Pittsburgh Steelers star Franco Harris signs an autograph at Perugino’s Restauarant in 1980. Harris was in town campaigning for Joe Rhodes Jr.’s bid to win the Democratic primary for a seat in the U.S. Senate.
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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Franco Harris found campaigning tougher than the NFL when he was in the area in 1980.
Harris arrived in Wilkes-Barre – albeit two hours late – to campaign for Joe Rhodes Jr., who was attempting to gain the Democratic nomination for United States Senate. A crowd packed Perugino’s Restaurant to see Harris, who was also a star at Penn State.
Harris said it was his first time backing a candidate and found it “physically draining” and “totally different” than playing in the NFL.
The crowd didn’t mind Harris’ tardiness as he signed autographs and posed for pictures. He was back in Wilkes-Barre in 1989 as the featured speaker at the Friends of Scouting Dinner at Genetti’s.
As for the election, even one of the most popular Steelers at the time couldn’t aid Rhodes, who was in his fourth term in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Pittsburgh mayor Peter Flaherty won the primary but lost to Republican Arlen Specter in the general election.
Politics was at the forefront that day in Wilkes-Barre. Prior to Harris’ arrival, Sen. Ted Kennedy held at rally on Public Square. Kennedy spoke for 15 minutes to a crowd of 4,500 as part of his campaign for the Democratic presidential bid.
1956
The Wyoming Valley Football Conference tackled two issues at its regular meeting.
Officials addressed the pay scale for game officials which had been in place since 1932. They decided that instead of basing pay on attendance, it will be determined by gate receipts.
Each member of the officiating crew would receive between $10-25 per game. Officials would get $10 if gate receipts are $300 or less. The scale would increase based on gate receipts to a high of $25 if gate receipts exceed $2,500.
The WVFC also voted against admitting West Side Central Catholic. Although the vote was secret, it was reported that the decision was one-sided.
WVFC members at the time were Coughlin, GAR, Meyers, Kingston, Plymouth, Luzerne, Swoyersville, Hanover, Plains, Nanticoke, Newport and Larksville.
1962
Bob Bartoli threw a no-hitter for Pittston High in a 9-0 victory over Luzerne.
Bartoli struck out 10 and walked one.
1973
Three records fell as Nanticoke Area defeated visiting Meyers 100-50 in boys track.
Nanticoke Area’s Mike Benedict set the school record in the triple jump with a leap of 40 feet, 4 inches.
Meyers broke two stadium records. Lee Torbik ran the 120-yard high hurdles in 15 seconds. Neal Healy set the high jump mark at 6-3.
1979
Bishop O’Reilly’s Mary Sabol threw the first no-hitter of the season as the Queenswomen defeated West Side Tech 15-0 in WVC softball.
Sabol struck out five and the offense scored six runs in the second and fourth innings. The game was before the 10-run rule and lasted seven innings.
Earlier in the day, O’Reilly lost 4-0 to Wyoming Valley West.
2003
For the third consecutive day, Pittston Area’s Nikki Kotula threw a one-hitter as she struck out 14 in a 3-0 victory over Crestwood.
Kotula also had one-hitters against Coughlin and Wyoming Valley West, totaling 36 strikeouts in three games.