"It's a dream come true." 

Those are the words of John Ricotta '05 upon being named the Director of Athletics at Canisius High School. 

Ricotta, a longtime member of the championship CHS Basketball coaching staff, comes to 1180 Delaware Ave. following a 15-year career in professional sports in Buffalo, most recently as Director of Premium Service and Group Sales for the Buffalo Sabres.

"I'm incredibly grateful to our President Father Ciancimino, Principal Tom Coppola and the hiring committee for their confidence in me," Ricotta said. "Canisius High School is a special place and has been such an important part of my life – it's a dream come true to have this opportunity to lead the athletic program.
 
"I've learned so much from so many great teachers, mentors and coaches at Canisius, and I'm just so excited to hopefully now be a mentor in the same way."

Ricotta, an Amherst native and State University of New York at Cortland graduate who also has a master's degree in sport administration from SUNY Cortland, began his new post this week. 

"We are excited to welcome John Ricotta as the next Athletic Director at Canisius High School," said Principal Tom Coppola '01. "A proud alumnus and 14-year member of our basketball coaching staff, John has shown deep commitment to our students, mission, and Crusader athletics. 

"He stood out in the interview process for his clear vision, attention to detail, and passion for strengthening our athletic program. 

"John is well-positioned to build on the outstanding 19-year legacy of Jim Mauro, whose leadership has left a lasting impact on Canisius. We are deeply grateful to Jim and look forward to the future under John's leadership."

Mauro retired earlier this year after overseeing Canisius High School's ascendance to Western New York's premier high school athletic program. 

CHS has won the won the Supremacy Cup, annually awarded to the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association's overall athletic champion, for 23 of the last 25 years. Mauro's tenure saw teams win 149 regular season and postseason league titles and 11 team state championships, plus more than 50 national and state titles in bowling, rowing, squash and swimming. The football program has won eight titles in 14 years and took the all-time lead in the rivalry series vs. St. Joe's in 2023 for the first time since 1986 (CHS leads, 52-48-3).

Throughout, CHS maintained an annual rate of approximately 12% of the senior class continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level. 

"Canisius High School Athletics has never been stronger," said Ricotta. "Jim Mauro has done an outstanding job here for the last 19 years. I'm just trying to come in and build on that foundation while exploring new opportunities to enhance the athletic program. It's a big responsibility, but it's one that I'm very excited about." 

"John has been a big part of the success of our basketball program," said Mauro. "I'm sure he will continue to run the department to be consistent with the school's mission. John is a professional – detailed-oriented and precise. I have no doubt that John will do a great job."

Ricotta's professional sports experience began as an account executive with the Buffalo Bills and went on to include nearly a decade of managing premium seating for the Buffalo Sabres. 

Ricotta began his CHS Basketball coaching experience in 2012-13 as an assistant to his father, Tony, on the freshman team before he became the freshman head coach for five seasons. His time as a varsity assistant has been a part of the 22-year tenure of head coach Kyle Husband '96, which has included 12 Manhattan Cup championships, three state Catholic titles and an overall state Federation championship in 2015.

"To be able to help provide hundreds of student-athletes the same experience that I had at Canisius has been really important to me," said Ricotta. "I'm thankful to have been part of impacting the basketball program for so many years – I'm very excited about now working with all the other programs. 

"As someone who has witnessed firsthand the impact Canisius can have on young men, I am passionate about ensuring that future generations of Crusaders have the same opportunities to grow and succeed."