Dallabrida, Kaminsky set for Hall induction

MOUNT CARMEL - The Ed Romance Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame will hold 2010 ceremonies with a banquet on March 27.

Every day this week, leading up to the banquet, The News-Item will publish biographies of some of the honorees and inductees. Today's subjects are Dave Dallabrida, Edward "Red" Kaminsky and the 1962 Mount Carmel Catholic football team.

David Dallabrida

David Dallabrida has distinguished himself over the last four decades as one of the area's most outstanding golf instructors.

During that span, Dave has done two stints as the head golf coach at Mount Carmel Area, totaling 17 years, as well as two years as an assistant with Lourdes Regional. Dallabrida has compiled an 86-33 record in medal play. His teams won division championships in the Schuylkill League in 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005. One of his golfers, Josh Spieller, won a Schuylkill League individual crown in 2005, while students Mark Costello and Billy Ditchey were crowned Schuylkill League dual champions in 2007.

Dallabrida also coached District 4 champions Glenn Adams (1974) and Doug Delaney in 1995 and 1996.

For his efforts, Dallabrida was selected as the local high school Golf Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2006. Three of his golfers - Glenn Adams, Doug Delaney and Mike Zosh - later became PGA members.

As a golfer, Dallabrida was a member of the Bloomsburg State College Golf Team in 1968 and 1969. He won the Fountain Springs Country Club First Flight Championship in 1967, the Fountain Springs President's Cup in 1969 and Shamokin Valley Country Club First Flight Championship in 1971. He was a Public Links Tour Participant from 1974-1976 and recently was a three-time Championship Flight Club Champion at Three Ponds in 1995, 1997 and 2001. He also won three consecutive Rotary Championship titles from 1993 to 1995. He has had five holes-in-one during his playing days and has held a 1-2 USGA Handicap.

Dallabrida is a 1967 graduate of Mount Carmel Area and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Bloomsburg State College in 1972. He secured a post graduate degree from Penn State University and taught school at Mount Carmel Area for 32 years. He is married to the former Denise Mirarchi, and has two sons, David, 28, and Damian, 20. He joins his father Ed "Secky" Dallabrida (1986) as a member of the Ed Romance Lower Anthracite Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Edward "Red"Kaminsky

Kaminsky was one of the premier athletes of his time as a football star at Kulpmont High School.

His credentials include a number of firsts, established during his athletic career. He was the first person in Kulpmont sports history to be named first team all state by the Philadelphia Record. All-state teams were first recognized in 1939 and Kaminsky was named to the 1940 team as a first team tackle.

After that season, Kaminsky is believed to be the only person from Kulpmont to be offered a scholarship to Notre Dame. He was recruited by first-year coach Frank Leahy.

Kaminsky's playing days were cut short because of World War II, but, after his discharge, he found his way to the University of San Francisco.

Following that 1948 season, Kaminsky was invited by the Westwood Sporting Club to participate in the East-West Hawaiian Benefit Classic in Hawaii where they played two games. Following graduation, he was drafted by both the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears of the National Football League, but chose to enter the work force.

Kaminsky was employed by the law firm of J. Francis Shirley as a private investigator. He made his home in Dale City, Calif., with his wife Gen. There, he coached at Westmoor High School. He helped them to four North Peninsula League titles. After retirement, Kaminsky settled in Lucerne, Calif., and entered politics. He served three terms on the Lake County Board of Directors for Parks and Recreation before his death in July, 2001.

1962 Mount Carmel Catholic Football Team

The 1962 Mount Carmel Catholic High School Anthracite Catholic Conference Championship football team was led by rookie coach Bob Oravitz, who took over for long-time mentor Frank Ulicny.

The Rams entered the season with high hopes, considering Frank Callahan, Marty Wynne, Russ Cesari, Dennis Bender, Joe Lubeskie, John Davis, Mike Petroskie, Frank Walnock, Jim Sheehan, Tony Martino, Tom McDonald, Jim Bach and Ron Merlavage were all returning as lettermen.

The Rams had their toughest early test in a 7-0 squeaker over the Lourdes Red Raiders. The win was set up by freshman Bob Schoppy's interception that led to a Denny Bender touchdown. The Rams lost four fumbles and had three passes intercepted allowing the Raiders to stay in the game.

Catholic closed out the '62 campaign with a 19-13 victory over Frackville with Lubeskie running for 155 yards in his finale.

The '62 team put up 216 points and only give up 73.

Following the season, Jim Bach was named to the Pennsylvania Big 33 squad, the first such honor ever accorded a Catholic High gridder. Walnock, Cesari, Lubeskie, and Bach were given All-Anthracite Catholic League honors.