Priorities change quickly for 3-28-17 Colerain coach him a clean bill of health, proclaiming the cancer was under control. 'The tests show everything is The dream of winning 600 or negative, and I'm clean for awhile," more baseball games was at one Colussi said. "I now go in for a time paramount to Don Colussi, checkup every three months." Colerain's veteran baseball coach. Tom Taulbee, a senior who has Today, as the 52-year-<>ld Colussi started the past three seasons, has prepares for his 31st season at the noticed a big difference in Colussi. helm of the Cardinals following a "Coach Colussi has become bout with colon cancer, the once cov- much closer with the players," eted mark is no longer important Taulbee said. "In the past, he'd talk "When you have a life-threatenwith us as players. Today he talks ing disease, your outlook on life with us as a friend, player and changes," Colussi said. "My ambiteacher." tion was to reach 600 victories, but Tauloee recalls many days durtoday it doesn't mating the 1996 season ter anymore." when Colussi was feelDuring Colussi's "When you have a life- ing bad and looked 30-year coaching sick. threatening disease, career at Colerain, "If the sun was out, your outlook on life the Cardinals have Mr. Colussi stood in thebeen one of Cincinchanges. My ambition shade while coaching : nati's most successful was to reach 600 victo- third base," Taulbee ~ programs, winning · said. "And, he didn't .,; 565 while losing 211. ries, but today it doesn't joke around during ': During his tenure, matter anymore. " practice like he did in • 23 players have been : -Colerain coach thepast" drafted by majorDespite the on-going: Don Colussi league teams, includ- - - - - - - - - therapy, Colussi never : ing current players missed a game as the : Roger McDowell, Jerry Schunk, Cardinals went on to record a 17-5 ·• Tim Krause and Scott Steinmann. record in 1996 without the help of : But Colussi's life took a frightan assistant coach. : ening tum in July 1995, when "Mr. Colussi is a role model to : colon cancer was discovered. He all of us," Taulbee said. "He's a • immediately had surgery and the great person, a great teacher and a yearlong chemotherapy treatgreat coach. All of us are fortunate ments began. to have him at Colerain." "1be doctors told me I had a Colussi is optimistic about the fight ahead, but I love competi1997 season. tion," Colussi said. 'They removed "We have eight pitchers who about a foot of my stomach, which are all about the same," Colussi included the nerve endings of the said. "We're young with only two muscles." seniors in the field, but I was As a result of the surgery, encouraged after scrimmaging St. Colussi's stomach remains numb. Xavier on Saturday." "It's like walking around with a Along with Taulbee, Colussi novocaine feeling of numbness," expects Dave Cox, Terry Chappel, ' Colussi said. "I still hit infield and Richie Jackson, Scott Hirsch, Josh outfield practice and play golf, but Bergin and Scott Rack to provide I'm not as good as I use to be." the leadership necessary to record another winning season. A highly respected English Meanwhile, Colussi has no teacher, Colussi never missed a day of school because of the plans to retire. "I enjoy teaching and coaching," surgery. He went to the hospital for he said. "When I started, I never the chemotherapy late on Thursthought I'd still be coaching in day with the adverse effects not 1997. I plan to continue as long as I taking over until Saturday. . enjoy it." Recently, Colussi's doctors gave
BY DAVE SCHUlTE Enquirer Contributor