A memorable coach and athletic director of a Bronx high school will be acknowledged at an upcoming sporting event.
On Saturday, November 2, the career of legendary coach Ron Patnosh will be celebrated with a series of four middle school charity basketball games at St. Raymond High School for Boys, titled ‘The Patnosh Classic.’
Presented by XYZ and BlueChip Sports, the basketball quadruple-header will begin at noon, with St. Raymond High School squaring off against the Mount Vernon Jr. Knights, followed by a matchup between Mount St. Michael and M.S. 72, Catherine Count Basie at 1:45 p.m.
At 3:30 p.m., Success Academy Bronx will face off against Promise II, with the final game between Our Savior Lutheran National Team and Cornerstone Academy Bronx taking place at 5:15 p.m.
The games will be held in the gymnasium at the school’s location, 2151 St. Raymond Avenue.
Along with remembering the school’s legendary coach and athletic director, the mission of the Patnosh Classic is to provide the next generation of basketball players with a platform to compete against each other and gain exposure in front of high school coaches, basketball personal and media outlets.
Originally a Queens native, Patnosh began his career at St. Raymond in 1962, after the high school had opened just two years earlier. He also served as an assistant principal and a teacher during his tenure.
He coached both the JV baseball and varsity baseball teams, as well as the school’s basketball team for over 45 years, winning over 1,000 games in both sports. He also led the Ravens baseball team to two city championships in 1980 and 1989, along with nine division titles.
“He was not only a great coach with a winning formula, he was a leader who taught life skills and character integrity outside of sports,” said Matt Augustin, who played on the basketball team under Patnosh in the mid-1990s.
Nine of Patnosh’s former players were drafted into the MLB, while two of his players made it to the NBA.
Patnosh retired as St. Raymond’s baseball head coach in spring 2010, after his team won the city championship’s semi finals that year.
He received the Sportsmanship Award by the Catholic High School Athletic Association, had a number retirement ceremony and was also inducted into the St. Raymond’s Hall of Fame in 2014, just four months before his passing on September 19. He was 76.
A memorial service for Patnosh was held in the St. Raymond High School for Boys gymnasium. A funeral Mass was conducted the next day, which was attended by over 1,000 people who wanted to pay their respects.
Less than a year after his passing, St. Raymond’s gym was officially renamed the Ron Patnosh Gymnasium, in honor of the late coach. The Ronald Patnosh Scholarship Fund dedicated to the care of St. Raymond was also started in his name.
As described by all who played under him, Patnosh was a genuine, humble, well-respected mentor who dedicated his life to the boys at St. Raymond.
