INDUCTEE Anthony “Tony” Paskevich began his athletic career as a football player for Coach Walter Levine and his Mount Carmel High School Red Tornadoes in the fall of 1932. Actually, Tony was part of the first team to ever play in the new Silver Bowl in a 0-0 tie vs Porter Township. The Tornadoes would then win their first game at their new digs in a game with St. Clair by a 13-0 score. Paskevich would play for three years, mostly as a center, completing his senior year for coach Albert Jones. He was described as having “fight, grit, will, and determination”. He also competed as a basketball player for Coach Jones during his junior and senior seasons. Following graduation in 1935, Tony was originally slated to attend Gettysburg College, but somehow found himself at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pa. He then made his way to the Orangemen of Syracuse University. He became a three-year player and two-year letterman for Coach Ossie Solem, who was assisted by the great Bud Wilkinson. Syracuse managed a 13-8-2 record during Tony’s time there, including wins over Penn State and Maryland. One of Tony’s teammates and friend was future Michigan State Coach Duffy Dougherty. Both Dougherty and Wilkinson have been inducted into the collegiate Hall of Fame. Tony was chosen to captain the ‘39 team at Syracuse. Paskevich also managed to earn a varsity letter as a boxer and one with the track team while at Syracuse. Tony graduated in 1942 with a degree in electrical engineering. He then enlisted in the Navy and served as an Ensign in the Philippines during World War II. After the war, Tony and his wife, Carolyn, returned to the area and settled in Hazelton, where he took a position with PPL. He then moved back to Syracuse and was the principal electrical engineer for Allied Chemical. After a short move to New Jersey, Tony retired in North Carolina, where he was an avid golfer and played almost daily. After returning to Syracuse, Tony died in 1999. Tony joins his brother Joseph, a 1991 inductee in the the Romance Chapter, as honorees of the organization. Joe played at Fordham with Vince Lombardi and Len Eshmont. Paskevich had three children, Tony Jr (Syracuse University), Penny (Syracuse, and Linda (Michigan State) and 8 grandchildren.
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- January 12, 2024
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