Bill Dzuricsko
Bill made an indelible mark at Hickory High school as both an athlete and a coach.
A 3-year letterman in basketball for the Hornets from 1974-77, he scored more than 600 career points. In 1976-77, he was 2nd team Section 2 and the team's leading rebounder and free-throw shooter. Also as a senior, he played in the District 10 vs. District 9 All-Star Game as well as Sharon and Sharpsville All-Star events. He won honors at summer basketball camps as well. As a junior he was 3rd team Section 2, again leading rebounder and free-throw shooter. At Hickory he helped the team win the Section 2 title his junior year, finishing runner-up in D-10 AAA and in the top 16 teams in Pa. His senior year, the team was section runner-up and 3rd in the district. He was also a 2-year letterman in baseball, helping the team to a county title in 1977 and a 2nd place finish in 1975. He also won a letter in cross country.
Bill went on to Westminster College on a full-tuition Presidential Academic Scholarship and was a 3-year member of the basketball team. He also played baseball for the Titans for three years and lettered one season. He had a career batting average of .348. As a youth, he played Little League for UCT and the team went 39-1 while he was an all-star. He played Senior Division baseball as well.
He was basketball coach at Hickory for 16 years on varsity and the teams went 226-188, including 26-5 in 1994-95. His Hornets won league titles 7 times and won a District 10 title in 1993-94. His teams reached the PIAA Final Four 3 times.He also coached junior varsity, junior high and elementary boys and girls teams. He served as assistant coach in track to his wife/Mercer County Hall of Famer Barb Dzuricsko. The teams posted phenomenal records, including 2012 Girls PIAA State Champions and 2 state runners-up and 2 thirds. The boys team was runner-up in 2014. The teams won numerous District 10 crowns and league titles.
Bill is an esteemed official in track & field and cross country and has worked many state, district and other meets. He played on numerous 3-on-3 basketball tourney teams that finished in the top 3 in more than 20 tourneys.