Charlene Galluzzo measures her success beyond the win column.
Besides making faith and family her utmost priority, she takes satisfaction from seeing her players graduate with honors and eventually become model citizens.
As for her duties as a softball coach, she has decided to step aside following 19 seasons with Tyler Consolidated. The school has known no other coach for that particular program, but Galluzzo decided it was time.
"There's no blueprint for when you should hang it up - it was just time for a change," said Galluzzo, who turned in her resignation just prior to the start of last week's state tournament.
Galluzzo never won a regional title. Her best season occurred in 2009 when the Silver Knights finished 13-10. She finished with a total of 134 victories and in the process claimed two sectional championships.
Not the most glamorous resume statistically speaking. On the other hand, Galluzzo remembers the teams which boasted academic all-americans, including one year when all but three members received that honor. There was another season when she coached the school's salutatorian and valedictorian.
"It's nice to see the players who go on to be successful in their careers," Galluzzo said.
Not that Galluzzo didn't have her share of accomplishments, either. At the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) convention in Indianapolis in 2010, she received a Pathfinder Award from the National Association for Girls and Women in Sport.
In 2006, the National Federation of State High School Associations recognized Galluzzo with an award encompassing the state of West Virginia for her dedication, commitment to excellences and promoting the ideas of interscholastic athletics.
Galluzzo looked back at all the contributions given to her program by outsiders, including Ritchie County's Dave Mossor, who conducted a pitching and hitting clinic for her girls several years ago then returned this season for the same drills.
There were others along the way. Like Wheeling Central coach Ed Cihy and assistant coach Bill Flading. Lending support from the college ranks were Jan Forsty (Behany), Herb Minch (West Liberty) and Annette Olenchik (Charleston). Former Diamond Queen's coach Roy Armann introduced Galluzzo to Mike Fahey - a legendary fastpitch pitcher from the valley.
Even though Galluzzo is no longer an instructor on the ball fields, she will continue to spread her knowledge as a physical education teacher at Sistersville Elementary.
She also plans to use her additional free time during the spring to visit her mother in Uniontown, Pa., and venture out west to California to see her 2-year-old granddaughter.
Of course, her attachment to softball will never be forgotten.
"Softball is a great game and I'm addicted," Galluzzo said. "I told my daughter, our plan is to go to the Final Four in Oklahoma City. That's on my bucket list."
