Lewis University Athletics

A member of some of the most successful Lewis men's basketball teams in program history, Frank Palmasani built a distinguished basketball career that included an Illinois state championship, multiple regional and sectional titles, NCAA Tournament appearances, and induction into several athletic and coaching halls of fame.
 
Palmasani's connection to Lewis began as a student, when he served as student coach of the junior varsity basketball team during the 1974-75 season. That team posted a 17-3 record, and Palmasani was named Lewis Senior of the Year in 1975. He graduated from Lewis that year with a bachelor's degree in psychology and a minor in English and later earned a master's degree in guidance and counseling in 1985.


(Palmasani in 1975)
 
After graduating from Lewis, Palmasani served as the boys' varsity basketball coach at Providence Catholic High School from 1976-81. He compiled a 106-41 record, leading the Celtics to four regional championships, four sectional championships, three super-sectional championships, a third-place finish at the IHSA State Championship in 1977-78, and the state championship in 1978-79.
 
His 1978-79 team went 32-1, making Palmasani the youngest coach at the time to win an Illinois state basketball championship. The 32 victories remain a Providence Catholic record for a boys basketball season.
 
Palmasani returned to Lewis in 1981 as an assistant coach under Chuck Schwarz. During his four seasons on staff, the Flyers went 84-37 and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. He also coached Larry Tucker, the program's career scoring leader and a Cleveland Cavaliers draft pick.
 
Palmasani remained at Lewis after his coaching tenure, serving as director of admissions from September 1981 through August 1993.
 
His honors include Class A Coach of the Year in 1979, District Coach of the Year honors from 1977-79, and selection as coach of the 1979 Class A Illinois All-Star team. He was inducted into the Lemont Christmas Tournament Hall of Fame, Providence Catholic Athletic Hall of Fame, and Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
 
Palmasani and his wife, Marge, have four children: Jordan Tsoulos, Adam Palmasani, Mickey Palmasani and Marty Palmasani.