2022
PRESIDENT’S LETTER
Windber Lettermen and Supporters, Welcome to our second edition of the Lettermen’s Club (WRLC) Donor Recognition Booklet. It has been an amazing 2021 for the WRLC. With the hard work of the Board of Directors, the great leadership from Bob Portante (Campaign Chairman), our partnership with the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies (CFA), and the generous support of our donors, we have surpassed our intended goal of doubling our fund in two years by accomplishing the task in one year. We are pleased with our efforts, but we are not going to sit on our laurels. We are continuing our fund drive until the end of 2022 with the hope that we can reach additional donors to support the WRLC and its mission to support Windber Area High School athletes and programs through scholarships and monetary support. We are celebrating our 20th Anniversary this year. It has been a great journey starting with an idea by Bill “Diz” Hughes (’53), to original donors of Frank Kush (’47) and Jim Kaplan (’53) which continues today with a second generation of leadership and donors. Our current leadership goal is to put the WRLC in a financial position so the fund will live in perpetuity. We believe by revising our by-laws, continuing our partnership with the CFA and maintaining our current fund balance, a solid foundation will be put in place for the third generation to continue to move the WRLC forward to the future. Giving back to the community has always been part of my DNA. Working with the current board has been a wonderful experience because their belief in giving back mimic my very thoughts. I view our efforts as an honor to continue the proud Windber tradition that we all formed many years ago. We hope you will continue to support the WRLC, and all its efforts, for many years to come. Let us all try to fulfil the WRLC moto: “Remembering the Past, Supporting the Present and Building the Future!” Best wishes to all, John Venzon (’65) 2
CLUB HISTORY Original Board of Directors Officers: William Hughes (‘53), President; Donald Barnes (‘69), Vice President; Susan (Baburchuk) Tallion (‘93), Tres; Jeffrey Slatcoff (‘74), Secretary. Directors: Virgil Palumbo (‘65), Jeff Berkey (‘74), Ralph DeMarco (‘74), Jaclyn LaPlaca (‘94), John Lochrie (‘43), Carl Mayer (‘62), Robert Mucciola (‘74). Jim Kaplan (’53) Advisory Committee: Patrick Freeman (‘51), James Kaplan (‘53), Frank Kush (‘48), Dr. Kurt Miller (‘71), Edward Hughes (‘48), Nicholas Campitelli (‘49), James Palumbo (‘75).
Current Board of Directors Officers: John Venzon (‘65), President; Chad Manippo (‘97), Vice President; Bob Portante (‘68), Treasurer; Judy (Portante) Pallone (‘72), Secretary. Directors: Jeff Berkey (‘99), Lou Elias (’68), Carl Mayer (‘62), Bob Mucciola (‘74), Jeff Thomas (‘80)
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A SPECIAL THANK YOU We would like to extend a note of gratitude to the Alexander and Mary Ann Rich Family for their myriad contributions to Windber Area High School and the Windber Community. Acknowledgement is owed the Rich siblings for honoring their parents through gracious support of the WRLC 20th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign.
Jim ‘68, Alex ‘60, Darlene ‘71, David ‘75, Pete ‘63
Alexander Rich: Alexander ‘30 and Mary Ann Rich
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• Windber High School graduate in 1930 and regular on the Windber High School basketball team 1927-30 including top team scorer in 1929-30. • Charter member of the Windber VFW Post # 4795 in 1945 and commander in 1956-57. • Reorganized Windber Community Basketball League in 1946 and served as president for 16 years. • Inaugurated and director the Rotary Club’s Annual (Boys) Basketball Holiday Tournament and WAABA’s Annual Girls Basketball Tournament. • Secretary of the School Board for 12 years. • President of the Windber Country Club in 1974 and Windber Rotary in 1976. • Basketball and football official for 35 years. • Active community involvement: Red Cross, Community Chest, Girl and Boy scouts, Chamber of Commerce, Windber Hospital Building Fund Drive, Somerset County YMCA Fund Drive, and member of the Southern Alleghenies Planning Commission. • Windber Area Hall of Fame Inaugural Class of 1978.
