The legendary St. Augustine Prep Boy’s Basketball Coach Paul Rodio has undergone an undisclosed emergency surgery on Friday morning.

He remains in the hospital at this hour.

The school posted this statement on their Facebook page as follows:

“Coach Paul Rodio, our teacher, coach, colleague, friend, and Hermit Brother, needs our prayers right now.  He underwent emergency surgery early yesterday morning and currently remains in the hospital undergoing treatment.  
The Rodio Family is grateful for the outpouring of support through all of the thoughts and prayers sent their way.
 
Coach Rodio has dedicated his entire life to St. Augustine Prep, serving the Hermit Brotherhood for over 40 years and endearing himself to the community as the unquestioned heart and soul of the school.  
May we all band together in his honor and pray for his recovery,” concluded the school’s public statement.
Rodio has served an unprecedented 44 years as Head Basketball Coach, demonstrating a record of longevity that we will likely never see again.
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Without question, Rodio is one of the most successful basketball coaches in American history, recording 968 career victories to date.
I served as a basketball referee for more than 25 years and officiated numerous Rodio games. I’ve seen Rodio up close. He is as intense as any coach that you will ever see. But, he is fair and always professional.
I personally enjoyed anytime that I was assigned to officiate one of his games. It was always a welcome challenge, and as an official, he expects you to hustle and make your calls in your section of the court.
This is not a eulogy. This is a prayer chain. Please join with me, in thoughtful prayer, for Paul Rodio. May God’s healing hands look over him.

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