Fred Angerman
Born in Monongahela, Pennsylvania on May 25, 1947, Fred began his athletic career in 1962 as a freshman for the Carroll Township Lancers. During his first season, the Lancers were undefeated with Fred scoring 10 touchdowns and gaining 751 yards in a five game season. In 1963 Fred moved up to the varsity team at Monongahela High School and was the starting halfback for the Wildcats until a knee injury sidelined him for the first year after the fourth game.
Fred went on to letter three years at Monongahela and was on the 1964 team that went 8-1 capturing the Big Six Conference title and playing against Aliquippa for the WPIAL Championship at Pitt Stadium. In 1965, Monongahela again won the Big 8 Conference Championship with an 8-0-1 record, missing a chance to again play for the WPIAL Championship by being tied 6-6 with Clairton in their final game. During those two years, Fred gained over 2,100 yards running and receiving, averaging over seven yards per carry while scoring 24 touchdowns. Fred won the conference scoring championship his junior year and missed repeating his senior year by five points. He was named to the All Conference first team as a junior and senior and selected to the All WPIAL and All State teams his senior year. Pete Ballaban had this to say:
"Coaches love winners, and Fred was a winner. He wasn't big, but he was tough, consistent and very competitive. He was also very coachable and a real team player. He was a conference scoring champion, but that never affected his game performance. He carried the ball when things were tough, and never tried to hog the Reps when things were easier. He played hard all the time." Further, Pete stated, "He had what all outstanding runners have – speed, quickness and desire. He had the ability to hit a hole, sidestep a tackler, cut right or left, head up field and take off at full speed. His many long runs attest to that ability. I used to love to watch defensive players wonder how they missed him in the hole. Also, I saw the amazed look on defensive backs as they tried to figure out how they couldn't run him down."
Fred also excelled in track at Monongahela, lettering three years and setting new school records in the 100, 200, and 440 yard individual events. He also ran the anchor leg on relay teams in the 800, 1600, spring medley, and two mile that established new school records. In 1965 the two mile relay team won the WPIAL Championship setting a new record for the event. They went on to finish third in the state that year.
Fred had scholarship offers from Bucknell, William and Mary, the University of Miami, West Point, and Wyoming, among others. Fred decided to accept a full scholarship to Wake Forest University in North Carolina for the 1966 season.
In Fred's freshman year at Wake, he was with the only freshman team that went undefeated in the history of Wake, and led the team in all purpose yards. Consequently, his nickname became "Rabbit" given his speed and agility. He lettered three years for the Deacons as a wide receiver and kick returner. As a sophomore, Fred worked his way into the wide receiver position as the season went on and was the starting split end for Wake Forest his junior and senior years, gaining over 1700 all purpose yards. After his senior year, Fred was contacted and offered a tryout with the Dallas Cowboys. Although tempted, Fred declined this opportunity to begin his business career. During his collegiate years, Fred was active in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and was President of the Zeta Chapter fraternity in 1968-69.
In 1974, Fred joined ARAMARK Corporation out of Philadelphia and worked in the Higher Education Division in the Southeast. He was promoted to a district manager in 1981 and continued his career with ARAMARK for over 31 years. Upon retirement Fred received several national awards for client retention, setting a new standard in ARAMARK that had never been achieved. Mark Nelson, Executive Vice President of ARAMARK had this to say:
"From the moment I met Fred, I could tell he possessed an innate ability to connect with others – from the most learned to the least schooled. When I first joined ARMARK, Fred welcomed me to the team and took me under his wing. Fred taught me to value the diversity of each individual – the knowledge, experience and perspective each contribute. This skill enabled Fred to achieve significant success in the hospitality industry. Perhaps Fred's greatest achievement lies in the people he coached, mentored and supported – many of whom have become the current leaders of our business. It would be impossible to assign a measurable value to the many lives Fred has touched, both personally and professionally. I do know this, however: Fred made our entire team better for having worked with him, and he left a legacy that likely will never be matched in our industry. That being said, in his thirty-one years in the hospitality industry, Fred never lost a single client account – a true testament to his service to others and the respect he earned along the way!"
