Watervliet native Brian Fruscio is entering his fourth year as Head Coach of The Albany Academy Varsity Basketball program.  Prior to coming to the Academy, Coach Fruscio began his career at The College of Saint Rose (Division II) as an assistant to the New York State Hall of Fame Coach Brian Beaury from 1990 to 1992.  When he was just 23 years old, he became the Head Coach at Southern Vermont College (Division III) – serving in that role from 1992 though 1997; he was one of the youngest coaches ever to be a Head Coach at the college level.  Coach Fruscio then moved on to become the Varsity Basketball Coach at La Salle Institute from 1997 to 2004.  He served as an Assistant Coach for Siena College (Division I) from 2004-2005 and an Assistant Coach of the Albany Patroons from 2005-2006.

Coach Fruscio serves as Dean of Students for The Albany Academy & Director of the Boys Basketball Summer Camp.  He has realized great success as Head Coach of the Cadets, turning the team into a powerhouse in the Colonial Council during his first year and leading it to the Class AA Sectional Finals in 2009. The team had great success the past three seasons as an Independent in Class AA.

Coach Fruscio and his team have raised $50,000 through The Albany Academy Basketball Program and the Academies, all to fight cancer!  Community service and awareness are valued and taught to the student body at The Albany Academies.  

Coach Fruscio’s passion stems from his first experience with cancer – the death of his paternal grandfather, Arthur Fruscio on May 12, 1988.  It was a difficult loss for his family to recover from.  He was also greatly influenced by Brother James Romond – Principal of La Salle Institute from 1982-2000 – who passed away on October 9, 2000.   “Both men had major impacts on my life and helped me grow as a person,” said Coach Fruscio.  “And, in Brother James’s case, as a professional educator.”

Last year, his grandmother, Winnie Fruscio, passed away on March 20 from the devastating affects of Lung Cancer.  “As I have grown older, cancer has affected so many people and families that I know,” explains Coach Fruscio, “and this is a great way to combine two of my passions: basketball and raising money for the American Cancer Society that helps families and people of the Capital Region.”

Coach Brian Fruscio has inspired coaches and student athletes around the Capital Region to become involved with the Coaches vs. Cancer high school initiative.  He is truly an “Inspiration”.