3rd Annual Banquet

 

INDUCTEES

ED BINKOSKI

Playing days were rich in success. Ed became an outstanding outside runner for Coal Township after a strategic switch from quarterback by Coach Walt (Babe) Marshall, leading area schools during the 1949 season by scoring 16 touchdowns.

He later quarterbacked and punted for the University of Pennsylvania, under Coach George Munger. The school, at that time, was nationally ranked and played suck teams as: Notre Dame, Michigan, Ohio State, etc. During Binkoski's junior year, the school was listed in the Top 10 in the country for most of the season. It was in the 1952 game against Notre Dame (top ranked in the country at the time) that Ed had an exceptional day of quarterbacking and "coffin corner" kicking which enabled the Quakers to tie the Irish 7-7.

First year as head football coach at Coal Township, Binkoski's Purple Demons lost only one regular season game and went on to win the Southern Division Championship. The team also won the Keystone League Title, which included teams as Shamokin, Mount Carmel, Sunbury, Hazleton, Pottsville, Berwick, etc.

He took over the reigns at Shamokin Area High School after the jointure of Coal Township and Shamokin High Schools. The first year, in 1965, the Indians posted a 10-1 record, their only loss was to Shikellamy 20-12. In 1966 the Shamokin record was 8 and 3.

Ed's 10 year stint as head coach of Coal Township and Shamokin Area Schools resulted in 74 wins, 31 losses and one tie for a percentage of .703 percentage.

 

ROBERT BALENT

Graduate of Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in 1939 where he quarterbacked the Blue and White Wildcats to an undefeated season and the Eastern Conference Championship in 1938. He played an important role when Kulpmont soundly trounced the Ferndale Yellow Jackets by a score of 50 to 19 to win the Pennsylvania State Championship on December 3, 1938. He attended Temple and Penn State and received a Masters Degree in Safety Education New York University. He was a player-coach for the Anthracite Maroons, Shenandoah Presidents and the Tri-Boro Eagles in coach at Kulpmont High in 1950-52, and became assistant coach at Delhaas High School, George School and Woodrow Wilson School. Presently he is a member of Lower Bicks County YMCA Runners training to run a marathon.

 

HARRY COVELESKIE

The "Giant Killer" and brother of Hall of Famer Stanley Coveleskie. His greatest achievement came when he was called up from the minors, and never before in the big league, proceeded to beat John McGraw's Giants in five days, 7-0, 6-3 and 3-2 and dashing all hopes of the Giants winning the pennant. Adding to the luster of his triumphs, the "Giant Killer", not only limited them to five hits per game, but he also beat immortal Christy Mathewson in the third and deciding game. However it was with the Detroit Tigers that Harry racked up the wins with a 22-12 season in 1914, 23-13 in 1915. His peak performance came in 1916 with a 23 win and 10 loss record and an errand run average of 1.97. Upon retirement from baseball Harry came back to Shamokin to become a city policeman and later a tavern owner.

 

HAROLD GROSSMAN

Born in Mount Carmel, March 12, 1906, Harold Maxwell Grossman, was a son of the late Henry Joseph and Rose (Lowly) Grossman. He was a graduate of Mount Carmel High School in 1923 and Pierce Business College, Philadelphia. In high school, Mr. Grossman was active in sports and participated in football, basketball, and track.

Mr. Grossman's interest in sporting activities continued after his graduation from school. He was a staunch supporter of all Mount Carmel Area High School sports programs and in 1932 was a member of the Committee of 14 that built the football stadium on West Third Street. An avid golfer, he was twice Class A finalist at the Fountain Springs Country Club and was a member of the former Maysville Tennis Club.

He played semi-pro basketball with the Centralia KK's and Locust Gap Celtics, and at one time sponsored a semi-pro football team, the Green Wave.

Mr. Grossman organized the Tornado Club Boosters of Mount Carmel High and helped to form the Mount Carmel Playground Association.

 

WALT HYNOSKI

1951 graduate of Mount Carmel High. Participated in football, baseball and track for three years. Played football and baseball for three years at University of Pennsylvania. Led Ivy League in punting his senior year with 41.3 yd. average. Named to All Pennsylvania football squad and honorable mention on All-East. He was recognized as the most outstanding opponent by Notre Dame in 1954. Ranked fifth in nation in punting his senior year. Later played football with Air Force teams and was named to several All Service teams.

 

RALPH MIRIELLO

In 1958 when he was over age to play football, he took over the job of being trainer for Kulpmont High School and was the trainer until the jointure with Mount Carmel. He was the founder of the Kulpmont Athletic Club which sponsored Junior Football, Baseball, Basketball, and Track and started to coach Junior Football, Baseball, Basketball and Track. His reasons for getting interested were that the little boys of the community didn't have anything to do, so he started coaching them.