Fred is the son of Fred Angerman and Agnes Burns who live in Monongahela. He and his wife Betsy reside in Rock Hill, South Carolina and are the parents of a son, Andy, and two daughters, Julie and Lee. They also have three grandchildren, Drew, Layla and Spencer.
Darrell Harding
A 1992 graduate of Charleroi High School, Darrell participated in football, basketball and track, but football was his claim to fame and numerous accolades. Darrell was a four-year starter at running back for coach Bob Hodgson. The coach recalled," Darrell didn't need a big hole to run through just a crack and sometimes he didn't even need a crack." It is believed Darrell was the first freshman to run for 1000 yards in a season. He rushed for 1,074 yards in his initial year and followed that with a 1,273 yard sophomore campaign. With a rebuilt offensive line, Darrell failed to reach 1000 yards in his junior year, finishing with 917 yards.
Prior to his senior season, Darrell, who wore number 32 on the back of his football jersey, needed about 1,600 yards to become the all time rusher in the WPIAL. Well, Darrell rushed for 2,146 yards (on 217 carries for 26 touchdowns –total 28-) to break the all-time rushing record that had been held by Derek Bochna of Mapletown who rushed for 4,793 yards. Darrell finished his scholastic career with a record 5,410 yards on 760 attempts and 7.1 yards per attempt. Not only did Darrell pass Bochna, but he also passed Mike Archie from Sharon, who had rushed for 5,136 yards, for the all time ground gainer in Western Pennsylvania. Darrell also broke the WPIAL single-season rushing mark that was held by Jim Smith of Laurel Highlands who rushed for 2,025 yards in 1989. Darrell was the first running back to reach the 5,000 yard plateau in 1991. In 2012 Darrell is number 7 on the WPIAL top all-time rushers with Rushel Shell of Hopewell at the top with 7,718 yards.
Coach Hodgson said of Darrell's season, "He is quicker and knowledge of the game is expanded. He is more aware and is a very hard worker who leads by example, not by his mouth. He's always hustling. He can do things that would amaze. He is just a pure natural athlete. People look at his stats, but Darrell's a great young man. He is very humble and he's a fine young gentleman." Darrell said of himself, "Some of it is God-given talent and some of it is developed talent. I don't really consider myself great. I'd like to think of myself as a good, hard working running back."
After his senior season the accolades began to pour in. Darrell made first team all state as a running back, all WPIAL first team, all conference team, The Associated Press Small School All-State first team, the Post Gazette's Fabulous 22 and the Post Gazette's AA player of the year. Coach Bob Hodgson summed it up best, "He's dangerous any time he touches the ball. He possessed 4.45 speed and could run over you or around you. He was at full speed after three steps and was in the secondary in a flash. Not only was he a terrific running back, Darrell was a great defensive back as well. The 6'1", 180 pound Harding was the greatest running back to ever wear the Red and Black of the Charleroi Cougars. He was that good." Darrell also played four years of basketball and one year on the track team.
The college offers were starting to pile up. Darrell had offers from Pitt, Michigan, Ohio State, West Virginia, Syracuse, and many others. In the end, Darrell selected the University of Cincinnati on a full scholarship. Before Darrell went to Cincinnati, he was selected to play in Pennsylvania's Big 33 football game against Maryland. The Pennsylvania stars ripped their Maryland counterparts 38-0 as Darrell rushed for 46 yards and scored on a seven-yard run.
At Cincinnati, Darrell was a four-year letter winner and played in 43 of 44 games during his collegiate career. He played as a true freshman providing a much needed supporting role for the Bearcats during the 1992 season. He had an opportunity to play on both sides of the ball as well as special teams. He was a running back for his first two years then switched to corner back where he was a starter for the last two years of his collegiate career. Darrell led the Bearcats in interceptions during his junior year and was a team captain his senior year.
