Smethport and Otto-Eldred-Rivals and Respect

 Rivalry-competition with another for the same objective or superiority in the same field of activity.

 The terms rival or rivalry can be used to describe many different aspects of every day life, but may be most abundantly used when talking about athletics.

Beginning with professional sports-teams and individuals-

Lakers vs. Celtics (Magic vs. Bird or Chamberlain vs. Russell)

Frazier vs. Ali

Red Sox vs. Yankees

Packers vs. Bears

Colleges

Ohio State vs. Michigan (football)

Duke vs. North Carolina (basketball)

Saint Bonaventure and Little 3 basketball (Canisius and Niagara)

There are countless competitive  matchups and encounters on the court or on the field, some that began decades ago between two teams or individuals and continue to be "must see" games.

Some have lost their luster through the years (expansion, trades, retirements, conference and rules changes, administration differences, programs dropped, etc.)

On the plus side, new rivalries can pop up at anytime. 

At the high school level in northwestern Pennsylvania, southwestern New York and the Big 30 area, rivalries can also exist for long periods of time, but many have a different structure.

Much of one's high school athletic season is competing against teams that are relatively close in terms of distance and also, in many cases, players on teams representing their schools have already competed against each other in non-school youth sports. 

Little league or travel team baseball, softball, pee-wee basketball, flag football, junior golf, tennis, wrestling are just some of the activities kids 12 and under can be involved in before they reach high school.

Below, Smethport's Rob Maynard #26 and Ed Swanson #12- two of the key backfield performers during the Hubbers' 1970, 8-1 season.

Directly above-Maynard and Swanson in their post-football years.

I've read or heard sports' enthusiasts say, "I don't care how many games we win as long as we beat Team X."

I always thought that was a silly statement because I don't think anyone especially the players want to go 1-8 with the only win coming against a certain school.

Sometimes two teams play against each other in such a high-profile game in a year or in consecutive years that they quickly mixed all the ingredients to create future games that everyone looks forward to-a powerful, new rivalry has arrived. (Chiefs and Bills!)

Secondly, a rivalry can surface at anytime for a variety of reasons-most of them positive. Some times it rises simply because the opposing high school or college program has been so successful. 

Coudersport's girls' basketball program has had incredible success through the last several decades. Emporium's boys' basketball teams had an outstanding run of league titles and individual achievements.

And, of course, Smethport High School produced a record-breaking football program  that set records and standards that may never be seen again in the Big 30 area.

I realize these are just a few examples of the dominating performances through the years. Despite the difficulties and odds against defeating powerhouse teams, it provides motivation and a group cohesiveness, pushes you to become better and in many cases respect for your opponent arises regardless of the final score. 

And, if that "upset" should arise, well..... it's seldom forgotten.

I decided to write an article on a rivalry between two area schools: Smethport and Otto-Eldred, knowing that Port Allegany, Emporium, Coudersport and others could have been legitimately substituted for either of the two schools, but for me- Smethport was my choice and here's some of my thoughts.

1. I chose one year, one football game- October 1970. An undefeated Hubbers' team visits Otto-Eldred on a Friday evening, homecoming night.

The 1970 Otto-Eldred Terrors' football squad. Left to right, front row-Steve Boyle #24, Gary Silvis #43, Dick Windsor #82, Bruce Fowler #80, John Todd #48, Jesse English #71, Tim Krott #53 and assistant coach, John Harvey

2. 1970 was my first and only year of varsity competition and each game that season carried its own excitement.

Five defensive backs on the O-E '70 squad-Senior Dale Goodell, flanked left to right-Sophomore Kerry Snow, Mike Miller, Len Oszustowicz and Jim Pransky. Snow and Miller also garnered some time on the offensive side of the ball and together with Oszustowicz were three-year football lettermen for the Terrors. Mike Miller also was a very successful basketball coach at Otto-Eldred and coached a state champion field hockey team in Virginia. 

3. The previous season ('69-'70) O-E had put together their finest football season ever with an 8-1 record. Their only loss was a defeat at Emporium, 8-6. QB Jim Slavin (illness) and Big 30 selection, Fred Williams (injury) did not play in the game. Those absences and a fired-up Emporium team added up to the one L in the Terrors' season.

