Dan Cirucci: May His Memory Be A Blessing To All Of Us!

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

May His Memory Be A Blessing To All Of Us!

August 30, 2017

Dear Members of the Villanova Community:

It is with great sadness that I inform you that coaching legend Roland “Rollie” Massimino, who was the head Men’s Basketball Coach at Villanova from 1973 to 1992, passed away Wednesday afternoon at the age of 82. Coach was at his home in Florida, surrounded by family.

Coach Massimino won the hearts of the nation during the Wildcats’ 1985 championship run, when Villanova, as an eight seed, defeated the heavily favored Georgetown Hoyas in an upset that is widely recognized as one of the greatest in sports history.

This may have been his most notable win, however, during Coach Massimino’s tenure here, he led the Wildcats to 357 victories, including 20 in the NCAA Tournament. In addition to the 1985 NCAA title, he led Villanova to Elite Eight appearances in 1978, 1982, 1983 and 1988. Coach Massimino was named the BIG EAST Coach of the Year in 1982, and was inducted into the Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.

A beloved member of the Villanova family, Coach leaves a legacy that will have a lasting impact on the Villanova Men’s Basketball Program for generations to come. He never forgot about his Villanova roots, and was there in 2016 to cheer the Men’s Basketball Team on to victory when they clinched the NCAA Championship title for a second time.Click here for more on the legendary life and career of Coach Massimino.

Coach Massimino’s dedication to and love for coaching never ended. After a three-year retirement, he returned in 2006 to Northwood, later renamed Keiser University. He earned his 800th career coaching win last December, finishing his career with 816 victories.

Coach’s love of family, community and team were always evident during his life, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his wife, five children and the entire Massimino family. A memorial Mass on campus will be held in his honor, and we will share that information once those arrangements have been finalized.

Please keep Coach Massimino’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA
President

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About Dan Cirucci

He's been cited by the late Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed across all media.

He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, a Save Jersey blog columnist, frequent guest on the Matt Rooney radio show and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV.

Inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame, for many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates.

Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post, Broad and Liberty and other print and online platforms.

A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission.

He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award, the highest honor from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups.

In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. There he was one of the first teachers in the country to teach African-American history to inner city students. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Cirucci's passions include all things Italian, politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel.

He and his wife Carole have two grown children and seven grandchildren.

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