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Panthers, Titans honor memory of coaching legend Fagula

By Tom King - Staff Writer | Feb 14, 2021

Comments by former players in tribute to late legendary Nashua girls basketball coach John Fagula were on display on the wall at Titans Gym during Saturday's North-South girls hoop game. (Telegraph photo by TOM KING)

NASHUA – Nashua High School North girls basketball coach Curt Dutilley was coaching in Lebanon when John Fagula was having legendary success guiding the Nashua girls hoop teams of the 1980s and ’90s.

“I had my eyes on it from a distance,” Dutilley said. “It’s amazing, absolutely amazing.”

And that’s why the North and South girls basketball teams paid special tribute to the memory of the late Panthers coach. Fagula passed away this past August, and his former players have been constantly paying tribute to his memory since. Saturday’s theme for the North-South game was something the Panthers had planned for weeks ago before the pandemic had put them on pause, delaying their opener to this past week.

The teams gathered at the center of the court at Titans Gym and both Dutilley and South coach John Bourgeois addressed the crowd, which was limited due to COVID protocols.

Also, written comments by many of his former players were posted on the wall behind the baseline near the gym entrance.

“It was about him, and it was important for the kids to know the impact he made on and off the court,” Bourgeois said. “It was kind of cool for them to witness that and kind of learn from not only what we tell them but from the players themselves.

“It was nice for them to kind of go through that moment.”

The written tributes were touching for the coach who guided Nashua to the the No. 1 ranking nationally by USA Today in March of 1987, and won 624 games and 12 state titles. Eleven of those were with Nashua and the 12th was back in 2014 with Londonderry in Fagula’s final game as a head coach.

The written tributes were fitting.

“There will be days that you want to give up ,” former Nashua and Alvirne coach and former player Michele Cernuda recalled a quote from Fagula. “Don’t give up! Stay focused! You will achieve as long as you put the work in.

“We miss you.”

“Thank you Coach Fagula for pushing me to my limits and beyond in basketball,” wrote former player and Nashua coach Jen Fay (formerly Hogan). “I have many memories of the days playing basketball for you and coaching against you. Rest in peace Coach Fagula.”

Fagula also touched the lives of recent Nashua players.

“If I were to name one coach embodied the word ‘Heart’ in the game of basketball, it would be Coach Fagula,” wrote 2019 South grad Jasmine Sylvester. “Coach Fagula taught me what it meant to play with heart in the few weeks he assisted my travel ball team.

“He had a passion for the game and a drive to win championships. His influence in the NH basketball community will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace and his legacy continue through future players, coaches, officials and fans.”

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