Anthony Tony Luciano, a legendary coach at Hudson Falls whose influence extended far beyond the playing field, died on Saturday morning. He was 91.

Luciano worked at Hudson Falls as a teacher and coach for 35 years, a career that began in 1948 and extended into the 1980s. He coached football, basketball, track and cross country, and spent much of his tenure as the schools athletic director.

But high school sports was only a part of the work he did. Luciano was heavily involved in community sports, running summer playground programs and weekend basketball leagues. He served as secretary of Section II from 1957 to 1980 and was on the Section II basketball committee for decades. He was a basketball referee, and later served as an assignor of officials.

He was totally committed to his life and his profession, said Doug Kenyon, who was hired by Luciano to coach basketball at Hudson Falls and later went on to become athletic director at Glens Falls and director of the state boys basketball committee.

Luciano earned many honors during his lifetime. Hes a member of the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, and was recently inducted into the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. He was also a member of the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials Hall of Fame.

He received numerous other civic and community honors.

Lucianos teams had a lot of success. His basketball teams were a combined 335-135 in 25 seasons, according to NYSPHSAA records. His track teams won 15 Northern Conference dual-meet championships in 34 years.

He is better remembered by many, however, for his work with students at the grassroots level.

Tony, in my mind, was a guy that was the epitome of what a coach and a teacher should be, Kenyon said. First and foremost, he loved the kids. He commanded a lot of respect just because of his love for teaching and coaching. ... He was just totally committed and dedicated to what he did.

His legacy lives on in Hudson Falls in many ways. The road into the high school is named Tony Luciano Lane. The 28th annual Tony Luciano 5K Road Race was held last month, and an invitational track meet during the spring also bears his name.

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Coaching legend Luciano dies