Sam Senneca retires after 32 years in Bethlehem Area School District

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Sam Senneca has seen it all and virtually done it all during his 30-plus years as a coach, teacher and athletic director in the Bethlehem Area School District.

Senneca's long run has come to an end. He announced his retirement several months ago and worked his last day last week.

Senneca spent the last 11 seasons as athletic director at Liberty High School. He spent the 2000 season as an assistant A.D. under Junior Gencarelli. Senneca took over the lead spot the next year when Gencarelli stepped down due to a medical problem.

"It was my decision, basically," said Senneca, 57, of the timing of his retirement. "I've been thinking about it for a couple years. The other day my wife asked me how I feel. I said, 'It feels weird. It just feels weird. I won't have to go in everyday and check on everything.' "

Senneca says he'll miss the camaraderie amongst the staff members.

"The kind of coaches we had made my job a lot easier," he said. "They took care of the problems before they ever got to me."

Senneca was a standout defensive lineman at Nazareth High School, where he graduated in 1971. He made third team All-State and went on to play three seasons for Lou Holtz at North Carolina State.

During his tenure, the Wolfpack played in the Peach, Liberty and Astro-Blue Bonnet Bowls and won the Atlantic Coast Conference title his junior year (1973).

In 1975, Senneca was in camp with the Charlotte Hornets of the World Football League. He ultimately suffered a knee injury and the league subsequently folded.

Senneca became co-head coach at Garden Spot High School in New Holland, Pa., in 1979 and directed the Spartans to a 10-1 record.

Senneca landed in Bethlehem the following season and was head football coach at Freedom High School from 1980-88. He was also the Patriots' head girls basketball coach from 1984-88. The 1987 team won a District 11 championship behind the stellar play of Terry Dadio, who went on to play at Lafayette, and Mary Greybush.

One aspect that has made Senneca's legacy worthwhile is that he never loses touch with his former players.

"Terry Dadio showed up at my retirement party a couple weeks ago," Senneca said. "Those kind of relationships are lasting."

Senneca, who taught health and physical education for many years, has been involved in two state championships in football. He was an assistant on Jim Morgans' 1993 Central Catholic team that won the PIAA Class AAA title.

Years later, Senneca joined Tim Moncman's staff at Liberty and helped coach the 2008 Hurricanes, led by Pennsylvania Player of the Year Anthony Gonzalez, to the PIAA Class AAAA championship.

"As far as team accomplishments go, they rank right up there," Senneca said. "Being around the kids all these years has truly been a joy for me."

According to Senneca, the turning point of Liberty's state title run occurred during halftime of the season opener against North Penn.

"We were losing 20-0 and Timmy told the kids to stay together and keep working hard," he said. "We ended up losing 23-15."

Liberty and North Penn met again in the Eastern final. This time the Hurricanes prevailed.

"Our offensive line really came around," Senneca said. "The opening drive we held the ball for nine minutes. That senior group really worked hard. They believed in themselves and came together."

Senneca intends to stay active in coaching. He'll work as defensive coordinator on Jim Morgans' staff at Parkland in the fall. He'd also like to get back into coaching basketball in some capacity.

Senneca made it a point to praise all his friends and colleagues over the years.

"The parents have been very supportive," he said, "and I'm really grateful for all the coaches and administrators I've worked with over the years. They've all been a big factor."

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/06/sam_senneca_retires_after_32_y.html