Athletics have been a major part of Don Pisati’s life for over 65 years. Don began as a youth playing in the Windsor Locks Parks and Recreation Basketball Leagues and in the Windsor Locks Little League.
He was the Windsor Locks Little League’s Most Valuable Player in 1957.
As a young adult, Don went on to letter both in baseball and in basketball at Windsor Locks High School and was a member of the 1961 State Class Runner Up basketball team, losing to Bloomfield High School in the state finals.
Following high school, Don attended the University of Bridgeport and continued his athletic career by playing baseball there.
Following his playing days, Don fulfilled his love and appreciation for athletics through teaching and coaching.
He graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a BS in Physical Education in 1966.
In 1967 he received a Master’s degree from Fairfield University in Guidance and a sixth year certificate in Administration and Supervision from Central Connecticut University in 1990.
In addition, Don has coached the 6th grade basketball team that travelled to Rockville, Maryland yearly. He later coached Little League baseball and also was an assistant in Little League Softball
He began his teaching career at Bloomfield Public Schools, where he taught for 34 years.
During those years, he coached basketball at Bloomfield High School for 9 years, baseball for 19 years and served as an assistant football coach for 5 years.
Don also served as the head basketball coach at Enfield HS for 10 years.
After leaving Enfield High School, Don returned to Windsor Locks High School and served as an assistant soccer coach to Dan Sullivan. Don was an assistant coach on the 1994 state championship team.
Upon retiring from Bloomfield schools, Don became the Athletic Coordinator and Student Coordinator at the Metropolitan Learning Center Magnet School in Bloomfield, where he remained for 13 years before retiring once again.
In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Don has been a member of the Connecticut High School Coaches Association for 47 years. During that time he has served in numerous capacities.
From 1985 – 1992 he served on the CIAC Boys Basketball Committee, serving as its chairman from 1989 – 1991.
In 2005-2006, Don served as President of the CHSCA. In 2006, he received the CIAC Merit Award presented for many years of distinguished service to high school athletics in Connecticut.
A member of the CHSCA Boys All-Star Basketball Committee for 27 years, he served as the chairman for 25 years and continues as a consultant. He has had the honor of coaching in the All-Star Basketball Festival in 1988.
In 1989 – 1990, he was selected to coach in the Boys All-Star Baseball games.
In 2010, the Connecticut High School Coaches Association presented Don with the Thomas R. Monahan Award, which is given to a member of the education profession who has made significant contributions to high school athletics while exhibiting the qualities of leadership, integrity and professionalism. It is considered the highest award given by the association.
He has been a member of the CHSCA Executive Board for over 20 years and currently serves as the parliamentarian.
Don has been married for 49 years to his best friend, Bonnie.
They have two children, Christy and Andrew. Their daughter Christy married Bill Baril, and they have three amazing children, Rylie, Logan, and Colin. Their son Andrew married Beth Grybko, and they have two amazing sons, Jackson and Myles.
Despite all of his considerable athletic achievements both as an athlete and as a coach, Don considers his family to be the best achievement of his life.
