Listing all of the contributions of Assistant Coach Ralph Viafora during his lengthy time working with Alan Knight and the Lady Panthers Softball program will be a challenge. But one thing that sticks out is a sign that hangs on the Press Box at Alan Knight Field that has the team motto, if you will.
” Tradition never Graduates “
Even today, Viafora is a busy, busy Man so I’m not sure how much of his time I will get on this but one simply can’t tell the story about the facility or the program itself without a heavy dose of Ralph Viafora.
The three daughters that played in the program would be enough on its own but the fact that he stayed on after the youngest one graduated 🎓, says a great deal about the Man.
Viafora also spent time as the Head Coach for the Girls Basketball team during his stay in Shenandoah. Knight is quick to credit his former Assistant for stepping in and taking the program to another level, both in game planning and the Park.
The most impressive thing about Viafora is the love that he has for his Family. The youngest of his three daughters, Caitlin, was as tough as the day is long and after graduation she headed over to nearby James Madison University to continue her education and worked her way onto the Softball roster as a Freshman.
Mainly used as a pinch runner do to her speed and Father like understanding of how the game is meant to be played, Ralph added her games to his daily calendar. JMU traveled a great deal and if at all possible, Mom and Dad were in the stands.
Back to ” Tradition never Graduates “, I could sit here for years and couldn’t sniff a better way to describe the Softball program at Page County High School !
Thank You Ralph, for your time, your sacrifice, your Daughters and your commitment to Page County High School!
A.S.P.N on The Hill 