After university Darrell was a co-founder of Agility Focused Camps. He worked with young adults sharing his knowledge of sports helping them become more confident athletes – both physically and mentally. Darrell's outgoing personality, past sports experiences and several years of coaching youth sports have been assets in his career. Today Darrell works in pharmaceutical sales and he and his wife, Heather, live in Canton, Michigan with son Darrell, Jr., and daughter Ciera. Darrell is the son of Eleanor Isbell. Darrell is a nephew to 1973 Mid Mon Valley Sports Hall of Fame inductee baseball's Ken Griffey, Sr. Darrell also remembers James Crump, his godfather, who played such an instrumental role and whose guidance and encouragement gave Darrell the motivation to play football as an eight year-old. "I wish Crumpy could have been there my senior year at Charleroi, because he taught me a lot about things in life. But he never got to see any of this." Tonight, mentor Crump looks upon you, Darrell, and smiles about his prodigy.
Brian Herman
Brian's great Mon Valley legacy is linked to the number of young lives he touched by giving them newspaper attention that provided them with college education opportunities. That role in our community cannot be underestimated and the selection committee has recognized Brian's many contributions over his fifty-year as the encyclopedia of Mon Valley sports. Brian believed, "high school sports so big in this area. I realized that, and I always felt it was important to tell the stories of the athletes and teams from the Mon Valley."
A native of London, England, Brian moved to the Valley at an early age and graduated from Monongahela High School in 1961 followed by an associate's degree in journalism from Point Park Junior College in Pittsburgh in 1963. He chronicled many of the greatest sports moments, teams and people throughout the Mon valley.
Brian had the opportunity to work with other legendary sports writers including John Bunardzya, a Hall of Fame member class of '68 and Ron Paglia. Pittsburgh writer Joe Grata recalls, "Brian's quiet demeanor, consistency, just the facts attitude and dedication to sports journalism remain the same as when he wrote his first article more than a half-century ago."
Herman told the stories of some of the greatest athletes and teams to come out of the Mid Mon Valley. He was on the job during every Super Bowl season by the Steelers and even the last two World Series championships by the Pittsburgh Pirates. As sports the new editor of the Valley Independent Jeff Oliver asked Brian to take a trip down memory lane, Herman's eyes twinkled – probably the way they did when he first walked through the doors of the newspaper in November 1965. He easily recalls some of the greatest athletes he followed such as Ken Griffey, Sr. Joe Montana, Jo Jo Heath, Ulice Payne, Reggie Allen, Brian Miller and Julius Dawkins.
Local sports teams Brian cherishes include the 1995 Ringgold basketball team that won a state championship, Monessen's boys' and girls' WPIAL basketball championships and Belle Vernon Area's boys' basketball and football WPIAL championships.
Brian enjoyed interviewing the many Mon Valley coaches he covered. He called the girl's retired Monessen mentor Major Corley the most accommodating coach he ever encountered.
Brian felt that since California University of Pennsylvania was actually a Valley university it should be given priority in coverage. And Brian gave some excellent coverage during the university's women's basketball team's bid for the NCAA Division II national championship.
Herman has been a member of the selection committee of the Mid Mon valley All Sports Hall of Fame since its revival in the mid 1990s. He became chairman of the committee upon the passing of Clair Brown, a 1975 Hall of Fame inductee. "I think it important to honor the athletes and coaches who have had great careers. For what they were able to accomplish, they should be honored," Brian reflected.
In retirement Brian and his wife Janet plan on traveling. Brian will cover athletic events as needed by the Valley Independent. Brain acknowledges the everlasting friendships through the coverage of sports he has made. In 1997 Brian along with Bernard T. Sarra, Sr, godfather of the revived Hall, were the first recipients of the Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame Appreciation award.
