Losing Legends, Icons and Growing in 2014

This is a late but better than never.  It seems like when a year comes to a close, most if not all media outlets do a year in review.  As individuals, we pause to reflect on our own lives and make resolutions for the future.  The resolutions may life changing or they could end up on the scrap heap in our throw away society.

In reporting and broadcasting high school sports for the past 25 years, no two coaches dominate a conversation like that of Joseph "Jazz" Diminick of Mount Carmel Area and Robert Probert of Shamokin Area.  Diminick was a football and track coach often receiving statewide and national attention in football while Probert had statewide and collegiate coaching respect throughout the state and country.  They were also PIAA officials in various sports.

We lost both this past year.  I only played two games against Coach Diminick and none against Coach Probert.  Both were in the twilight of their coaching careers while I was in the dawn of reporting and broadcasting.  Most of their personal interaction with me came from genuine mutual respect.  Both actually liked my work and complimented me personally.  I even got to officiate with Mr. Diminick.

I can't speak for former players if they loved or hated playing for either.  I am sure as time went on in former players lives, they were glad they did with much appreciation.  I don't know what the world of scholastic sports will bring in the next half century in the coal region.  I knew at one time when you left the region, you were looked at in high regard due to the influence of these two men.  They will be missed.

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SO LONG HARRY'S

 

 

On August 16th, 2014, Shamokin said goodbye to Harry's Grille.  The eatery opened by Harry Sanzatto in 1941 and remained in the same spot operated by the same family for generations.  The restaurant was known for a variety of fine food at reasonable prices. 

 

 

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GROWING

 

 

2014 was a bridge for change in my and my sons' lives.   Jonathan, my younger of two boys, completed his final year of Little League Baseball.  Although sports are far from being the be all cure all, his final year and final play brought about some excitement and pride.

 

It started out with Jonathan not wanting to play in his final season.  It then moved to reluctant practice and playing a new position.  As the season wore on, the team started to click together.  Jonathan was having fun playing a kids game.  Isn't that what it is all about?  

 

In his final play as a Little League player, Jonathan had the walk off hit to deliver the league championship for his team.  Although most of this will be forgotten by players and fans who were there by opening day 2015, he was able to see that you can overcame anything with hard work and perseverance.  That is what he will keep in his trophy case.  

More Mount Carmel Video

This is the fist play of the year for the Red Tornadoes.

Legendary Mount Carmel football coach Joe "Jazz" Diminick was honored Sunday for his 80th birthday and former MCA Big 33 players were on hand on the 50th anniversary of the all-star game. Diminick was also inducted to the NHSACA Hall of Fame for 2007.

The testimonial comes 15 years after Mount Carmel and Diminick parted ways not under the best of circumstances. At the time, Diminick was on top of the Pennsylvania win list with 290. Dave "Whitey" Williams took over for "Jazz" and won three state titles in '94, '96, and '98 to go along with a runner-up finish in '99. "Whitey" shared the same story that he shared with me over a decade ago. He said he had called "Jazz" to get a recommendation for a coaching job. Diminick basically said to put in for the Mount Carmel job and the rest was history. At the time, Williams was the man out at Tamaqua due to a teacher's strike. Tamaqua's program has never recovered.

Around the area scrimmages

I attended the MCA-Blue Mountain Scrimmage on Saturday and liked what I seen from the Red Tornadoes offensively. Marcus Wasilewski looked good coming back from a season ending ankle injury. There is improvement in the line and attitude. Defensively, Mount Carmel will have to improve on outside contain, but overall did a good job against much bigger foe. Look for the line to improve on both sides of the ball under line coach Bob Chesney.

Shamokin on the other hand, was once again the victim of the big play. One of the things to sink Shamokin last years was giving up the big play especially in losses to Mifflinburg and Mount Carmel. The Indian's need to shore this up before the start of the season. Hopefully, I could see them live on Friday at Williamsport.

Southern Colombia doesn't seem to have lost a step. Check Scott Dudinskie's account here. What will make the Tigers so dangerous this season will be the way the ball is distributed. Ted Heitzman and Colby Snyder will be an awesome combination. With Heitzman's touch on the long ball and Snyder's hands, look for Snyder to approach the great receiving season Ardie Kissinger put up in 1994.

In what may be one of the early good news stories, Bill Scott of Selinsgrove is back on the field. Good luck with your continued recovery.

Hat's off to the Black Diamond Sports Network for their successful broadcast of high school football above the Arctic Circle.

Finally, in the very unscientific poll conducted by the Coal Region Voice, 130 fans voted and said Southern Columbia will beat Shamokin Area on September 1st. The vote count favored Southern by a 65% to 35% for Shamokin. In 2005, I think it would have been about 90 to 10 in favor of Southern. They are high school kids and that's why we play the game. Not to blow my horn, but I predicted a Shamokin win in 2005. (The Hillside Coaches can back this claim.) I thought at the time, the Indian back 7 was very good and Heitzman would have difficulty in his first varsity start. However, I didn't account for all the cramping that took a big bite out of Southern late in the game.