On Monday, February 5, Coach Keith Raczkowski of the Girls Varsity Basketball Team received his 400th career win against Tolland. Coach Raczkowski has been long awaiting this milestone after coaching Girls Varsity Basketball for more than two decades.
Raczkowski started his coaching career at Naugatuck High School in 1986 and proceeded to coach there for twenty one years. After he moved to the South Windsor area, he had not planned on rekindling his coaching career, yet fate had other plans. When it was discovered that he had been a basketball coach in Naugatuck, he was eventually asked if he wanted to coach at South Windsor High School.
During practices, Raczkowski has a lively and charismatic personality who takes pride in his coaching. He is extremely dedicated to the team and strives to improve players’ basketball skills.
Not only does he respect his players, the team respects him in return.
To many, he is more than a coach, but also a friend who is supportive and will always be there to communicate with. More famously known as the substitute teacher who gives out free candy, Raczkowski always greets you with a huge smile and says hello in the hallways.
“I think it is a great milestone in his career, and I am really happy for him. I am very happy to help him reach this milestone,” stated senior captain Catherine Downes.
When Coach Raczkowski was asked to describe his thoughts on finally reaching 400 wins he replied, “I feel old and it’s time to reflect back on how I spent 27 winters coaching girls basketball. It’s been a lot of fun and I keep learning all the time.”
Coach Raczkowski will continuously be appreciated for the time, effort and dedication to the Girls Basketball program he has put in for the past 27 years.
