Pete Leone (third from left) and Mike Cercone (third from right) present a $7,000 check to Sto-Rox student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
The loss of Rich Cercone in 2021 was difficult to bear for his family, friends, and the entire Sto-Rox School District community. But in the years since, a tradition has emerged that honors the memory of this Sto-Rox teacher and baseball coach while benefiting the district. On Monday, the district received the latest boost from the Cercone family, friends, and district alumni.
Mike Cercone, Rich Cercone’s brother, came to the Sto-Rox Jr./Sr. High School gym to deliver a $7,000 check to the Sto-Rox School District. The funds were raised during the third annual Rich Cercone Memorial Golf Outing in August and will help the district maintain the artificial turf at the Jr./Sr. High School Stadium.
“We are very grateful for this donation and the impact it will have on our student-athletes, the district, and our community,” said Superintendent Megan Van Fossan. “When Sto-Rox alumni step up and take the time and effort to help out the district, it doesn’t get much better than that.”
Mike Cercone (‘75) was joined on Monday by fellow Sto-Rox alums and football players Chuck Fusina (‘75) and Pete Leone (‘79). They, along with Mike Cercone’s wife and sister-in-law, organize the annual outing that bears Rich Cercone’s name. Rich Cercone led the Sto-Rox baseball team to its only WPIAL Championship in 1985, and left behind a legacy of athletics and academics that continues to be upheld.
Fusina and Leone played a critical role in getting the artificial turf installed. Both they and Mike Cercone believe it’s a vital part of the entire community.
Mike Cercone, in pink, shakes the hand of Sto-Rox Head Football Coach Brendan Blair.
“We want to make sure the school (district) can maintain it, because it was quite an operation getting the field in,” said Cercone. “It’s not as simple as cutting grass, or pulling weeds or filling dirt holes. It takes special attention.”
Cercone pointed out that it’s not just a field for Sto-Rox Vikings football - it’s used by other teams - including the Little Vikings, the Pittsburgh Passion, not to mention community events like the McKees Rocks Community Night Pop-Up held each summer.
The Rich Cercone Memorial Golf Outing will continue next year, returning to Fox Run Golf Course on Saturday, August 9. The event generates funds for the district through registration fees, tee sponsorships, and the like. The event has now generated $17,000 for the district since it began. Mike Cercone said the event will continue for the foreseeable future; he wants to see Sto-Rox succeed.
“I’ve been a Sto-Rox fan and supporter my whole life, and I’ve gone through many of the ups and downs of the school district, and hopefully we’re on our way back up,” said Cercone. “We’ve had some great (athletic) programs here over the years, a lot of championship banners, so it’s been fun to be a part of it.”