INDUCTEE As the years pass, the game of football seems to change every year. There are specialists for everything – pass rushers, third down receivers, nickel backs, run stoppers, short yardage backs, and all types of kickers. In the late 60’s Bob York became one of the first-ever specialists at Mount Carmel Area. He brought new attention to kickers. He led the way for many others – Brokenshire, Noreen, Adams, Soboleski – in finding their niche in what was Tornado football. In 1968, York would kick 43 of 54 extra point attempts as the Tornadoes made their way through their first undefeated regular season since 1954 and would go on to their first of three straight Southern Division Championships. The 43 points represented the most by a kicker at Mount Carmel since the great Wally Diehl had kicked 41 in 1921. It was also the most points by any kicker in the Anthracite Region that year. During the season, Bob went 7 for 7 against Minersville and Shenandoah. The only player who ever kicked for more was Diehl. York also established new career marks at MCA with 72 PAT’s surpassing Diehl’s 60. His season total of 43 still ranks 4th today, while his career total is 3rd on the MCA all time list. He was named to the Reading Eagle All Anthracite team and Harrisburg Patriot News All Star team following the 68 season. Bob took his kicking abilities to East Stroudsburg University where he won four letters as the varsity kicker and punter. Bob helped his teams to a 21-18 record over 4 years with his 17 career field goals. He had a long of 42 yards and a 35 yard game-winner against Lafayette. He finished second in the Pennsylvania Conference in punting in 1972 with a 40.2 yard average. Realizing that specialties could work for him, Bob participated in track for coach Gerry Breslin while at MCA. He established a new school and stadium record with his 6’2″ high jump and was the Southern Conference Champion in 1969. He placed second in District IV and won the first-ever State Indoor Championship in 1969 He continued participating in track at East Stroudsburg with bests of 6’61/2″ in the high jump, 21’4″ in the long jump, and 43’8″ in the triple jump. At the conclusion of the track season, Bob was awarded his 8th varsity letter as a member of the East Stroudsburg football and track teams. His specialties have now made him special – an Ed Romance Chapter Hall of Famer. Bob lives is West Chester with his wife Janice and son Cody,16 and is the Sales Manager for Zep Manufacturing. He is a huge Red Tornado fan, and although he lives 2 hours away, gets to see most of the Tornado action. He and his son, Cody, and fellow hall of famers Gary Howanec and John Halcovich are responsible for the sign depicting the Tornado wins atop the press box at the Silver Bowl.

INDUCTEE Bob was elected to the Hall in 1986 and was unable to attend, We are glad to be able to induct him to our ranks as member of the class of 2003 If Lesanski’s Barber Shop was still located on Third Street In Mount Carmel, one of the conversations might center around who was the best all around athlete to ever graduate from MCA? Without a doubt, Bob Zavarick would be mentioned as a likely candidate. Bob has left his name splattered throughout the record books in football, basketball, and baseball. As the quiet captain of all three sports in his senior year, Bob let his actions on the field speak for themselves. When Bob graduated in 1978, he was the holder of 48 individual football marks at MCA, including his six touchdown performance against North Schuylkill in 1976. He also returned 6 kicks for touch down in 76 – more than any team in MCA history – and 8 in his career, He is the only player in school history to return kicks for more than 1000 yards in a season and remains the only player to score points in every possible way. His versatility is reflected in the fact that he is still the career interception leader with 21 and managed to punt for a 38.1 yard average. His 54 career TD’s averaged 32.2 yards , while he averaged 9.7 yards each time he touched the football. He was named a first team defensive back by The