I was saddened by this news. Petro was the best defender of the 80s. My father took me to all of the Hopkins home games growing up and I am a Hop fan to this day, even after playing for another team in college. I went to several summer camps where Pietramala was a coach. He would let anyone try and take him one-on-one and he would strip the ball from everyone that tried to take him on. His hoarse voice yelling at you from across the field and his intensity were unforgettable. Whatever team lands him will have a great coach and lacrosse mind.
My hobby is running a lacrosse web site and I had a few interactions with him, where he was gracious with his time. I do think that today’s players don’t react as well to brow-beating, which he certainly used at times.