Sugar Bowl while attending the University of Tenn. He later coached for the Miami “DOLPHINS” New York JETS and was with the Buffalo BILLS in their four appearances in the Super Bowl. Tom Matushoneck graduated from Scranton Univ. and became a top official in the Criminal Justice Department in Ohio. Jerry Planutis attended Michigan State Univ. and played in the Rose Bowl. He later became a teacher and very successful football coach. Charlie Podlesny played on two undefeated basketball teams at Millersville College. He was a teacher in the Neshaminy School District and was a very successful basketball coach. Jack Krause graduated from Bloomsburg University and was an outstanding Superintendent of Schools in the state of New York. Dr. Jack Kraus was awarded his PhD and served as Dean of Education at New Paltz University. Bob Probert attended Suquehanna University and was the captain of their basketball team. He was a teacher and coach at Shamokin High School. He is considered one of the best coaches in the state of Pa. Larry Ksanznak attended Bloomsburg Univ. and played on the 1953 State Championship team. He was a candidate for the National Principal of the Year and has appeared on educational forums for CBS, NBC, CNN and ABC. Dan Sekanovich, Charlie Podlesny,
Jerry Planutis, Bob Probert and Larry Ksanznak were inducted into the Greater Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame. The 1950-51 season for the Hazleton Regional Area Basketball teams was a rebuilding year for many of the teams. McAdoo High School won the Anthracite League Championship with a 19 and 4 record. Rock Glen High School won the Mt. League Championship with a 15 and 10 record. Hazleton High School was in a rebuilding year and came up short with a 7 and 14 record. St. Ann’s was 15 and 11; White Haven was 11 and 11; Weatherly 12 and 12; Freeland 11 and 13; Nurenberg 9 and 13; St. Gabriel’s 6 and 14; West Hazleton High School 6 and 15; Foster Township 6 and 16 ; Hazle Township 6 and 18 and Sheppton 1 and 10. The Anthracite area claimed the national sports center in a unique high school basketball game between the MMI “Preppers” and the WHHS “Wildcats.” The West Hazleton High team coached by Ron Gatski had a high scoring and dominating team with a 17-0 record. The “Wildcats” were well endowed with a 62 game winning streak. The MMI team, coached by Al Goedecke, had a 17-6 record. Coach Goedecki devised a creative game plan. His strategy was to have his players hold the ball on every possession until there were
30 seconds left on the shot clock. At half time MMI was winning by the score of 4 to 3. In the second quarter, neither team had scored a point. The “Preppers” Jack Hollis scored a basket with 18 seconds left in the game. The “Wildcats” missed two shots in the final minutes of the contest. MMI’s Jack Feussna made a free throw and an MMI victory by the score of 7 to 5. Newspapers and television stations across the country reported this unique contest.. In 2011, Coach Goedecki was inducted into the Greater Hazleton Area Sports Hall of Fame. Albeit, the MMI basketball team gained the national sports spotlight, it was the MMI cheerleaders who remained the fan favorite in the Anthracite League. The MMI cheerleaders consisted of an all male squad. The fans would wait anxiously to hear their unusual fight cheer. “Rootie-Toot-Toot. Rootie-Toot-Toot. We’re the boys from the Institute. We don’t smoke, we don’t chew and we don’t go out with girls who do. Fight Team Fight.” See part two of this article in the May 2013 issue. If you have any questions or comments about this article, please contact me at lrknek@ optonline.net. P
The LARGEST SELECTION of
DOMESTIC, KRAFT and IMPORTED BEERS
Large Selection of Malt Beverages
9 12 pack $ 99 9 12 pack $
99
12pk cans COORS LIGHT
12pk cans BUDWEISER
We carry 12pks, 6pks, and Singles
145 East Diamond Ave., Hazleton Diamond & Seybert Next to Pantry Quik
Mon.-Sat.: 7am to 11pm Sunday: 9am to 11pm March 2013 • 9