Granite City boys basketball coach Steve Roustio resigns after eight seasons at helm

After eight seasons, Granite City High boys basketball coach Steve Roustio has resigned.

Roustio, who replaced Carl Luehmann in 2008, finished 68-149 overall as the Warriors struggled to keep pace in the rough-and-ready Southwestern Conference.

Granite City, however, is coming off its best season under Roustio, finishing 14-15 overall and 6-8 in the SWC. It was their highest win total in 16 years, and the Kenny Berry-led Warriors posted victories over East St. Louis and Alton.

“I met with Mr. (Jim) Greenwald last week and he did share with me that he would like to see me continue as the boys basketball coach,” Roustio said, referring to the Unit 9 superintendent. “However, at this particular time, I believe stepping down as the head coach is what is best for me and my family.

“In the eight seasons I have spent at the helm, what has provided me with the most joy is working with young kids in not only developing their basketball skills, but directing them toward the true values of their educational experiences.”

Greenwald said Roustio’s resignation came as a surprise.

“Coach Roustio led this year’s boys basketball team to a very successful season,” Greenwald said. “His resignation comes as a surprise, but everyone has to do what is best for their future and we wish him the best. At this given time this is a resignation only from the coaching position. He is still a full-time teacher at Granite City High School unless he and his family make other plans in the future.”

Roustio teaches physical education and social studies at Granite City.

Always enjoyed the kids

Roustio, who also was the head coach at Petersburg Porta and Highland and was an assistant at Collinsville, is the son of Mel Roustio, who coached seven years at Edwardsville and 21 years at Jacksonville before brief stints at Decatur Eisenhower and Stephen Decatur in Decatur.

Steve Roustio said he always has enjoyed working with young people and said he is particularly proud of what Granite City players have accomplished in the classroom. Roustio said his top 10 players’ grade-point average is between 3.49 and 5.

“My wife (Kathy) and I have always looked for ways to reach out to the young people in an effort to guide them toward successful paths,” Roustio said. “Although at times it has been a difficult task, I am extremely proud to say that many of the current basketball players are some of the best student-athletes in school.

“Hopefully, as a result of our collective efforts as a coaching staff, we have instilled in these young kids the importance of grades. Many of today’s kids also struggle with outside influences. Our program presented some of these kids with encouragement to begin making better life choices as they look to pursue healthy dreams.”

The future

Roustio doesn’t know whether he will coach again, but said he will keep an open mind.

“As far as coaching basketball in the future, if an opportunity presents itself to continue, I would entertain the idea,” Roustio said. “I absolutely love the game of basketball and how it provides young people with incredible life lessons which will serve them in their future endeavors.”

Roustio lauded the Unit 9 administration and enjoyed the relationships he built.

“I have nothing but the highest respect for Granite City School District 9, its administration, teachers and staff,” Roustio said. “Their support for what we have tried to accomplish during my tenure is more than appreciated.”

Greenwald said the basketball coaching position will first be posted to in-district candidates. Typically, interviews are later conducted with other interested candidates from outside the district.

Big wins

One of Granite City’s most memorable victories under Roustio came Feb. 11, 2011, when it won 59-47 at Edwardsville. It was the Warriors’ first victory over the Tigers since Jan. 25, 2002.

Roustio also recalled Granite City victories over Quincy in the Collinsville-Schnucks Holiday Classic (now the Collinsville-Prairie Farms Holiday Classic), Springfield and Collinsville in regional tournaments and Nokomis.

Roustio’s son, Jake, hit the game-winning shot in the game against Collinsville this season in the Class 4A Alton Regional semifinals. The win over Nokomis came in 2010 on a last-second shot by Justin Ike that helped the Warriors earn a season-opening tournament championship.

This story was originally published March 25, 2016 at 11:49 AM with the headline "Granite City boys basketball coach Steve Roustio resigns after eight seasons at helm."