Like father, like son, like grandson…three generations of Zawadzki’s (Ray, Jr. and Grant, shown above) have watched over the matriculation of Troy Christian basketball. (Press Pros Feature Photos)
Three generations of Zawadzkis coached and looked on during Tuesday’s Division IV regional semi-final between Troy Christian and Jackson Center. Past, current and future, they’ve got things covered for years to come.
His eyes were moist as he watched. The octogenarian coaching legend, Ray Zawadzki, Sr., was visibly moved by Ray, Jr.’s Troy Christian Eagles Tuesday night as they advanced to the Southwest District regional final on Friday with a 57-47 win over Jackson Center at Trent Arena.
Confined to a a wheelchair now, his physical capacities are a bit diminished, but his zeal for basketball and competition burns as brightly as it ever did during his 512 career wins and 40 years at Vandalia Butler High School.
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And to add to the moment, he enjoyed this nugget just as much. While he watched, two more generations of younger Zawadzkis were running things on the Troy Christian bench…son Ray, Jr., and grandson Grant. As we talked about the uniqueness of all that Zawadzki influence on basketball at one school, he smiled as he explained.
“You know,” he said. “I never worry about Raymond being out there or how he’s going to handle something. What I watch for is what the five on the floor are doing. I don’t want to see someone out there trying to be a hero.”
Ray, Jr. smiled at the comment afterwards, appreciating the fact that Senior is even able to be there, so strong the emotional and basketball bond in a family that’s grown up with the game as a point of accomplishment and respect. Mention the named Zawadzki around Miami Valley coaches and the stories flow like milk and honey.
“Some of them are even true,” Ray, Sr. once told me.
Next in line…Grant Zawakzki led the 2013 Eagles to the Final Four as a point guard, now coaches the defense for his father, and to the delight of his grandfather.
“That’s a coach speaking,” said Ray, Jr., now in his 15th season at Troy Christian. “We’ve been around this long enough, and we both know that the opportunity to play one more game for the opportunity to go to the state tournament is something that doesn’t come around very often. Before tonight was I was 1-6 going into Sweet Sixteen games – 0-2 at Vandalia, 0-2 at Tipp, and now 2-2 here – so I know how hard it is…and he understands even better because he NEVER got to that game.”
Obviously, when you’re coaching to try to get to ‘that’ game the personal significances take on a secondary priority – three generations of the family all involved, at least emotionally, at once. But afterwards Zawadzki, Jr. explained that the present is almost certain to reflect the future, and how that’s a good thing for both family and Troy Christian basketball.
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“Grant has been a great addition to our staff because I’ve turned the defense totally over to him. He’s brought some fresh ideas, we’ve changed our style, and that’s something I’ve learned from owning and running a business,” says Ray, Jr. “You surround yourself with good people and trust them, let them do their thing, and get out of the way sometimes.”
And technically, there were four generations of Zawadzkis on hand Tuesday because Grant Zawadzki has two infant sons, Parker (age 2) and Griffin (age 1), and it’s not likely they’ll grow up to play tennis.
“The two-year-old wanted to go home and cut the net off his little nerf hoop after the district final game because he saw us doing it at UD Arena ,” he laughs.
It’s true, Ray, Sr. never got to a state tournament game, and you can tell by the resolute manner of his speech, and the hand he clenches for emphasis WHEN he speaks…just how much it would mean for the family to get there one more time, come Friday, and the regional final matchup with #2-ranked Russia.
Troy Christian previously got to the Final Four in 2013 when Troy Christian lost to Villa Angela-St. Joe, 67-36, in the Division IV semi-final game.
“The fire never goes out with him, and that’s the neat thing about it,” Ray, Jr. smiles, appreciating the irony. “Dad might be reduced to being in a chair, but mentally his passion for basketball is still there. I should show you my cell phone, from after the district game. I had seven calls from my dad. He’d make a point, forget something he meant to say, and then he’d call me back. It’s just special.
“I’ve learned so much from him,” says Ray, Jr. of Ray, Sr. (above) and his 512 career wins. “He knows better than I how hard it is to get to the state tournament because he NEVER got there.”
“I’ve learned so much from him, as both player and assistant coach. I was young and stupid at age 30 – thought I could be a head coach – and I learned quickly from his example that it takes a lot more, something special that I didn’t have [then].”
But not anymore. Recognized currently as one of southwest Ohio’s brightest and best, Zawadzki, Jr. can point to the fact that the next generation is at hand, following in his own steps, and well on its way to making sure the circle stays unbroken.
All those Zawadzkis…coaching…winning…basketball games for who knows how much longer?
And one more game on Friday…that would mean everything to the man who started it all!
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