Rock Basacco is retiring after 21 years as Western Mustangs men’s head soccer coach.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my 21 years as head coach and five years as an assistant coach at Western,” Basacco said. “I have had the honour of coaching so many talented student-athletes at Western. The friendships that I have built with players and with my assistant coaches have been the rewards of being the head coach. Thank you Western University for allowing me to be a part of a great athletic tradition.”

Basacco will continue to be a resource for the soccer program but is leaving to focus on some of his business dealings.

Basacco leaves an impressive legacy.

The Mustangs never missed the playoffs when he was head coach. They won seven Ontario championships, as well back-to-back national championships in 1998 and 1999. Basacco led the Mustangs to nine appearances at nationals, with Western capturing two bronze and one silver medal to go along with their two national titles.

Basacco played with the same intensity he coached. He played for Canada on two occasions at the FISU Summer Universiade. Basacco was part of Canada’s best finish at the event, fourth place at the 2007 Games in Bangkok.

As a player Basacco was an Ontario all-star in both 1976 and 1977 with the Mustangs. He was the team’s captain for three years and was their most valuable player in 1977.

He became an assistant coach from 1983-86 and again in 1995 before taking over as head coach in 1996. Basacco was inducted into the W Club Hall of Fame in 2000.