To Tedd Kwasniak, it wasn’t just about coaching. It was about building lifelong relationships and friendships. The longtime area boys basketball coach and leader died on the morning of Oct. 29. Kwasniak’s coaching career began when he was a CYO volunteer at his local parish before transitioning to the high-school level, where he had plenty of success. Heroes always remembered. LEGENDS never die. Be thou at peace BIG GUY. We love you. pic.twitter.com/Cg0jzP0VMt — Captain Coach Kwas (@BabeKwas) October 30, 2024 He started at then-St. Joseph as an assistant coach in 1981 under Mike Moran. He took over as the head coach of what is now VASJ in 1992. Under Kwasniak’s guidance, the Vikings made the regional round seven times, had four trips to the state semifinal round and won a pair of state titles. They were 132-48 under Kwasniak, including 35-5 in the postseason. Kwasniak took the head coaching job at Lake Catholic at the turn of the century before returning to Viking Village in 2010, when his son Babe took the head coaching job. Under the father-son duo on the sidelines, the Vikings won three more state titles, in 2013, 2015 and 2017. Tedd had an impact on all seven of the Vikings’ state titles. Father and son then went to Cornerstone Christian before the 2021-22 season. The Patriots have made it to the regional round all three years with a regional final appearance in 2023. “It’s no coincidence that every VASJ state title had one constant — Tedd Kwasniak,” his son Babe said. “He was one of the most respected coaches in all of Ohio. His favorite year coaching was 21-22 CCA where he got to coach both of his grandsons to a 24-2 record. Father and coach were synonymous to him, and like hundreds of young men was able to be mentored by ‘The Big Guy’ No one that ever interacted with him wasn’t better for it.” Tedd and Babe coached several big names in their time at the helm, among them Clark Kellogg, Tony Miller and Carlton Bragg. Many former players and members of the basketball community in Northeast Ohio have fond memories of coach Kwasniak, even those that didn’t make his rosters over the years. “He was always about the kids,” said Gilmour athletic director Sean O’Tooel, who was also a coach at St. Ignatius, Euclid and Garfield Heights. “He was heavily involved in the coaches’ association, it was all about the relationship. The way he and the kids would interact, he had a high level of respect for the game of basketball and the athletes and coaches. He put his dues in and earned those seven rings. He’s a huge family man and a huge Catholic. He was very peaceful and supportive. We’re truly going to miss him. He really is a legend.” Pat Mastalski, who played for Tedd at VASJ added: “You quickly realized what a massive part of St Joe’s basketball history he was. It’s the memory of a lifetime to play on a team that won a state title with Tedd Kwasniak on the bench. “If there’s a Mount Rushmore at St Joe’s, he’s on it. Despite that hunger for competition, outside the lines, he was as friendly as could be. Always asking about family, school, friends, neighborhoods, the best spots to eat. While being an old-school guy, I think he was able to stay (mostly) young at heart by always being around a gym.” Tedd had the chance to coach his son and his grandsons in BK and Quinn. Both played a key part in Cornerstone’s seasons the past three years. A Mass will be held at Ss. Robert & William in Euclid to honor Tedd at 10 a.m. Nov. 26.