Ben Jones
Football was king in the Mon Valley in the 1960s and at the center of it all was Monessen High School. In 1961, the Greyhounds enjoyed one of their most successful seasons with fullback Ben Jones as the driving force. Rushing for 1,300 yards on the season and remarkably scoring 103 of Monessen's 357 points on the season, Jones had secured his second consecutive Mon Valley Conference scoring championship as the Hounds rolled to a 10-0-0 record. They capped their season in front of 18,666 fans at Forbes Field defeating Wilkinsburg 7-6 and capturing the WPIAL class AA title. The game tying touchdown came on a 48 yard touchdown run by Jones.
Teammate Phillip Reed remembers that night, "Ben had incurred severely bruised ribs in the game against McKeesport. We're getting ready in the dressing room at Forbes Field and the team doctor had wrapped Ben's chest with a lot of tape to protect his ribs. Ben tried moving, bending and turning, but he couldn't do it. He had all those great moves as a runner and he was an excellent defensive player, but the tape was hindering him. He told the doctor and Coach Koval about the problem and said he wanted the tape taken off. He was in a lot of pain that night but he went out and played with a lot of heart, just as he always did." Reed, like much of the team considered Jones the "heart and soul" of the team.
Jones could hardly be considered a one hit wonder as he would rush for 1,000 yards his junior year as well. Equally impressive was Jones on defense as he would letter for Monessen for three years. With his success on the field came the pouring of postseason awards. He was named to the Mon Valley Conference first team in his junior and senior seasons.
The 5'-10"-160 pound fullback shared equal success for hounds of the hardwood also. Jones was the leading scorer on the 1961-62 Monessen team and was second to Uniontown's Don Yates in the section. Monessen's 16-7 record would challenge Uniontown to a playoff in the Section 5 championship, though they would fall two points short of a WPIAL tournament berth. Jones was named to the All-Section first team that season as well as earning the right to play in the WPIAL All-Star game at the Civic Arena. It was in football, however, where Jones would continue his success, as he earned a scholarship from the University of Cincinnati after graduating from Monessen in 1962.
Jones ran wild for the Bearcats his freshman season as a running back as well as a kick and punt returner. As a running back Jones averaged 10 yards per carry. Cincinnati would take advantage of Jones speed and place him on the opposite side of the football his sophomore season. Starting at cornerback, Jones would receive All-Conference post-season honors as Cincinnati won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship.
Unfortunately for Jones, his playing career would be cut short. Prior to his junior season Jones suffered a leg injury and he left school shortly after. He then moved to Rochester, NY, working for Eastman-Kodak. He now works as a supervisor with the U.S. Postal Service in Rochester.
Walter Malinchak
Walt gained his fame in the Mon Valley as a football and basketball official. Mon Valley newspaper writer Jeff Oliver wrote that Walt definitely put the word "old" into old school when it came to sports officiating. "Nobody commanded respect on the court like Walt did. He made sure everyone knew from the start that he was the boss and he never took any guff from coaches or players. Whenever Walt worked a high school game, you could be sure there would be order and both teams would get a professional effort from the whistle-tooter."
Walter was born November 21, 1929, in Monessen, Pennsylvania, a son of Michael Malinchak and Rose Mischyshyn Malinchak. A graduate of Monessen High School with the class of 1949, he served as class president and after graduation attended Fairmont State College.
Walter was employed by Donora Southern Railroad and the Monessen Southwestern Railroad for Wheeling – Pittsburgh Steel for 36 years.
Mr. Malinchak was a well known sports official who officiated for high school and college basketball from 1957 to 1988, having worked WPIAL championship games. He also was a high school and college football official from 1958 to 1988.
Highlights of Malinchak's sports officiating career included referring the Orange Bowl, two Gator Bowls, the Peach Bowl, and an Army – Navy football game.
