Coach Zwald Inducted Into Hall Of Fame (06/15/14)
The Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA) 2014 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Banquet was held this past Saturday (June 14) afternoon. Among those receiving the highest award for Pennsylvania High School Football Coaches, was Clarion’s own Norm Zwald.
PSFCA 2014 Hall of Fame Class (L-R) Drew Zwald (for father, Norm Zwald), Joe Walsh, Ray Reckner, Joe DeAntona, William “Muzzy” Colosimo
The late Clarion Area and Ridgway mentor is part of this year’s class, which also includes Brockway’s Ray Reckner. This marks the first time two Little 7-12/KSAC Conference coaches were named in the same year.
Three other coaches from throughout the state join Zwald and Reckner in the Class, William “Muzzy” Colosimo, a long time Greensburg Central Catholic coach, who now heads Valley’s program; Joe Deantona from West Scranton High School and Joe Walsh, who coached at Henderson High School, in West Chester, as well as, Sun Valley High School.
D-9 History:
512 wins and 81 years of Head Coaching experience: (L-R) Brockway’s Ray Reckner, Clarion’s Ray Austin, Drew Zwald for his dad Norm, Clarion and Ridgway and Clarion’s Larry Wiser
In addition to the the Induction Ceremony and Banquet, the Coaches were presented to the crowd at halftime of the Big 33 (PA vs MD) Game, Saturday evening.
PSFCA President, Homer Delattre, the Head Coach from Hollidaysburg High School read each coach’s biography, prior to their being introduced by a family member or special friend.
Giving the introduction for Coach Zwald, was another former Clarion Area head coaching great, Ray Austin, who previous to his head coaching tenure, was a long time assistant under Coach Zwald.
Coach Austin described many of Coach Zwald’s innovative ideas, including allowing players to drink as much water as they needed and very little live hitting in practice. These and other innovations of Coach Zwald definately went against the mainstream in coaching philosophy, in the 1950’s – 1970’s.
Accepting the induction for his father, was Drew Zwald, who was a starting quarterback for the Bobcats, in 1967 and 1968, holding various school passing records for over 40 years. Drew Zwald went on to play football at William and Mary. He currently teaches at Georgia Southern University.
Drew Zwald echoed Coach Austin’s take on his father’s innovative coaching ideas and molding of players, as well as, describing Coach Zwald’s fine job as a husband and father. He mentioned that his father would have been very proud and humbled to be included in the Hall of Fame fraternity.
A theme throughout the ceremony was about the inductees being molders of young men.
PSFCA 2013 District Nine Coach of the Year, Larry Wiser
Coach Reckner was introduced by his son Mitch, who described playing for his father as well as mentioning the respect and admiration he had for him, saying that he always wanted to grow up to be like his dad. What better compliment could he have paid his father.
Coach Reckner mentioned that it was never about him. It was always about the kids. This seems to be standard operating procedure for Hall of Fame Coaches.
An announcement was made during the ceremony, the the PSFCA is working with Pitt, Penn State and Temple (the states three major universities) to have each school put up a plaque with the names of each member of the Hall of Fame enscribed on it. It looks like the first one that will get the plaque up is Pitt. Their plaque will be in the concourse of Heinz Field.
In attendance were a number of Coach Zwald’s and Coach Reckner’s family members.
Also in attendance was current Clarion Head Coach, and fellow Hall of Fame Member, Larry Wiser, who was a longtime assistant under Coach Austin. Coach Wiser received a plaque, on Saturday, for being named the 2013 PSFCA District Nine Coach of the Year. Wiser says Coach Zwald and Coach Austin have had a big influence on his coaching philosophies and techniques. He is a personal friend of both Coach Austin and Coach Reckner. Drew Zwald and Coach Reckner both thanked Coach Wiser for his help in Coach Zwald and Coach Reckner’s nominations.
Congratulations to Drew and the rest of the Zwald family and Coach Reckner and his family as well as their players, school districts and communities for this great honor!!!! And congratulations to Coach Wiser for his Coach of the Year Award!!!!