The Youngstown State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is pleased to announce the Coach “D” and Edie DiGregorio Women’s Basketball Scholarship to enhance the YSU Athletics Scholarship Endowment Fund.
This scholarship was established by the friends and family of legendary YSU women’s basketball coach Ed DiGregorio. During his 20-year coaching career, DiGregorio won 319 games, including five 20-win seasons, five consecutive conference championships, three Mid-Con tournament championships and three appearances in the NCAA Tournament. One of his many achievements was an upset over Memphis in the first-round of the 1998 NCAA Tournament.
“Coach D” as he was known, encouraged his teams to play with great passion. Under his guidance, the program embodied his love for Youngstown and his emphasis on playing for one another. Born and raised on the east side of Youngstown, DiGregorio never forgot his roots and relished his role as a father figure to so many. He and his wife, Edie, were married for 70 years and shared a life of love and faith.
His coaching resume included stints as head football, basketball and baseball coach at North Lima High School, as well as serving as principal. He was also head football and basketball coach at Youngstown East.
Their four children – James, Marilyn, Cheryl and Karen – are honored to carry on his legacy with this scholarship. Coach D’s formula for success in both life and basketball was built on family first, hard work, having faith, being honest and caring for others.
This scholarship will be awarded to a student-athlete on the Women’s Basketball team.
DiGregorio guided the Penguins through three league affiliations and an independent status as he left an indelible mark on the landscape of YSU women's basketball. In addition to his on-court success, he will be remembered for his leadership, his relationships with his student-athletes, and his service to the University. He was inducted into the YSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003, he was named the 2004 Penguin of the Year and earned the Heritage Award from YSU in 2009.
He retired after the 2002-03 season, but he remained a visible part of the program for many years. He served as mentors for successors Tisha Hill, Cindy Martin, Bob Boldon and John Barnes, and he attended several golf outing fundraisers and championship anniversary celebrations. Coach D passed away at the age of 93 last April.
Paul McFadden, President of the YSU Foundation, said Coach D and Edie are two people who will have a lasting impact on YSU.
“What a tremendous ambassador Coach D was for the Youngstown community and Youngstown State University,” McFadden said. “He made a tremendous influence on so many lives and he had a knack for being a respected and thoughtful leader. He and Edie have always been outstanding representatives of YSU and have always taken great pride in being part of Youngstown’s history.”
For more information, or to endow an athletic scholarship at Youngstown State University, contact Kate Johnson at the YSU Foundation at (330) 941-3211 or kjohnson@ysufoundation.org
