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Reunion sparks memories of Windber lossee Costantino’s eyes sparkled as he toldme about reuniting with three high-hool chums who haven’t been together for 50 years.Costantino, 70. of Pittsburgh, spent an unforgettable day last week at the home of Henry Stossel. 68. of Windber. They were joined in a walk down memory lane by classmates Willie Campagna, 68. ofMooresville. N.C.. and Frank Solarczyk. 70. of Las Cruces. N.M.The four were football team-visiting old haunts in northern Cambria County prior to enjoying a high school reunion over the weekend.But Stossel and Costantino had plenty to share.mates on the Lilly High School team that captured the Northern Cambria County League championship in 1947.The men gathered in the Stos-sels' dining room and rummaged through a big cardboard box containing old photos, Lilly yearbooks and newspaper clippings.But the real treat for the men was watching a videotape that contained footage of their memorable game against Windber High School 53 years ago.The tape was made from an 8 mm film taken by Geno Stevens of Windber.I didn’t get a chance to speak with Cam-Helena or Solarrzvk hpransp thpv u/ptp hncvaTomLavisPlaying for a small school with a limited amount of players helped cement relationships that have lasted a lifetime.I can’t remember what I had for breakfast yesterday, but I can tell you about every game I played as a senior,” said Stossel, a retired physical education teacher who taught for 38 years in four different area school districts.Costantino, a retired postal employee with more than 30 years of service, said that, despite winning a championship, his most vivid memory is a loss to a powerhouse Windber team that included two future All-Americans.“We had an open date and the only game we could get was with Windber.” said Costantino, who has graying hair but doesn’t look like he has gained a pound since his high school days.We had only allowed 12 points scored onlie that Cuntil \A/in/U\n^ i »p OO44who went on to play tackle at Michigan State and became a coaching legend in Arizona.The other star on Windber’s squad was Link Younker. who went on to play fullback at Penn State.Stossel and Costantino agreed they were outmanned. but both said it would have been a different game if Lilly hadn’t lost two starting linemen on the opening kickoff.Lilly was graduating about 48 seniors a year in the 1940s, while Windber had classes that numbered more than 200.Frank Kush played tackle and he knocked me on my can about 10 times,” said Stossel, laughing at the memory. “He went on to be named on the all-state team.”But when you are a teen-ager, you feel invincible. Lilly Red Raider Coach Emile Saloney had his boys convinced that an upset was possible, Stossel said.“When the coach believed, we couldn’t help but think we could have won. he said.Stossel and Campagna received scholarships. Stossel played for St. Francis College in Loretto, while Campagna went on to star at Catawba College in Salisbury. N.C.Campagna taught for 36 years and finished his career as assistant football coachFLORENCE STOSSEL f DR THE TRIBUNE DEMOCRATFormer high school football buddies (from left) Lee Costantino, Henry Stossel, Frank Solarczyk and Willie Campagna look over old photos during a recent get-toaethftr at WinHhpr hnmo
Newspaper Details
Johnstown Tribune Democrat
Johnstown, Pennsylvania, US
Mon, Jul 31, 2000
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Tim S.
NA, NA 30 Aug 2022
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