INDUCTEE Today, Jake joins his father John F. Patrick, Sr. and his uncle, Clem Patrick as a member of the Ed Romance Lower Anthracite Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame. A graduate of the class of 1946, Jake’s athletic career included three years of high school football under Coach Joe Ambrose. He was co-captain of the 1945 squad that posted a record of 8 wins, 2 losses and 2 ties. He played basketball for three years for Coach Frank Kostas and was a steady contributor to the track team, where he ran the which and low hurdles and was a member of both the mile and half mile relay teams for Coach Gerald Breslin. He was a member of the Tornado squad which captured the mile relay at the Penn Relays and went on to win the Pennsylvania State Championship in June of 1945 along with George Teufel, Bob McCann, and Adam “Ace” Williams. Jake continued running in the Navy where he won the 50 yard dash and placed third in 100 in an AAU meet held aboard the flight deck of the USS Randolph while docked in Boston. Following his Navy Service, Jake walked on at Villanova and after one week of practice was awarded a full scholarship by Coach Jordan Oliver. During the next 4 years, Jake played in 20 varsity games that included wins over Penn State, Boston College, Texas A&M, NC State, Army, Duquesne and others. Jake played both offensive and defensive end early in his career before establishing himself as a starting quarterback during his junior season. Unfortunately, a serious knee injury after 2 games of his senior season limited his playing time during that season. He then entered the teaching profession and coached football and track at Lakewood High School in NJ where his track team won the Shore Conference Championship twice and had four state champions during his tenure. He has enjoyed success in tennis and golf since leaving contact sports and was honored as a recipient of the N.J.A.S.A.’s Distinguished Superintendent’s Award upon retirement.

INDUCTEE Bob Muolo exemplifies what it means to be a Red Tornado. When Bob couldn’t break into a very talented offensive and defensive backfield, he told Coach Diminick that he would do whatever had to be done to get on the field. He won a position as a starting guard on a team that went 12-0 and won the Eastern Conference Championship in 1973. During his 3 years as a letter winner at MCA, Bob was part of 2 Eastern Conference champions and left with a 24 game win streak. Bob was also a 4 year letterman with Coach Gerry Breslin’s track team which won 2 District IV Track Championships and individually was part of the 880 yard relay championship team in 1972. Following high school, Bob went on to Dickinson College where he continued to be a 2 sport athlete. As a member of Dickinson’s football team, Bob became a 3 year starter; one defensive end and 2 at defensive back where he lead the team in interceptions in 1975. He was a 4 year letterman in track while at Dickinson and captained the 1978 Dickinson College track team. He was a member of the 440 yard relay team which won the MAC Championship for Dickinson. Bob has remained active in sports presently coaching football for Selinsgrove Midget Football League. He also maintains a position as an assistant track coach with the Shikellamy High School girls track team. Bob is currently a partner in Wiest, Saylor, Muolo, Noon and Swinehart Law Firm in Sunbury.

INDUCTEE Pet is mostly remembered s being one of the most outstanding sandlot athletes to pass through the coal region, competing in baseball, football, and boxing. AS a professional boxer, he compiled a record of 22 wins in 24 bouts. In one fight, he was credited with a 28 second knockout. One local sportswriter at that time described Muldoon as one of the best fighters ever turned out of this area. He possessed a wallop and had footwork to carry him away from danger. He later went on to coach boxing at Kulpmont High School in the early 40’s. As a baseball player, Pet was an outstanding shortstop for the Mount Carmel Jednota Society Team which competed on a statewide basis with teams from as far away as Allentown, Reading, Pottstown and Scranton. He once batted against the great Grover Cleveland Alexander in an exhibition game against the touring House of David team. He is one of the founders of Mount Carmel Little League Baseball. He served as a coach for both the Moose and Out Lady’s teams, leading both to outstanding records. He gave his time as an umpire for a number of years and is probably the leading authority on baseball rules in this area. As a football player, Pet used his speed and quickness as an outstanding pass-catching end with Gerry Breslin proclaiming that he had “the best hands he’d ever seen.” Previously honored as a special honoree, Pet now takes his rightful place as an inductee into the Ed Romance Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame.