2022 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Gina Gaye
St. Francis University Physician Assistant Program Basketball Soccer Softball Member of the 1000 Career Point Club PIAA District 5 Scholarship
Aiden Gray
Slippery Rock Sports Management Baseball Basketball Football National Football Foundation of Central PA Scholarship Southern Alleghenies Football Coaches Association (SAFCA) Selection 5
PAST SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Gary Puto University of Pittsburgh 2005
Kristen Phillips West Virginia University 2005
Toni Boyer Seton Hill University 2006
Jason Mash West Virginia University 2007
Ryan Romano Penn State Altoona 2008
Laura Deyarmin Slippery Rock University 2008
Tonya Bibby Mount Aloysius College 2010
Sara Bibby Mount Aloysius College 2010
Cory Hancock University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown 2010
William Bryant Penn State University 2012 6
Ondrea Null University of Pittsburgh 2012
Matthew Dello University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown 2006
Heather Bahorik West Virginia University 2007
Ashley Steinbach Michael Clark University of Seton Hill Pittsburgh University at Johnstown 2009 2009
Brett Lucas University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown 2011
Jenna Bracken Seton Hill University 2013
Amber Wozny West Virginia Wesleyan College 2011
Jacob Hanley Robert Morris University 2013
Through our annual scholarships, the WRLC proudly promotes excellence that goes beyond competition, into the classroom and as a contributing member of our communities.
Daniel Tomlinson Annalee Tokarsky Jacob Podrasky California Penn State United States University University Military Academy of Pennsylvania 2014 2014 2015
Kaitlyn Weaver University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown 2016
Justin Vasas Saint Francis University 2018
Alayna Elliott University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown 2020
Samantha Pcola University of Pittsburgh 2017
Jennifer Nihoff University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown 2015
Joseph Cominsky West Virginia University 2017
Michael Spinos Robert Morris University 2016
AshtonWhite California University of Pennsylvania 2018
Antonio Campitell Makaela Cominsky Marideth Tokarsky Saint Francis North Carolina University of University State Pittsburgh 2019 2019 2019
Chase Vargo University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown 2020
Kylie Ashbrook University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown 2021
Riley Page Slippery Rock University 2021 7
GOLF OUTING SPONSORS (SINCE 2016) Abruzzi Foundation American Legion Post #137 American-Polish Educational Association Ameriserv Army Football Team 1972 - 1st Commander-in-Chief Champions Arnold Palmer Motors Ferris Atty Bella’s at Coal Heritage Center In Memory Miriam/Mike Bigam--L. Rummel Boscov’s Todd Bostock Burnworth Auto Sales, Inc. Can Am of Windber Classic Auto Conzatti’s Market Community Foundation for the Alleghenies CSS Windber Medical Center D’Arc’s Pizza, Est. 1960 D’Arcangelo Insurance Agency Ralph J. Demarco ’74 DiLoreto Landscaping DRS Technologies, Inc. East Hills Engineering
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Entact Environmental Services 1st Summit Bank Forever Broadcasting Son of Stan & The Buds--Jack Gasper Gray Medical Association, Inc. Gray Physicians Supply Hilltop Office Supply Grillo Awnings & More Hollern & Sons Auto Sales Bill Hughes ’53 H&R Block In Loving Memory of Jack Georg & Rich Manippo Iron Horse Sports JESCO Electric JoCol, LLC and Joy Hamryszak Kaiser Embroidery Plus Jim Kaplan ’53 Pete Kaplan ’43 Kisiel Funeral Home Leone’s Market The Lochrie Boys, Class of ’43 and ‘68 In Memory of Jack Lochrie and Fred Vespa, Jr. Loyal Order of the Moose, Windber Lodge 349 Dr Kim Marley Allegheny Surgical
