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

Save-An-Eye 1955 All-Star Football Game Erie, PA

Walt Strasser and Mike Ferarre coached the City All Stars in the annual Save-An-Eye football game at the Erie Stadium in Erie, PA on September 5, 1955. 

Academy High School was well represented with eight players, John Torrelli, Fred Trott, James Graham, Erwin Bloxdorf, Jerry Winters, Graham Parsons, Ernest Dunn and Ken Sullivan. Cathedral Prep Memorial High School also had eight players on the team, Charles Augustine, William Bujnoski, Dick Dill, Dan Desser, Frank Haraczy, George Mangol, Tom Corapi and Jim Schaaf. Strong Vincent High School had six players: Fred Bongiorno, Thomas Tomb, Angelo Zonno, Ronald Thomas, Walter Pelkowski and Ron Haugsdahl. East High School had Ed DeLuca, William Dodge, George Smith and Paul Shopene. Tech High School had Richard Anderson, Gordon Ketchel, Bernard Kowalski and Ed Bednarowicz.

The County All Stars featured players from McDowell, North East, St. Gregory, Waterford, Wesleyville, Lawrence Park, Harborcreek, Fairview, Girard, Union City, Corry, Cambridge Springs and Albion High Schools. The County team was coached by Lou Hanna and Russell Brandt.

Thirteen thousand fans watched the game at Veterans Stadium in Erie, Pennsylvania. The game raised money for the Erie Lions Club. The City won 19 to 13.

Fred Trott was a standout athlete at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the Edinboro University Athletics Hall of Fame.

Here is a link to the 1953 Save-An-Eye scorecard:
http://oldtimeerie.blogspot.com/2013/01/save-eye-1953-all-star-football-game.html