Birthdate: March 19, 1915
Birthplace: Youngstown, Ohio
High School: Youngstown Rayen
College: Geneva (PA) College (1939)
Died: October 7, 2008
Year Inducted: 2011
He also coached baseball and football in 39 years on the staff at Youngstown State University, but Dom Rosselli was best known in his hometown for the success he had with the Penguins basketball team. Rosselli coached in 977 games and won an impressive 60 percent of them. His record was 589-388. When he retired following the 1982 season, his victory total was 10th highest in NCAA history. He had the second most wins among NCAA Division II coaches. During Rosselli’s tenure, YSU had eight 20-win seasons, 26 winning seasons and 19 post-season victories. The Penguins appeared in four NAIA Tournaments and nine NCAA Regionals. Rosselli was quarterback of the Rayen High School football team in the 1930s. Then he was a standout basketball and football player at Geneva (Pa.) College where he earned his degree in 1939. He joined the YSU staff in 1940, but left after two years for World War II duty in the Air Force.
Dom Rosselli was married for 67 years to the former Concetta (Connie) Rose, and together they had four children. Dom Rosselli died on October 7, 2008 at the age of 93.
Watch Dom Rosselli’s enshrinement:
