The 1964 Coudersport Falcons: Standing-(left to right); Dick Neefe, Henry Fuller, Marc Griffeth, Ed Corey, Dan Wetzel, Scott Partridge and Gene Neefe. Kneeling- (left to right); Tom Lyon, Spencer Kuratomi, Head Coach Mo Oviatt, Ed Williams and Dan Ellis.
1964. The Buffalo Bills with Jack Kemp, Cookie Gilchrist and Bradford's (number 77) Stew Barber went 12-2 in the regular season and defeated San Diego 20-7 to win the AFL Championship.
The St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series, four games to three, over the Yankees.
The Boston Celtics picked up their sixth NBA championship beating the San Francisco Warriors in the finals.
Quarterback John Huarte of Notre Dame won the Heisman Trophy.
New York City hosted the World's Fair.
The Beatles released their first album in the United States (January) and a month later appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Cassius Clay(Muhammad Ali) defeated Sonny Liston to become boxing's heavyweight champion.
Closer to home, the Saint Bonaventure Basketball Team led by seniors; Fred Crawford (26 ppg), John Mahonchak (14 ppg), Miles Aiken (13 ppg) and junior Bob Barnek (15 ppg) went 16-8 playing an independent schedule.
And, in Pennsylvania's Potter County (the state's fifth least populous county), the town of Coudersport waited somewhat patiently for the high school basketball season to begin.
Coudersport's senior class numbered 69 students. The National Honor Society is pictured on the front page of The Potter Enterprise. Three varsity basketball players; Tom Lyon, Ed Corey and Scott Partridge are in the back row.
Anxious anticipation for the basketball season was well-placed. Coudersport, with a population ranging between 2,000 and 3,000 residents, were preparing for a cold winter, sheltered by the thoughts of a basketball season complete with standing room only crowds, countless hoops highlights and plenty of wins.
Mo Oviatt, beginning his seventh year as head coach, stated, "This is the year we've been waiting for. We've got four of our first five back with us again in addition to some good boys up from the j.v.'s"
Five returning lettermen for the 63-64 campaign. (L to R)- Ed Corey, Henry Fuller, Dan Wetzel, Tom Lyon and Scott Partridge.
The previous season had seen the Falcons win the North Tier League with a 9-5 mark and an overall mark of 18-6, losing to Clarion by one point in the district playoffs.
I was a crewcut nine-year-old boy who tagged along with his older brother, Bill, who was a junior basketball player at Otto-Eldred HS. Armed with my soft-covered scrapbook, I had autographs of all the O-E players plus countless newspaper clippings and photos from the Bradford Era and the Olean Times Herald.
I was a fan of my brother's team and saw most of his games, both home and away. I was sort of a "numbers" kid and knew the records of all the teams plus the scoring averages of the high point players for all the North Tier varsity squads.
It's a bit of a memory stretch, but I can still recall watching O-E play two teams specifically. These two opponents, Coudersport and Smethport, were both very good teams. Most youngsters like me probably saw the older kids and thought, 'Someday I hope I can be as good as those players.'
History. History and time gives us all a truer indication. Were our beliefs and what we thought we were seeing accurate? 1964 was 57 years ago. Those varsity players are now 72,73,74-years old.
Time has proven that these players were not just talented in the eyes of a blue-jeaned kid with Opie Taylor shirts. 1964 was not just a special basketball year for Coudersport, Smethport and the North Tier League, but for the entire (now known as the Big 30) area that covers both northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York.
Those athletic "giants" at Coudersport and the speedy players with those orange road uniforms from Smethport and an Emporium program that was right on the edge of starting a dominating presence that would last for a decade plus weren't imaginary.
Coach Oviatt and his big men: (L to R)- 6'8" Dan Wetzel, 6'4" Scott Partridge, 6'3" Ed Corey, 6'2" Marc Griffeth, 6'3" Larry Bunnell and 6'1" Henry Fuller.
There were outstanding teams that overpowered many of their opponents, but almost every school had at least standout player and even the strongest teams could fall victim to an upset loss-except Coudersport.