Malinchak was a member of the Eastern Association of Inter Collegiate Football officials and the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Mon Valley Basketball Officials.
Mr. Malinchak devoted community service time to the Meals on Wheels program.
Mr. Malinchak was married to the former Betty Szabo and the couple had two sons, Walter M. "Wally" and James and one daughter Vicki. Mr. Malinchak died on April 15, 2006.
Thomas John Urbanik
Many people will take a man's stature and come to a quick conclusion. For example, when a person stands well over six feet tall, it is often said, "You could play basketball." Likewise, when a 14-year-old student is already 190 pounds, it is clear that he has a future in football. Such is the story of Tom Urbanik. Urbanik was born in Donora, Pennsylvania on October 22, 1941 to John and Mildred (Veres) Urbanik. He is the eldest of two brothers. His younger brother, Bill Urbanik, was a 2002 Mid Mon Valley Hall of Fame inductee.
A standout fullback and linebacker, Urbanik played for three years at Donora High School. His ability was immediately apparent. During his senior season, the 6'0", and 215 pound 17- year-old finished third in the scoring race with 52 points. That year, Urbanik was named to the All-Big 6 Conference All-Star Team. That was only the beginning, as Urbanik also received All-WPIAL and All-State Associated Press honors and was named to the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph Three-Deep Team. The Sporting News Magazine, a national publication, honored Urbanik as a high school football All-American. Urbanik was the first Donora player in the Pennsylvania Big 33 Classic that defeated a U.S. All-American team. Urbanik received high praise for his excellent blocking in Pennsylvania's single wing offensive attack.
Urbanik's abilities, however, were not limited to the gridiron. He also participated in basketball, baseball and track, where he excelled and was named to the National Track and Field All-American Team. Urbanik was ranked the number one shot putter east of the Mississippi and set the PIAA state record in the shot put event with a throw of 57' 4" – a record that he held for eight years.
Despite being recruited by over 60 major college programs, among which were Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State, Urbanik decided to forego college football for one year and chose to attend the Staunton Military Academy after graduating from Donora in 1959. It was there that Urbanik drew even more attention to himself while he continued to excel in football. Urbanik was averaging 10.5 yards per carry that season and was named to the first team of the All-Virginia Prep School Squad. He also set the Virginia Prep School shot put record (59' 11.5"). Penn State took a special interest in "the leading storm trooper of the Southern Prep League." Eventually, Urbanik chose to become a Nittany Lion, where he would continue to impress. Urbanik played sparingly in his sophomore and junior years. However, during his junior year, he was the number two rusher and, by his senior year, he led the team in rushing and scoring. It was during his senior year that Urbanik was truly able to showcase his talent. After playing the University of Houston in the next-to-last game of the season, a Houston sportswriter, John Hollis, called Urbanik a "moose that runs like a man." He also went on to say Urbanik was the best looking fullback to play in the state of Texas that season. Urbanik was looked upon as the best, hardest-running fullback since the likes of Penn State's Steelers alum, the legendary Fran Rogel. Head Rip Engle said that "[Urbanik] was the best power runner since Rogel (class f 1949.) Even the great Joe Paterno was miffed at himself for not recognizing Urbanik's potential and impact earlier: "I blame it on myself," said Paterno, who was then the coach of the offensive backfield. "Maybe I should have had more confidence in him, or handled him differently. All I know is that, with his talent, we should have had more than one good year from him." One of Urbanik's teammates, John Deibert, who was an outstanding defensive lineman for the Nittany Lions, said, "I always said Tom had a lot of potential. In practice scrimmages, he was the back I hated to tackle. He'd hurt you! He used his shoulders for leverage and that's why so many tackles just bounced off of him." The University of Houston head coach Bill Yeoman, who faced State at the end of the season, echoed similar feelings: "Urbanik is the best we've gone against all year. He's got speed and power and there are no corners on him to grab," referencing Urbanik's barrel-like build. Pitt's legendary linebacker, Marty Schottenheimer, was awestruck with Urbanik's strength and his quickness to the hole.
