Michael Kogut

• Post by: mcalibrary
• January 11, 2024
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INDUCTEE

The 2009-2010 school year will be remembered for a long time by Mike Kogut. It was the year that his Tri Valley Bulldogs won the District XI Single A Football Championship and made it as far as the Eastern Final. Michael was also recognized as the Reading Eagle Coach of the Year, and, today Mike Kogut gets inducted into the Ed Romance Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Michael’s playing career was highlighted by his being a 4-year letter winner and 3-year starter at Bloomsburg University as a defensive end. Mike would lead the defensive line in tackles in 1995 with 41, and was second on the team in sacks with 4. He was the recipient of the Unsung Hero Award in 1994 and would play on three PSAC Championship football teams. The 1996 Danny Hale-coached squad was an NCAA Playoff Team with a fine 10-2 record.

Kogut began his playing career at Mount Carmel Area for Coach Jazz Diminick where he was a four year letter winner and a rare four-year starter. He put in time on the offensive and defensive lines, center, linebacker, and long snapper. He was an All Anthracite selection in 1991 and 1992 and was the Offensive Lineman of the Yaer in 1992. In addition, Michael was a two time Mike Terry Award winner and finished his playing career with 209 tackles – good for 9th on the all time list at the time. Kogut was also named to the Reading Eagle’s All Anthracite Team of the 90’s as an interior lineman.

As a track performer for Coach Mike Woyotowich, Mike won the District XI Shot Put title in 1993 with a toss of 50’7” and followed that up with a fourth place finish at PIAA State Meet with a toss of 52’1” 3/4”. Michael would also serve as the team captain of both the football and track teams in 1992-93.

Michael’s coaching career started at Bloomsburg University in 1997-98 before joining the staff at MCA in 1999. Michael would coach the offensive and defensive lines, linebackers, and wide receivers before taking over the Defensive Coordinator position in 2006. Mike also served as MCA’s Athletic Director from 2003-2007.

It was then that Michael got the call to begin his head coaching career with the Bulldogs and after only two seasons, winning the District Title in 2009. He also serves as the Athletic Director at Tri Valley. Michael currently lives in Mount Carmel with his wife Tara and daughter Amber and son Aiden.