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WPIAL Suspends Basketball Coach After Alleged Incident With Referee

GREENSBURG (KDKA) -- A high school basketball coach will have to watch from the stands when his team competes in the WPIAL playoffs.

It's all over a post-game incident involving a referee.

The incident allegedly took place Jan. 18 after Greensburg Central Catholic's loss to McKeesport.

Greensburg Central Catholic's head basketball coach Greg Bisignani is accused of verbally abusing and bumping a referee, 58-year-old Mike Tucci.

Video shows some of the alleged contact with Tucci who testified during a WPIAL Board of Control hearing that the incident "affected him greatly."

During the same hearing, Bisignani denied touching the official intentionally, but admitted to vocal criticism.

Earlier this week, the Board of Control issued this directive to Greensburg Central Catholic:

  • Suspend Coach Bisignani for three games
  • Failure to do so means no playoffs
  • Require Coach Bisignani to enroll in the American Coaching Effectiveness Program
  • Also, the GCC Boy's Basketball team is on probation through 2014-15 season

Greensburg Central was given the right to appeal the measures to the PIAA, but this morning, the Diocese of Greensburg released a statement from a school administrator, Sr. Mary Norbert.

It reads: "We did not want to jeopardize the boys' opportunity to participate in this year's WPIAL playoffs. I want to be clear that we do not condone inappropriate conduct by anyone associated with our athletic programs."

Greensburg Central Catholic Junior-Senior High School and boy's basketball coach Greg Bisignani will abide by the disciplinary measures outlined by the WPIAL.

KDKA contacted Bisignani and were told he would not be making any comments about the incident or any rulings.

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