He started by coaching the Kulpmont Dragons back in the late 30's and this was his first football team, after this he started having meetings with boys from St. Mary's 6-7-8, Wilson 6-7-8 to start a baseball league. He canvassed the community along with other members of the Kulpmont Anthracite Club to get baseball suits for each team. The people of Kulpmont were very generous and co-operative in helping.

He also coached basketball in the same category and also coached softball and some baseball teams and basketball in Kulpmont. He coached Jr. Varsity basketball for Kulpmont High School.

His teams went to the Junior Olympics in Philadelphia for a few years and one year in the Olympics they came home with 14 gold medals and 13 silver medals.

Ralph spent 32 years coaching baseball, basketball, and football. To help some boys make good when he went to high school Ralph made sure he knew the fundamentals of the sport he participated in.

 

VINCENT PACZKOWSKI

Graduated in 1957 from Coal Township where he starred in football, basketball, baseball and track. He led the Demons to the Eastern Conference in 1955. That year he was named to AP and UPI first teams, Big 33 first team and was listed on a number of high school All-American teams. He was named to 3rd team on All-State basketball in 1957 after leading Coal to quarter finals of state playoffs. After being offered over 100 scholarships, Billy chose Villanova where he starred for three years at fullback. A serious knee injury ended his athletic career at this point.

 

GEORGE WRONA

The athletic career of George Wrona began in 1927 when he entered Mount Carmel High School While in high school, George played three years of varsity football under Coach Ray Singley. In addition to football, George also participated in track and field competition under Coach Raymond W. Klinedinst.

After graduation from school, George attended Villanova University where he played halfback under the tutelage of Harry A. Stuhldreher, quarterback of the immortal ‘Four Horseman’ of Notre Dame.

George maintains his greatest achievement was the fact that he was only football player to run on Villanova’s one mile relay team for four consecutive years. He is extremely proud of the fact that Jumbo Kim Elliot (presently coach of the Villanova track team) was a teammate of his on one of those sinning one mile relay teams.

After graduation from Villanova, George worked in Kulpmont and Mount Carmel High School as a teacher and assistant football coach for a period of 39 years under Coaches Mike Terry and Joe Diminick.

 

JOE BAKSI

Was born and raised in Kulpmont. Left in his teens, later to become the #1 ranked in heavyweight contender n the world during the mid 1940’s. In 1945 he was next in line for a title shot with then champion Joe Lewis, but was upset in his lat tune up bout while in Europe. Considered at the time to be America’s “Great White Hope”, he fought such notables as Ezzra Charles and Jersey Joe Wolcott during a career that spanned 14 years. He retired with a record of 59 wins, 9 losses, and 4 draws.

 

HAROLD H. MAURER

His contribution to sports including umpiring and helping in organizing the Little League. He was a P.I.A.A. baseball umpire. He played semi-pro baseball from 1934 to 1954 and was president and interpreter of the Baseball Umpire’s Association. His special project was the sponsorship of Maurer’s Diary Little League team which is one of the few teams associated with the league since its forming in 1948.

 

JOSEPH BOSEVICH

Coach of the Star Lane team from 1939-1970. Director of Little league Champs 1941. Little League Champs 1949,’51,’52,’58,’63. Senior League Champs 1951, ’52,’54,’60. President of the Playground Association 1950-1960 President of Senior League 1950-1960. Legion Sportsman of the Year 1969. Mount Carmel Rotary Club Award 1965. Playground Award 1951.

 

JOE “HOBY” FORTI

Played and coached Beaverdale A.C. and Atlas Yanks in the Mount Carmel inter city for 10 years. Also coached Atlas Fire Co. M-M pool Room for 12 years. He then went into the Mount Carmel Junior League for 20 years; winning 16 pennants and 9 series titles.

 

HAROLD (DUCKY) DETTREY

Played with a lot of the best teams in Mount Carmel and in the area and finished up playing softball with Pachutea’s Druggists (city champs three times) and Langis Candy Shop two years (one year champ.) As Manager of the Anthracite Fire Company Little League baseball team for 25 years, his record stands as 849 wins, 292 losses and 43 years.

The team played in 10 World Series Games, winning 7 and losing 3. They also finished 2nd in the Division 10 other times. “Ducky” received the following awards: Man of the year by the Mount Carmel Playground 1953; Reward by Little League for 25 years of service 1972; Sportsman of the year by Mount Carmel Legion 1973; Citation by Mayor Frank Cimino 1976; Award for service and management by Mount Carmel Rotary 1976.