Several North Tier teams got off to quick starts before the league opened. Left to right- Butch Stilson of Smethport. Stilson averaged 31 points a game during the Hubbers' 5-1 non-league games. Their only loss was a 68-67 nailbiter to Olean High. Fred Baker (photo) with point guard Rob Looker led Otto-Eldred to a 3-2 non-league mark that included winning the Portville, N.Y. Christmas tournament.
Emporium's Tom Romick, pictured beside Coudy's Scott Partridge, was the leading scorer for a 6-0 Red Raiders' team. Port Allegany began the year at 0-6, but had a fine player in Dennis Lesslie (pictured far right)
The way-to-fast passing years have also shown me that I had and later gained even more connections to many of the athletic participants during this era. It's always about the people and 1964 was my tip-off year.
It wasn't information out there for the public and most certainly not for upcoming opponents, but it was probably an "unstated" goal for the 1964 Coudersport team.
A coach is always concerned about the possibility of "looking past" an opponent, but the Falcons definitely had four games they saw as critical on their schedule. The first one would be their third game of the young season, on the road vs. Olean High.
Dan Wetzel had 39 in Coudersport's opener and 30 in game two. Now the trip across the border to Olean.
Coudersport's 57-55 win was their closest victory margin of the season. Wetzel was "held" to 15, but Griffeth's 17 and Fuller's 14 helped carry the load as the Falcons, playing without starter Scott Partridge (still recovering from a football injury), trailed by three at halftime. Bob Sassone was the coach of the Huskies. He later would become an assistant coach at Saint Bonaventure University.
"This is just what we needed, but I'm glad it's over...We needed to go against a tight man to man defense," Mo Oviatt said.
Olean Huskies' '64 Varsity Roster.
Northern Potter roster: Front row- (left to right); Tom Weaver-manager, Bob Wildman, Jim Carpenter, Rod Cowburn, Mike Hudson, Jim Barnett and Quentin Gamble-assistant manager. Back Row- Coach Eldon Price, Bob Henry, Larry Tomak, Jim Bigelow, Gene Kosa, Don Jeffers, Ray Osgood and Gary Briggs, manager.
The Falcons scheduled second league contest was also the second game that was marked on their "toughest games" pre-season list-a road game at Emporium.
Both teams were 7-0 overall in the young season and anyone who has ever coached, played, or watched North Tier League basketball in 1964, 1974 or probably even after the turn of the century knew that Emporium was a difficult place to pick up a road win. Simply, they had good coaching and fine players year after year.
Coudersport's Ed Corey. Coach Oviatt said, "This is one that will tell us quite a bit. We want this one, we want to get even.... Two years ago we went over there, both with the same records we have now (7-0). They beat us and went on to stay unbeaten. We want to get even."
Emporium Red Raiders, '64. Left to right in the front row are Ed Motters, Tom Romick, coach Jim Thompson, Jim Agliardo and Jim Manners. Back row-Buddy Murray, Jack Evans and Don Farber.
In the first of many connections to the '64 teams, Jim Manners was my freshman coach at Otto-Eldred HS and also a varsity assistant to former Red Raider player, Jim Kinsler. Kinsler was a star player at Mansfield University and later was named to the Emporium Athletic Hall of Fame.
Coudersport shot over 50 percent from the field with Partridge and Wetzel leading the way with 22 and 21 respectively. Romick led Emporium with 13 points. Task number two was completed by the Falcons.
NOTE: Emporium won the league title in 1965 going 13-1 and 18-2 overall prior to the playoffs. They placed three players on the All League Team; Pat Fannin, Pete Ryan and Bud Murray. Marc Griffeth of Coudersport and Austin's Dick Logue were also on the '65 All Star squad.
The Falcons next win came over Oswayo Valley, 75-54. Wetzel had 37 points and Coudersport shot 63 percent from the floor.
Oswayo Valley varsity: Front row (left to right)- Jim Graves, Mike Shall, Denny Phillips, Howard Simons and Ricky James. Back row- Coach Ted Wichert, Jim Woodard, Lyle Wisel, Dave Goodridge, Dave Jandrew and manager Kurt von Kleist.
Win number 10 and fourth straight in the league was a 65-38 conquering of Port Allegany. That game was easily overshadowed by another league game that evening as Smethport beat Emporium 72-70 in triple overtime.
Port Allegany's 1964 roster.
