Strongsville High Hires New Boys Varsity Basketball Coach

STRONGSVILLE, OH — Kevin Sapara will become the new Strongsville High varsity boys basketball coach, if the board of education approves his hiring on May 7. Sapara was plucked from Avon High, where he coached for eight years.

“I am thrilled about the opportunity to come back to the community that I grew up in and be the leader of the Mustangs basketball program. Strongsville has always been a special place and becoming their head basketball coach is something that has always appealed to me. I am honored to be selected and excited to get started working with players, coaches, and the community,” said Sapara.

Sapara is a two-time Lorain County Coach of the Year, in 2013 and 2017, and earned conference Coach of the Year honors in 2013, for the West Shore Conference, and in 2017, for the Southwest Conference. During his eight years in Avon, Sapara helped launch a youth basketball program and created a basketball program for students with disabilities.

Prior to his stint in Avon, he spent three seasons as varsity basketball coach at Claymont High, in Uhrichsville, Ohio. He also spent three seasons as a graduate assistant and video coach for the Cleveland State University men's basketbal program.

Sapara graduated from Strongsville High in 2000 before earning his undergraduate degree at Muskingum College. He played two years on both the Muskies basketball and baseball teams.

“As a graduate of Strongsville High School, Kevin’s pride and energy for the district was evident throughout the entire interview process. His philosophy in supporting multisport athletes and setting high expectations for the basketball program and student-athletes aligns with the culture we are building at Strongsville," said Denny Ziegler, Strongsville High School athletic director.

He holds a master's degree in mild to moderate special education from Cleveland State University. He will be an intervention specialist at Strongsville High.

"Kevin has a relentless drive to make Strongsville one of the top programs in the area, as it was when he played at Strongsville High School. Kevin is a proven coach and has won numerous conference championships and has developed numerous all-conference players during his time at Avon. His passion and love for the game will support a bright future for Mustangs basketball,” Ziegler added.