Lodi Board honors longtime coach Pat Tirico after his unexpected death

The Lodi Board of Education opened its Feb. 25 meeting with a superintendent's tribute to Coach Pat Tirico, who the district announced had died unexpectedly over the weekend. "We gather tonight with heavy hearts," Superintendent D'Amico said, calling Tirico "a giant in our schools and in our town." The board observed a moment of silence in his memory.

D'Amico traced Tirico's ties to Lodi, noting the coach was a Lodi High School graduate who returned to teach and coach and later served as athletic director. He cited a multi-decade tenure in district athletics, referenced roughly 186 career wins, more than 20 winning seasons and three state sectional championships in 1992, 1998 and 2005. "His legacy lives on in every banner that hangs in our gym," D'Amico said.

The superintendent and several board members framed Tirico's contributions in terms of mentorship and character-building beyond wins and trophies. D'Amico said Tirico was proud of a community legacy that included former players who became teachers, coaches and administrators in the district.

Board members also extended condolences for another recent loss: Francine Rosman, a longtime district educator who served as a supervisor in science and, reportedly, language arts. A board member asked the community to keep both families in their thoughts and invited a moment of silence for Rosman.

The meeting continued with routine business after the tributes. The board also recognized student competition results and celebrated a successful senior night for high school basketball teams.

The board did not schedule additional agenda action tied to the memorials at this meeting; they were presented as part of the superintendent's report and board comments.