Associated Press and was selected to play in the Big 33 game. In that game, Robert played both ways – a real rarity in all star competition – and scored on a 56 run from scrimmage as well as an interception in the East’s 28-6 victory. From the field to the court, Robert never missed a beat. He started for three years for Coach Paul Bartko’s basketball team and along the way became the school’s all time leading scorer with 1,319 points – a mark that still stands today. He had 33 games over 20 points and 5 games over 30, including three in a row. He led the team into district playoffs in 1977 and 1978, while averaging 19 points per game over his career. Bob also has the distinction of scoring the first varsity points in the new MCA gymnasium in 1977 in a win over Berwick as the team remained undefeated at home during that inaugural season.. As if all that wasn’t enough, Bob saved his best for the baseball diamond. As a three year starter for Coach Ed Kaczmarek, Bob led the Tornadoes to three consecutive Schuylkill League Division Titles and the overall championship in 1978. As a shortstop, Robert batted over .500 during his junior and senior seasons and finished his career with a .495 batting average; knocking out 87 hits and 75 RBI’s. He also tossed at least 6 one-hitters during his time on the mound as well as pitching all 14 innings in a 77 playoff loss to Blue Mountain. Bob accepted a baseball scholarship to the University of Maryland and became a four year starter at shortstop. He batted .356 over his four- year career and was part of a 35 game home winning streak – the longest in the nation at the time. He was fortunate enough to play in a game against the Baltimore Orioles at The University’s Shipley Field. That game included future Hall of Famers Jim Palmer, Eddie Murray, and Cal Ripken. Bob has worked for Xerox Corporation from 1983-90 and Oce-USA from 1990-93 and currently works for IKON (HQ-Malvern, PA) from 1994 to the present as a Major Account/Federal Sales Manager in Washington, DC.

SPECIAL HONOREE To say that here was a little pressure entering the 2002 season at Mount Carmel Area would be an understatement. After all, it was an even year and the Torndaoes had won a state championship every other year since 1994. Although an experienced group of athletes was returning, some holes had to be filled in key positions. Add a very competitive schedule that included perennial state power Southern Columbia, always tough Marian Catholic, a Pius X team that had defeated MCA in 2001, and a rejuvenated Shamokin team. In addition, Quad A Pottsville and AAA Danville were added to the schedule that already included Selinsgrove, a team that had won three straight from MCA. Much like the ’73 team, this group set out on a mission that would take one game at a time. The season started by avenging the loss to Pius with a 27-7 win on the road and a 49-16 blow out of Panther Valley. The next three weeks would tell whether this team had the goods to be a contender. All they did was go out and beat Southern, Shamokin, and Pottsville by a combined score of 103-0. This is the point where injuries started to mount and the outstanding leadership of the seniors took over. Randy Swank anchored the offensive linethat included freshman Joe Dowkus and junior Rick Greco at guard. Before the season, neither had played one down at offensive guard in a varsity game, Marshal Mirarchi moved to tackle from guard and Jon Skinner returned at tackle. Damian Buggy and Justin Leonowicz would take over a tight end. With Mirarchi and Skinner injured, Scott and Jonathan Novack stepped in and wouldn’t miss a beat. Shinskie had started every game at quarterback since the playoffs of his freshman year and had Steve Matzura and Tim Wargo to throw to,.as well as John Darrah and Nate Morgan. Drew Letcavage, Damien Scicchitano, and Mark Koveleski handled the tailback spot by committee aided by fullbacks Dave Borwn and Michael Leshinski. Matt Kufta handled the place kicking duties. The Tornadoes would finish the regular season with wins over Marian Catholic, North Schuylkill, Shiekallamy, Danville