Sports

Last Updated on Thursday, 02 May 2019 19:52

Donora was founded in 1901 and Donora football started in 1904, but it wasn’t until 1931 with the arrival of Coach Jimmy Russell did Donora football start laying the foundation for the Home of Champions and building a football tradition.

An early Donora Dragon Photo

That tradition took hold in the 1940s with back-to-back WPIAL titles in 1944 and 1945 and continued into the 1950s and 1960s.

Due to the enthusiasm generated from the Donora Historical Society’s “Game Film Event” in 2017 and their historical presentation titled “Donora Football Dragons – Part One – 1904 to 1945” in 2018, they will assemble a group of Living Legends from the 1940s and 1950s to tell stories about their experiences of growing up in Donora, playing for the Donora Dragons, playing in college and coaching football.

In a rare opportunity to hear about how football was played some 70-plus years ago, there will be holding an “Afternoon of Storytelling” with Lou “Bimbo” Cecconi (Class of ’46), Nick “Perky” DeRosa (Class of ’47), Bob “Bones” Rosborough (Class of ’53) and Rich “Moch” Mongelluzzo (Class of ’57). There is not a set presentation or scripted format. These former players/coaches will tell whatever stories come to mind that could include, but not limited to stories about Coach Jimmy Russell, Coach “Moon” Clark, “Deacon” Dan Towler, Roscoe “The Rambler” Ross, Arnold “Pope” Galiffa, Rudy Andabaker, playing for the University of Pittsburgh and coaching the Donora Dragons.

In a break from their normal football venue of using the Croatian Club, this roundtable discussion will be held in the downstairs Community Room of the Donora Public Library at 510 Meldon Avenue on Saturday, June 1 at 1:00 p.m. Allow two hours.

All former players and fans are welcome. The event is free but donations will be gladly accepted. Audience participation is encouraged by asking questions, sharing stories or memorabilia. For those that brought memorabilia to previous events, but did not get a chance to share it with the audience, now will be your chance.

The Donora Historical Society is still planning to do another historical football presentation titled “Donora Football Dragons – Part Two - 1946 to 1968” on a date that has yet to be determined.

If you have questions about this event, please call 724-823-0364 and leave a message. Or email DonoraHistoricalSociety@gmail.com, or visit the website at www.DonoraHistoricalSociety.org