Bartoszek Eyes The Prize
And His Players Want To Deliver It To Him
Scott Kindberg, Sports Editor - Jamestown Post Journal
Chad Bartoszek stood on the football field at Pittsford Sutherland High School a couple weekends ago, patiently answering questions from the assembled media immediately following Salamanca’s victory over East Rochester/Gananda in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class C Far West Regional.
When the questioning was complete, the Warriors head coach thanked the sportswriters for making the trip to suburban Rochester and shook hands with each one.
As I headed to the exit on my way to the parking lot, it occurred to me that Bartoszek would be shaking many more hands and sharing plenty of congratulatory embraces from the large contingent of Salamanca faithful who were waiting to celebrate with him and his team following the 42-20 win.
The more I’ve thought about it since, though, the greetings shouldn’t have been only for the 2024 season, which culminates at noon Saturday in the state championship game against Section II’s Schuylerville at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse.
There is much more to Bartoszek’s journey.
“I get reminded all the time to enjoy it more, but I also understand what this means,” he said earlier this week. “This is a lifelong dream and a lifelong dream for the coaches, too. This is something I’ve always had my eye on and something I’ve always dreamed of being a part of.”
Noted senior defensive back/wide receiver Cory Holleran: “No one wants to let him down. I feel that’s why we’ve gone so far.”
Bartoszek, without question, is one of the finest athletes to ever walk the halls at the Cattaraugus County school.
For those who may need reminding, his football jersey number was retired at Salamanca where he set school records for most receptions and touchdowns in a season and career, and was named First-Team All-State and First-team All-Western New York.
Lettering three years in baseball and two years in basketball as a Warrior, Bartoszek listened to collegiate football offers from Rutgers, Delaware, New Hampshire and Wake Forest, but selected the University at Buffalo when it offered him a scholarship right away.
It turned out to be the perfect choice.
As a tight end, Bartoszek caught 95 passes for 874 yards and six touchdowns during his four seasons with the Bulls, ultimately earning him training camp opportunities with the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. They didn’t result in him making the final roster, but it never quenched his figurative thirst for the game he loved, so he landed high school head coaching jobs, first at Franklinville/Ellicottville and, for the last six seasons, at Salamanca where he also serves as the district’s athletic director.
Others have taken notice, namely Adam Bennett, the Warriors’ assistant AD and the head coach of the boys basketball team.
“The players are aware of Chad’s success as a student in high school and playing both college and professional football,” Bennett said, “but he doesn’t really speak of it. Chad is one of the most humble people I’ve ever been around. Here’s a guy who has caught passes from Peyton Manning, but his true calling is to serve the student-athletes in his community. He’s an outstanding coach and an even better role model. He certainly has credibility as a player and our kids listen. He’s an example of someone from Salamanca who made it. These kids aspire to be like that.”
Holleran first became aware of Bartoszek’s gridiron accomplishments as a sophomore, but it’s the latter’s demeanor, on and off the field, that has impressed the talented teenager the most.
“The relationship he has with us is great,” Holleran said. “It kind of feels almost like a best friend. You can talk about anything with him. On the football side, if you make a mistake, he’s not ripping into you and making you feel bad. He talks to you, he coaches you and makes sure the mistake isn’t going to happen again. … I don’t know how you could dislike Coach Bartoszek. He’s just a great person and coach overall.”
Added Bennett: “I’m a firm believer that players can instantly tell when a coach is fake or phony, and Chad is as honest as it gets. He cares about the school, he cares about the community, and he cares about his players.”
Bartoszek was meant to be a Warrior.
His earliest memories of watching Salamanca play date to a Section VI championship game at Rich Stadium, the home of the Buffalo Bills. The year was 1990. For the record, the Warriors, coached by the late George Whitcher, won that game 23-0, thanks to a defense that limited Wilson to 42 yards in total offense. Toss in a 61-yard touchdown run from T.J. Brol, a 9-yard scoring pass from Jeff Krantz to Jay Marsh, and a 4-yard TD rush from Bob Kurek and it was Salamanca by a mile.
Thirty-five seasons later, Salamanca, the top-ranked team in the New York State Sportswriters Association poll, has dominated in a different way, piling up points like cordwood while still featuring a punishing defense.
Bartoszek knows that the legendary Whitcher, who passed away three years ago, would be proud of how the program has returned to prominence, particularly the last two seasons.
“If he was in his prime coaching mode, he would strictly be thinking Xs and Os,” Bartoszek said. ” … He would go 10 steps beyond even what we do now.”
Bennett said it’s because Salamanca has always been a “football community.”
“There’s such a rich tradition of success here,” he noted. “The last two years have been the most successful in program history, and it’s galvanized the community. Our crowds have been incredible. They are so proud of the kids. It’s such a great thing to positively put Salamanca on the map.”
As he always does, Bartoszek was quick to deflect any compliments directed his way.
“I just get to be out in front of it,” he said.
And his players are ready, willing and able to follow their coach’s lead.
“Basically,” Holleran admitted, “you want to be like him when you get older.”
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