NOTE: This is the second in a three-part series featuring The Riverside Hall of Fame’s first class, all coaches. The inductees will be honored at the First Annual Hall of Fame banquet at Shakespeare’s Restaurant this Saturday, May 4th, from 6 to 10 p.m. Attendees will celebrate the esteemed inaugural class of: Dan Oliastro, Karl Florie, and Royann Winfield.
He may be the winningest coach in WPIAL history, but winning isn’t everything to Coach Dan Oliastro.
“It’s more than just baseball,” he said. “One of the things you have to do is build relationships … good relationships with the kids.”
And Oliastro has a knack for building relationships with his students, his teams, his fellow coaches, and the community.
In fact, Oliastro said he has been blessed with the people who surround and support him.
His assistant coach and best friend, John Marnicio, has been with him the whole time.
“He has such an expertise in things I do not … the nuts and bolts of our program.”
His assistant isn’t the only one who tends to stick with Oliastro. Many have made their way back into his program.
“Everyone who is coaching for me has also played for me. Every coach has played on one of my WPIAL or state championship teams.”
Oliastro has had many winning teams. He earned that most winningest title on March 30, 2022. And in 2023 he added a fifth State Title to his resume as his Panthers baseball team became only the 10th team in Beaver County Sports history to win a PIAA State Title, four of those previous titles already belonged to Oliastro.
His love for baseball started at a young age. He grew up in Ellwood city and played little league, pony, and colt. He said the colt league had tremendous coaches.
“I think as a result of that they gave me a spark and I wanted to play but knew I wasn’t good enough to go to next level, and became a coach accidentally.”
He was hired as teacher at Riverside and the head coach at that time asked him to assist, so he did that for couple years as a volunteer coach until he was hired as the head coach in 1968. He spent 40 years at Riverside first as a teacher then a guidance counselor before retiring in 2004. But he has continued coaching.
He attributes his blessings to his faith.
“My success is due to my faith in my savior Jesus and my Lord.”
Also a big part is the support of his family including his wife of 21 years, Linda, and his daughters whom he is very proud of. His oldest daughter was a Spanish teacher, his second an accountant, and his third attended West Point and served five years in the military.
“My kids have done well.”
Even though he doesn’t have a lot of free time, he does participate in a lot of church activities and also likes to help his wife Linda at her antique store “The Company Store” in Negly, Ohio.
He has many great memories over the years and said that every team that he coached provided him with unique experiences.
“When I first started coaching, there were no classifications. I can remember one year back in 80s we ended up playing North Allegency in the playoffs. To give some perspective North Allegheny is a 6a we are a 3a. The classifications leveled the playing field.”
Overall, Oliastro said he’s had a lot of good experiences, a lot of great kids, and a lot of great families. All of that plus three important elements that Oliastro said are the keys to success.
“When you have talent, leadership, and discipline, that’s when you have a chance to do the really big stuff.”
Oliastro is thankful for the support from the community over the years. He said in the last drive to win the WPIAL Riverside had more fans in attendance than any other team in the state.
He is humbled by the induction into the first Hall of Fame Class.
“I think it’s a great honor. There have been so many good coaches and players at Riverside. It’s going to take a while to exhaust them.”
I am an Lincoln High School graduate but I have such a fond and utmost respect for Coach O.
He is one of a kind gentleman and a very special coach.
Thanks for everything Coach O.