Over four decades, Coach Steve Segadelli devoted his life to teaching, mentoring, and inspiring student-athletes—leaving a profound mark not only on the schools he served but also on the lives of those fortunate enough to play for him. 

Segadelli’s coaching journey began at Glendale Junior High in the Highline School District, where he coached boys basketball and wrestling from 1972 to 1976. From there, he spent a decade at Bishop Blanchet High School, serving as head boys basketball coach and assistant football coach. But it was at Woodinville High School, where he coached from 1987 to 2012, that he left one of his most remarkable coaching legacies. He first revitalized a struggling boys basketball program into a competitive powerhouse, then later guided the girls basketball team to new heights—including a league championship and a seventh-place finish at the State Tournament.

Coach Segadelli was a master of the rebuild. He inherited a Woodinville boys program averaging fewer than five wins per season and turned it into a KingCo League contender and a WIAA District tournament qualifier—earning the admiration of legendary coaches. His resume boasts three Metro League championships, a WIAA District title, and numerous individual coaching honors, including KingCo and Seattle media Coach of the Year awards for both boys and girls basketball.

Beyond the accolades, Coach Segadelli was revered for how he cared for his players. Fiercely competitive but even fiercer in his loyalty and love for his teams, he built relationships that lasted a lifetime. “Seg wanted to win,” one former player recalled, “but I loved Seg because I knew that ultimately he wanted ME to win.” Another shared, “I learned more about basketball and life during those three years with him than at any other point in my life.”

Steve Segadelli was more than a coach—he was a teacher, mentor, counselor, and advocate. Whether opening the gym before school, talking to college coaches, or leading the “Little Dribblers” youth program in Woodinville, he was committed to developing athletes both on and off the court. His involvement as a guest clinician at Eastern Montana University and the University of Portland further demonstrated his dedication to growing the game and supporting other coaches.

His coaching philosophy was clear: love your players first, and let winning follow. It’s a mindset that influenced generations of student-athletes and coaches. “I have a whole new level of respect for coaches that do this for their entire lives,” said longtime colleague Scott Bullock. “Steve exemplified that commitment.”