Coudersport's 11th straight win, a 76-60 victory over Austin and Smethport's 60-40 blasting of Otto-Eldred set up a meeting between the league's two undefeated teams, the Falcons and the Hubbers, both at 5-0.
The 1964 Austin Panthers-front row (left to right); Dick Logue, Cliff Stuckey, Jerry Hunsinger, Dave Crumrine and Doug Hensel. Back row; Manager Vince McGuire, Denny Dow, Jim Wolfanger, Jon Fowler, Dick Bennett and Coach Don Tronetti. Absent is Frank Dynda.
Butch Stilson in photo. Coach Oviatt stated, "Smethport is my hometown ('48 graduate of Smethport High) and this is always the big one. We expect a crowd and I wonder where we will put them all. We've had full houses for all the games this year but this will be extra big. We seat about 860, but we will have to squeeze more in than that."
Two North Tier stars; Dan Wetzel and Butch Stilson.
A great performance by Stilson.
I asked an opposing player who competed against both Stilson and Wetzel about the league's two stars.
"I remember we were discussing in the locker room before the game about who would guard Stilson. I stepped up to the challenge and Stilson had only three points in the first quarter. I was feeling pretty good about myself until the end of the first half and now he had 17 points. I think I was finished trying to guard him. There was no three point shot back then or he would have averaged five or six more points a game.
The player continued, "Coudersport had a Really good team. Griffeth was a very good player. They were all athletes, not just tall. Wetzel was special. He could score in a lot of ways. He could get out and run the break."
Coudersport beat Smethport 56-45 to stay undefeated. Here's Ed Corey scoring on a short jumper. Stilson outscored Wetzel 21-19. Wetzel also had 14 rebounds. It was a five point lead for Coudy after three quarters, but the Falcons outscored the Hubbers 16-10 in the fourth quarter. Scott Partridge had 16 for the Falcons and Denny Maynard tallied 13 for Smethport.
NOTE: I wrote a blog story that included two of Smethport's starters, Maynard and Terry Hess about two years ago. It was a baseball piece about the Crosby Mudhens and the Alle-Catt Baseball League. Both players were longtime veterans and key contributors to one of the most familiar amateur baseball teams in not only the Alle-Catt League, but in western New York for many years.
Hess was the sturdy catcher for the well-known lefthanded pitcher, Jim Thomas, who was a dominating player for two decades. Maynard was a middle infielder and an excellent right handed hitter who balanced a lineup heavy with lefty hitters. Maynard also was an assistant high school football coach for many years at Smethport HS during Carl Defilippi's unbelievable tenure as head coach. Defilippi was 186-37-2 during 21 years as the head coach with a remarkable 67 regular season wins in a row.
Ironically, Coudersport's head football coach, Paul Simcoe, was not that far behind; 29 seasons with a mark of 205-77-8.
The Falcons slipped just for the opening quarter in their next game. They trailed Otto-Eldred by three at the end of the opening quarter, but outscored the Terrors by 26 in the final three periods. Coudersport 75 Otto-Eldred 52.
Top 1964 scorers for the Terrors.
O-E's highest individual scoring games pre-1968.
Northern Potter fell for win #14 and Cowanesque Valley was the 15th victim in a non-league game for the Falcons. Wetzel scored 53 points against CV, hitting 24 of 39 from the field and also pulled down 21 rebounds. The 53 points was a school record and also a seasonal high mark in the Olean-Bradford area, topping the 50 points scored by Franklinville's George Hicker earlier in the season.
(Far right) George Hicker is pictured in 2017 after being inducted in to the Big 30 Basketball Hall of Fame. Brian Stavisky of Port Allegany is standing next to Hicker. Stavisky had a tremendous high school career, starring in basketball, football and baseball. He scored over 1,900 points in his HS basketball career. He played baseball at Notre Dame University, helping the Irish make it to the College World Series in Omaha. Drafted by the Oakland Athletics, Stavisky advanced to the Triple A level in professional baseball. He played nine years of minor league baseball.
Standing to the far left in this photo is Carl Saglimben, former head coach at Hinsdale Central (N.Y.) the other recipients are Lou Molisani, former Wellsville coach and Jaci King (representing the late Johnsonburg coach, Bill Fulton.)