Now it was Smethport's turn to come in to a mid-season game undefeated facing a team, who had graduated many of the key performers from the previous season; Williams, Neil Trask, John Oszustowicz, Jeff Fowler, Steve Gross, Steve Smith and many more. Jim Slavin was back for his senior season though and there was a solid nucleus of linemen and backs who had picked up plenty of experience the previous season.

The 1970 (8-1) and Border and Allegany Mountain football champions, Smethport Hubbers. Clarence Strabel was the head coach of this squad with Henry Reap his top assistant.

4. Babe Ruth baseball provided a unique experience for me and several of my football teammates. Each year our Babe Ruth League selected an all-star team consisting of the top 15 players in the league and that team would compete in district competition.

The 1968 McKean Babe Ruth baseball team. Smethport's Swanson, Maynard, Lanny Colosimo together with Crosby's Rob Flickinger were a huge part of the '70 Hubbers' rushing attack. Eldred's Dick Windsor and Bruce Fowler were receivers for the O-E team. Steve Milne was a member of the O-E basketball squad. Otto's Tom Ault was a left-handed quarterback for O-E.

The five Eldred members of the 1968 McKean Babe Ruth team: L to R- 13-year-old, Jim Pransky, 15-year-olds, Dick Windsor, Steve Milne, Bruce Fowler and 14-year-old, Mike Miller.

Undoubtedly, Kerry Snow would have been an integral part of that baseball all-star team, but he and his family moved to Louisiana for a while, returning after the '68 baseball season. Kerry did play in BR all-star games in the future along with Smethport's Gary Cunningham, Otto's John Hepfer, Steve Barrett and Mike Burgoon and Eldred's Marty Lathrop and Len Oszustowicz

Kerry, pictured directly above with his sister Kristi, was one of O-E's finest athletes in the school's history. He was the starting quarterback for the Terrors for two seasons and also Division 1 Bucknell University. He was an assistant coach at both Portville and O-E before becoming the head football coach at Otto-Eldred and eventually was named the Big 30 Coach of the Year after leading the Terrors to a winning season (6-3).

It was the only sport that enabled players to suddenly become teammates with guys they had competed against that season. It was an excellent opportunity to play on a selected team that had an opportunity to advance in playoff competition.

My initial introduction to Smethport's Colosimo and Swanson was as a first year pitcher in Babe Ruth play-Eldred at Smethport at McCoy Stadium. Colosimo led off the bottom of the first with a triple to right field followed one out later by Swanson's triple off the right field wall. Swanson later scored and I quickly found out I wasn't in the Potter-McKean LL any more.

Until the August Big 30 Football Classic was established, I believe this was the only chance for the top players in a league to play together on one squad,

 Below: Smethport's #24, Tom Everly. Everly was another member of the Hubbers' potent running game in 1970. He was a three year letterman- a regular defensive back as a sophomore and a starting halfback and defensive back as a junior and senior.

5. The two high schools are only 12 miles apart and it wasn't unusual for one of the teams if they were scheduled for a Saturday game to go and watch the other play on Friday evening.

Below: Other Smethport members of the 1970 team. That's fullback Rob Flickinger #48. The lineman below that photo is Jerry Taylor. Taylor, 6'1", 230 pounds, was a two year defensive tackle for the Hubbers.

 

6. I had not attended a hometown area football game for almost 40 years when I happened to be back in Eldred in late September/early October, 2017 or 2018. I was asked if I would like to watch O-E's varsity football game that Friday evening and I jumped at the chance.

I didn't know who they were scheduled to play, but when I was informed it was Smethport, well that brought back plenty of memories. We drove to the game and I soon discovered they no longer played at McCoy Stadium where I had played both football and baseball.

It was the memorable evening. The game was pushed back over two hours because of the threat of high winds and driving rain. Five of us took refuge in the car and it looked like it was going to be a circumstance where the game might have to be played the following day.

Shortly after 9:00, the officials and the players headed to the field and the game began shortly before 9:30. We lost our 50 yard line seats, but standing on the sideline near the end zone was just fine. 

It was a well-played, close game that the Hubbers won. Despite the long delay, there still was an enthusiastic crowd and although I had not seen either school play for all those years, the only oddity for me-not that I didn't already know it to be true, but I just had not seen it, was the scarcity of players on the sidelines. 

I think it was our second game of the year in '70 when we played at Allegany (N.Y.) Allegany had a very good team that year led by Mike Fortuna and Jeff Grimes. They got off to an early lead on us and beat us by 20 points or so.

