FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2008


Crocco to be inducted into National High School Hall of Fame

GAINESVILLE – Louise Crocco, the former girls volleyball coach at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Fort Lauderdale, will be inducted into the National High School Hall of Fame at the National Federation of State High School Associations annual meeting at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington, D.C. on July 7. Crocco will be the 11th Floridian to enter the Hall of Fame.

Crocco recently announced her retirement as girls volleyball coach, ending one of the most successful coaching stints in high school volleyball history. Crocco started the volleyball program at Cardinal Gibbons in 1969, four years after graduating from the school. In the ensuing 39 years, her teams won 1,132 matches and lost only 123, a winning percentage of .901. She led her teams to 18 state championships. Crocco ranks fifth all-time nationally in victories according to the NFHS National High School Sports Record Book. From 1975 to 1999, her teams won 368 consecutive regular-season matches. She was named National Coach of the Year in 1988, and was the first woman to be inducted into the Florida Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1990. Crocco is also a member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

"This is such an incredible honor that I want to share with all who have been involved with our girls, the program and Cardinal Gibbons. I want to thank the FHSAA and Paul McLaughlin for all they have done in supporting me to receive this award," said Crocco. "As I have said before, the honors I have received, and that includes this honor, are through all the hard work and dedication of all involved. I am extremely honored and humbled by this award."

The National High School Hall of Fame was started in 1982 by the NFHS to honor high school athletes, coaches, contest officials, administrators, fine arts coaches/directors and others for their extraordinary achievements and accomplishments in high school sports and activity programs. This year's class increases the number in the Hall of Fame to 350, and this year's event will be the 26th induction ceremony. The 12 individuals were chosen after a two-level selection process involving a screening committee composed of active high school state association administrators, coaches and officials, and a final selection committee composed of coaches, former athletes, state association officials, media representatives and educational leaders. Nominations were made through NFHS member associations.

About the FHSAA
The Florida High School Athletic Association is the governing body for interscholastic athletic competition in Florida. It has a membership of more than 750 middle and senior high schools.

Contact:
Laurel Ring
Director of Special Programs, FHSAA
(352) 372-9551 ext. 350
lring@fhsaa.org