Hicker explained, "(We went ), back then ('64) as far as you could go in high school basketball, which was playing in the Aud in Buffalo. Our team my senior year was so good that Billy Case was a freshman on that team, our seventh man, started at Syracuse. That's how good the players were. Obviously, he improved a lot, but that's remarkable in a town of 2,000 with a graduating class of 56"
Hicker was a first team, two-time, All Western New York All-Star in 1963 and 1964.
Franklinville went 19-2 in Hicker's junior season and were undefeated in his 1964 senior year (21-0)
Former district superintendent, Terry Dolan, grew up in Emporium. He recalled wondering about George Hicker while reading accounts of his playing that dominated the sports pages in the early sixties.
Dolan remembered how Hicker packed the stands at home games. "People would come to games who never came to games, just to see him shoot," Dolan stated.
The photo insert above is a replica of Hicker's Franklinville jersey, number 34 with his career total of 1.544 points listed. That picture hangs in the TBA/FCS gymnasium. (Ten Broeck Academy/Franklinville Central)
The 6'3, 190 lb. Hicker had an outstanding college career at Syracuse University. He was second on the team in scoring during his sophomore season (15.9 ppg.), scoring 32 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in a game vs. West Virginia.
He bounced back from a severe broken leg and ankle (car accident) prior to his junior season and led the Orangemen to a 20-6 season. He had two 30 plus games (18.6ppg) and was named an Honorable Mention All American by UPI.
He finished his career at Syracuse as the fourth leading scorer in school history with 1,245 points trailing only Dave Bing, Billy Gabor and Vinnie Cohen.
NOTE: Freshmen were not eligible to play on the college varsity team during Hicker's era. (Wetzel and Stilson also went to Division I universities, Virginia Tech and Florida State respectively)
Area fans may remember watching St. Bonaventure's Bob Lanier and Billy Kalbaugh playing freshmen ball for the Bonnies in 1967. The freshmen would play in front of an almost packed house prior to the varsity game. Former NBA player, Calvin Murphy, was a freshman at Niagara University at the same time and the games between Lanier and Murphy were classic competitions.
Coudersport picked up their 16th straight win with a tough 48-40 win over Emporium. The Red Raiders took a short-lived lead in the third quarter, but Wetzel's 31 points led the Falcons to the home victory.
Oswayo Valley fell 71-51 for Coudy's 17th victory. Wetzel had 40 in the win while Stilson had 37 in Smethport's easy triumph over Port Allegany.
Dan Wetzel and Butch Stilson combined for 77 points this evening.
Port Allegany had a better outing their next time out, outscoring the Falcons 19-9 in the fourth quarter, but still falling 52-40. Wetzel's 30 again paced Coudersport to another W, now 18 in a row.
Coudersport's 19th consecutive win over Austin and 12th straight in the North Tier League clinched the Class C title for the Falcons. Smethport defeated Otto-Eldred the same evening and sewed up the Class B crown.
Smethport (10-2) and Coudersport (12-0) were set to meet for the second time- this game set for the Hubbers' home court. This game was number three on Coudy's four game list of "difficult games" they had anticipated leading in to the season.
The Bradford Era's morning story about the Falcons and Hubbers game that evening.
Dick Danielson, Smethport's coach, said, "We realize that our press will have to be at its best and we're going to run, just like we've been doing all season. I just hope that Stilson and Maynard are hitting and Tim Chase gives us some help on the boards."
NOTE: Coach Danielson was in his late 20's in '64. He later became the head coach at Pitt-Bradford when UPB was first, a junior college program and during their years in the NAIA(four year program)
Coudersport jumped out to a 17-7 lead after the first period and never looked back as they easily rolled over Smethport, 67-43. Denny Maynard led the Hubbers with 19 points while Stilson was held to only 11. Wetzel tossed in 31 and received scoring help from Scott Partridge (16) and Marc Griffeth (12).
Smethport Varsity and Junior Varsity Rosters.
Pennsylvania and New York Powers.
The Falcons wrapped up a perfect regular season with a 76-54 win over Otto-Eldred. Smethport finished in the second spot at 11-3 with Emporium (9-5) and O-E (8-6) taking the top four spots in the NTL.
