Where are they now?

John Petercuskie

(by Tom Waring  - Bucks County Courier - February 19, 2005)

THEN

High school: Old Forge (Class of 1942)

College: East Stroudsburg (Class of 1950), degree in physical education.

High school athletic career: Played football, basketball and baseball.

College athletic career: Was a 210-pound offensive lineman and nose guard. “When you’re slow and Polish, they put you on the line.”

High school coaching career: Was Neshaminy’s defensive line coach in 1954 and assistant head coach from 1955-59. He was head coach from 1960-65, finishing 59-1-5, with the only loss coming in 1961 when Easton scored the winning touchdown with 36 seconds to go. The Redskins won 51 games in a row at one point. During the streak, they averaged almost 30 points and posted 26 shutouts. “It was fun. We just played, and suddenly, we won a lot of games. We had a good staff and good players.”

College coaching career: Defensive line coach at Dartmouth (1966-68), defensive coordinator at Boston College (1969-72) and Princeton (1973-77), defensive line coach at Harvard (1987-88) and defensive line and special teams coach at Liberty (1989-94).

Professional coaching career: Defensive line and special teams coach for the Cleveland Browns from 1978-84.

Honors: Is a member of the following halls of fame: Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association; Neshaminy; Scranton; East Stroudsburg; and Lackawanna and Luzerne counties.

NOW

Age: Turned 80 on Jan. 31, 2005. A half dozen of his former Neshaminy players attended his mini-party. “It was a total surprise. It was a great reunion. We had a great time.”

Lives: Centerville, Mass., on Cape Cod Family: Wife of 56 years, Dorothy; sons John, Jerry (an assistant football coach at Boston College) and Gary; seven grandchildren, ages 4-25; and a 2-month-old great-granddaughter, Grace, who won $100 in a Super Bowl block pool. “I was rooting for the Eagles,” her great-grandfather said.

Works: Retired. Keeps active playing golf, woodworking and babysitting his grandchildren. “I keep busy. The day doesn’t drag by.” This weekend, he’s in Myrtle Beach, S.C., with about 40 former Neshaminy football players, playing golf and reminiscing. Current coach Mark Schmidt is among the group. “We have a good time, the old guys and the new regime. (Schmidt) is doing a fabulous job.”

Fondest memories: Simply watching players at all levels achieve their potential. “I just enjoyed football. I enjoyed the practices and pay day, which was game day.” The high school years hold a special fondness. “My love for Neshaminy is great.”

People who had the greatest impact: As a youngster, Old Forge football legends such as Louis Tomasetti and Chuck Cherundolo, both of whom played in the NFL. “We used to carry their helmets to practice.” Also, Elio Ghigarelli, who hired him as an assistant football coach at Old Forge. Coaching colleagues Pete Cordelli, Jack Swartz and Bob Hart. Bob Blackman, who hired him at Dartmouth. And Sam Rutigliano, whom he coached under with the Browns and at Liberty.

Final thought: “Life has been good.”