History of Belle Vernon Area High School Football (1965-2015)
History of Belle Vernon Area High School Football (1965-2015) Author’s notes: This history is not intended to be a definitive study of Belle Vernon Area High School football but a summary of the past 50 years of the spirited sport in the Belle Vernon community. As a lifelong resident of the Mon Valley and one who has lived Belle Vernon Area athletics, I had the advantage of knowing the football coaches and players through the years. It is hoped that this work inspires a history of other Mon Valley high schools and their storied football past rich in memorable coaches, players and games. Belle Vernon Area High School football has an interesting history in connecting generations with an array of colorful coaches who developed fine talent into champions competing in conference play. BVA has named three alumni as its head mentor, including Gary Dongilli who holds a winning record of 71-11 spanning seven seasons, Lou Rood, and Aaron Krepps. Moreover, several Belle Vernon Area alumni have distinguished themselves as professional athletes in Bill Contz, Scott Zolak, and Joe Rudolph. National recognition followed Penn State’s Craig Fayak and Bill Contz, Notre Dame’s Jason Murray, Pitt’s Marlon McIntyre and Erik Gill, Wisconsin’s Joe Rudolph, and Michigan’s Scott McClintock. Big 33 Classic Football selections from BVA, symbolizing the best athletes in Pennsylvania since 1956, are an elite core: Jim Bair ‘66, Gene Belczyk ‘69, Bill Contz ‘79, Marlon McIntrye ‘81, Craig Fayak ‘90, Scott McClintock ’01, 1 Jonathan Fowler ’03, Dorian Johnson ’13 and Devin Hannan ‘15.
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