Longtime Head Coach Pat Fuscaldo will be retiring as Sonoma State University’s Head Men’s Basketball Coach.
Coach Fuscaldo has had a storied career serving as the Head Coach for 26 years and winning 339 games. His teams made 4 NCAA Tournament appearances. and won at least 15 conference games 4 times, including the CCAA Championship in 2005-6 with a 16-4 record. Following the championship season, Pat received CCAA conference Coach of the Year honors.
Under Pat’s mentorship, 20 Sonoma State players earned first team All-Conference Honors. Most recently, 2 players from the 2016-17 team, that finished 20-9, were honored (Luke Cochran, Jimmy Golden). That team led all of Division II in points allowed per game and field goal percentage defense. An accomplishment which earned them the NABC Division II National Championship trophies for defense.
2020 senior Isaac Davidson received second team honors this past season for the second year in a row.
The competitive successes enjoyed by the program were only outweighed by the family atmosphere created by Pat. Many of his players consider him to be like. a second father, who cared deeply about their well being on and off the court.
Several SSU basketball alumni have gone on to coach the game themselves, following many of Coach Fuscaldo’s philosophies and ideals. Many others have gone on to be successful in the professional world as well.
Steve Ball, Napa Valley College Head Coach, “Coach Fuscaldo helped many boys become men over the years. Some of my best friends in the world are from my time as a player at Sonoma state, and that is because of the opportunity Coach provided us to live out our dreams TOGETHER. It was never easy, but it will always be worth it. Pat is more than a coach of a program, he’s more like a father figure of a family. I have hoped to emulate this in my own coaching. Coach inspired me to get into Coaching and provided me with my first opportunity as an assistant coach on his staff. I will always be grateful for the opportunity.”
Kevin Christiansen, Sonoma Academy Athletic Director and Head Girls Coach: “Coach Fuscaldo has had an impact on so many lives and I am no exception. He helped me in every aspect of my development as a player, from being a redshirt freshman to all conference selection and conference champion. Coach cared even more about his players off the court and took the time to talk to us on a personal level and help us in any way he could. His support for me was felt in my time as a student-athlete at SSU and continues to this day in a friendship I will always value and cherish.”
JT Tipton (2003-07, Career All-Time leading scorer): “Coach Fuscaldo’s passion and energy for the game was equally matched with how he felt for his players. I want to thank him for
giving me the opportunity to play at SSU. I cherish those memories everyday.”
Rich Shayewitz, former assistant, current Women’s Head Coach, “I cannot thank Coach Fuscaldo enough for the things he has taught me, the opportunity he gave me, and his friendship. Over the past 25 years, I have gained so much being with him. All aspects of his program revolved around one thing. Family. When you include all the great alumni who have gone through the program, my family is gigantic. I have Coach Fuscaldo that thank for that. I will miss having him a few doors down but I know I’ll be able to count on him whenever I need him. I look forward to the day he comes back to campus so we may honor him for everything he has done for all us.”
VInce Inglima, San Francisco State Head Coach, “Coach Fuscaldo has been a great influence on my life as well as many other of his former players who have gone into the coaching profession. I owe my position today to what I learned as a player and coach under him. His passion for the game was never in doubt, but it was nothing compared to his passion for his athletes and staff. The large number of former players and coaches who are still in the basketball profession, now, is undoubtedly a result of his leadership. I am proud and thankful to have played for Coach Fuscaldo and Sonoma State University. This is truly an end of an era for the Cossack/Seawolf athletic department.”
Prior to coming to SSU, Pat served as Head Coach at the College of Notre Dame (now known as Notre Dame de Nemur University), as well as assistant coach positions at Skyline College and San Francisco State.
Coach Fuscaldo’s presence and leadership will be missed. Sonoma State plans to honor Pat at an upcoming home basketball game next season.
