Preps

Berkeley Prep's Dagostino celebrates 700th victory

By MIKE CAMUNAS, Times Correspondent
Published October 11, 2007

ADVERTISEMENT [Mike Camunas | Times] Lennard coach Morgan Miltner congratulates Berkeley Prep coach Randy Dagostino on his 700th career win Wednesday night. Dagostino, who has spent 25 years with the Buccaneers, coached Miltner on a club team from 2000-01.

Wednesday night he wasn't wearing his traditional Chicago Cubs hat. Instead, it was the Colorado Rockies, and though he got a little ribbing for dumping the Cubs, who were swept out of the playoffs, he said wearing the Rockies hat was intended to motivate to his players.

The Buccaneers didn't need much against Lennard, as Berkeley Prep cruised to an easy 3-0 win, 25-11, 25-5, 25-9. The win marked Dagostino's 700th of his 25-year career at Berkeley Prep. He's 700-150 all-time, which includes 12 state titles.

"It's something you don't think about very often, but once it starts to happen, you start thinking about all the gifted athletes you've had over the years," Dagostino, 56, said. "I started thinking about it more once I read (Monday's story in the Times). It's a huge milestone."

Though someone on Lennard didn't mind taking the loss.

"I'm happy to be his 700th," said Longhorns coach Morgan Miltner, who played on a club team coached by Dagostino from 2000-01. "I owe him a lot, so I don't mind one bit.

"Though, we definitely won't be his 800th win."

The Bucs (13-7), ranked fourth in Class 3A, were led by sophomore Lindsay Young, who had six kills and Dagostino's daughter, Mackenzie, who had 12 assists. Lennard (4-8) struggled against the more experienced team, as the Longhorns, in just their second year, got six kills from junior Lorena Ricci and 11 assists from senior Judith Villegas.

Mackenzie, an eighth-grader, along with teammates gave Dagostino a 7 and two 0 balloons, and then the coach affectionately called "Dag" went to the stands to hug his parents, who attend all his matches.

"He's been at this for a long time - it's his passion," Mackenzie said. "I'm so glad to be a part (of the win). I hope to be a part of his 800th. He said he'd wait till we were out of high school (to retire), so we'll see."

Dagostino said he would love to be pushing for 800 when Mackenzie is a senior, but will certainly take 700 without hesitation.

"Having my daughter play tonight and be a part of this is ... she and I will remember this together for the rest of our lives," Dagostino said.

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 00:31:58]