WARREN, Mich. – Since June 29, 1977 – when a Detroit Free Press headline read: “Austin Coach Joins De La Salle” – Gary Buslepp has been synonymous with the all-boys Lasallian Catholic high school.

A lifelong educator, vice principal, athletic director, and coach, Buslepp enjoyed three tours spanning 22 years at De La Salle Collegiate before retiring in 2018.

Now, the Catholic League Hall of Fame coach has been named this year’s honoree at the 39^th annual Christian Brothers Dinner on April 30 at Penna’s of Sterling in Sterling Heights.

“For generations of Pilots, Gary Buslepp has been an exemplary presence in our De La Salle community,” President John M. Knight said. “It’s an honor for us to thank him for his years of service to numerous young men in metro Detroit.”

Buslepp was excited to receive the news.

“I remember looking at the list at previous dinners and there have been so many great educators and teachers, and alums, and benefactors of De La Salle Collegiate that I feel blessed to be considered, even be nominated,” Buslepp said. “It’s hard to put into words, I guess, maybe it hasn’t dawned completely on me yet. But it means I’m in distinguished company, and at the same time, there are so many others who’ve done more than I have. I hope they get that same feeling that I’m getting right now.”

Originally hired by athletic director John Maronto to become the Pilots’ varsity baseball coach, Buslepp joined De La Salle’s faculty at the same time, teaching freshman biology, physical education and health. He was also entrusted with head coaching duties for freshman football and basketball. Buslepp coached varsity baseball from 1978-81.

A 1969 graduate of Detroit Austin Catholic, Buslepp received his college degree from Aquinas College before returning to his high school alma mater, where he taught and coached from 1973-77.

Perhaps best known for leading the Pilots’ varsity basketball team to several milestones in school history, Buslepp finished with a 124-66 overall coaching record, including a 53-27 mark in the Catholic League Central Division. His basketball teams captured three state regional championships in five years, reaching the Class B state finals in 1982 and the Class A semifinals six years later.

The ’82 hoops team – led by Roy Dixon, Bob McGinnis, Dave Wolf, John Bencie, and twins Mike and John Bautista – is still the only squad in school history to play in a state basketball championship game.

The Pilots won regionals again in 1984 and 1986. And the highly-touted 1988 squad, which was guided by Chris Snyder, Michael Kenley, Joe Smythe, Brady O’Toole, Jerry Luzynski, and All-American Mike Peplowski, won the school’s first Catholic League championship with a thrilling 52-51 victory over Redford Bishop Borgess.  

Following the 1987-88 academic year, Buslepp left De La Salle for the college ranks, joining Ricky Byrdsong’s coaching staff at the University of Detroit, where he was an assistant coach, as well as the school’s first academic support coordinator.

Buslepp returned to De La Salle in 1991-92 becoming an assistant principal under then-principal Brother Tom Lackey. Buslepp was the third layman vice principal in the history of The Collegiate following Evo Alberti (1973-79) and Tony Mensen (1984-91).

Buslepp stepped down in 2000 to accept an administrative position with Grosse Pointe Public Schools. He remained there until 2015 when he returned to De La Salle to assist in the school’s Academic Support area.

The following is a tribute to Buslepp that was printed in the 1988 school yearbook:

Coach Gary Buslepp came to De La Salle in 1977. During his first two years as Head Basketball Coach, he built the foundation for an ambitious and innovative program that culminated in statewide recognition for the Pilots in 1982, when they took the state tourney by storm and made it to the state finals.

Following the move to Warren and De La Salle’s new Class A ranking, Coach Buslepp led the Pilots to the state semifinals, their first Catholic League championship and eventual powerhouse status.

Respected and admired by his peers during his 11 years at De La Salle, Coach Buslepp received recognition as Coach of the Year on the state, regional, district, and league levels. Added to this was his induction into the Catholic League Coaches Hall of Fame.

Coach Buslepp’s willingness to get involved and his dedicated service to De La Salle as athletic director, teacher, coach and ambassador-at-large have contributed a great deal to the school and the athletic program. His friendship with the De La Salle Family will always be remembered; his great achievements are surpassed only by his compassion and concern for the welfare of his Pilots.

Tickets for the 39th annual Christian Brothers Dinner are now on sale at The Pilot Hangar.
 

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BUSLEPP'S TALE OF THE TAPE
Educational & Professional Career
Harper Woods Our Lady Queen of Peace (1957-63)
Detroit St. Matthew (1963-65)
Austin Catholic Prep (1969)
Grand Rapids Aquinas College (1973), B.S. Health Education & Biology 
Austin Catholic Prep. (1973-77), Teacher, Coach
De LaSalle Collegiate (1977-88), Teacher, Coach, Athletic Director
University of Detroit Mercy (1988-91), Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Academic Support Coordinator for Athletics
De LaSalle Collegiate (1991-00), Vice Principal
M. A. Educational Leadership, UD Mercy (2000)
Grosse Pointe South High School (2000-04), Assistant Principal for Student Services
Grosse Pointe Pierce Middle School (2004-14), Principal
Grosse Pointe Parcells Middle School (2014), Interim Principal
De LaSalle Collegiate (2015-18), Freshmen Academic Support Advisor/Tutor
Beaumont Hospital Rehabilitation Services (2019-20), Volunteer Services

Coaching Career
Austin Catholic Prep
Baseball (Freshmen 1974; JV 1974; Varsity 1975-77)
Basketball (Freshmen 1975-77)
Football (JV Assistant 1973; Freshmen Assistant 1974; Freshmen Head Coach
1975; Varsity Assistant 1976)

De LaSalle Collegiate
Baseball (Varsity 1978-81; JV 1982; Freshmen 1987)
Basketball (Freshmen 1978-80; Varsity 1981-88)
Football (Freshmen 1977-78; Varsity Assistant 1979; Freshmen 1982)
Athletic Director (1983-86)
University of Detroit Mercy, Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach (1989-91)
St. Clare of Montefalco, Boys Eighth-Grade Basketball Coach (2006)

Coached 37 different teams in three sports, including 21 at De La Salle. Also ushered in soccer and lacrosse as MHSAA-sports while De La Salle's athletic director. He was inducted into the Catholic League Hall of Fame induction in 1987.