Coach Bernie Salazar, distinguished basketball head coach and Spanish teacher, is on the brink of celebrating the remarkable achievement of 400 wins as the head boys basketball coach here at Bellarmine Prep. Coach Salazar has been involved with the Bellarmine basketball team 26 years and has been head coach for 24 years. Throughout his career, Salazar has reached the postseason 18 out of the last 23 seasons. Salazar has led the Lions to 10 state tournament appearances, 3 semi-final appearances, and a 3rd place appearance in 2012.
The Lions, currently holding a 4-15 record, are gearing up for a home game showdown tonight, Jan. 24, against the South Kitsap Wolves, who are currently 4-10 and hold the #5 position in the SPSL south division, one spot behind the Lions. If the Lions can pull off the win, this will give Salazar his 400th win as well as solidify a spot in the playoffs for the boys basketball team.
Coach Salazar’s long history as the boys basketball coach as well as the feats he has been able to accomplish throughout his time here at Bellarmine have left him as one of the most well respected coaches in the state of Washington.
“It is really an honor to play under coach Salazar,” said Bellarmine sophomore basketball player Birk Johnston. With a win against South Kitsap, Bernie Salazar will go down in history as one of the the winningest and most respected coaches in Bellarmine Prep history.
NOTE: The Bellarmine Lion partnered with USA TODAY High School Sports to write an article nine years ago when Coach Salazar reached his 300th win. https://usatodayhss.com/2015/coach-bernie-salazar-hits-300-wins
