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By TOM HOUSENICK; Times Leader Sports Writer
Thursday, June 18, 1998 Page: 1B
PLAINS TWP.- The annual UNICO All-Star Football Classic has endured.
Through 10 presidents, three wars, one flood and countless cultural
changes, the game that benefits mental health/mental retardation survives.
“This is all about raising money for a worthy cause,” said William
Anzalone, program chairman at Wednesday’s UNICO dinner. “We’ve survived disco
and the Beatles invasion. There are so many changes as we head into the
millennium. It says something that this UNICO game has endured.”
For the first time since the game’s inception in 1951, UNICO sought dozens
of corporate sponsors for the game.
“Without their contributions, there would be no game,” Anzalone said of the
69 sponsors for this year’s contest, set for 7:45 p.m. Wednesday at Spartan
Stadium, Kingston.
From the players’ perspective, the game appears to be on solid ground.
Attendance at practices is stronger than in years past, according to East head
coach Mike Namey, of Meyers High School.
“The turnout at practice has been remarkable, considering a lot of players
have to travel every day. Plus, we have to work around work schedules and
family situations,” said Namey, who witnessed poor turnouts at practice when
he previously coached in 1993 and 1996.
The West, coached by Bishop O’Reilly’s Gregg Yankovich, Wyoming Seminary’s
Matt DiBernardo and Tunkhannock’s Don Holl, are decided favorites.
“At key areas, they are head and shoulders above us,” Namey said of the
West. “Not to slight our kids because this is as much fun as I’ve had as a
coach in a long time. But (the West) has outstanding talent up front and in
the backfield.”
Ken Stabler, who quarterbacked the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl victory
over the Minnesota Vikings more than two decades ago, was the principal
speaker at the UNICO dinner at the Woodlands Inn & Resort, Plains Township.
His humility was fitting for the theme of the annual football game. “I was
fortunate to have two great wide receivers, an outstanding line with future
Hall of Famers and a 240-pound fullback who liked what he did,” Stabler said.
“And John Madden was great at motivating his players. I was surrounded by
outstanding people. It seems that this game is surrounded by outstanding
people and that’s great for the kids.”
Berwick’s Tony Melchiorre, not participating in the game, was the recipient
of the annual Brian Piccolo Award for displaying courage and heart throughout
his high school career.
Melchiorre, who lettered in football, wrestling and track at Berwick,
suffered a fractured skull in a automobile accident prior to his junior
season. After missing the Dawgs’ first 10 football games, he returned to the
team. He was named the