Coudersport's 21st consecutive win.
The regular season's final game was a non-league rematch versus Olean High- this time with Coudersport hosting the Huskies. The Falcons had edged Olean by two points very early in the season, but the Falcons 22nd win was never close (Coudy led 21-6 after one period and 42-16 at halftime).
Coudersport 72 Olean 33. Wetzel's 30 points still left him short of Franklinville's George Hicker as the area's leading scorer. Hicker finished with a 31.2 points per game average.
The Falcons would start the playoffs against Bennetts Valley of the South Tier. Hopes were high for a long playoff run and Coudersport did not disappoint in their opener, winning 70-43. The Falcons dominated the boards, 42-17 and had four players in double figures; Wetzel (25), Griffeth (12), Fuller (11) and Lyon (10)
Clarion was next on the slate and this was game four on the Falcon's pre-season list, a hopeful rematch of the '63 playoff game (Clarion winning by a point).
Back row (L to R)- Coach Shirey, Buzz VonNieda, Bob Anderson, Ted Wichert, Harold Hackett, Jim Walaski and student manager, Robert Knechtel.
Front row- Tom Freeman, Phil Potter, Frank Caldwell, Harvey Hosley, Dick Tauscher and student manager, Tom Dewey.
Coudersport faced Clarion at Saint Marys. Clarion would not let the Falcons run away with the game, but Dan Wetzel was unstoppable. The 6'8", 215 pound senior center hit 21 of 38 field goal attempts and 8-12 at the free throw line for 50 points. Partridge's 17 backed up the big man as the Falcons advanced with an 80-65 win.
Coudersport moved to Otto-Eldred HS to face once-beaten Lawrence Park High. Coudy (24-0) versus Lawrence Park (23-1) LP's only loss was to North East, 58-56.
"What did I tell you about that guy? I told you before the season started that this guy had all the stuff to do it, didn't I? He's got a lot of talent and it was just a matter of time before he really broke loose and tonight was it," beamed Coach Oviatt after the Falcons knocked off Lawrence Park, 73-47.
Coudersport's mentor was talking about his senior point guard, Ed Corey after the 6'3" athlete scored a personal high 23 points, foiling Lawrence Park's attempt to keep Wetzel from getting the ball. The strategy worked early as LP led 13-12 after the first quarter, but Corey's drives off a devastating Falcons' fast break gave Coudersport a 34-21 halftime lead despite Wetzel having only three points after two quarters.
Wetzel bounced back to tie Corey for game-high scoring honors with 23 and the Falcons were now in the Final Four.
It was 1992 and I was in my first year as a baseball scout with the Houston Astros. My wife and I had a home in Urbana, Illinois, but I was assigned to the northeast. I rented an apartment in Carlisle, Pa., taking up a temporary residence during the spring months. That allowed me to travel to parts of Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and the New England states, watching and evaluating high school and college players.
On a rainy, mid-May morning, two weeks before the June free agent draft, I was catching up on writing reports, planning my future travels and making some phone calls.
A name had surfaced. I'm not sure who told me about this player-it might have even come from one of my Eldred friends. Supposedly there was this big, high school senior from Austin who threw hard. The kid's name was Mark Corey.
I still remembered Ed Corey from that Coudersport team and I thought there was a chance there could be a connection. I was pretty sure I was the only Astros' scout who had heard of Austin, Pa. and I was absolutely certain I was the only one in our organization who had ever been there.
I had played Potter-McKean little league baseball and high school basketball in Austin. It was a small town, but I knew there were always some good athletes there.
Directory assistance found an Ed Corey listed in Austin (no cell phones or laptops then) and the phone was answered on my first attempt. It was Ed and indeed, Mark was his son.
Austin did not have a high school team so Mark pitched for the Coudersport American Legion team. Their season had not begun yet so I suggested that maybe I could come to Austin or Coudersport and Mark could throw to a catcher on the game mound or bullpen allowing me to get a look at his skills. Finding a catcher would be no problem-his brother, Matt was the team's catcher.
I thought it was a good idea, but Ed graciously informed me that Mark had committed to Edinboro University. He appreciated the interest from a professional club, but they were very comfortable with the decision that had been made.