GOLF OUTING SPONSORS (SINCE 2016) Carl Mayer: In Memory of Our Sons George McKelvie ’53 – In honor of WHS Teammates – 1949-55 McKissick Associates PC Mimo’s Pizza Company Mountain View Acres Moxham Lumber Co The Mucciola Family Dr. Steve Muha MVP Youth Basketball League EHRC Northwinds Golf Course Orlovsky Financial Services, LLC The Pallone Family Penn Metals Fabricators, Inc. Pennsylvania General Energy Co. Polish Falcons of America Nest 97 Randy’s BiLo RMB Realty--John Venzon Reynolds Enterprises, Inc. Rizzo’s Restaurant Rico and Barb Shark Service Academy Graduates Shear Innocence, Inc. Silverman, Tokarsky & Forman Law Firm Slovenian Savings and Loan in Windber Staples at the Galleria Mall
Steel City Business Systems-Matt Maurizio Jeff Thomas Jr, Somerset County DA Thomas Amoco UPMC Health Plan (814) 262-8441 Vanderbilt Financial Group Eric Korhut Class of ‘95 John Venzon Wines Woy Bridge Campground WAHS Class of ‘65 Football Team Members (7-3) WAHS Service Academy Graduates WAHS Class of 1968 WASD Administrative Team WASD Teachers Windber Athletic Department Windber Boys Basketball Club Windber Girls Basketball Windber Girls’ Varsity Soccer Windber Hotel Windber Recreation Park Windber Varsity Football Coaches Windber Veterans Association Windber VFW Post # 4795 Windber Youth Football League
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20TH ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN DONORS Anonymous Richard Atha Ferris Atty Arcadia Performing Arts, Inc. Margaret Bahorik Harry and Ginger Barnes Amy Kim Bell Lorraine and Alek Beri, Jr. Tim Berkey Debra Berkey Mike Betcher Dr. Paul and Deborah Bialas Stephen Bogosian Todd Bostock Keith Brumbaugh Richard Burgess Barry Buza Dee Cann Robert and Christine Chizmar Bruce Clark Community Foundation for the Alleghenies James and Nancy Conjelko Thomas and Judith Cover David D’Arcangelo D’Arc’s Pizza Russell “Rusty” Davis Michael DeBiase Jim Dill Matthew Dello Louis and Mary Jane Delgross Joe Delorie Gary Digiulio Alfred DiPaola East Hills Engineering Associates, LLC East Hills Recreation Commission
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Louis Elias Catherine Facciani Carol & Michael Ferencak Lyndee Fluder and Stefanos Papadopoulos Robert Leroy Foster Randall Frame Jim Fyfe Gray Physicians Supply, Inc. George Gerula Mark and Veronica Heckler Bob Hines Cameron and Lorraine Hissong John Holden Don Holtzman Barry and Dorothy Hostetler Robert and Nancy Hromack James and Kathleen Hudack Janice Hughes Bob and Jane Jarrell JoCol, LLC and Joy Hamryszak Karen Joseph Mary Frances Joseph Norman, Susan, Isaac, and Simon Joseph Tony Joseph James and Jane Kaplan Joe Kimmel Diane Klena Gerald Kochinski George and Carole Kohler John and Sharon Kushner James and Mary Lamonaca Frank LaPlaca LBM, Inc. Debbie and Frank Moody Leonardo DRS Erino O. and Marianna Leone
John and Stephanie Lewark Mary Ann Lewark Patrick Lochrie Curtis and Mary Kay Manges Curt Manges, Jr. Chad Manippo Ron Mash, Jr. Colin Matthews Carl Mayer LT COL Craig Mayer, USMC (Ret.) George McKelvie Vern McKissick - McKissick Architects Barry MeInkovic James and Sonya Miller Paul Miller Mr. and Mrs. Emil W. Misichko Matthew Misichko Michelle Moceri Larry Moschgat Robert and Jean Mucciola Robert N. Mucciola, MD Steven Muha DDS Henry and Linda Mumma Judy Naugle Margaret Norton Nadine Oman Judith Pallone Chris Palumbo Col. Michael A Pearson Michael and Susan Peters LTG (Ret.) Ray and Alice Palumbo Ron and Gloria Popovic Lenore Portante Robert and Ann Portante Thomas Portante Michael and Mary Lou Prokopchak
Jacqueline Quagliotte Mark Rakoczy, OD Randy’s Bi Lo Foods Rich Family Foundation James E. Rich Carol Rodriguez Christina Rubin Mark Sam Pamela Jean Satrapa Barbara Sauer Michael and Deborah Scallion Leslie Shaffer William Sharpe Silverman, Tokarsky & Forman Mark Simler Richard Sirianni Jeffrey and Sandra Stopko Thomas Amoco, Inc. Albert Torquato Greg Ursino John and Donna Venzon Brenda and William Walko, Jr. Frances “Franny” Wilson Windber American Polish Club Windber Class of 1965 Windber Loyal Order of Moose #349 Windber Ramblers Class of ‘68 Windber Rambler Lettermen’s Club Diana Wozny Frank Joseph Wozny, Jr. Stephen Yuhas Robert R. Zabrucky Zamias Services, Inc. Jack and Kathy Zemcik
We would like to extend a special thanks to Matt and Stacy Maurizio at Hilltop Office Supply for donating their time, and graciously providing printing resources for our many projects.
