Hempfield softball coach Kalp to be honored with Ferrante Memorial Award

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, April 21, 2018 | 9:00 PM

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The Ferrante family has honored an individual with an award for his or her achievements and contributions to high school athletics since 1984.

The award is named after the late Ferrante brothers, Michael and John, who were the owners of Ferrante Lakeview, one of the sponsors of the 62nd annual Westmoreland County Scholar-Athlete Awards banquet, which will take place April 24.

Westmoreland County Judge John J. Driscoll is the host of the event, which also is sponsored by Excela Health and the Bisignani brothers, Geoffrey and Greg.

This year's winner of the Michael J. and John M. Ferrante Memorial Award is Hempfield softball coach Bob Kalp, who has been the Spartans coach for the past 22 years and compiled a record of 382-94-1. He's the 35th winner of the award given to coaches, athletic directors and contributors to high school athletics.

“I'm not into awards, but when you get recognized, it certainly should mean something,” Kalp said. “Someone has thought enough of you to mention you.

“I look at the list of the people that had been recognized previously, and it makes you feel pretty good to think someone thinks you fall into that category.”

Kalp's Hempfield teams have won three PIAA titles, including the past two seasons, and have won five WPIAL championships, including the past three.

“Bob is the most organized coach, at any level (high school to pro) that I've been around,” Hempfield athletic director Greg Meisner said. “His teams are prepared for anything and everything in a game. He's well-deserving of his honor.”

In recent years, Hempfield has been the team to beat in the WPIAL. Kalp said the players buying in is important, but probably more crucial is the coaching staff that he has to work with these players.

“Most high school teams do not have a staff that consists of eight coaches,” Kalp said. “Most importantly is that they are not just bodies. They are good coaches that work with our players every day.

“You won't find another team that has what we have for the period of time that we have been together: Dick Albright (22 years), Ray Mello (22 years), John Sherrow (seven years) and Matt Knizner (seven years).”

While Kalp said he didn't know Michael or John personally, he did have John's daughter, Cindy, in class before he retired as a teacher at Hempfield High School.

John's daughters, Suzie Domasky and Cindy Henderson, along with her husband David, continued the family tradition of hosting the scholar-athlete event, honoring the athletes and award winners.

“It's something the brothers enjoyed, honoring the athletes,” Cindy said. “This banquet was special to them. They wanted to see good kids be honored.”

Suzie added: “Every year I'm amazed at the honorees. They're involved in so many organizations and clubs at school and still maintain good grades while playing sports.

“We're friends with so many of the past awardees. Everyone that has been honored has a special spot in our heart.”

The banquet will recognize two athletes from the 18 high schools in Westmoreland County. A male and female athlete will receive the Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by Judge John J. Driscoll,

IUP women's basketball coach Tom McConnell will be the guest speaker.

The 2017 winners were Franklin Regional's Spencer Lee and Greensburg Central Catholic's Mikayla Bisignani. Former GCC athletic director John Sullivan was the Ferrante Award winner.

Paul Schofield is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at pschofield@tribweb.com or via Twitter @Schofield_Trib.

Tags: Hempfield Area