INDUCTEE Frank Klassen was a fierce center and linebacker for the Lourdes Regional Red Raiders where he led his team to a fine 15-4-1 record during the 1965 and 1966 seasons. The Raiders captured the Anthracite League Championship in 1966, winning 9 games, which at that time were the most ever for Lourdes Regional team. He capped his brilliant high school career by being named the reams Most Valuable Player and being named to the Associated Press All-State team. Following graduation in 1967, Frank went on to Albright College where he became a starting linebacker. Because he wore #51 and played in the same fiercely angry mood as Dick Butkus, famous Chicago Bears linebacker, Klassen became known as the “Dick Butkus of Small College Football.” He was named Albright’s defensive MVP as a senior and was chosen on the ECAC All East team and the NCAA Small College ALL American Team. The Berks County Touchdown Club voted him their outstanding athlete. He still holds the Albright College record of 40 tackles (that’s right, 40) in one game against Springfield. After graduation he signed to play with the Pottstown Firebirds of the Atlantic Coast Professional Football League, but the franchise folded along with the league. He then refocused his attention, got an MBA degree and is no Vice President of Wometco Food and Vending Services with offices in Nashville, TN.

INDUCTEE Ed Diminick may never have been called the “best” at any sport but he was “always” someone who you wanted on your team. During his high school career, Ed won 10 varsity letters in 4 different sports and was always a total team player who would do anything necessary to help his team be successful. As a football player, Ed was an outstanding defensive back who was compared to the Oakland Raider’s Jack Tatum by one local sportswriter. A tough and devastating hitter, Ed led his team in interceptions and passes broken and still shares the school record for INT’s in one game with 3. On offense Ed touched the football 238 times in his career and averaged 10.2 yds per touch, a number that can be compared with anyone who ever played at MCA. He was named AP HM All-State, Reading Eagle, Patriot News, Susquehanna Valley League ALL-Star and won the Terry Award, Pizzoli Award, Piccoli Award and was selected to play in the Unico and M-S all star football games in 1979. After an outstanding year in track as jumper, Ed turned his attention to baseball as a sophomore and became a three year starter. He was the team leader from his catcher position and was named captain for his senior campaign. As a wrestler Ed compiled a 42-21-1 record as a 3 year starter and co-captain. He was a 2 time silver medalist in District Four and was awarded the 1980 Coaches Outstanding Wrestler Award and D’Angelo Awards as Outstanding Wrestler. Ed was also recognized as the Ed Romance Chapter Scholar-Athlete in 1980. Following graduation, Ed accepted a scholarship to the University of Connecticut where he played for one season before transferring to Penn State. He earned a degree in Petroleum and Gas Engineering n 1984 and followed that with an MBA from the Katz Graduate School of Business and the University of Pittsburg in 1989. He is currently employed by Mcnie Oil and Gas Company of Detroit as a Senior Asset Manager. He is married to the former Elizabeth “Tizzy” Bishop of Bristol, Tenn. And has two sons Bradley, age 5 and Chad, age 4 and resides in Northville, Michigan. Today Ed joins father Jazz and brothers Gary, Ken, Joe and Michael as members of the Ed Romance Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame.

INDUCTEE Al, born and raised in Kulpmont, was the first of what was to become a legendary football family at Kulpmont High. Exceptional play, especially at tackle, became synonymous with “The Barkowski Boys” for a total of 12 years. Al played 4 years at tackle for Coach Mike Terry during an era which saw the Wildcats post a 30-10-1 record, highlighted by the great 1938 team which won the State Championship. In addition to playing 2-way tackle, Al handled kicking chores during his junior and senior seasons while serving as captain his senior season. Al is best remembered for being tough, hard-nosed and aggressive and as one who best enjoyed going nose to nose with his opponents regardless of size. Following graduation in 1941, Al won a scholarship to Villanova where he played for 2 years until the war called him to active duty. In 1946, he returned and earned a starting position on both offense and defense. Although only 5’10” and 180lbs., he had the reputation of being a “watch-charm” guard with fierce competitive desire. Because of his toughness and quickness, he was able to outperform many players of greater proportions. Against Army, he hit the great Doc Blanchard and put him out of action for 3 games. His play earned him the respect of his teammates who voted him captain for his senior season. He has since been inducted into the Villanova Hall of Fame. After graduating from Villanova in 1948, Al became sales managing engineer for the Disston Co. encompassing the entire east coast. He married former Cynthia Kilczewski of Philadelphia and is the father of twin sons, Barry and Brian and a daughter Cynthia, all living in the Feasterville, PA area. Today, the Barkowski’s contribution to area sports-brother Bernie, a hall of fame member who went on to Pitt, brother Ray who went to North Carolina State, and now Al who will today be inducted into the Ed Romance Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame.

