coaching. He spent five years as an assistant in football and basketball at Bellaire. He then went to St. Clairsville as head baseball coach and an assistant in football and basketball.

Thomas later spent five years as head football coach at Barnesville before becoming athletic director at Bellaire in 1973. He served as head football coach at Union Local from 1978 until 1981.

MAROON KNIGHTS

Wheeling Central, fresh off a state championship season, has finalized its football schedule for the 2018 season.

The Maroon Knights open at Willimastown on Aug. 23; host Madonna on Aug. 31; host East Hardy on Sept. 7 before enjoying a bye week. Mike Young’s charges celebrate homecoming Sept. 21 when Fayetteville comes calling followed by a Sept. 29 home game against Linsly. That game will be part of Alumni Weekend and Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. On Oct. 5 the Knights travel to Steubenville Catholic followed by a home contest Oct. 12 against Martins Ferry, marking Senior Night.

Central takes to the road in the final three weeks, playing Portsmouth West on Oct. 20 at a neutral site at Hebron Lakewood, where Young’s son coaches and teaches. The Knights visit Shadyside on Oct. 26 and Magnolia on Nov. 2.

BUBBA’S BITS

∫ OVAC snub: The OVAC/Bill Van Horne Coach of the Year Award is a big deal. I have been fortunate to win it twice and a finalist on two other occasions. For a finalist to be a no-show — as was the case this past Monday — is unfathomable. Parkersburg South wrestling coach Shaun Smith didn’t think enough of the award to attend. Maybe the OVAC should rethink having Parkersburg South as a member school.

∫ Blaze Glenn continues to put up solid numbers with the Youngstown State baseball team. The former Toronto three-sport star has a .319 batting in 51 games for the Penguins. He has also swatted 13 home runs to go with 42 RBI, 31 runs scored and 13 stolen bases.

∫ Kudos to Toronto baseball Brian Perkins on pocketing his 300th career victory this past Wednesday as the Red Knights captured another district crown.

∫ Jevon Carter has impressed at the NBA Draft Combine. The WVU star guard is now projected to be a late first-round selection.

Bubba Kapral can be reached via email at: bkapral@timesleaderonline.com

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