By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

The “Getting to Know” series was created to learn more about the coaches and administrators that are guiding today’s Portage County student-athletes to be tomorrow’s leaders.

Today, we get to know Streetsboro High School baseball head coach Chris Scisciani, who is in his 19th season leading the Rockets’ program.

CHRIS SCISCIANI

Q: Hometown?

A: Steubenville, Ohio.

Q: High school?

A: Steubenville High School (The Big Red). Class of 1996. Played football, basketball and baseball.

Q: College?

A: Muskingum College. Class of 2000. Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education (K-12). Master’s in Education.

Q: Current occupation?

A: Health and P.E. teacher at Streetsboro High School.

Q: What inspired you to become a coach?

A: I grew up in a sports town, with a lot of traditions and some truly great coaches. Over the years of playing, I was lucky to have some coaches that helped keep me on track and be that positive influence in my life. I loved competing and playing sports in high school and college, so being that positive role model for my boys is something that I always wanted to do.

Q: What makes being a coach at Streetsboro special to you?

A: Our athletic programs attract and develop student-athletes who strive to realize their potential in the classroom, with the community and during their contests. Their experience at high school and in our athletic programs establishes a relationship that will benefit everyone involved, the high school, the community, the student-athlete and alumni. We seek to maintain a positive relationship long after their athletic careers are completed and have them remain an integral part of our programs.

Q: Who has been your biggest influence?

A: I truly feel it has been a combination of many great coaches over the years. There is not just one.

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your playing days?

A: I was a big time football, basketball and baseball player in high school. What people don’t know about me is that I used to be a really good soccer player. I stopped playing in middle school to play football for Steubenville Big Red!

Q: Funny story nobody would believe from your coaching career?

A: When I first started coaching at Warren Harding High School, Maurice Clarett was our senior running bak. I went to one of the first workouts in the summer, and I asked our head coach Thom McDaniels, “What does he coach?” Thom laughed and said, “Chris, this is our senior No. 1 running back in the nation!.” I thought Clarett was a coach!

Q: Favorite channel to watch?

A: ESPN.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: Step Brothers.

Q: Favorite musical artist?

A: Chris Ford.

Q: Favorite food or meal?

A: Hometown Steubenville Pizza or steak.

Q: Best vacation?

A: Boulder, Colorado.

Q: Shoutout to former teammates?

A: Paul Hoover, Jasin Vein, Jojo Saccoccia, PJ Tibero, Matt Davis, Zach Holt, Danny Filtz.

Q: Favorite motto?

A: There are three things you can control: Attitude, concentration and effort.

Q: Describe your coaching philosophy?

A: I believe that every student is unique in his or her own way. You have to be able to reach out and find what makes these students tick. I demand excellence from my students and athletes just as I demand excellence from myself. I often express my confidence in believing that everyone has unlimited possibilities for improvement and achievement. As a result, I expect nothing less than their best efforts. To expect any less would deny them the opportunity to go beyond the limits of what they once thought possible for themselves. I apply the same ideals and principles my own teaching development.

Q: Favorite restaurant?

A: Naples in Steubenville.

Q: Favorite teacher from high school?

A: Coach Stacs.

Q: Advice you would give the younger version of yourself?

A: Time flies as you get older. Cherish every moment because it goes fast.

Q: Favorite coach from your playing days?

A: Coach Mark Stacie.

Q: Coaching resume?

A: East Middle School faculty manager (2003-2005); Edison High School baseball JV coach (2001); Warren Harding assistant baseball coach (2001-2005); Streetsboro varsity baseball head coach (2005-present); Franklin Local Schools middle school football (2000-2001); Warren Harding football assistant (2003-2005); Streetsboro football assistant (2005-2016); Franklin Local Schools middle school basketball (2000-2001); East Middle School basketball coach (2001-2003); Streetsboro JV girls basketball coach (2006-2007); Streetsboro varsity boys basketball assistant (2007-2009).

Q: Favorite sports team?

A: Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates and Pittsburgh Penguins.

Q: Favorite athlete then?

A: Michael Jordan and Bo Jackson.

Q: Favorite athlete now?

A: TJ Watt.

Q: First job as a teenager?

A: Cutting grass.

Q: Family member that always gave you the best advice?

A: Both of my parents: Doug and Mary Beth Scisciani.

Q: Favorite video game?

A: Super Mario Bros. and Tecmo Bowl.

Q: Can you play any instruments?

A: No, just the air guitar.

Q: Favorite candy?

A: Whatchamacallit.

Q: First car?

A: 1989 Chevy Celebrity.

Q: Best friends?

A: Jo Jo Saccoccia, Aaron Newman, Mic Rodgers, Brian Peckens, Ira Campbell, Nick Marcini and Danny Filtz.