Save-An-Eye 1953 All-Star Football Game, Erie PA

Scorecard from the 1953 Lions Club Save-An-Eye Football Game on oldtimeerie.blogspot.com

The Erie Lions Club hosted the annual Save-An-Eye football game at the Veterans Memorial Stadium in Erie, Pennsylvania on Monday, September 7, 1953. The top players from the city high schools duked it out on the field with the top players from the county high schools. Thousands of people filled the stadium to watch the game, with proceeds going to a worthy cause. 

Carmen Bonito, who was an outstanding teacher and coach at Waterford High School/Fort LeBoeuf High School, handled the coaching duties for the county team along with Joe Timmons. Robert Arrowsmith and Jack Komora handled the reins for the city team.

East High School was represented by seven players: Felix Wedzik, John Priesler, Carl Feick, Jerry Szorek, James Hill, Ted Loader and Don Wisniewski.

Six students represented Academy High School: George Schneider, Joe Franz, Robert Walker, Alan Gunner, Mike Rocco and Gordon Shay.

Cathedral Prep had five players: (tackle) Ditrich, Tony Anthony, (center) Potocki, James Lynch and Joe Pontoriero.

Tech High School was represented by six players: Ron Malek, Ron Rogers, Robert Craig, Rony Baranowski, Tom Valohivic and Ron Eiacomelli.

Strong Vincent High School had six players: Robert Ford, Dom Bianco, Burt Marloew, Don Kimmelman, Dick Speros and Dick Clark.

The City beat the County 12-6.

Here is a link to the 1955 Save An Eye scorecard.

The Sight Center of Northwest Pennsylvania published a book on the 75th Anniversary of the annual Save-An-Eye game. For information, contact the Sight Center, 2545 West 26th Street, Erie, PA.

Enjoy more facts and photos of Erie, PA history at: Old Time Erie

Fred Biletnikoff Erie's All-American Football Player

Fred Biletnikoff Erie's All-American Football Player

Hall-of Famer Fred Biletnikoff had a long career with the Oakland Raiders, but he got a humble start playing for Tech Memorial High School, graduating in 1961. There is a tribute to him on Peach Street.

He was born on Feb. 23, 1943 in Erie and attended Florida State University, racking up the stats. 

Gene Cuneo wrote a nice tribute to Fred for this All-American Banquet booklet: "Fred is Erie's first 'Real' All American. When you take a boy from the North East side of Erie who goes to a West side school, plays basketball for an Italian Coach- Al Calabrese, plays football for a German and a Polish Coach- Walt Strosser and Ray Dombrowski, then goes to a Southern University- Florida State-plays for a Swede- Bill Peterson, marries an Irish girl and then goes and signs with a West Coast team- there you have a 'real' All American."

Here's a video of Freddie Biletnikoff telling his story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-bFyBnmS6M&feature=relmfu

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie natives at Old Time Erie