I was a sophomore and I ran back some kick-offs and filled in as a defensive back at times. We probably traveled with 50 players or more and since it was only my second varsity game I stood behind two rows of my teammates on our sideline.

Sometime in the second quarter, one of the guys in front of me said, "Coach wants you up front." 

I had to kind of push and slide my way through to make it to our coaches on the sideline where I was greeted with, "Pransky, where have you've been? I wanted you up here two plays ago. Now, go fill in for......"

Standing where I had been with all of the upperclassmen in front of me, combined with the crowd noise, I never heard my name being called. Eventually it just sort of filtered to the back. Coach was already upset with us down by a touchdown or two, so I thought it best to not try and explain.

A preview of the '70 Hubbers with returning members; Mike Thomas, a two-way starter at linebacker and offensive guard. Also, Kim Danielson, Jeff Johnson, Everly,  Tom Nelson, Joe Kinney, Jack Cole, Joe Kinney and Rob Maynard. The '69 Hubbers were 5-3-1, one of the losses to the O-E team. Below: Tom Nelson.

Above: Linemen-Joe Kinney and Mike Thomas and another pre-season look at the '70 Hubbers. Flickinger, Colosimo and Swanson were other returning lettermen. Coach Strabel had 50 candidates on the opening day of practice,

Above: Senior, Kim Danielson, a three-year letterman as an offensive tackle and defensive lineman. Danielson was also an outstanding wrestler for the Hubbers. NOTE: If I'm not mistaken, Danielson was also another McKean Babe Ruth athlete playing for the Mt. Jewett baseball team.

7. Baseball played another role in the Otto/Eldred and Smethport/Crosby connection as many multi-sport players were part of the summer Alle-Catt Baseball League, some for 15 or more years. 

I wrote a blog piece about the Crosby Alle-Catt team a few years ago-it was one of my favorite writings because I knew so many of the players and had the chance to talk again to many of the guys-guys I had never beaten as part of either the Allegany or Eldred Alle-Catt teams (some good games along the way, but never a W).

Some of our athletic connections traced all the way back to those Babe Ruth days. I only played in the A-C for three or four years while Ed Swanson competed from 1971-1986 and players like Mike Tessena, Eddie Faes, Denny Maynard and Terry Hess had lengthy careers. Guys like Terry Johnson, Fella Wright, Jim Thomas and several others played at a top level for several decades.

It would be easy to add another local rivalry to our opening list- Crosby Mudhens vs. Olean Bradners ( a team that included Mike Carr, Mark Stavish, Tim and John Brewer, Mike Martello and a host of other good players.) Those teams went head to head for the league title for years, interrupted occasionally by Emporium (with Bill Wortman, Bill Leonard, Randy Cooney, Pat Lewis and Ed Parks) or possibly Friendship, but Bradners' and Mudhens' losses were rare.

I think we battled those youth baseball, high school football and basketball teams from the Crosby and Smethport area fairly evenly during my era, but Alle-Catt was a whole different story. 

O-E's starting QB and defensive end Jim Slavin pictured with assistant coach John Harvey. Jim was also a starting forward on the Terrors' basketball team.

 

Joe Kahle was an outstanding two-way player on the '70 team as a running back and linebacker. The Terrors also had a strong running game with Kahle, Gary Silvis, Jim Bliss, Steve Boyle and Slavin leading the way. NOTE: My strongest memory of this game actually occurred during pre-game workouts. The field was a quagmire and it seemed like members of our team were a bit squeamish about getting muddied and soaked prior to the kickoff. Our coach decided the best way to erase that feeling was a five to seven minute "live" intersquad scrimmage on our end of the field. Full speed running, blocking and tackling quickly got our uniforms in game condition. It must have worked because we shot out to a 29-0 lead at the half. Dick Windsor scored two touchdowns for O-E.

O-E's 22-15 win over Portville. Slavin picked up115 yards on the ground and Kahle gained 90. O-E got touchdowns from Slavin, Kahle and Steve Boyle. 

Portville's D.C. Hendrickson gave them an early lead on a Steve Buckner covering 35 yards. Buck Holmberg scored the other Portville t.d. on a 40 yard run

The Hubbers' first big test of 1970-an 18-8 win over a strong Allegany team. Allegany led 8-6 in the fourth quarter. Maynard, Swanson and Tom Nelson scored touchdowns for Smethport as their strong defense and running game sparked the victory.

