John E. Sacco

Sports Columnist at Freelance

Freelance Writer

Articles

W&J, Cal set for conference baseball tournaments

1 week ago | observer-reporter.com | John E. Sacco

By John SaccoFor the [email protected] four-game losing streak is not the preferable way to head into postseason play. That is exactly what the Washington & Jefferson College baseball team faces Wednesday in the opening round of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference championship tournament at Ross Memorial Park. The Presidents (16-4 in the PAC, 26-13 overall) have wobbled in the last few weeks, dropping four straight games, five of six, six of nine and eight of 14.
Meadows notebook: Wilder appointed to Hall of Fame committee

2 weeks ago | observer-reporter.com | John E. Sacco

By John SaccoFor the Observer-ReporterHeather Wilder is immersed in the Standardbred industry. Her role recently expanded. Wilder, president of the Keystone Chapter of the United States Harness Writers’ Association, has been appointed to a six-year term on the Screening Committee for harness racing’s Hall of Fame.
Washington native owns horse in Kentucky Derby

2 weeks ago | observer-reporter.com | John E. Sacco

1 / 3Arkansas Derby winner Sandman with owner Chuck Sonson, a Washington native. Sandman will run in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday at Churchill Downs. 2 / 3Sandman, co-owned by Washington native Chuck Sonson, ran away from the field to win the Arkansas Derby, which qualified the horse for Saturday’s Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. 3 / 3The plaque honoring Washington High School’s 1973 WPIAL Class AAA 880-yard relay championship team.
This time, Belle Vernon is right for Bryer

1 month ago | observer-reporter.com | John E. Sacco

By John SaccoFor the [email protected] Bryer thought enough time might have passed to have closed the door on him becoming a head football coach. The fact is, the time was just right. Bryer, 53, was approved unanimously, 8-0, by the Belle Vernon Area School District board of directors Tuesday to become the Leopards’ new football coach. Ironically, he held the job for a few weeks in 2009.
Changeup: DiMatteo’s move to pitcher leads to mound of wins

1 month ago | observer-reporter.com | John E. Sacco

By John SaccoFor the [email protected] Dante DiMatteo joined Washington & Jefferson College’s baseball program, he was an outfielder who could hit and a strong-armed defender. While he had not pitched much at Fox Chapel High School, Presidents’ coach Jeff Mountain had not forgotten about that strong right arm. “There were some growth plate issues in high school and things like that so he didn’t really pitch,” Mountain said.
Folmar was right at home with Vulcans

1 month ago | observer-reporter.com | John E. Sacco

By John SaccoFor the [email protected] Folmar literally grew up on the campus at PennWest California. It became his personal playground. “I was in kindergarten there at Noss Elementary (middle of campus), so I became a Vulcan when I was there – kindergarten through fourth grade,” said Folmar, who became a standout athlete at California Area High School and what then known as California University. “It was wonderful playing on the middle of the campus down there.
Home improvement: Fort Cherry getting turf, track at Jim Garry Stadium

1 month ago | observer-reporter.com | John E. Sacco

By John SaccoFor the [email protected] Fort Cherry School District has approved a $2,782,250 project that includes making Jim Garry Stadium an artificial turf surface and constructing a track at the site. The “stadium field and track renovation project” will be constructed by Force Turf Solutions, Inc., Indiana. Fort Cherry becomes the 10th Washington County district to have an artificial surface at its football stadium.
Unice remembered fondly as player, coach, mentor

1 month ago | observer-reporter.com | John E. Sacco

By John SaccoFor the [email protected] Unice, an enthusiastic, “get-after-it” type of basketball player at Uniontown High School and Washington & Jefferson College, and then later successful coach at Washington and McKeesport high schools and W&J died last week. Unice, 81, was a standout for the Raiders, helping them to a pair of WPIAL championship games. Unfortunately, Uniontown lost to Farrell in Unice’s junior year and then lost to Mt. Lebanon his senior year.
Lesako twins are pillars of W&J athletics

1 month ago | observer-reporter.com | John E. Sacco

By John SaccoFor the [email protected] is not often one finds a person to perfectly fit into a situation. In the case of Washington & Jefferson College, they doubled perfection when the Lesakos twins – Mike and Mark – were hired in 1998 to be athletic trainers. The twins are revered at W&J. They have the pulse of the campus and they treat all their student-athletes with the same care and compassion as their own children.
St. Francis leaving Division I to join PAC

1 month ago | observer-reporter.com | John E. Sacco

By John Sacco For the [email protected] From the Big Dance to the Presidents’ Athletic Conference. St. Francis University, who lost a close battle with Alabama State in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament last week, announced Tuesday plans to re-classify from NCAA Division I to NCAA Division III, joining the Presidents’ Athletic Conference as the league’s 13th full-time member.