SCHOLAR ATHLETE Carol Varano, a senior at Mount Carmel Area High School is this year’s Scholar Athlete recipient and fits perfectly with previous winners of this award. Athletically, Carol has won 10 letters in three different sports at Mount Carmel Area. She has been a four year starter at guard for the Lady Tornado basketball team and served as Co-Captain this past season. She has led the team in assists over the past 2 years as well as being the team’s leading three point threat. She has won the team’s Scholar Athlete Award for three years as well as the Mattucci’s Chef Award. She has just been notified that she will play in the Northumberland County Basketball All-Star contest on April 6th as a member of the South Team. Carol has also lettered for 4 years on the Lady Tornado track team excelling in both the hurdles and jumps and earned 2 letters while running cross country. She has been involved in intramural volleyball and powder puff football, as well as cheerleading during her varsity career. She has been chosen to both the Homecoming and Field Day courts. Most impressive, considering all the time spent on the filed or the court, Carol has managed to rank second academically in her graduating class. She is a member of the Nation Honor Society, National Athletic Honor Society and has been nominated for Nation Honor Society Scholarship. She has been a member of Student Government for the past 3 years, serves as the president of SADD, V.P. of the Interact Club, V.P. of the Spanish Club, Secretary of the Pep Club and serves as a Peer Tutor. She has also been involved with the school news and the establishment of the MCA Homepage. Following graduation, Carol hopes to pursue a degree in child psychology at either Lycoming or Bucknell University. She is the daughter of Virginia and Frank Varano, Mount Carmel.

INDUCTEE Matt Montgomery was a split end on this year’s successful Red Tornado football team. Matt had 23 receptions for 387 yards and 5 Tds. As a punt returner, he amassed the 553 yards and scored 4 Tds, a school record. On defense, he is credited with 51 tackles (31) solo, had 4 interceptions, broke up 8 passes and recovered 2 fumbles. In November, Matt was named Ed Romance athlete of the Month. Whatever position he was asked to fill, he did so with alacrity, and because of his exemplary performance received various 1st and 2nd team honors from other organizations across the region and state. His versatility, however, has not been limited to football. Matt was a 2 year letter winner in basketball, and 3 year letter winner in track and field, a District qualifier in 4 events as a sophomore. Matt’s other extra-curricular activated include memberships in SADD, Biology Club, Community Service Club, FTA, Spanish Club, Latin Club, a and Ski Club. Montgomery is the son of Fritz and Pam Montgomery of Kulpmont. Matt will be attending University of New Haven, CT to major in Criminal Administrative Justice and continue his football career.

INDUCTEE Tiffany Okronglis, captain of the 1998 girl’s basketball team this season, scored her 1000th point as a Lady Tornado and led the team to a 7-4 record in January, qualifying them for participation in District playoffs. Tiffany is a dominant force in basketball, but she also takes part in many other extra-curricular activities. She was a cheerleader four years and currently serves as senior class treasurer. She holds the same position in the FTA. Tiffany is also a student government representative, a member of FNA, SADD, Stand Tall, SPARC, the Biology Club and the Community Service Club. Okronglis plans to attend a four-year college to pursue a career in athletic training. She is the daughter of Charles and Donna Klischer and Vince Okronglis.

INDUCTEE Jazz Diminick called the 1968 season “the most prosperous in the history of our school” in an annual letter to colleges and football scouts. The Tornado coach had taken to writing biography on each of the seniors, including their stats and college board scores, to colleges where he hoped to drum up interest in his players. The Tornado coach proved he was a good judge of events as they occurred. He wasn’t so good at forecasting, though. Prior to the season he had predicted the three toughest games of the season would be against Pottsville, Shamokin and Shikellamy. Actually he thought at least two of the schools might be ranked higher than his own team. His team knew differently, though, and actually handled all three rivals easily shutting them out by a combined score of 60-0. What a team. They were led defensively by Bob Sacavage and Dennis Lentini and offensively by the “Touchdown Twins” Gary Diminick and Bobby Veach and quarterback Jeff Greco. At season’s end Sacavage was a first team all stater, Diminick a second teamer and Lentini and Veach honorable mention., They scored a total of 369 points to only 58 for the opposition over the course of the entire season. And even though they lost in the Easter Conference Championship game to Blakely, they were one of our most important teams. They created the blueprint for all the great Mount Carmel teams that followed. The names are still recognizable by Tornado fans: Veach, Diminick, Greco, Lentini, Sacavge, Semicek, Sulick, Shirmer, Dubb, Churprinksi and many others. More importantly, the wheels were set in motion for the great Mount Carmel Express of the next 110 years. Listed as underclassmen on that list Joe Diminick sent to those college recruiters were names like Phil Klaus, John Halcovich, Gary Howanec, Henry Hynoski, and Carm Defrancesco. This was Joe Diminick’s 7th coaching season. So the site work and preparation was already in progress…but this was the team that put Mt. Carmel on the high roads as a football power to be reckoned with.