Tom Nelson gathers in a pass from Swanson. Jeff Grimes was the Allegany defender. Grimes was a Border League All-Star and a future baseball teammate on the Allegany Alle-Catt baseball team.

Coach Strabel's thoughts prior to the Allegany game. Photo of QB Ed Swanson.

A partial list of some of the key performers during a weekend of area football action. Emporium's Jeff Bricker and Jeff Bobinko are mentioned. Bricker later played Alls-Catt baseball for Crosby.

The Hubbers pick up a home victory over Portville, 28-18. A crowd of over 3,000 watched Smethport go 5-0.

Cousins Jim and Steve Slavin win Player of the Week honors. Jim led the Terrors to an impressive win over Emporium (the team that handed O-E their only loss in '69) and Steve, playing with a broken hand, was a defensive key during the Bishop Walsh win over Batavia. Steve was also one of the finest punters in the Big 30.

In a matchup of fine athletes and QBs-(Emporium's Bill Leonard and Slavin), the Terrors' signal caller passed for 161 yards and ran for 132 in the O-E win.

Other nominees for Player of the Week included Smethport's Swanson, Port Allegany's Tom Herger and D.C. Hendrickson of Portville.

Above- Smethport's Tom Nelson and below- lineman Joe Kinney.

Well, we've reached the O-E Friday night homecoming meeting between 5-0 Smethport and a well-prepared and strong Terrors' team. Above- the O-E varsity cheerleaders-starting from the bottom row; Vicki Mason and Elaine Cawley, Christine Geuder and Patti Larsen, Marie Long and Diane Rosenswie and top row- Teresa Hanks and Debbie Burrows.

A 28-22 comeback win for Smethport over O-E. Joe Kinney's defense and almost 240 yards gained on the ground by Swanson, Maynard and Flickinger spark the Hubbers.

Gary Silvis had a terrific game for the Terrors rushing for a touchdown and and also scoring on a two point conversion.  O-E led 22-8 at the half.

This is one of those games where the stats definitely tell how close this game was. NOTE: 52 years later and  two aspects of this game continue to play in my mind. First, Smethport kicked off five times and I think I returned four if not all of the kickoffs. Mike Miller was our deep man and very fast. I was on Mike's right side and 6-8 yards ahead of him. Each kick was hooked to me (they probably were trying to avoid Mike). That was my only contribution in this nail biter.

Secondly, Smethport's second touchdown of the game came on an unusual looking play at least from our long, possibly distorted view from our sideline. The play took place on the far side of the field (near the bandstand area for O-E fans). Now the different looks come to life-maybe the O-E observers were watching more with their hearts, but it appeared that Ed Swanson fumbled on an option play and the ball bounced back to his trailing runner, Rob Maynard who took it in for a momentum-changing touchdown.

I talked to Eddie Swanson when I did the Crosby Alle-Catt story and he told me he pitched the ball back to Rob and that's the way it was scored in the stats. The O-E players on the sideline were a long way from the action and I don't remember watching the film of the game several days later. On those old reel to reel, grainy films it probably was hard to tell anyway. 

It was a memorable game versus a very good team, one of those games that people talk about for a long time

Ed Swanson was voted MVP of the homecoming game with the Bradford Central Christian football staff making the selection. Ironically, Joe Vecellio, one of the assistant BCC coaches later became the head basketball coach at O-E. Many O-E fans were rooting for Gary Silvis to win the MVP honor, but both he and Swanson had excellent games.

Coach Strabel giving well-deserved praise to his assistant, Henry Reap.

Strabel talking about his star QB.

Ridgway's head coach, Jack Hedlund (the Hubbers' next opponent) scouted the game and had these comments. Ridgway had an outstanding football team, possibly the best in the entire Big 30.

Coach Strabel talking about Smethport's only loss of the year- a home defeat to Ridgway.

Joe Kahle leads O-E to a win over Coudersport. Slavin throws two T.D passes and runs for three more. Otto led 32-0 at the half. Mike Fitzsimmons added two P.A.T,'s for the Terrors.

Smethport bounces back with a shutout win over Sheffield with only Port Allegany left on the schedule. Colosimo, Maynard and Swanson lead the way in the Hubbers' victory.

