Big Night for the Kats

I had the honor of emceeing the Erie Community College Athletic Hall of Fame event Thursday night, with three new members going into the Hall. Former ECC basketball coach John Beilein (right) made it to the hall. His college coaching career began at ECC in 1978. Longtime ECC Athletic Director Ralph Galanti, and his longtime assistant, Santo DeSain, were also inducted. Beilein has become a national figure in college basketball, after NCAA Tournament appearances with West Virginia. He just finished his first year as the Head Coach of the Michigan Wolverines. And he talked to us extensively about getting his start at ECC thirty years ago.
"These are the people, Ralph and Santo, who gave me my start in college. I always wanted to be a college coach. This move was just as important as any other career move I've made," Beilein told us.
"I know there are things I learned at ECC, on and off the court, that help us win games at Michigan right now."
It was a great night for Beilein, and the other two inductees. Ralph Galanti was at the helm of the ECC Athletic Department for thirty years, and also coached the hockey team. He was instrumental in establishing ECC's high profile junior college football program. Santo DeSain was not only was an athletic administrator, but a highly succesful womens basketball and softball coach. His softball teams won national junior college championships in the early 1980s. It was a great night for three deserving inductees.