Honestly, I thought it was a wise decision also as it is for almost all high school players.
Ed and I spent some time talking about 1964. He remembered my brother and also my cousin, Gary Buchsen. Gary had been a classmate of Ed's. Gary had been a fine football player and track and field performer for the Falcons.
Ed and I had a very enjoyable conversation and I wished Mark good luck at Edinboro and we'd certainly keep tabs on him.
The Edinboro decision turned out to be perfect for Mark. He had three fine years with the Fighting Scots and was drafted after his junior season by the Cincinnati Reds in the fourth round.
After six seasons in the minors and a trade to the New York Mets, Mark made his big league debut on October 2, 2001.
My coverage responsibilities had changed after two seasons so I never saw Mark pitch until late in his professional career.
He played 13 years of professional baseball appearing in 81 major league games with the Mets, Rockies and Pirates. He pitched in 416 minor league games, collecting 117 saves.
Twenty-five years after our first conversation, I spoke once again to Ed Corey, again about Mark, but this time there was a different subject area.
It was the fall of 2017. I had written several books, including some biographies of major league players and I called Ed to ask him if Mark might have any interest in having a book written about him.
Ed and I talked for a while and he gave me Mark's contact number. Mark eventually gave his consent and we began to work on the construction of a book.
It helped immensely that Ed, Mark and I were all very comfortable with one another because we had grown up basically the same way. We all had played Potter-McKean baseball, North Tier League basketball and we knew many of the same people and places along the way.
I always asked anyone I ever wrote a book about to give me a list of 15-20 people they would like me to contact- people who knew them well and would have pertinent information that readers would like.
Most of the people Mark suggested I talk to were his youth league baseball and basketball coaches, teachers and some friends. Those were the people he recognized as having the biggest impact in his life and gave him the opportunity to play professional baseball.
Ed and I talked on the phone or emailed once a twice a week. Our conversations always followed the same pattern. We'd talk about how the research and development of the book was going and then jump in to our past and discuss Potter County events and what ever happened to.......?
Along the way, it was my suggestion to include a chapter in the book about the 1964 Coudersport basketball season. Ed wondered if it would take away anything from Mark's story and I was confident it would do just the opposite. So, chapter six of Mark's biography is entitled simply, "1964 Coudersport Falcons."
Mark and I spoke five or six times as we put the book together. I also talked to his brother, Matt and sister, Marty along with the names that Mark had given me.
What I will always fondly remember were the conversations with Ed. I've spent my life as a teacher, coach and scout and had an unlimited number of contacts with parents who had a talented son at some level on the scale. Admittingly, there have been a few folks who have been overbearing or projecting their child to accomplish feats that are not possible.
Ed Corey was a true gentleman. He was proud of all of his children and he never, in all of our talks, had a negative word to say about anybody. No gripes, no complaints. There were times I kept him on the phone for almost two hours because it was so enjoyable for me to talk to, not only someone from back home, but a person who was so friendly and cordial every time.
His biggest concern about the book was that all those who had a role in the '64 season were recognized.
Mark's book was released in April, 2018. I thought I would have an opportunity to travel to Coudersport and/or Austin during the summer, but was unable.
Ed Corey died November 12, 2018. I continue to tell people that he was the "finest man I never met."
I cherish and miss our talks. I will always consider him my friend and it is a pleasure to put together this blog story that has a lot of branches sprouting out all over the place, but always comes back to good people (coaches, players, parents, teachers, fans, classmates, etc.) doing good things.
It's possibly an unusual gesture for a blog piece, but I'd like to dedicate this writing to a good man, Ed Corey.
Danny Wetzel working with some youngsters.
On March 19, 1952 Buzz Shirey took his Coudersport team to the state finals with a 26-0 record and lost to Jenkintown, 83-58.
Mo Oviatt would bring his team to the '64 finals with the same 26-0 mark on March 21. The Falcons will meet Conshohocken.
26 games-Coudy scorers, Dan Wetzel 30.8 ppg., Scott Partridge, 10.5 ppg., Marc Griffeth, 10.2 ppg., Ed Corey, 7.7 ppg., Henry Fuller 6.3 ppg., Tom Lyon 4.1 ppg.