No fullback did more to salvage a football season than Tom Urbanik. The 1964 Nittany Lions had lost four of their first five games. However, this record was redeemed in the remaining five games when Urbanik returned to the lineup. Running behind the blocking of Consensus All-American and Maxwell Trophy winner Glenn Ressler, the duo became known as "Paul Bunyan and his Ox." State won these last five games, including a 27-0 upset over then Number 2 Ohio State. They went on to capture the Lambert Trophy, emblematic of the best team in the East, and finished 14th in the National rankings. Urbanik was a one-man workhorse and became the first fullback to lead a Rip Engle-coached team in rushing with 624 yards on 134 carries, a 4.7 per yard carry. He accomplished this in only six games. He is one of only five fullbacks in the history of Penn State University football to lead the team in rushing. One can only imagine how much better his numbers would have been if he had played in all 10 games that season.
In his last collegiate game against Pitt, Urbanik was named the Outstanding Player of the Game and was given the James Coogan Memorial Award, in memory of the former Penn State sports writer and later Information Director. Urbanik was also named to the UPI Backfield of the Week because of this outstanding performance in the Pitt game.
Once again, Urbanik was the recipient of a plethora of post-season awards, being named to UPI's Third Team and he was an AP Honorable mention All-American. Other accolades Urbanik received while playing at Penn State included the prestigious Pittsburgh Post Gazette Dapper Dan Award for Outstanding Achievement in Collegiate Football, Penn State Outstanding Football Player Award, All-East Football Team, and the Red Worrell Memorial Award presented to Urbanik in his sophomore year for the Most Improved Player during spring practice. During his tenure as a Nittany Lion, Urbanik also participated in Track and Field and was a three-year letterman before he graduated from Penn State with a B.S. in Business Administration.
At the conclusion of his senior regular season, Urbanik was selected to play in the prestigious then North-South Shrine All-Star Classic in Miami, Florida. The game featured some of the best collegiate players in the country, including the 1963 Heisman winner Roger Stauback, the 1964 Heisman winner John Huarte, the 1964 Heisman Runner-up Jerry Rhome, and the leading rusher in the country, Brian Piccolo. Urbanik played well, scoring two touchdowns and averaging five yards per carry. His effort helped the North team to a 37-30 victory over the very talented South Squad.
In 1967, Urbanik was added to the All-Time Nittany Squad by the retired Pittsburgh Press Sports Editor Chester Smith and his panel of Penn Staters. Prior to Urbanik's selection, only two other fullbacks were named to the squad – Peter Mauthe (1912) and Fran Rogel (1949). This encompassed over 50 years of PSU football history.
In 1999, Urbanik made the list of the Top 10 Fullbacks (No. 7) in the history of Penn State Football. The list was developed by Lou Prato, a journalist who authored the Penn State Football Encyclopedia. Not bad for a boy who played sparingly for most of his career at PSU!
Urbanik's work as a college player did not go unnoticed as he was drafted in his junior year by the Washington Redskins of the NFL and the Buffalo Bills of the AFL in 1963. The irony was that Urbanik was drafted before fully showcasing his talent in his senior year. "I was amazed. How could anyone draft you on the results of five games in your whole career?" The star fullback eventually made his move to the nation's capital. Unfortunately for Urbanik, Washington was set at the fullback position and released him in the last round of player cuts. He went on that year to join a very upscale semi-pro team, the Pennsylvania Mustangs of the North American Football League, which included teams from Maryland, Florida, Alabama, and Delaware. Once again, he did not disappoint, leading the team with 548 yards on 24 carries. Urbanik was invited to try out for the Pittsburgh Steelers; however, he chose to join the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League. During that time, the Redskins called and asked Urbanik to try out again, which he did. The end result, however, was the same and once again he made it to the final cut. Urbanik jokingly sums up his pro career in four words: "Close, but no cigar." After two tries, Urbanik decided to aim for another "brass ring" and embarked on his career as a coach. During 1967-1973, he coached in the college ranks. Urbanik spent one year at Villanova before leaving to join the Temple coaching staff, where he coached the offensive backs while working on his second degree in Health and Physical Education. Urbanik coached at Temple for two years and earned a Master's in Education. He finished his college coaching career at Brown University when he decided that the amount of time commitment needed for a successful college coaching career was outweighed by his desire to maintain a close family relationship. Urbanik joined the high school ranks as a teacher and coach.