and Selinsgrove. They would go on to defeat Montoursville and Highesville to win their 6th District Championship. This team had now put itself in position to keep the streak alive. Hard-fought wins over Lakeland and Northwestern Lehigh gave the Tornadoes their sixth Eastern Championship and a return trip to Hershey. Ina game that looked closer than it was, Big Red defeated Seton Lasalle for its 5th modern day state championship. Coach Mike Brennan had won his second title and has posted a 37-5 record in three years at the helm. Shinskie became MCA’s fourth Small School Player of the Year and was joined on the first team all state by Brown, Swank and Matzura. The fact that 14 players were recognized following the season on different all star teams, proves that it was a TEAM. 45 players had worked together for 15 weeks, one week at a time, to achieve that ultimate goal – a State Championship! Caption for 2002 Championship Team Row 1 – Dan Evans, John Eremich, John Darrah, Mark Koveleski, Steve Matzura, David Shinskie, Dave Brown, Randy Swank, Mike Leshinski, Pete Kulick, Damian Buggy, Jerry Lupotsky Row 2 – Rob Varano, Mgr, Tim Wargo, Justin Leonowicz, Rick Greco,John Skinner, Marshall Mirarchi, Jeff Hicks, Sean Paul, Jon Novack, Mike Sosnoski, Bryan Polifka, Matt Kufta, Colim Menapace, Mgr Row 3 – Michaek Scicchitano, Mgr, Damien Scicchitano,Dave Sebastian, Ray Kraynak, Jason Pachuski, Nate Morgan, Rod Buraczeski, Scott Novack, Adam Croker, Drew Letcavage, Trey Savitski, Joe Dowkus Row 4 – Jon Shiko, Jason Boyer, Troy Kisela, Rick Litchko, Nick Chapman, Sean Fracalossi, Adam Hepler, Dave Quintero, Kyle Bartol, Josh Jaworski, John Janolek, Allen Homicz Row 5 – Ryan Geary, Jeremy Winn, Bob Scicchitano, Mike Kogut, Mike Brennan, Rob Varano, Rick Painter, Paul Babinsky, Bob Veach

SPECIAL HONOREE It had begun two years earlier after a heart-breaking loss to Shamokin in 1971. The underclassmen from that team had vowed to never lose another game while representing Mount Carmel Area. The 1972 edition of the Big Red had kept their part of the bargain and completed a 12-0 campaign on their way to an Eastern Conference Championship. It was now up to the ’73 team to complete the mission. It would not be easy, for the Tornadoes had lost Big 33 tackle Joe Grey and all state nose guard Rich Ferri. Also gone were offensive linemen, Joe Ahrensfirled, Dave Kijewski, and Mike Molesevich, as well as leaders Dirk Berezovske and John Muolo. As pre-season practice opened, the focus was on finding offensive line help to go along with returning starter Dave Williams. The call was answered by Girard Miscavage, Bob Muolo, Bob McSurdy, Ed Shuda, Henry Federowicz, and Dave Moratelli. Although not as big as the ’72 O-line, this group proved to be very strong, equally as tough, and super quick. Led by returning skill position players Lou Cole,Joe Diminick,Ken Diminick, and Vince Rawa. The Tornadoes opened with a 28 -0 victory over Panther Valley and followed that with a 23-6 win over Tamaqua on the strenght of Rawa’s second consecutive 100 yard rushing game.They then survived 51 pass attempts- with the help of 3 interceptions and two fumble recoveries – in getting by Berwick 32-22 and then had their largest margin of victory in a 34-2 rout of West Hazleton, led by Dave Gibboney’s 82 yard punt return. The defense began to assert itself in a 29-0 win over Minersville and followed that up with 22-6 and 20-8 wins over Pottsville and North Schuylkill. Lou Cole’s 23 tackle effort against Pottsville still ranks as the 2nd best game in school history. The offense took over in 36-6 and 33-7 wins over Shenandoah and Shikellamy. A 45 yard TD pass from Joe Diminick to Ken Diminick vs Shikellamy would prove to be the only one of the year. In a much anticipated first-ever game vs Lourdes Regional, the Big Red defense, led by Bill Joraskie, Frank Strike, Ed Shuda, Sam Skelding, Walt Wywadis, Fred Alba, and linebackers, Cole and Rich Greco, came up big in holding the Raiders to 83 total yards in a 14-0 win. The Tornadoes ended their quest for an undefeated regular season in a bittersweet 