SARATOGA SPRINGS — Saratoga Central Catholic held a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 23 to celebrate the coaching careers of Bill Dalrymple and Bob King ’55; they unveiled the dedication of the gym to Coach Dalrymple and the dedication of the court to Coach King.
“They were leaders on and off the court,” said Athletic Director Alphonse Lambert. “They taught more than just basketball, but also life’s lessons. Their success is evident – winning more than 75% of games.”
Coach Bill Dalrymple was a boys varsity basketball coach from 1947-1978, with an overall record of 384-161. He coached the St. Peter’s Academy/Saratoga Central Catholic Varsity Basketball Team from 1971-1978 and has a career record of 113-36; at .758, he has the highest winning percentage in school history.
With four basketball section championships and numerous league championships at Saratoga Springs High School under his belt, Coach Dalrymple moved across town to coach at St. Peter’s High School; becoming the first coach in school history to coach in the Section 2 basketball tournament and to win a sectional game.
His 1973 St. Peter’s team is still the only sports team in school history to win a state championship, and his 1977 Saints made it all the way to the NYSPHSAA Final 4.
Coach Dalrymple was inducted into the City of Saratoga Springs Hall of Fame in 1994, the St. Peter’s/SCC Hall of Fame in 1999, the Saratoga Springs High School Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Capital District Hall of Fame also in 2011.
Matt Winn ’75 was coached by Dalrymple and explained how the coach had an impact on him and his teammates.
“He taught us how to be leaders, and how to get acclimated into adulthood,” said Winn of the transition going from JV to Varsity and sophomore year to junior year.
“Coach Dalrymple and Coach King had a profound effect on years of people,” added Winn regarding the dedication. “This is well deserved for both of them”
Coach Bob King began his coaching career at St. Peter’s as the JV Basketball coach from 1964-1971; becoming the Varsity Boys Basketball Coach from 1978-1995, with a career record of 263-103, 12 league championships, and 6 Section 2 finals appearances.
His 1989 Saints, undefeated in the Northern Conference, won the Section 2 Class C-CC Championship and Regional Championship and advanced to the NYSPHSAA Final 4.
Coach King was inducted into the St. Peter’s/SCC Hall of Fame in 1999, and most recently, the Upstate New York Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
“When we lost, although it didn’t happen often, he would take the blame himself that he didn’t do enough to prepare us,” said Larry Hart ’82, reflecting on his time playing for Coach King.
“It was exhilarating to walk onto the court being the best team out there,” added Lou Maggiore ’78, who had winning seasons playing for both coaches.
“They cared about you, about getting to you know you,” said Maggiore. “We were taught how to win graciously, to bring 100%, and to leave it all on the court.”
