By Andrew McClure
Lynbrook resident Jim Gatto won his third CHSAA championship this season and along the way recorded the 500th victory of his illustrious career at St. John's Prep. The city championship was Gatto's first since the school, previously known as Mater Christi's, recorded back-to-back titles in 1978 and 1979. In honor of his achievements and contributions to basketball, Gatto will be inducted into the Basketball Old Timers of America Hall of Fame, at Bishop Ford High School in Brooklyn this Friday.
Gatto, already a member of the CHSAA Hall of Fame, has coached four McDonald's All-Americans, 10 High School All-Americans, 21 All-City players and an Olympic gold medalist, Vern Fleming, who played twelve seasons in the NBA. Other notables who played for Gatto are Taliek Brown, point guard for the University of Connecticut's 2004 national championship team; Red Bruin, a tri-captain at Syracuse in the early 1980s; Ray Martin, who starred for Notre Dame in the mid-1970s; and Bryant Dunston, a freshman forward at Fordham who was recently named Division I Rookie of the Year by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association.
The coach gives all of the credit to the players. "We've had some terrific kids over the years and it obviously has made the job easier," Gatto said. "This year's group didn't have a superstar, but relied on teamwork, strong passing and hard work. It was the best passing team and one of the most unselfish teams I've ever coached."
While teams and coaches are generally judged by wins and losses, Gatto seems to get more enjoyment from the hours in the gym instructing and developing his young players. "One of the most satisfying feelings in coaching is watching a kid who wasn't even sure he'd make the team develop into a Division II or III college player though hard work in the gym," said the 2005 CHSAA Coach of the Year. "Truthfully, I enjoy practice more than the games."
Gatto's dedication to the game exemplifies the way he lives his life. "Every November I tell him that I'll see him in March," jokes Barbara Gatto, his wife of 40 years. "But, as dedicated to basketball as he is, he always has his priorities in order. The family comes first. He's a great coach, but he's also a great father and great husband."
Gatto's legacy is certainly going to be more than his ability to win basketball games. While many of his players have gone on to play collegiate basketball, he's quick to mention those who have achieved success as doctors, lawyers or businessmen. His wife can't say enough about his dedication to the future of the young men he has coached or taught in his 42 years as an educator. "It's not all about winning with Jim," she said. "He's the type of coach who puts education first and does whatever he can to help get a student into college. The kids look to him for guidance."
Father of three and grandfather of five, Gatto knows it can't last forever. "It's winding down, but I still love the game and always want to be involved in it," said the man who credits legendary St. John's coach Lou Carnesecca and Yeshiva University's Red Saracheck, a member of the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame, with helping him learn the game of basketball. "I enjoy teaching the fundamentals. I try to provide the kids with direction, not just in basketball, but also in life."
