It’s amazing how a lengthy period of time – 13 years let’s say – can sometimes fly by faster than the blink of an eye.
Well, Bob Atanasio would have to agree.
Atanasio is retiring after 13 years as the athletic director at St. Saviour H.S., Park Slope. During his time there, “Mr. A” – as he was affectionately known to the student body – oversaw 13 diocesan sports championships.
He said his retirement is bittersweet, especially after seeing how the students handled the decision.
“A lot of the students said, ‘You have to stay until I graduate!’” the Rockaway resident and parishioner at St. Francis de Sales, Belle Harbor, said. “If I did that, I’d never retire!”
Sports, especially basketball, were always a huge part of Atanasio’s youth growing up in Our Lady of Angels parish and school, Bay Ridge. He went on to play basketball at the defunct Brooklyn Prep, Crown Heights, and then for two years as the center on the University of Scranton, Pa., hoops team.
He returned to the diocese to earn a bachelor’s degree in history from St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, before starting a career in business.
Mr. A though always had a passion for teaching and was hired as a science teacher at St. Joseph’s by the Sea, Staten Island. During his seven years there, he coached basketball, tennis and soccer.
The athletic director job at St. Saviour opened prior to the fall, 2001 semester, and it was a perfect fit for Atanasio. Whenever he’s asked about working at an all-girls school, he always responds the same way.
“I’m one of nine children, and I have six sisters,” he said. “So it just seemed like a natural fit.”
In addition to serving as athletic director, Atanasio taught physical education to the entire student body and health to sophomores. He also coached varsity basketball for six seasons and varsity softball for three.
His softball team won the diocesan championship in 2011, and his hoops teams captured back-to-back diocesan championships in 2007 and 2008.
St. Saviour is one of the smaller high schools in the diocese, but that doesn’t mean its sports program is lacking. Under Atanasio’s watch, the Pandas consistently produced competitive teams, especially in swimming and tennis.
“It’s really true to say here that we have student-athletes,” he said. “They have to work in the classroom, which they show, and then they perform out on the athletic field.”
The dedication of the student-athletes has been a major factor in his success as athletic director, but he was quick to recognize and thank another group that made everything possible.
“I really have some quality coaches,” he said. “All coaches work hard, but I like to think that we have the best!”
In his retirement, Atanasio will miss being around sports constantly, but he also said he’ll miss being part of the tight-knit community at St. Saviour.
“Probably the biggest thing that I’m going to miss is saying good morning and goodbye to the girls,” Mr. A said about how he would greet the girls at the front door each morning and wish them well every afternoon.
“It truly is a family,” he said. “The girls get to know everybody whether they’re freshmen or seniors. Everybody knows everybody, and that’s what’s so good about working in a small school like this.”
On May 21, St. Saviour presented its annual athletic awards to the deserving student-athletes, but the students turned the attention to Mr. A, surprising him with a special plaque and balloons for his retirement. Many of his former players came back to the school, and the current captains of each sports team said some kind words and thanked their athletic director for his dedicated service.
Atanasio’s plan right now is uncertain as he embarks on the next phase of his life, but he certainly is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Kathy, daughter Christine Leo, son Robert Jr. and four grandchildren, with one more on the way.
“It’s been a great ride, but as they say, it’s time to move on,” he said. “My wife already has a list of things for me to do, so I’ll keep myself busy!”