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DONOR TRIBUTES In Honor Of: Nick Campitelli ‘49 CAPT William P. Garland, (Ret.) USNA ‘77 Will Garland, USNA ‘10 Bill Hunter ‘66 Military Service
Personnel from Windber LTG Raymond Palumbo U.S. Army (Ret.) ‘77 Coach Pat Pollino Col. Bob Portante,
USMA ’73 Herb Sendek Sr. ‘51 United States Army United States Navy WAHS Class of 1965 WAHS Class of 1968 WAHS Class of 1973
Dave Wozny ‘78 Frank Wozny ‘75 John Wozny ‘83 Janet Younker
In Memory Of: John Bahorik ‘66 Frank DiDonato Mark A. Elias ‘74 Ralph Facciani ‘54 Coach Joe Flori Mish George Jack Georg Andy Hancharik ‘55
Steve HanchariK ‘52 John R. Hromack Bill Hughes ‘53 Thomas Klena John Ross Lewark Jack Lochrie ‘43 Coach Walter Lodolinski
Richard Manippo ‘68 Charles J. Mayer ‘87 Curtis L. Mayer Nova Mayer Cecile (Shucko) Wisnosky Naugle Colonel Dave Pickett USMA ‘73
Peter G. Rich ‘63 Tom Sherwin ‘60 Coach Ron “Link” Younker ‘50 Randy Younker ‘69 Mike Weyant ‘74 Robert S. Zabrucky
The Berkey Family: Army Veterans: Russell M. Berkey, Ronald R. Berkey and Dennis L. Berkey Navy Veterans: George W. Wright, Richard D. Berkey, Nathan D. Berkey The Cann Family: Dick (USA) and Bertha (Portante) Cann ’38, Charles Cann (USAF), Dee Cann The Mash Family: John “Squeaky” and Grace Mash, John “Ricky” Mash ‘64; Tom “Tojo” Mash ‘66, Ron Mash Sr. ‘68, Dave “Hubb” Mash ‘73, Dennis Mash ‘75, Ron Mash Jr. ‘97, Nicole Mash ‘04, Jason Mash ‘07, Domenic Mash ‘08, and Mike Mash ‘10 The Mayer Family: Charles L. and Nova (Lochrie) Mayer, Charles J. Mayer ’87, Curtis L. Mayer; Leonard Mayer ’62, Carl Mayer ’62, Craig Mayer ‘64 The Portante Family: Anthony and Lenore (Norie) Portante; Tom Portante ‘67, Bob Portante ‘68, Mark Portante ‘71, Judy (Portante) Pallone ‘72, Lenore Portante ‘78, and Millie Portante ‘81 The Younker Family: Coach Ron “Link” ‘50 and Janet Younker, Randy Younker ‘69
The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies has partnered with us to provide a seamless means of online financial support, with an option to honor or memorialize our friends and family. 12
https://cfalleghenies.org/cfa-funds/wrlc/
TEAM SHOWCASE 1972 Girls Basketball Team – Inaugural girls team with a record of 6-4.
1987 Boys Basketball Team - 28-2. Laurel Highlands Champions. Rotary Tournament Champions. Mountain Conference Champions. District V Champions. State Runner-up.
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TEAM SHOWCASE 2002 Boys Basketball Team – Undefeated regular season with an overall record of 29-1. Windber Rotary Tournament Champions, District 5 AA Champions.
2021 Football Team - Undefeated regular season. Western Pa. Athletic Conference Champions and Appalachian Bowl Champions.
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FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO ATHLETIC TEAMS (2016-2021)
9/20/2021 General Athletics Funding
5/30/2018 Boys Basketball Summer Team Camp
2/2/2017 Football Iron Horse Conditioning Program
7/30/2020 Girls JH Basketball Club East Hills Rec Summer League
5/23/2018 High School Girls Basketball Team Camp
12/21/2016 Boys & Girls Winter Tennis Program
1/10/2018 Boys and Girls Winter Tennis Program
12/8/2016 Girls High School Basketball Team Shoes
$4200
$400
7/30/2020 Cross-Country Boxed Lunches
$200
$750 $250 $500
5/29/2019 Boys Basketball Summer Team Camp
$1,000
8/29/2018 Cross Country Association
$200
$975
$1,803
$200
$1,000
$500
11/17/2016 Basketball Team Shoes
7/23/2019 Boxed Lunches for Cross Country Team
5/29/2019 Girls Basketball Summer Team Camp
$500
7/13/2017 Windber Cross Country Program
6/30/2016 Football Stadium Entrance Gatehouse
$200
$25,000
7/13/2017 Windber Boys’ Basketball Program
3/2/2016 Football Team Training at Iron Horse Sports
$535
3/2/2017 Windber Varsity Basketball Program
$85
$900
1/14/2016 Ebensburg Tennis Center
$500
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Windber Rambler Lettermen’s Club 20th Anniversary Fundraising Campaign January 2021 to December 2022 Mail tax-deductible donations to: Community Foundation for the Alleghenies, Windber Rambler Lettermen’s Club 216 Franklin Street, Suite 400, Johnstown, PA 15901
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-Organization/ Windber-Rambler-Lettermens-Club-129223127269746/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/groups/11900930/ CFA - https://cfalleghenies.org/cfa-funds/wrlc/
Upholding a Winning Tradition