Vince Rawa
- Post by: mcalibrary
- January 11, 2024
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INDUCTEE
Vince Rawa, Mount Carmel Area’s talented halfback and punter, surprised everyone back in 1974 by accepting a two-year baseball scholarship from the Pittsburgh Pirates to attend Central Arizona College in Coolidge, Arizona. Pirate scout Paul Bordi said Rawa was selected because of his terrific potential as an outfielder. Rawa’s status at Central Arizona was that of a “blue chipper”, meaning that he could be signed by any major league club at any time. Central played a year round schedule against the likes of the University of Arizona, University of Wyoming, Arizona State and Northwest Missouri State University.
Rawa was first scouted by the Pirates as a high school baseball player for coach Ed Wojciechowski. The fact that the Tornadoes were 16-45 during Rawa’s career, makes it even more impressive that he caught the eye of Major League baseball. Vince’s home run giving MCA a 4-3 win over a talented Shenandoah team in 1974 and his 3 RBI’s in a big win over a good Tamaqua team in 73 were two games that got him noticed. Vince would hit .380 over the length of his career and registered 21 home runs. Rawa also honed his skills playing Legion baseball for coach Ed Hennessey and his M.A.C.K. American Legion team. He was the Tri-County home run and RBI leader following the 74 season. Vince was given tryouts for the Pirates in Philadelphia, Toronto in San Antonio, and the New York Mets in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Baseball wasn’t Rawa’s only choice as he was also awarded a football scholarship to C.W. Post in Long Island, N.Y. following his stellar career with the Diminick-led Red Tornadoes. Vince was starting halfback during the Tornadoes 24-0 perfect seasons in 1972 and 1973. Big Red would go on to win two consecutive Eastern Conference Crowns with Vince running for over 1200 yards and 21 TD’s. Vince blasted out of the gate with 2-100 yard games in contests with Panther Valley and Tamaqua and was the leader in MCA’s 14-0 win over Our Lady of Lourdes. Rawa scored two rushing TD’s in that first-ever game with the Red Raiders on his way to honorable mention all-state. Rawa would also have an 85 yard kick-off return and served as the Tornado punter with 50 and 52 yard punts during his career. He was also honored as the Bobby Pizzoli Award winner following the 73 season. His high school exploits found him being named the Babe Ruth Award winner for the class of 1974.
Vince has owned his own business, Tasty Baking Compnay, for 18 years and serves the entire local area. He and his wife, Lisa, live in Trevorton and are the parents of 7 children: Jenna, Vincent, Meredythe, Victoria, Ania, Claudia, and Alexia.