A preview of the year's final game at Port Allegany. Smethport was 6-0 in the Border League and Allegany was 6-1 and Bill Wilcox and his team were watching the Smethport-Port Allegany game very closely. Port Allegany and Smethport were also tied with 4-0 marks in the Mountain League standings. Photo-Rob Maynard.

The Hubbers played an excellent end-of-the-season game defeating Port Allegany, 26-0 on a Saturday afternoon. Swanson had a 54 yard touchdown run, Flickinger scored twice, Maynard once and the Hubbers' defensive line stopped the Gators. Smethport ran for 323 yards, Port Allegany 29.

Smethport led the way with eight Border team all star selections: Cole, Kinney, Maynard, Ed Dean, Taylor, Danielson, Thomas and Everly. O-E had guard Jim Gross, fullback Joe Kahle and Jim Slavin (defensive end) picked. Allegany's five selections were- Jeff Rose, Mike Fortuna (QB), Jeff Grimes, Jeff Crisafulli and Ken Quattrone. Port Allegany placed guard Dallas Kio and lineman Will Buzzard on the team.

Allegany finished with a 7-1 record and Coach Bill Wilcox was named the Big 30 Coach of the Year.

Portville's Border League All-Stars: Jim Schott, Ken Shields and Fred Porcello.

Ed Swanson (second from the right) at the Times Herald Sports Banquet. Standing next to Swanson is Randolph player Mike Hubbard.

Bradford and Ridgway dominate the Big 30 team with five and four players selected respectively. Mike Thomas (Smethport) and Mike Fortuna (Allegany) represent the Border Conference.

A note from team captains Ed Swanson and Mike Thomas thanking the Smethport Booster Club for their support. I'm not sure if it is still a custom, but many schools used to have a prepared sandwiches and drinks as  a post-game meal for opposing teams. I know O-E did it and I remember have a post-game snack after a basketball game at Smethport. I thought it was a classy and well-appreciated act then and I hope it's still a part of today's athletic programs.

Jack Craven (Bradford) was a member of the Big 30 team and later became a long-time friend of O-E's Jim Slavin (below). Both men were members of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Jim spent 28 years in the Army, retiring in 2005 as a colonel. He now lives in North Carolina.

Many of the names mentioned in this essay fall in the 65-70 age group now. I hope this represents at least some form of a tribute to all the players and coaches. If the memory fades just a little as the years go by, the respect and pleasure of competing against these players grow as does my fondness for all my teammates. It was a just a part, but a wonderful part of life. 

I realize there are some people named in this piece who have passed, including my good friend and teammate Kerry Snow. They are all missed and commended for having a giant role in so many lives.

A Man and His Community

 

Mr. Harrington attending my parents' 50th wedding anniversary party.

"The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."

I met Ed Harrington for the first time when I was 11-years-old.

Mr Harrington was a teacher and principal at Eldred Borough Elementary from 1959-1967. He then began a 20 year term as the superintendent of schools in the Otto-Eldred School District.

I was an Eldred Township kid and attended the Indian Creek school through sixth grade.

My family went to church at St. Raphael's and I took Monday afternoon catechism classes there during the school year. 

Somebody once explained it to me, but it was difficult to comprehend then and unclear now, but I played little league baseball in Eldred although the majority of my township classmates played in Coryville. 

Everything was okay though because of the above mentioned familiarity and eventual friendships formed with many of the kids in town. 

After a year of playing as a 10-year-old in Eldred and having Joe Wolcott as my coach, I was more than comfortable with my baseball status.

Then, the impossible occurred. Mr. Wolcott ended his coaching career. 

I loved baseball and he created an atmosphere of learning the game and having fun at the same time. I had two more years of little league remaining and it was difficult to imagine not playing for him.

There was more despondency when I found out that not only was Mr. Wolcott not coaching, but the principal at the borough school would be his successor.

My teammates and other buddies in town didn't help matters when they began to fill my impressionable head with tall tales of Mr. Harrington's teaching and administrative methods at their school

There were no male teachers at the township school and with my friends realizing I was an easy mark-they could play off my fear of the unknown. They made up stories that painted Mr. Harrington as someone, well let's just say I wasn't anxious to meet my new coach.

I never would have imagined that like Mr. Wolcott, Mr. Harrington would become an admired friend for almost half a century.

Ed Harrington was raised in Towanda (Pa.) and served in the Navy from 1950-1954. 

He received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Education from Mansfield University and Saint Bonaventure respectively. He also completed post graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford and Saint Bonaventure.

