Lou Pisani was born April 15, 1927 in Oakland, CA to Louis G. and Floresta Pisani, Italian immigrants. He attended Saint Mary’s Grammar School and shortly before graduating Oakland High School, Lou joined the United States Navy in February 1945. He served as Seaman First Class aboard the USS Kinzer in the South Pacific, was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, and was then assigned to Pearl Harbor where he served as Captain of the Fire Department. While stationed at the Aiea Barracks in Pearl Harbor, Lou played pitcher and shortstop for the barrack’s team and won the 12th Naval District Spring Championship over all Hawaiian bases in 1946.
Lou returned to the United States to civilian life and was drafted by the professional baseball team, the California Mohawks. In 1950 he enrolled at the University of San Francisco to obtain his degree in History. While at USF, he played for the Don’s baseball, football, and track teams, coached under Pete Newell, playing alongside Ollie Matson.
Lou began teaching and coaching at Las Vegas High School in 1953, where he remained for nearly 30 years. When he began his teaching career at LVHS, he coached the sports of football, basketball, and baseball, and taught history and health & science before moving to P.E. When he was appointed as the Head Baseball Coach, he led his Wildcats in capturing three state championships. Coach Lou was named as the Southern Nevada Coach of the Year on four occasions. He was the founder of the Jimmy Dyer Baseball League, now known as American Legion Baseball league. In 1959 Lou played for the Las Vegas Cashman Cowboys, a semi-pro baseball team. Lou loved to teach and enjoyed helping all students achieve, however his first love was baseball, developing young athletes and sharing the game that no one cherished more, he proudly treasured wearing a baseball uniform. After leaving LVHS, in his 7th inning stretch, he continued his coaching career as Head Baseball Coach for Bishop Gorman High School from 1983-1987. He held scouting positions for the following MLB Teams: Kansas City Royals (1971-1973), Philadelphia Phillies (1974-1981), and the San Francisco Giants (1984-1988). Lou also served as a Coach and Scout for the Phoenix Firebirds. In addition, Lou served as a volunteer Assistant Coach for both the UNLV baseball team and the Las Vegas 51’s, he was part of the So. Nevada Referee Association for over 30 years and he was a member of countless other sports programs.
Coach Lou spent 30 years at Las Vegas High and coached the Wildcats to three state championships before finishing his prep coaching career at Bishop Gorman. In August of 2002, the Mayor of Las Vegas, presented a proclamation, declaring, August 3, 2002 Lou Pisani Day. Coach Lou was then honored in June of 2005 by being inducted into the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame.
