Missavage opts for return to Luxembourg

Before taking over the St. Viator girls basketball program this winter, coach Paul Missavage had spent 20 successful years coaching in Luxembourg.

He recently went back for the summer to see his family - and has decided he is staying.

Missavage has resigned his post at St. Viator and is taking over as head coach of both the men's and women's teams for the Luxembourg Basketball Club Nitia Lucez, in Bettembourg. Both teams will start the season in the third league,

"I really loved being back at St. Viator," said Missavage, who had coached at the Arlington Heights High School in the early 1980s (soccer, basketball and track). "What a great experience it was.

"But four different clubs contacted me when they heard I was back in Luxembourg for the summer. Two of them are clubs where I already worked successfully in the past. All four had given me offers."

Missavage called the decision to return home with his wife and children a no-brainer.

"It's great to stay at home and most importantly be with my wife and kids," he said. "I will spend my days at home working on my landscaping, house, yard, playing with my dog and helping my mother-in-law with duties around the house while my wife is at work."

He said he will enjoy being a "house husband" during the day and coaching basketball from 6:45 p.m. until 10 p.m. three nights a week.

"The rest of my time will be free," he said "My kids will be out of school July 15. They really need me here (Luxembourg) more than I could ever have imagined. My wife is very happy with this decision."

Missavage and his wife Mireille have a home in the Ardennes of northern Luxembourg. Mireille is an administrator for Luxair Airlines.

They have three young daughters all interested in playing basketball - Julianne, Kayla and Kathryn Jo.

In 2006, Missavage's team was champion of the top league of Luxembourg and won the prestigious "Cup of Luxembourg," a 40-team single-elimination tournament to determine the champion of Luxembourg.

As a head coach, he won the Cup twice, along with four times as assistant. He was an assistant to Jan Enjebo, who played for Sweden in Moscow in the 1980 Olympics and was head coach of the Sweden National Team for five years.