Pete Weishan’s love of basketball dates back more than 60 years.
“I fell in love with it then,” he told The Post-Journal in 2019. ” … I made a pact with myself. From seventh through 12th grade, I never missed a day of practice. I didn’t care if it was Christmas or not, I always played at least a few minutes. I even shot outside with mittens on.”
Decades later, the longtime Salamanca basketball coach — he has served in that role at the boys and girls varsity, junior varsity and modified levels since 1975 — was honored for coaching his 1,000th career game Tuesday night.
For the record, his Warriors’ junior varsity team knocked off Dunkirk 49-37. When the horn sounded, Salamanca’s jayvee and varsity teams, Weishan’s family and district athletic director Chad Bartoszek joined him for an on-court ceremony where he was presented a basketball and plaque to commemorate the occasion.
“I was fortunate to have Pete as my basketball coach in high school,” said Bartoszek, who is also Salamanca’s varsity football coach. “I’m proud to now be his colleague as a coach and watch him continue to impact lives on a daily basis. Pete loves the game of basketball and loves Salamanca. This 1,000th game is a reflection of his dedication to our community and the student-athletes in our district.”
High school principal Chris Siebert agreed.
“I have been working for the Salamanca district for 31 years, and when I started Pete was already well established as a physical education teacher and coach,” Siebert said via email. “However, his contributions to Sally High include more than coaching and teaching. His impact and commitment as a role model, mentor, advisor, as well as his experiences in education and athletics have helped immensely in the evolution of this school.”
In the same email, Adam Bennett, Salamanca’s assistant athletic director and varsity boys basketball coach, described Weishan as “an integral part of the success of Salamanca basketball and the amazing tradition here over the last 49 years.”
He added: “Pete has shown a consistent ability to reach and positively impact the lives of his players time and time again.”
Section VI boys basketball chairman Larry Jones noted in an email that Weishan has “given his all to his players” at every stop; has served for many years on the boys sectional basketball committee; and has been inducted into the Section VI Hall of Fame and the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame.
“His accomplishments are impressive,” Jones said.
Added Bennett: “We are thankful to work with someone in our program who is so dedicated and passionate about what he does, and congratulate him on this tremendous milestone.”
