By Lynn Schofer
The Woodbridge School District celebrated a Blue Raider champion coach, Len Chasanov, by naming the court after Coach Chasanov. Last Tuesday evening’s ceremony at Woodbridge High School brought former players, friends, and family to show their admiration to Chasanov.
Opening the ceremony, Superintendent Dr. Kevin Long said of Chasanov, “Coach was tough, honest, and incredibly knowledgeable. He demanded excellence, but more importantly, he instilled belief-belief that Woodbridge could compete with anyone, anywhere.”
The gymnasium, full of spectators for the Woodbridge/Seaford basketball game, heard of Coach Chasanov’s journey that began in 1971 when he became the basketball coach. He led the team to the Henlopen Conference championship the very next season. Chasanov moved to Seaford School District where he coached both basketball and baseball, winning a state championship in 1980. Chasanov returned to Woodbridge and in 1987 took the basketball team to the state finals.
Long said, “That shared history makes tonight especially meaningful, and it is no coincidence that we chose a game against Seaford for this dedication.”
Chasanov was named Henlopen Conference Coach of the Year four times, coached the Blue/Gold All-Star Basketball team, was inducted in the Delaware Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, the Delaware African American Hall of Fame, and the Delaware Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2014.
Coach Chasanov thanked the Woodbridge School District and Board members and said he is very thankful sharing his pride of family, sports, and education. Chasanov said he and the coaches shared strategies, practice programs, worked with the student athletes, held study halls, and did the laundry for the teams. Chasanov said of his coaches, “I’ve known them for 40 years, and they are my best friends.” Chasanov thanked all the players he coached and said the players responded to the teachings. “What we tried to do was create an atmosphere where these individuals could use their talents to their force,” he said. “Looking over here, my name may be on the court, but the reason it is there is because of them.”
The unveiling brought cheers from the crowd. Superintendent Long said, “Your name now lives where your legacy has always been-right here on the court, inspiring every player who steps onto it.”
Coach Chasanov was presented with a court replica, and the cover was lifted to reveal his name and signature inscribed on to the court.