Ed, his wife Lorraine and three children; Barbara, Mary and Jennifer lived on Elm Street in Eldred. The back of their house was only 100 yards or so from the Eldred Area Park's baseball field.

I quickly discovered my apprehension about my new coach was misguided. I played nine years of youth baseball (Little League, Babe Ruth and American Legion) in Eldred, seven of those summers with Mr. Harrington as the man in charge.

How many times did we travel to away games in Austin, Coudersport, Emporium, Roulette, and numerous other towns, plus all-star game practices?

Each time following the same pattern- cars and drivers (always parents in our early years) meeting under the large trees in deep right field as Mr. Harrington would have his station wagon loaded with the baseball equipment and at least five or six players.

The road to the grade school no longer runs completely past it, but the trees where we met before each road game still remain. This more recent photo shows an outfield fence that did not exist during the 70's, maybe not put in place until the late 80's or 90's.

I guess I should state there was one occasion when the baseball equipment was not transported by Mr. Harrington to our game site.

In fact, it wasn't transported at all. We were playing a Babe Ruth game at Limestone and when Mr. Harrington routinely said, "Unpack the gear," upon our arrival, there was no gear to unload-we left it back in Eldred.

It was back in the day when players did not have individual travel bags that carried their bat(s), glove, catchers' equipment, granola bars or energy bars, sports drinks and a miniature television or whatever else they could stuff in their bags. We carried our gloves and maybe a change of shoes. We used wood bats and they were all stored in one bat bag.

Mr. Harrington's numerous gameday duties included making sure all the players had transportation and all drivers had the correct routes. Our job was simply to make sure all the needed equipment made it to the car.

You would have thought that at least one player would have noticed   the tools of our trade were missing, but evidently we were too busy reading comics, telling jokes and basically goofing off the entire drive. 

Our team was 6-0 or 7-0 at the time and Limestone hadn't won a game.

Mr. Harrington gathered us all together after we had deplaned and it was evident we had no warmup balls or anything else.

"Boys, I'm usually a very mild-mannered man, but how in the (heck) did you forget to bring the gear," Mr. Harrington stated in a voice that only our group could hear. One of his words "might" have been a soft curse word, but he left little doubt he was upset with us.

The night didn't improve as playing with Limestone's equipment we lost 6-4, our only loss of the year as Mike Miller, Steve Jackson, Jerome Wolcott and the Lathrop brothers were just some of the guys who were part of our league championship team.

Mr. Harrington was one of three coaches on this 1969 Babe Ruth All-Star team that faced Williamsport West End and Wellsboro in the district playoffs. We were one game away from advancing to the next step of the state's playoff system.  Kerry Snow defeated West End in game one, we beat Wellsboro in game two, but eventually lost to Williamsport in the championship game.

Eldred teammate and an outfielder on that B.R. all-star team, Lenny Oszustowicz- on the left.

There were lots of baseball highlights during my years with Mr. Harrington and we can take a look at a few of them later in this writing.

I never sat in administrative/teacher meetings or school board meetings or discussions about curriculum and personnel with Mr. Harrington. There are many people who had more time spent with him than I did especially after I graduated from high school and started a series of moves to Washington D.C., Kissimmee (Fl.), Quincy (Il.), Champaign, (Il.) and eventually Davenport, (Ia.).

It still was a rare occasion when I didn't see my coach on a trip or two home each year. He and Lorraine made  excursions up to my folks' home once a month or so each summer to talk some baseball, community news and always left with some vegetables from my dad's garden.

Each pilgrimage home almost always included time spent on his front porch, discussing baseball, what had taken place in town during my time away and ALWAYS a conversation about the ever-growing list of O-E graduates and how they were faring. He cared immensely about the students (past and present). 18 or 30 years old, he knew how and what individuals were doing. He never stopped caring about them.

My parents and I had driven from Florida to my brother's home in Louisiana for the 1981 Christmas holidays. 

My Floridian cousins phoned my brother's home and notified us about the horrific car accident that killed Mary and Jennifer Harrington. One of my cousins had been a good friend with Mary and the other with Jennifer through their early grade school days before my relatives moved to Florida.

I don't recall every detail of the terrible event, but I know the  tragedy was made even worse by the discovery circumstances of the accident. I'm sure many people in town still remember.

 I often wondered how a father and mother could survive such a loss and ever take a step forward again. I can only imagine how much strength and faith it took.

