Moving on

Bob Fisicaro is doing a lot of thinking these days. Thinking about how nice it will be to visit warm-weather climates during the frigid winter months. Thinking about how exciting it will be to finally have time to fly out west and visit San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, Mount Rushmore and Yosemite National Park.

The 58-year-old teacher and coach at Southern High will have plenty of time to enjoy those relaxing getaways as he is officially retiring from the School District of Philadelphia after 36 years, including 31 at Broad Street and Snyder Avenue.

"Truthfully, I had planned to teach 40 years, but the school district put together a nice package to help us get out a little earlier," said Fisicaro, a 1963 Southern grad and coach of the girls’ basketball and softball teams. "There is a whole part of the country I haven’t seen."

Fisicaro isn’t the only Southern coach who’s calling it a career with the school district. Boys’ basketball coach George Anderson, a New York native who now lives in Mt. Airy, is also retiring after 25 years at Southern and 35 years with the school district. Anderson, Southern’s Academy Principal for Health and Hospitality, said he is simply ready to start doing something else.

"I can get my full pension and still work," said Anderson, 55. "I am looking for a fun job working with young people. At this time in my life, it’s just a good time for my family to do this."

Though Fisicaro has nearly 40 years of memories — including two championships as an assistant at South Jersey’s Bishop Eustace — he has no problem pinpointing his greatest moment as a coach: winning the 1999 Public League girls’ basketball title.

"That group of girls was special," recalled Fisicaro, a Jersey resident originally from the 2800 block of South Fairhill Street.

One athlete in particular, point guard Christine Cruz — the Review‘s 1998 Female Athlete of the Year — stands out as the best player he encountered in nine seasons at the helm. In the thrilling 76-68 overtime win over University City for the ’99 title, the star point guard pumped in a season-high 44 points and 21 rebounds — both Public League championship game records.

"Not only was she one of the best athletes, but she was one of the most unselfish athletes," Fisicaro said. "She made everybody play better. She helped build the program. People wanted to become her."

Anderson, who taught health and physical education before moving into administrative duties, coached just about every sport from cross country to boys’ basketball at Southern. He compiled a record of 142-118 since taking over boys’ basketball in 1994, closing with a 20-5 mark this past season.

One of Anderson’s most memorable moments came during the 1999-2000 season, when the Rams finished 20-3 and defeated Jameer Nelson’s Chester High squad in a non-league match. Nelson, of course, went on to star at Saint Joseph’s, where he picked up just about every honor available in college basketball last season.

Southern’s one-point overtime playoff loss to Engineering and Science in 1995 is Anderson’s choice for most memorable game. E&S; was led by Southwest Philly native Lynn Greer that season, and the future Temple star torched the Rams for 40 points.

"It’s probably something I will never forget," he said.

Fisicaro, who played football and baseball at Southern, has also coached the Lady Rams’ softball team for the last three seasons. But his focus hasn’t just been winning games. In his three-plus decades at South Philly High, he has served as the department head for Philadelphia TOPS (Transitional Opportunities Promoting Success), a program that helps students who are not on track to graduate high school to get productive jobs. More recently, his role changed to principal for South Philadelphia High Freshman Academy.

"Making the transition from middle school to high school, the kids need a lot of guidance," he said. "The challenge was getting them orientated to high school and getting them going down the right path."

Fisicaro said he noticed a big difference in the students thanks to Southern’s talent and development program, implemented two years ago to separate the students into academies that have different curricula and schedules.

Now, Fisicaro is ready to enjoy leisure activities and spend more time with his family. The coach said he has already found a 60-and-over softball league that he hopes to play in next season. The father of three is looking forward to spending more time with son Bobby, 28, and daughters Christine, 36, and Jeanine, 34. He can’t wait to start traveling with Galina, his wife of 31 years. The couple are planning to fly to San Francisco in September, where they’d like to fulfill their dream of visiting those landmarks out west.

Anderson, meanwhile, stuck around a long time for a guy who never wanted to come to Southern in the first place. He was enjoying his work at North Philadelphia’s Simon Gratz High when he was transferred to South Philly in 1979. Instead of sulking, Anderson made the best of the situation.

"I put my heart into it and I am not looking back," Anderson said.