Urbanik spent two years at Seekonk High School in Massachusetts before returning home to the Pittsburgh area in 1975. He would succeed another Donora product, Rudy Andabaker, MMVASHOP Class of "97" as a head football coach. Urbanik would lead Bethel Park for five years. During his tenure, Bethel would win its first conference title, appear in its first WPIAL playoff (ultimately losing to Butler in the semi-finals in 1977) and beat longtime rival Mt. Lebanon for the first time in 16 years. Urbanik's first year was a tough one – he went 2-8. The second year he went 6-4; third year 7-2-1; fourth year 7-3; fifth year, with his best group of athletes returning, he finished with a 3-7 record. However, that year the Bethel Park teachers were on strike and, for eight games, Urbanik was part of a "two-man" coaching staff.
Urbanik was also a successful track coach and teacher. He was the head coach for the girls' indoor and outdoor track teams for seven years until his retirement. Under his guidance, his lady athletes won the conference twice and made the WPIAL track team playoffs five out of seven years. His indoor teams were runners-up two times, in a league that encompassed the Eastern third of the state.
As a teacher and Department Head, Urbanik and his staff won the state's Outstanding Program Award in Physical Education in 1987. Two years later, Urbanik would be named the Outstanding Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year. He retired from teaching in 2004; however, he continues to coach the Bethel Park High School's throwers.
Despite a life full of accolades and accomplishments, Urbanik has never underestimated the fortune of his years in the Mon Valley; crediting his high school coaching staff with teaching him the gridiron skills he would use his entire career. It was the culmination of a supportive and honorable peer group, knowledgeable and caring teachers and the work ethic prolific in Mon Valley families that formed Urbanik into the hard-working powerhouse on the field. "The '50s were a good time to be growing up in the Valley," Urbanik reflected. "There were little to no drugs in sports back then, bullying was on-existent and the kids in my class were just really great people. The coaches and teachers, namely Jimmy Russell, John Clark, Rudy Andabaker, and Charles Stacey, knew what they were doing and they gave me the confidence and skills that I needed to perform. Because of the influence of good coaches and teachers, the Valley has produced a large number of athletes that were able to secure scholarships for college. For so many, many student athlete, it all started in the Mon Valley." Urbanik treasures his relationships from his early days at Donora High School and is still connected to many of his former classmates through class reunions and regular social events, thanks to the organizational efforts of Bernie and Rosie Dunyak. Urbanik feels much honored to be an inductee standing among the great athletes who were a product of the Mon Valley. He is quick to point out that the biggest blessing he received from the Valley is his high school sweetheart and wife, Patricia Mares (Donora class of '59), saying, "She has been a true blessing in my life." Together they have three children, Karen, Daniel and Sarah and six grandchildren. No matter how many awards won and all-star teams played, Urbanik is still proud to highlight his time as a Donora Dragon on his athletic resume.
Casper Voithofer
Growing up in the Mon Valley in the 1940s, 50s and 60s, it was difficult to stand out as an athlete. There was such a wealth of talent in that area during that time that it took a special ability to really stand out from the pack. One of those skilled athletes was Casper Voithofer, and he too recognized the special surroundings that he grew up in. "There were so many (in California) and we were in awe of them. We loved to hear about them but it was even more exciting if we saw them and they stopped to talk with us."