I wasn't there often, but I'm absolutely certain our community played a major role in providing all that one could offer.

I always told myself that I never would turn in to one of those folks who continually said, "Well, back when I was a kid we did this or had to do that......"

It's true that I do look back at my younger days, especially when I lived in Eldred, played ball in Eldred and at O-E and still have many friends and family in the area. I don't live in the past, but I respect the history and contributions made by previous generations.

I see clearly now how many people in the community were role models for me; my parents, coaches, teachers, friends' parents and so many women and men  in town and school.

The unique part of it all was that they weren't trying to be role models or attempting to impress anyone. They were living life. The folks in our community worked hard providing for their families and creating opportunities for their kids. Somehow they still found time to be there for one another in times of need. 

They did things the right way.

As I look at some of the information posted on Facebook now, I realize that same spirit and willingness to lend a hand still exists. There are many who are willing to give to others, simply because it's the right thing to do, not trying to seek praise or accolades. 

I read last names that are very familiar. Usually, I don't know the specific person, but there's a good chance I knew their parents and as time has rushed by, their grandparents.

Living in so many places and different environments I can attest that feeling or being part of something and concerned about more than one's self is not present everywhere. I sense that it is even less observable in some places than ever before, but it continues in my hometown and the surrounding area that makes up the O-E community.

I regret that despite all the advantages one could have, there was a period of time in my life that I know would have disappointed Mr. Harrington and I wished I had turned to him sooner.

But like my parents-Mr. Harrington, Mr. Wolcott, the Wolcott family and others stuck with me although we all knew I was letting valuable time slip through my fingers.

I taught two and a half years in the O-E School District both at the Borough and Township schools. I enjoyed the kids, all the people I worked with (Ron Wood, Bob Falk, Norm King, Larry Snyder, Paula Looker, Cindy Barrett Bill Stavisky and others) and the opportunity to hopefully help the youngsters I had every day in class.

One day, Mr. Harrington stopped by my classroom as the kids left at the end of the day. 

He knew me so well and had such great perception as he asked me, "This isn't really what you want to do, is it?"

He understood I still had dreams of having a career in professional baseball and until I exhausted all avenues I would never be completely happy in another work environment

I finished the school year, went to New Jersey to work at a baseball camp for two months and then moved to Florida, giving me the best chance I had to work in professional baseball full-time. I was very fortunate that good things happened.

Mr. Harrington gave the eulogy at my father's funeral mass in January '05. He did not repeat the words that were printed in my father's obituary. He truly knew my dad and everything that was important in my dad's life. 

Some of the younger members in my family, a few who may have lived outside our community, may have wondered why Mr. Harrington mentioned a couple of subjects. He understood my dad and many others back home so well- he knew people and what individuals enjoyed and took special interest in.

My dad had many likes, but both he and my mother took great pride in taking care of their home and property- inside and outside. I'll always remember how immaculate my father kept his garage- every nut, bolt, washer, wrench and screwdriver in place and always a tool for any task.  The lawn was mowed neatly, the garden and flowers always in order-that was my dad and Mr. Harrington knew how important that was to my father. He stated that clearly as part of his recognition of my dad. 

I wrote a blog story a couple of years ago entitled "The Greatest Game Ever Played." That title may have been just a bit of hyperbole, but for a bunch of 14-15 year old athletes and some on-lookers it was a game to remember. Eldred vs. Otto-all our friends that we played football and basketball with and ate at the same lunch table in school and all of a sudden we are playing against one another. 

Otto's Kerry Snow gave up only two hits , but one was a sixth inning home run by Lenny Oszustowicz, the only run of the game.

I can recall Mr. Harrington and Lorraine joining my parents and I on an excursion to Pittsburgh to see the Pirates face the Dodgers. Mr. Harrington was a huge L.A. fan and I think we saw a three games- Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon. I don't know who won the three-game series, but I'm sure the Dodgers weren't swept because that would have been a long-g-g-g drive back to Eldred for Mr. Harrington.

What I absolutely remember is that we stayed in Wexford, Pa.-maybe ten miles from Three Rivers Stadium. There was a drive-in theater less than a mile from our motel. The adults (I think I still fell in to the "kid" category) drove over and watched "Blazing Saddles."

When they returned all they could talk about was the scene when the cowboys sat around the campfire eating beans. They were still laughing about that part through the rest of the evening."

