Deer Lakes’ Chuck Bellisario named WPIAL’s athletic director of the year

By: Bill Beckner Jr.
Monday, December 16, 2024 | 5:33 PM

With a wide smile framing his face, Chuck Bellisario proudly placed gold medals around the necks of Deer Lakes boys basketball players last winter at Pitt’s Petersen Events Center.

It was a ceremonious cap to back-to-back Class 3A titles.

On Monday, Bellisario received some praise of his own.

The conductor of Deer Lakes sports for more than a decade was named the inaugural winner of the Snap! Mobile Athletic Director of the Year award, making him the top AD in PIAA District 7.

The WPIAL made the announcement, appropriately, on National Athletic Director Day.

Bellisario is in his 13th year leading Lancers athletics. He will get a $500 gift card for his victory.

Coaches, administrators, students and fans voted for nominees. Bellisario earned 20% of the 1,394 nominations from across Western Pennsylvania.

The Deer Lakes faithful made sure to recognize Bellisario’s dedication to the Lancers athletic programs, with words such as “fairness,” “success” and “positivity” finding their way onto nomination forms.

Another common description among voters was Bellisario’s support and responsiveness to the school’s programs, and his pride in winning, helping athletes find college destinations, and building relationships.

A Riverview and Duquesne University graduate, Bellisario has seen Deer Lakes win five WPIAL titles (softball, 2015; boys soccer, 2020, ’22; and boys basketball, 2023, ’24).

Four teams were runners-up in PIAA championships (softball, 2015; boys soccer, 2018, ’20; and boys basketball, 2023).

Bill Beckner Jr. is a TribLive reporter covering local sports in Westmoreland County. He can be reached at bbeckner@triblive.com.

Tags: Deer Lakes