First Posted: 1/28/2015
EXETER — For 14 years, Ron Musto could be seen wearing green and gold in the dugout at Wyoming Area. That was a decade ago.
Now he’s back.
The Wyoming Area School Board approved Musto as the varsity boys baseball coach at its monthly meeting Jan. 27 by a vote of 5-3, with one board member abstaining.
Musto, who was head coach of the Warriors from 1992 through 2005 and will be inducted into the Pennsylvania American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame this summer, takes over for Dean Carey. Carey led the team for one season.
“It’s really exciting to get back,” Musto said. “The support I got from former players and coaches, it’s just priceless. We’re going to get back to what works — Wyoming Area baseball the way it was when I left it.”
Musto and Carey were two of three candidates on the board’s list. This will be the third Wyoming Area coach in the last three seasons.
Musto will receive a salary of $4,486 for the spring 2015 season.
Board President Dr. Estelle Campenni, who opposed the hiring, admitted she was disappointed in the board’s decision and would have liked to see more continuity throughout the program.
Board member Mary Louise Degnan also opposed the hiring. Degnan stated she did not want to see a coach who has a son on the baseball team. Musto’s sons, Evan and Kyle, have played on the team in the past.
“It’s not going to be a family issue,” Musto said. “If they decide to play, they decide to play. When they are at home, brushing their teeth, they’re my boys. When they are on the field, they’re my players.”
During his first stint as WA head coach, Musto was also a leader of the Greater Pittston American Legion team. He was a field manager for the Greater Pittston team from 1988-98 and 2002-03. The 1990 and 1997 teams won Wyoming Valley titles. The 2003 team proceeded from that point to win the region and reach the state tournament.
Following his time leading the team on the field, Musto remained as the Greater Pittston Legion program’s general manager through 2013. The 2004 and 2013 teams went to the state tournament.
In December 2013, Musto retired as general manager of the Greater Pittston team. He put in for the Wyoming Area coaching position then and was not hired.
“Over the last 10 years, there has been a lot of baseball talent that has come through at Wyoming Area,” Musto said. “This senior class is talented. We’re going to be ready to go. Our goal is to add a championship to the banner and get a first district championship.”
Currently, Wyoming Area has just three baseball championships. Musto was the coach for all three, something for which he takes great pride. The Warriors won the Wyoming Valley Conference in 1998, 2002 and 2003.
“It’s an honor to be able to coach this group of kids,” he said. “I’m coming back for the kids at Wyoming Area. I’m a Warrior. I went to school here. Our kids deserve the best teachers and the best coaches available.”
