BVA grad Trilli ‘loved the journey’ of his college career
It was 鈥渕eant to be鈥� for Trilli
It isn鈥檛 often that people can say that they enjoyed their profession so much that they feel as if they never worked a day in their life.
Vic Trilli, a 1971 graduate of Belle Vernon Area, is one of the lucky ones.
Trilli will retire at the end of June as the Director of Athletics and Vice President of Student Affairs at Newman University in Wichita, Kansas, and he looks back fondly on his career.
鈥淚 have loved the journey, and will miss that part, but it is simply time to move on to another stage in our lives,鈥� Trilli said of he and his wife of 45 years, Kathy, who will also retire at the end of June. 鈥淚 have never worked a day in my life!鈥�
Hired by Newman as the Director of Athletics on Sept. 8, 2008, Trilli did not hesitate when asked what he will miss the most at Newman.
鈥淭he student-athletes and coaches,鈥� he said with energy. 鈥淚 started as a coach, and that is who and what I will always be.
鈥淚 love the commitment and sacrifices they all make above and beyond just to chase their dreams.鈥�
Trilli鈥檚 passion for what he does is evident in every word.
鈥淲hat a journey it has been for me,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 will always cherish the memories, the players, the coaches and the institutions that have extended the privilege to lead at (the) Presidents Cabinet Level at Newman University.鈥�
Prior to Newman, Trilli served as athletic director at Garden City Community College in Garden City, Kansas.
He served in the position from January 2005 until heading to Newman.
Before moving into administration, Trilli coached men鈥檚 collegiate basketball from 1975 through 2001.
He began as an assistant at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas (1975-81) and moved on to Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, Texas where he served as head coach and athletic director from 1981 through 1989.
He moved on to the University of Texas-Austin where he helped the team reach the NCAA tournament seven times from 1989 through 1997.
Trilli finished his coaching career as the head coach at the University of North Texas from 1997-2001.
What has been Trilli鈥檚 greatest professional accomplishment?
鈥淭he relationships I have developed with the coaches and student-athletes I鈥檝e had the privilege to lead,鈥� he said without hesitating. 鈥淚 have been blessed throughout my career and hopefully I have been able to impact and make a difference along the way.鈥�
And his legacy?
鈥淚 would simply like to be thought of as someone who is driven, passionate, hardworking and without a doubt an off-the-chart advocate for student-athletes and coaches,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his journey I set out on when I left home, none of this would have been possible without my wife Kathy.鈥�
He earned his associate degree at Sheridan College in Sheridan, Wyoming in 1973, his bachelor鈥檚 in education at Midwestern State in 1976 and his Master鈥檚 in physical education at Midwestern in 1978.
Inducted recently into both the Sheridan College Hall of Fame and the Wichita 缅北禁地 Hall of Fame, Trilli looks back fondly on growing up in the area and how it helped shape him.
鈥淲ithout a doubt, the hard work from the Mon Valley steel worker and football mentality helped me prepare for my future,鈥� he said. 鈥淎dd to that, being the oldest of my parents鈥� 11 children also helped prepare me as well.
鈥淲hat also helped me was a phrase I heard at a basketball camp at Deep Creek, Maryland while in 10th grade.鈥�
At the camp, Trilli heard someone speaking to Penn Hills great and future NBA coach George Karl.
鈥淭he person said, 鈥業f it is to be, it鈥檚 up to me鈥� and that slogan became my personal motivation, my motto and my branding throughout my career.
鈥淚t has carried me through 44 years of collegiate athletics.鈥�
Trilli shared more.
鈥淚 have shared that corny logo each and every time I met with my players, student-athletes and basically any time I am given the opportunity to make a difference and impact young people,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is funny how that slogan has worked for me for 44 years and it sits atop my huge calendar board in my office!鈥�
It was always meant to be for Trilli, and he has 44 years of relationships that show that he did it the right way.
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