Ellwood City Historical Society Set to Reveal ‘Champions on Parade’ Nominees

The names of the 70 “Champions on Parade” nominees will be revealed at the Ellwood City Area Historical Society dinner meeting Monday, September 13th, at Connoquenessing Country Club.

Nominees who are present will be introduced and presented with a certificate.

The dinner will launch a new year for the society which traditionally holds a dinner or picnic to kick off meetings and activities. A sports theme, to recognize some of the area’s best athletes, was chosen. Guest speaker will be Marino Parascenzo of Franklin Twp., well-known sports writer.

The initial nominations will be the basis for a database which will feature pictures and information on athletes. The database will be updated as nominations are received and will be available, possibly by the end of this year, for research, perusal and enjoyment of the public, noted Bob Morabito who is creating the database. It will be kept at the society’s facilities at 310 Fifth Street, Ellwood City, PA.

Sports represented by the 70 individuals, who were nominated by area residents, included football, basketball, baseball, softball, golf, boxing, swimming, soccer, weightlifting, hockey, tennis, track and field and clay pigeon shooting along with coaching.

Not listed were top athletes in archery, bowling, horse racing, wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, boat and auto racing and rifle shooting.

Teams are not included in the Champions on Parade but will be part of the database. Some well-known athletes and those from many years ago who aren’t well-known were not among the 70 nominees but names and teams can be electronically submitted for the database. Submissions should be e-mail attachments sent to ellwoodhistory@zoominternet.net or can be mailed to the historical society at 310 Fifth Street, Ellwood City, PA 16117.

Reservations for the dinner meeting are available by contacting the society. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30. Cost is $25. Menu choices are Tuscan stuffed chicken and breaded cod piccata. No dinner tickets will be sold at the door.