 

ED “HOOPLE” MARKOWSKI

His career in athletics began at age eleven as bat boy for Brady Pirates semi-pro baseball team and spanned more than half a century. He played football at Coal Township for two years and after graduation with the Shamokin Panthers, Shamokin Indians, Gildens Senators and Atlas Wolverines. In Basketball, “Hoople” played for St. Anthony’s and Brady Big five, in baseball for Springfield, F&S, and Brady Essos. After his playing days, he refereed basketball for 30 years, umpired baseball for 32 years and served as officer and president on numerous sports organizations. “Hoople” was very active in the P.I.A.A. for 30 years being instrumental in guiding many local youths to secure licenses in football, softball, baseball, and basketball.

 

REV. WOODROW W. JONES

Cited for his contributions and hel to many organizations and indivuals om sports. The former pastor of St. Edward’s Church played high school and sandlot baseball and when running the 90 feet to first base became a bit too much, he served as chaplain to the Lewisburg Are ahigh School football team, part-time chaplain of Our Lady Lourdes football team and fo r17 years chaplain at penn-Central Family Sports Club. He is a member of Notre Dame Subway Alumni.

 

JOE LECH

A guard and tackle for the Kulpmont High School 1944 and 1945 undefeated Eastern Conference Champs of 1945. Boxed for Kulpmont in 1945 and 1946 and was undefeated for two years. Played baseball for Jan Sobieski Club. Toured Japan in 1947 playing baseball for IX Corps. Played football at Mansfield State Teacher’s College. Played football for 11th Airborne, Fort Campbell, Kentucky playing various camps. Played Semi-Pro Football for Anthracite Maroons. Gives Saving Bonds for two Mount Carmel Area Football players at the banquet sponsored by American Legion and Sobieski Club. General manager for Jan Sobieski Club softball team. Helped the late Ed Stavinski coach football and scout Kulpmont High School in the late fifties. Last but not least he is a member of the Ed Romance Lower Anthracite Sports Hall of Fame being one of the founding fathers.

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EVOLDO J. ROSINI

Was born February 1, 1913, he was one (1) of nine (9) children of Anthony and Louisa Rosini. He attended Saint Edward’s School. He has for many years been a member of the Shamokin Elks, Moose, Unico National and has served on the Shamokin Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors for Shamokin Valley Country Club, Shamokin School Authority, and in 1947 at the age of thirty four (34) was made a board member of the National Mime Bank of Shamokin, and continues to serve on what is now the Pennsylvania National Bank Board. “Ace” has made numerous contributions to sports over the years.

 

ODONE A. ROSINI

Born April 24, 1915 is presently a partner in the Rosini Coal Co. He was associated with others in the establishment of a football program at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School and helped to build its football field. Rosini Coal Co. for many years sponsored sports programs in the area and also helped in building several Little League Fields. Odone is a charter member of Suncom Industries and for nine years was a member of the Northumberland Count Redevelopment Authority. His affiliations include the following: Fourth Degree member of Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, Moose and Shamokin Valley Country Club.

 

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE

Carole Marie Difrancesco

Carole Marie DiFrancesco and Ed Diminick have been chosen as winners of the 1980 Scholar-Athlete Awards as presented by the Ed Romance Lower Anthracite Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Carole, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Difrancesco, 109 S. Walnut Street, Mount Carmel played basketball and softball at Our Lady of Lourdes Regional High School. Academically, she ranks 17th in a class 167 with a class average of 90%.

In basketball, she played guard and was a three year starter and captain in her senior year when the team advanced to District 4 finals. Carole was also the most valuable player in the Anthracite and Schuylkill leagues. In softball, she was a pitcher and four year starter and senior captain.

Carole is presently attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania

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MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE

Ed Diminick

Ed Diminick-son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Diminick, 335 W. avenue, Mount Carmel was an outstanding student-athlete at Mount Carmel Area High School. Academically, he ranked 5th in his class, belonged to the National Honor Society, was president of the National Athletic Honor Society, member of the Spanish Club, participated in the Youth In action Club and belonged to the Letterman Club. He was selected Rotary Student of the Month for October. He was chosen as Mount Carmel Area High Schools Student Athlete.

Athletically- Football: was a 3 year letterman. In 1978 and 1979 was selected 1st team All-anthracite defensive back and An Honorable mention defensive back. He was chosen and played in the MS all-star game and was selected to play in the UNICO all-star game but did not play due to an injury. In the Shamokin game was voted the Mike Terry Award and later received the Bobby Pizzoli Award.

In Wrestling: was co-captain and a 3 year letterman. His career record was 41-21-2. He was District 4 runner-up 2 years in a row and received the Chef’s Award and was selected the outstanding wrestler on the team.

In Baseball he was co-captain and a 3 year letterman and received the Cheddar Award.

In Track he lettered as a freshman in the log jump with a jump over 18’. Ed was recruited by Head Coach Walt Nadzak for University of Connecticut where he will play free safety. He will study pharmacy and hopefully go on to sports medicine.