By Bruce Wald, FOR THE TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Sunday, September 25, 2011

Author, historian and sports enthusiast, the tireless Russell recently compiled "History of BVA High School Football (1965-2010)."

The publication made its debut during Belle Vernon's 2011 home opening game with McGuffey on Sept. 9. The 12th annual Belle Vernon Football Hall of Fame Class was also honored at the game, which culminated with a 54-12 victory for the host Leopards.

A longtime educator who is the superintendent of the Belle Vernon Area School District, Russell is also the general chairman of the Mid-Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame. He previously wrote and published the hall's Biographical Journal in 2002 and updates that publication with biographies of each new induction class.

His research for the BVA football project was focused on accumulating photos, stories and game programs. Russell's work covers the program from its inception when Class A schools Rostraver and Bellmar still existed for two seasons but formed one team through the 2010 season.

The document is divided by the 10 different head coaching eras, beginning with James K. Russell, who guided the team for its first four seasons. Russell goes through each season chronologically while listing players, stats and facts.

"This history of BVA football is not intended to be a definitive study but a summary of the past 45 years of the spirited sport in the Belle Vernon community," Russell said. "It was a difficult undertaking to place an overall synopsis of this particular football history into one document."

He praised Ringgold School District junior high basketball coach and Belle Vernon resident Joe Lopez for his encyclopedia-like knowledge of Belle Vernon football as well as fan Marilyn Williams, who provided Russell with game programs dating back to the inaugural 1965 season.

The book, which blends in quotes from coaches, players, and fans, rekindles memories for any fan of Belle Vernon or area scholastic football.

Understandably substantial detail is given to the highly successful coaching eras of Gary Dongilli (1994-2000) and Jeff Petrucci (1975-1980).

Dongilli compiled a program-best 71-11 cumulative record which was highlighted by the 1995 team winning the WPIAL Class AAA championship. The 1996 and 1999 teams also reached the title game while the 1994 and 2000 teams made semifinal showings. His teams won seven consecutive Keystone or Keystone and Big Nine conference titles.

Petrucci's teams compiled a 46-16-1 overall record, including 30-3-1 over his final three seasons with three straight Big Ten Conference titles. His 1978 and 1980 squads both achieved unbeaten regular seasons and advanced to the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals.

Bill Connors coached the Leopards to consecutive Big Nine Conference titles in 1988 and 1989 and won 47 games from 1985-1992. Jesse Cramer (2001-2005) coached Belle Vernon to its 13th and last conference (Keystone) crown in 2002. Other Leopards' head coaches include Dick Fields (1969-1974), Chuck Machesky (1981-84), Tony Ruscitto (1993), and Lou Rood (2006-2008).

Current head coach Aaron Krepps is looking to guide Belle Vernon to a third consecutive WPIAL playoff appearance this fall and the former receiver and return specialist is one of three alumni to be a head coach in the program along with Dongilli and Rood.

Petrucci has known Russell since their college days and Russell taught at Ringgold when Petrucci began his coaching career as an assistant at Ringgold while Russell was a student teacher there. Russell was the Belle Vernon Area High School assistant principal (1976-78) and then the Bellmar Junior High principal when Petrucci guided the Leopards.

Last spring, Russell had Petrucci proof his era of the book.

"I think the world of him and he's a really good person and a great, great teacher," Petrucci said. "Steve's really good at what he does and the parts I read were very well done. It's a really neat thing that he has done."

Russell called high school football "a schools' NFL event." A lifelong resident of the Mon Valley, Russell said that personally knowing all of the BVA football head coaches is an advantage.

"High school football lends itself to the excitement of a new school year and the promise of a successful football season transfers to the entire student body," he said. "I do hope the work propels others to write the stories of other high school teams in the area."

Petrucci obviously does not know if Russell's latest work will inspire other local writers to pen documents on their high schools but knows his efforts are effective.

He can't get involved enough in anything he does," Petrucci said. "He gets the teachers and community involved and excited in any project he does. Steve's just really a good guy."

Those wanting to purchase a copy can do so through the mail at $10 for postage and handling with checks to the Belle Vernon Area Football Hall of Fame, 270 Crest Avenue, Belle Vernon Pa 15012.