San Marin social studies teacher, athletic director and varsity basketball coach, Craig Pitti passed away at the age of 40 on October 13th. Pitti was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer within a month before his passing. He was showered with thoughts and prayers from the San Marin community after the devastating news and had plenty of support throughout his battle.
Pitti was the boys’ varsity basketball coach for 11 seasons, where he guided the mustangs to three MCAL regular season titles and one MCAL playoff title. In 2011, San Marin won the North Coast Section Division III championship under Pitti.
On and off the court, Pitti was loved by his players. His personality and sense of humor was popular among those at San Marin.
”Just being the funny, goofy, and caring person Pitti was, he connected with just about everyone that walked through that gym door,” former San Marin basketball player Noah Everly said, who currently attends Sonoma State University. “He really made it all feel like a family environment.”
In addition to his students and players, he also connected with his coworkers. He made friendships with many fellow teachers and staff members.
“He was a very fun man,” fellow teacher Reyna Lowrie said. Early in his career at San Marin, we went to the movies together. We saw The Hangover and we got to know each other better.”
Pitti has impacted San Marin in a variety of ways, whether it was from his teaching, his coaching or his relationships. Pitti loved San Marin and his legacy will never be forgotten.
“Pitti loved everything he did at San Marin,” former mustang basketball player Shay Stubblefield said. “Pitti bled green and gold.”
“When you think of San Marin, you think of Pitti,” Everly said. “I don’t think there is a more recognizable face in the San Marin community than his.”
Calvin Geraci, who currently attends Chico State University, played under Pitti for four seasons on the varsity basketball team and was very close with him.
“San Marin basketball as a whole will not be the same for an extremely long time. He left a lasting impact in everything that man did for basketball at San Marin,” Geraci said. “I hope everyone can remember him as the hard worker that he was and continue his legacy for San Marin Basketball by competing every night the Mustangs take the floor.”
While Pitti will not be teaching and coaching at San Marin anymore, he will always be a part of Novato and the San Marin community.