Here's some comments from various people about Ed Harrington.

"He was a great man. I looked up to him."

"A gentleman, a scholar and a friend."

"He was the epitome of the word "educator." This man cared about each and every student that passed through the doors of Otto-Eldred, knew us all by name and never judged. His faith was tested by tragic losses and still he persevered.

"What an amazing man he was!"

"My trips home to Eldred were not complete until Ed and I solved the world's problems while sitting on his front porch. Ed was my second dad."

Pennsylvania was always noted for their American Legion baseball programs. For many years there was no high school baseball in the state and Legion ball filled that void in the warmth of the summer and the competition was always intense.

Mr. Harrington followed us from Babe Ruth to American Legion ball (ages 16-18) or it would be better said that we followed him.

Before we recall Mr. Harrington's 71-73 teams, we flash back to Eldred's league championship team of 1958.

A photo of the 1958 squad right before playoff time. Opening game was in Eldred vs. Phillipsburg. 

Front row from left to right: Dan Fuss, Mike O'Brien, Bob Bean, John Sifferin, John Farris and manager, Bob Bradt.

Back row from left to right: Coach Bob Fuss, Bill Slavin, Bud Downey, Stub Wirtz, Dan Kelly, Paul Bates and Andy Ellenberger. 

Sitting in the front is batboy, Teddy Bradt.

A closeup and a clearer look of some team members.

Jumping to 1972 and Mr. Harrington's league championship team led by Kerry Snow. Kerry pitched against Bradford three times that season, twice in the regular season and in a playoff game to determine the league winner-that game held at a neutral field, Port Allegany. Kerry was 3-0 vs. Bradford that season.

Snow then won two district playoff games vs. Warren as Eldred won that series, two games to one. Whitey Peterson, George Lathrop, John Hepfer, Len Oszustowicz and Jim Russell were some of the members of that squad.

I'm not certain how many years or even if Mr. Harrington continued coaching a year or two after our time together in the American Legion program. I know we never had a losing season during the seven years I played for him and most of that time our record was well over .500.

Jimmy Green, on the right, played a major role in the success of the Eldred American Legion teams.

Unlike football and basketball, summer baseball though it was covered well by the local papers, had few if any feature articles on area baseball coaches.

Mr. Harrington, during his tenure, achieved one of the top coaching marks in the area, but his career coaching record and accomplishments went basically unknown to most, except his players, parents and our fans.

He would never say anything about something like that. He coached and we played-pretty darn well.

He loved baseball so much. The Dodgers were his team and on several trips home through the years, he would tell me about his record in his fantasy baseball league, who "owned" the top teams in the league and the success or failure of some of his choices.

We didn't learn all of the x's and o's of baseball-few do in their teens, but we were taught so much more. I was fortunate to play with guys who were very good players, but more importantly, we always enjoyed every part of the game while playing for Mr. Harrington.

In every environment, he was always a teacher. His voice was deep, but soft (almost all the time) and you hung on every word. He never over-coached and in a school environment, on the baseball field or on his front porch, he never lectured you.

He never tried to impress anyone with all that he knew. He understood that kids aren't searching for all the answers from someone until they know you care about them. Ed Harrington was a wise man and he cared about everyone.

My final conversation with Mr Harrington was at the Sena-Kean Manor in Smethport.

Late in life, he became a resident there as did my mother at approximately the same time.

On my trips back to McKean County, I visited my mom daily and ate lunch with her each day in the large dining room.

Mr. Harrington came in to the eating area just as my mother and I were finishing lunch. I'd join him at his table and it never took long to break in to a somewhat lengthy recall of our baseball days.

"Yeah, Jimmy. We did pretty well, didn't we." He was at a point in his illness where he still recalled players and games spot on almost all the time.

Progressively his health worsened and he passed away on September 20, 2016 at the age of 85.

Five years have passed and visions of time spent with him continue to remain in high definition. 

My mother kept some scrapbooks of my years playing ball in Eldred (almost all of them with Mr. Harrington as my coach) and they are now in the Eldred Library-photos and clippings of our playing days. 

There's pictures and articles about our teams, but they can't capture what is in our hearts. Ed Harrington contributed so much to so many in the Eldred and O-E community. 

He was a teacher, friend and dedicated to serving the community in a number of ways (school, coaching, the Senior Center, etc.) His teachings still live in many of us.