Vincent Cannizzaro, who spent 19 seasons as head coach of the women’s basketball team at Christ The King High School in Middle Village, died Saturday at the age of 82 following a battle with cancer.
During his time as head coach from 1981-1999, Cannizzaro earned 456 wins. Under his leadership, the team won 12 New York State Catholic High School championships, as well as 10 consecutive New York State Federation titles. There was a stretch where the team won 120 straight league games. USA Today crowned Christ The King national champions three times under his leadership.
He also coached and developed future WNBA Hall of Famer Chamique Holdsclaw and future WNBA Hall of Famer Sue Bird.
Mr. Vincent Cannizzaro was a legend. He belongs in the @Hoophall for what he did for women’s basketball. My conversation with him as a young coach was so helpful. RIP Vinny once a Royal always a Royal.
— Joe Arbitello (@ctkcoachjarbs) January 28, 2024
Cannizzaro spent four seasons as an assistant coach for the Stony Brook University women’s basketball team after leaving Christ the King. In 2008, Cannizzaro was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame.
“It’s a great honor for anyone to be considered for a prestigious award like that, but it’s an honor not just for me,” Cannizzaro said at his induction ceremony. “Because as a coach everything I accomplished relied on the coaches I worked with, the players that played for me. They all contributed to the success I’ve had.”
Cannizzaro is survived by his wife, Carol, his three children, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
