Joseph Paskevich

• Post by: mcalibrary
• December 19, 2023
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INDUCTEE

“Coach” Joe Paskevich was a four-year starter as a Mount Carmel High School lineman from 1930 through ’34. Along the way he also held the javelin throw record for the Tornado Track Squad. He was also president of his graduating class.

After graduation he headed for Wyoming Seminary in Wilkes-Barre, where he continued his fine athletics career. He was the recipient of Wyoming’s Gold Award honoring the outstanding athlete there. He also competed successfully on the varsity level as a wrestler at “The Sem”.

He enrolled at Fordham University in 1936, and for the next four years was an outstanding lineman there. He was the backup center for Alex Wojiehowicz, who later starred for the Philadelphia Eagles, and a member of the famed “7 Blocks of Granite” of Fordham.

After graduation he returned to Mount Carmel as a teacher and coach. He was an outstanding line coach under both Joe Ambrose and Mike Terry from 1942 through 1948. He also served as an assistant wrestling coach to fellow inductee Charles Sacavage through the late 40’s and early 50’s.

“Coach” also found time to play football on a semi-pro level with the Shenandoah Presidents of that era. He was known for his strength; and achieved a reputation as a strong disciplinarian as a teacher at MCAHS. He is fondly remembered by a generation of student athletes who had the opportunity to come under his wing.