20-15 win over Shamokin in the last Thanksgiving Day game ever played. Big Red found themselves behind for the first time during the season until Lou Cole bounced in for the winning score. The Tornadoes were paced by Ken Diminick’s 106 yards rushing and Lou Cole’s 19- tackle performance. The win gave the Tornadoes their 5th Southern Division Championship in 6 years and put them into the Eastern Conference Championship once again. Led by Ken Diminick’s two touchdowns, 73 yard kick-off return and 116 yards rushing, the Tornadoes – with the help of the Tornado in the Sky – capped off the ’73 season with a 15-6 victory over Jack Henzes and the Dunmore Bucks The ’73 team, led by captains Ken Diminick and Lou Cole, finished the season with the only 12-0 record in the state; and at the time, had the second longest win streak in Pennsylvania. The Tornadoes had just completed a 24-0 run over the last two seasons and did it without posting big numbers and blow-out wins, all they did was win! They scored 306 points while giving up 78 but recovered 20 enemy fumbles and snagged 19 interceptions Post season honors went to Cole – a first team all state selection and to Ken Diminick, who was named to the Big 33 team and recognized as a third team all stater – Honorable mentions went to Joe Diminick, Rich Greco, Vince Rawa, and Dave Williams The ’73 team’s “Refuse to Lose”mentality helped to set the stage for Tornado teams that would follow and certainly helped to establish what is known today as TORNADO PRIDE! They thrived on being physical. They won because they had the mindset that nothing could get in their way. They won because they played the game the way it was meant to be played. CAPTION FOR 1973 TEAM PHOTO Row 1-Dave Williams, Bob Muolo, Carl Shoffstall,Dave Moratelli,Dan Skonecki, Ed Shuda, Rich Greco, Lou Cole, Vince Rawa, Girard Miscavage, and Bill Joraskie Row 2 – Tom Poremba, Bruce Williams, Tom Molesevich, Frank Strike, Joe Diminick, Walt Wywadis, Fred Alba, Henry Federowicz, Bob Mc Surdy, Paul Niglio, Ken Diminick, and Dave Gibboney Row 3 – Tom Sebastian, Frank Kwiatkowski, Ed Semborski, Pat O’Brien, Tom Gallagher, Jon Greco, Sam Skelding, Marty Robbins, Dave Shoffstall, Dan Chucoski, Joe Girolami and Dom McGinley Row 4 – Rich Kerestes, Len Zlocki, Tony Mirarchi, Nick Gard, Vic Kocur, Steve Shoffstall, Mark Cress, Dave Chuprinski, Bill Brokenshire, Ed Narcavage, John Lawler, John Tafner and Francis Murin Row 5 – Coaches Al Santos, Jazz Diminick, George Wrona Missing – James Sheehan

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT David Brown truly represented the character and unselfishness of the 2002 Red Tornado State Championship Football Team. Dave became a starter at nose guard during his freshman year under coach Whitey Williams as the Tornadoes became the PIAA AA State Silver Medalists. Browny then started 15 games at nose guard as the Big Red went on to a State Championship during his sophomore season for coach Mike Brennan. As a junior, Dave volunteered to move to offensive guard to help the team and then was switched to fullback, where he became a devastating blocker as the Tornadoes won an Eastern Conference Crown in 2001. As a senior, David helped the Tornadoes to an undefeated 15-0 record by running for 577 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also contributed 87 tackles – 28 for loss – and 8.5 sacks from his nose guard position. David finished his career with 283 tackles and 16 sacks for 97 yards lost. The 283 tackles rank 9th on the all time MCA list and represent the second most ever for a down lineman in MCA history behind Jay Malakoski. David’s tough, aggressive attitude helped the Tornadoes to a 48-9 record during his 4 years; allowing the Tornadoes to win three District Championships, one Eastern Conference Championship, two State Championships, and one State Runner-Up. For his efforts, David was recognized as a first team all state defensive lineman by the Associated Press as well as Pennsylvania Football News .PFN also named him defensive player of the year. He is the son of Judy McCollum and David Brown.

FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE Just reading her goals for her future make you immediately take notice – “attending Bucknell University to major in Biochemistry with the intent of attending medical school and becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.” The amazing thing is not that she has put herself in the position to achieve her dream, but has done it while competing in three sports, cheering for three years, and be involved in as many school activities as you can imagine. Ashley ranks second in a class of 123 with an amazing GPA of 99.7 and SAT scores of 1220. She is a member of the National Honor Society, a recipient of T-102 scholar athlete award, a member of the National Honor Roll of the United States Achievement Academy, and a member of Student Government. Ashley has attended the Pennsylvania Governor’s School of excellence for Health Care, has attended Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week, and was the Mount Carmel Area representative of the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Forum as a sophomore. She is a Developmental Swim Coach, a coach for Olympics for Special Needs, and is a member and vice president of S.A.D.D. She is involved with Peer Mediation, Pennsylvanians Against Underage Drinking, the Science Club, Odyssey of the Mind, Spanish Club. Lions Club and school choir. She also finds time to write for the Tornado Times and has been a cast member of “Annie’, “Once Upon A Mattress’, and “Damn Yankees’. Athletically, Ashley is a four-year member of the Soccer team and served as co- captain in both her junior and senior seasons. She is a two-year member of the track team and has been a varsity cheerleader for three years. It was as a member of the swim team where Ashley has left her biggest impression. A four-year letter winner and two-time captain. Ashley is a member of school record holding 200 yard Medley relay – 2:04.03, 200 yard freestyle relay – 1:49.06, and 400 yard freestyle relay – 4:10.26 teams. She is a four time District qualifier and owns four district medals – two silver and two bronze. She is one of only a few girls to earn over 1000 points for her team. Obviously, Ashley has learned to budget her time at Mount Carmel Area. We are sure that she will continue her efforts at Bucknell and make the Ed Romance Chapter proud as it looks at its impressive list of scholar-athletes. Ashley is the daughter of Barbara and Mike Shamansky of Mount Carmel.

MALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE Like others before him, Steve Matzura has been able to find the balance necessary to combine athletics and academics at a level high enough to be named the scholar athlete of the Ed Romance Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports hall of Fame. Steve not only took his game to another level, he established a new one as he became the school’s all-time leading tackler with 425 stops in his four year career, Steve did it consistently by going over the 100 mark in each of three seasons – only the third player in MCA history to accomplish the fete. But his game wasn’t one dimensional as he also established a new season record for receptions with 53. His career totals of 113 catches for 1650 yards ranks second on the MCA top ten list. Steve’s efforts did not go unnoticed as he was named first team All State by the Associated Press as well as Pennsylvania Football News. He was named defensive player of the year by The Reading Eagle, Shamokin News Item, and Pottsville Republican. He was named player of the year by The Sunbury Daily Item and Linebacker of the year by the Bloomsburg Press Enterprise. Steve is one of only a few three- time Mike Terry Award winners and was a Fox TV Athlete of the Week. Steve has also lettered for 4 years in baseball, playing as a utility player on the team that went to the Dist IV final in 2000 and as a starter on the Dist IV playoff team in 2001. Steve has played all outfield positions, shortstop, second base, caught, and pitched; showing his versatility as an athlete. Academically, Steve ranks 10th in a class of 123 with a 96.4 GPA and 1130 on his SATs. He is the Vice President of Student Council and is a vice president of the Ski Club. Steve has been recognized by Who’s Who Among American High School Students, Who’s Who Among High School Athletes and as The Ed Romance Chapter Athlete of the month for September. Matzura is the President of the Chess Club and the 2001 Tournament Champion. He was also named to the Pennsylvania Football New All Academic Team in 2000,2001, and 2002. Steve is active in his church and community as a member of the Holy Name Society at Holy Angels Church in Kulpmont, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 4281. Steve will continue his football career at Bucknell University for coach Tim Landis. Steve is the son of Steve and Marsha Matzura, Kulpmont.