Hall of Fame
California’s gain was indeed Saint Vincent College’s loss when Sebastian “Sibby” Lonigro transferred from the Latrobe-based school to the Mon Valley in 1955.
After sitting out a year because of eligibility rules Lonigro became a dominant post-player for the Vulcans and longtime head coach Eugene Hester.
During his junior season he averaged 14.6 points and nearly 10 rebounds a game. Aided by his effective inside play, Cal won six of its final nine games, including season-ending victories over Clarion (86-80), Edinboro (85-62) and nearby rival Waynesburg (99-89).
The following year Lonigro produced one of the finest individual seasons in school history by averaging 20.7 points and 12.6 rebounds per game. The senior captain, he scored a single-game career-high 41 points in a 110-73 victory over Edinboro. The point total was the second highest in school history and Lonigro’s school record of 19 field goals stood for 13 years.
Despite playing on a team that won just three games, Lonigro earned first-team, all-conference and Associated Press All Pennsylvania Honorable-Mention honors during the 1956-57 season.
He also played an instrumental role in starting the first golf team at Cal.
Understandably, Lonigro is pleased to join lifelong friends Dick Majernik, Lloyd Gilmore and Walt Sigut as Cal U Hall of Fame inductees.
“This is a great honor but there are other people responsible for me receiving this accomplishment such as friends I played with, good parents and this great institution,” he said. “It was just a thrill playing back then and unlike now we didn’t win much. But now to see what fine academic and athletic programs President Armenti has produced, it’s very gratifying and rewarding to represent California as a Hall of Famer.”
While the teams he played on at Cal did not win championships, Lonigro praised Hester, who was also the chairman of the health and physical education division.
“Back then we didn’t have weight programs or camps and you had to put whatever into the program on your own,” said Lonigro. “Mr. Hester was a quality guy in all aspects of life. He was a teacher and did this as an extracurricular activity so he was unable to recruit. It’s so different now but we made the best of it. We worked for it and had great camaraderie. I have lifelong friends because of the experience.”
Originally from the small mining town of Cokeburg, PA, and a graduate of Ellsworth High School, Lonigro was a standout student-athlete in both basketball and football. He learned to play basketball outside using welded bicycle rims and crocheted nets by his mother for baskets. Lonigro earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from then-called California State Teachers College in 1957.
“The opportunity and education I received at Cal prepared me very well,” he said. “You then go out and make the best of it. There’s no question California helped me tremendously.”
Since his undergraduate days, Lonigro has distinguished himself professionally and academically. A certified psychologist, he received his master's degree in supervision from West Virginia University in 1967 and his master's degree in counseling from Duquesne University in 1972. He has worked as an executive in mental health services for nearly 50 years.
For the past 13 years he has served as chief executive officer and owner of Alliance Health Wraparound Inc., Uniontown. Aside from overseeing its daily operations, he is responsible for supervising and training employees, conducting psychological evaluations and representing the company.
This summer Lonigro was named executive of the year in mental health services by Cambridge Who’s Who, a business and professional index. Only two male and two female members in each discipline are chosen for the title; the Cambridge committee selects honorees based on their accomplishments, academic achievements, leadership and service.
Lonigro remains engaged his alma mater. He established a basketball scholarship and is a longtime member of both the men’s and women’s basketball booster clubs. In 2001 he was selected as the Basketball Alumnus of the Year by veteran head men’s basketball head coach Bill Brown.
Lonigro participates in many Cal U events such as the President’s Gala and university golf outings. He was a member of the winning team in the 2006 Vulcan Scholarship Dive when his team, the Chiefs, raised more than $11,000 for student scholarships.
His passion for his alma mater and desire to help others is evident.
“I want to give back to California and I can do that by working hard to raise money and promote the activities and accomplishments there, ”Lonigro said. “With state funds declining we need to help these student-athletes with scholarships. I think being a Hall of Fame member gives you that platform to go out and motivate other people into contributing to the wonderful program. I am committed to doing anything I can to help this institution.”
Though he has supported Cal U in various ways, Lonigro’s dedication to the basketball programs is exemplary. He also lauded Brown, who has the most career basketball coaching wins in school history with 258. Last year, he coached the Vulcans to their eighth PSAC-West title in 11 years en route to a 28-5 overall record and NCAA “Elite Eight” tournament appearance.
“Coach Brown is a winner not just athletically but sees that his kids meet academic standards and moral standards because he cares,” said Lonigro. “I believe in Coach Brown and the women’s basketball program too. That’s why I work hard for both programs. If you show me an interested and committed coach I’ll show you a successful program. They’re helping to show that California represents pride, quality, championships, and high moral and academic standards. Coach Brown believes in the alumni and we believe in him. It’s a two-way street.”
Lonigro resides in Mount Pleasant, PA, with his wife, Nola. The couple has six grown children: Gina, Joseph, Michael, Daniel, Gregory and Scott.
