‘Coach Tune’ steps down
Monday was a sad day for the Uniontown athletic community.
Uniontown’s longtime football coach John Fortugna officially announced his decision to step down as head coach after 22 years of loyal service in front of an assembly at the high school auditorium, that included current members of the Red Raider football team, cheerleaders, band members, administration, media and his wife.
My first recollection of “Coach Tune” was when I watched him from the stands as an elementary school student during his first years on the job as head coach. The Raiders struggled at the time, but Fortugna never game up on the kids.
I saw him personally when I attended a three-day football camp that was held at Bill Power Stadium in sixth grade and he gave us a pep talk and I dreamed of days playing for the man.
I never did play for him, but we crossed paths my first day of high school when I was bawling like a baby after I had a rough day. He took me into my office, reassured me that everything would be fine and always asked me if I was OK when he saw me in the halls or at the stadium. I was always told to be afraid of Mr. Fortugna because he was tough, but I never was. He demanded that his players work hard, but he gave kids a chance and never gave up on them.
One of the highlights of my journalism career was watching Fortugna lead his team to a 21-20 first-round playoff victory over Belle Vernon at Bill Power Stadium during the 2009 season. The win was Uniontown’s first playoff victory since it won a WPIAL Championship in 1965.
Fortugna guided the Red Raiders to a Keystone Conference championship and undefeated regular season in 2001, and many of his players have gone on to college to play football and graduate with degrees.
Fortugna always had time for me regardless of the outcome and kept up a positive attitude even when times were tough. He never made excuses and always credited his players and assistant coaches when the Raiders won, and took responsibility for the losses.
Fortugna preached the importance of academics and being good people, and he discussed that with the current players at Monday’s assembly. He wanted his teams to be champions on and off the field.
The longtime coach has been criticized for not having a tremendous win-loss record but he did more for his players than just coach football. Fortugna is like a father figure to his players, and many tears were shed when he told his players he was going to step down.
I personally feel that he did a great job, and I am glad to have known him as a coach, but also as a person. He may take the blame for some tough seasons, but I don’t believe it is his fault. He continued to work and changed the lives of many young men and women. He would help any student whether they were a football player or not.
Regardless of what the next coach at Uniontown accomplishes on the field, I doubt anyone can duplicate what Fortugna has done for the whole Uniontown Area School District.
Uniontown Superintendent Dr. Charles Machesky should be recognized for organizing the assembly.
Fortugna stated that you would find maroon and white blood in his veins, and I couldn’t agree more.
Congratulations on a tremendous career, coach.