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Statue Honors Legendary YSU Coach
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- An award-winning sculptor from St. George, Utah, is designing a 12-foot tall, 1,500-pound bronze statue in honor of legendary Youngstown State University coach Dominic Rosselli.The design by Edward E. Hlavka, which was selected after a national search, depicts the coach standing in front of a tree trunk. Coming out of the trunk is a football, baseball and basketball player, representing the three sports Rosselli coached. "The sculpture has an inspirational theme and deals with the idea of growth through athletics and learning," said Greg Moring, YSU art professor and chair of a committee that selected the design. Rosselli first served as basketball coach when he came to Youngtown College in 1939, then took on double duty as baseball coach in 1948. Rosselli also was an assistant football coach at different times throughout the 1930s to 1960s and retired in 1982 after taking his men's basketball team to the NAIA National Tournament four times.Early last year, YSU graduate Tony Lariccia donated $100,000 to commission a sculptor to craft a statue of Rosselli. The statue will be unveiled 6 p.m. May 20 at the main entrance of Beeghly Center, where Rosselli coached many of his 589 basketball victories. A dedication dinner will follow in the DeBartolo Stadium Club. The next day, Lariccia and Rosselli will receive honorary degrees at YSU's spring commencement in Beeghly Center.The artist selection committee included the Rosselli and Lariccia families; Moring; Lou Zona, director of the Butler Institute of American Art; George McCloud, special assistant to the president for advancement; Joseph Edwards, interim dean of the College of Fine and Performing Arts; Susan Russo, art professor; and Silvia Jimenez Hyre, assistant to the dean.Hlavka was chosen from among 30 artists nationwide who applied for the statue commission.Hlavka's works can be found in galleries and private collections across the nation. His most recent work is a monument that measures nearly 20-feet high and was done at the request of the Oneida Indian Nation of New York. The monument was recently installed in the Smithsonian Institute's National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C. Hlavka's most recent commissions include President George Bush, President Thomas Jefferson; Colonel Sturgis mounted on his horse and Christ with two children.Visit Youngstown State University: www.ysu.edu"