Midland High School
has developed several
outstanding athletes over the years and the school district can also
boast one of the top basketball coaches in Dick Black. Born and
raised in Midland, Dick was quite a hoops player himself. He also
starred on the baseball diamond, helping Crucible
Steel to a state championship in a summer league. Dick continued to
play both sports at Westminster College, graduating in 1954. After a
service stint and a year off to study for his master’s, Dick began
coaching and teaching in Ohio. After three years there, he took a
teaching position and the head basketball coaching job at Mt Lebanon
in 1960. Although retired as a teacher, Dick continued to coach the
Blue Devils for more than 37 years. One of the most
respected coaches in the business, Dick had produced numerous
winning teams. His overall record of 620-251 ranks him as one of the
top coaches in Pennsylvania roundball history. Incredibly, he has
never been hit with a technical foul, such is his demeanor on the
sidelines. Dick's honors and awards are many: Section Coach of the Year
(18 times), WPIAL Coach of
the Year (twice), and Coach of the Year in
Pennsylvania (1968). But basketball isn’t the only sport where he excelled:
Dick has two WPIAL titles as the Blue Devils golf coach for more
than 15 years. Coupled with a district championship in
basketball, Dick is one of the few coaches to have earned crowns in
different sports at the WPIAL level. Also active in his community in
civic organizations, Dick’s career was recognized for induction into
the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.
Midland High School
has developed several
outstanding athletes over the years and the school district can also
boast one of the top basketball coaches in Dick Black. Born and
raised in Midland, Dick was quite a hoops player himself. He also
starred on the baseball diamond, helping Crucible
Steel to a state championship in a summer league. Dick continued to
play both sports at Westminster College, graduating in 1954. After a
service stint and a year off to study for his master’s, Dick began
coaching and teaching in Ohio. After three years there, he took a
teaching position and the head basketball coaching job at Mt Lebanon
in 1960. Although retired as a teacher, Dick continued to coach the
Blue Devils for more than 37 years. One of the most
respected coaches in the business, Dick had produced numerous
winning teams. His overall record of 620-251 ranks him as one of the
top coaches in Pennsylvania roundball history. Incredibly, he has
never been hit with a technical foul, such is his demeanor on the
sidelines. Dick's honors and awards are many: Section Coach of the Year
(18 times), WPIAL Coach of
the Year (twice), and Coach of the Year in
Pennsylvania (1968). But basketball isn’t the only sport where he excelled:
Dick has two WPIAL titles as the Blue Devils golf coach for more
than 15 years. Coupled with a district championship in
basketball, Dick is one of the few coaches to have earned crowns in
different sports at the WPIAL level. Also active in his community in
civic organizations, Dick’s career was recognized for induction into
the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1992.