Team average- 71.6
Opponents- 41.2
Conshohocken 63, Coudersport 48. Conshohocken led most of the way with the Falcons cutting it to 50-44 with 3:35 left.
Coach Oviatt was called for a technical after Griffeth pulled in a rebound with the Falcons down by six in the fourth quarter. Griffeth lost the ball (Coudersport thought he had been fouled) and the technical was called.
Tom Lyon led the Falcons with 13, Wetzel was held to 11.
NTL First team All Stars (L to R)- Mike Shall, Denny Maynard, Butch Stilson, Dan Wetzel, Scott Partridge and Tom Romick. All were seniors.
Wetzel and Stilson were unanimous picks. Wetzel made the team in '63 also.
Second team All Stars included: Ed Corey, Lyle Wisel (OV) and Dick Logue (Austin)
A letter from Coach Mo Oviatt
The Falcons' 64 season, teams played and scores.
Taps Gallagher, long-time Niagara basketball coach, spoke at the Coudersport Sports Banquet recognizing football, basketball and track performers. Bob Barnek, Saint Bona's player was also in attendance.
ADDED INFORMATION:
1966 North Tier All-Stars
Title 9 had not arrived yet so high school sports were limited primarily to boys' football and basketball. Some schools had a track and field program. Baseball was rarely associated with the schools and was played in Babe Ruth and American Legion leagues primarily. I included a few track and field items. You'll notice some of the basketball names and hopefully I've added some athletes who participated solely in track and field. these clips are all from the 1964 season.
Mo Oviatt was also the boys' track coach. The Falcons edged the Hubbers by a half point in this meet. Ed Williams of Coudersport won both the 100 and 220 yard dash. Gary Buchsen finished second in the discus, third in the javelin and won the broad jump. Ed Corey won the high jump. Smethport's Walt Rees took first place in the shot put. 1964 was Coudersport's second season in track and field.
Cy Dann's Port Allegany squad defeated both Saint Marys and Coudersport in this competition. Russ Leonard (pictured right) won both the mile and 880 while teammate Jim Mitchell (pictured left) won the 100,220 and anchored the mile relay. Larry Wertz won the javelin competition for the Gators.
The 1964 Smethport Track and Field Team
First row (L to R) are Sheldon Osborne, Daniel Elliott, William Grega and Terry Tessena
Others in this photo include: Tom Tessena (later an outstanding track and cross country coach at Bradford High), Richie Faes, Brent Vossler, Rod Rishel, Butch Stilson, Jim Thomas, Denny Maynard, Walter Rees and Coach Clarence Strabel
Coach Mo Oviatt died on January 4.,2008. He was 77 years old.
Emporium won nine straight North tier basketball titles, 1965-1973. They were District 9 Class B Champions in 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974.
Bill Leonard played college basketball at Canisius and Lloyd, an outstanding basketball and football player, played in the NFL.
Dan Wetzel averaged nine points a game during his career at Virginia Tech. He played against future NBA stars, Elvin Hayes and Dave Cowens.
Wetzel's son, Mike, scored over 1.800 points in his basketball career at Coudersport.
Paul Heimel of Coudersport recalled the '64 basketball team reuniting.
"Their 25th reunion in '89 was glorious. Every player, coach, waterboys, cheerleaders and even long-time radio announcer, Ed Easton, at the microphone returned. Ed and I interviewed most of the players and others.
A magical night!"
Coaches Mo Oviatt, Buzz Shirey and Lew Schaub were on the sidelines one more time.
Tom Harpst, girls' basketball coach from 1989-2001 was 286-49 in his career. Kim Tingley (daughter of ex-Coudy basketball star, Bob) scored over 2,900 points in her HS career. Tingley's daughters, Kellie and Becky also played
Matt Splain succeeded Harpst, coaching from 2001-2005 compiling a mark of 103-15.
Mark Corey's sister, Marty, went over a 1,000 points during her basketball career at Austin High. Mark's graduating class at Austin was 18.
I do not have any Coudersport group contact information. I hope some readers can forward this writing to some Falcons' fans who might have an interest in this review of a special team.
I realize this is a very long piece with lots of photos, but I hope many of you will enjoy reading about a memorable sports year and all the people involved. Thank you.