Voithofer graduated from California Area High School in 1960 where he was a standout in football, basketball, and baseball. "Athletics was a way of life in California and every town in the valley. When former athletes offered advice you listened closely."
Though his final season came to abrupt halt after a shoulder injury, Casper earned a second-team selection on the Section 5-A All-Star basketball team. He had many greats to admire and emulate, but the person Casper took after most lived in his own home. Casper's father was a retired assistant mine foreman. "He was a hard working man who provided his family with guidance, support, and love. He and my mother encouraged my brother and me to participate in sports and other activities. But they also taught us about respect, a solid work ethic and responsibility, being accountable to yourself as well as others." These values would stick with him throughout his academic career.
Voithofer began his collegiate athletic career at West Virginia University where he continued to excel on the hardwood. Unfortunately, a knee injury kept him from competing at his top level. "I realized, however, that I could still play basketball, even if not on the Division I level, so I returned home, took a year off and then began playing for Cal State."
Not playing at the Division I level also allowed Voithofer to compete in other areas as well. During his time as a Vulcan, Casper was the second leading scorer in the state in basketball and earned all-conference honors. On the diamond, he batted .348 and took his team to the NAIA World Series twice.
Of all the great awards and honors he received, probably the one Casper is most grateful for is his future wife of 45 years, Catherine Kurtyka. Both graduated in 1965 with degrees in education with Casper pursuing a Master's Degree in Education Administration from Penn State University.
Like most of the activities that he became involved with, Voithofer jumped in head first beginning his teaching career in 1965-1966 at Middletown. It was also his first opportunity to coach, starting as the junior varsity basketball coach before taking the top position in 1966 as the varsity basketball coach in 1966. He enjoyed great success during his first two seasons, owning a 23-5 record his first season and capturing a 28-1 record and a state championship during his second, including a string of 27 consecutive victories. The Blue Raiders topped 100 points four times and scored 2,281 points during that season. Of the 65-53 championship victory, Casper acknowledged even he was anxious. "I wasn't sure about this one. As a coach, I had to realize we were so outclassed from a physical standpoint of size, the odds would be against us."
Their defense held their own and continued to do so in the state title game against East Brady. "Winning the state championship was something none of us will ever forget."
Voithofer would move around quite a bit between coaching positions over the following seasons including an assistant coaching position at Penn State University. During the summers, Casper would coach in the Puerto Rican summer leagues. Although he enjoyed many successes, it was some of the shortcomings that took him away from the sport he loved. "I've never thought a great deal about the accomplishments, the wins, but the losses, the setbacks always stuck with me. It drove me out of coaching at an early age. When coaching controls how you eat, sleep, teach and relate to people, it makes you wonder if it's really worth it. My answer was 'No, there is more to life." What was that "more" he describes? Voithofer became the high school principal in Middletown in 1986, and though he retired in 1997, he also initiated a 501c3 Foundation for academic scholarships and continued to work in this position until 2005. He remains in Middletown working for Sunset Golf Course. Though he no longer works in education, he knows the importance of a good role model. "The satisfaction you get as a coach comes when you have players who graduate and go on to play in college and then become successful in life. The same holds true if you are a teacher or administrator, you want all of your students to graduate and have happy and successful lives."
Voithofer has been inducted into the California University of Pennsylvania Athletic Hall of Fame, the Capital Area Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and the California Trojan Boosters Club Hall of Fame. "There are many, many more deserving athletes than I in the Mon Valley. I am humbled and pleased that people would consider me for such recognition. I have always felt that success is something you never achieve on your own. If you're an athlete, you're surrounded by good teammates and coaches who help you play your best. If you're a coach, you must share the credit with your players and assistants. It's that time honored team theory and I've been blessed to be part of many teams with whom I share any success I've enjoyed."
Casper has four children, Chad, Brice, Laura, and Leslie and eight grandchildren.
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