1963
Urda Hired, Record is Not Everything
The 1963 Thomas Jefferson Jaguar Football team cannot be measure in wins and losses, but the true heart of desire and emotions would best signify this team.
Jerry Urda takes over after the resignation of Art Conner. Coach Urda, a player and Letterman at West Virginia University, would boast,” we are going to win ‘em all, including Clairton!” In Urda's initial campaign he was fortunate to have a student body that participated and supported Jaguar football. The team had 49 members on the 1963 team, and the stands of Jaguar Stadium were filled.
Hopes were very high because this was a team that had everything. The line was experienced with Dennis Brain, Sam Brnilovich, Wayne Janczewski , Ron Karloski, and Dick Stoops. Terry “Skitch” Kalcevic, Dan Curry, and Chuck Lee were capable ends. Quarterback Bob Horn was talented (he attended Cornell). There were good young backs that included Jack Gillen and Jay Weber.
The team was able, however, to produce only one victory against
North Allegheny on a frigid (12 degrees) Saturday afternoon. The season ending game was a disaster when the Jaguars were demolished big time by the Clairton Bears by a score of 33-0. The obvious fervor for football at TJ was intact, but the young school was having trouble competing in a tough WPIAL.
Season:
TJ 12 vs Westinghouse Memorial 19 (Pictures, articles)
TJ 7 vs EF 31 (Pictures, articles, video)
TJ 6 vs West Mifflin North 47 (Pictures, articles)
TJ 7 vs Fox Chapel 13 (Pictures, articles, video)
TJ 0 vs Bethel 13 (Pictures, articles, video)
TJ 6 vs Monongehela 20 (Pictures, articles, video)
TJ 6 vs North Hills 26 (Pictures, articles, video)
TJ 13 vs North Allegheny 12 (Pictures, articles, video)
TJ 0 vs Clairton 33 (Pictures, articles, video)
Roster:
Seniors:
Dan Curry
Bob Davis
Dennis Brain
Terry Kalcevic
Greg Watko
Chuck Lee
Jeff Johnson
Juniors:
Jack Gillen
Jim Ashman
Jay Weber
Jim Hazen
Dale Harry
Rick Niccolai
Sophomores:
Wayne Fisher
Pete Armstrong
Bobby Johnson
Steve Flory
Rich Castagna
Monroe Young
Rick Moschel
Cliff Bickerton
Daryl Celestino
Tom Emswiller
Jim George
Tom Jageman
Jin Leccia
Al Matyasovsky
Chuck Shaffer
Lee Totty
**Please add to the story letting us know what players are missing or by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com
Videos
Coaching Staff:
George Stoicovy- Assistant Coach
George Istvan- Assistant Coach
John Rapcheck- Assistant Coach
Anthony Mullen- Assistant Coach
Stats:
Points scored per game: 6.3
Points allowed per game: 23.7
Rushing Yards (TD's):
Receptions/yards (TD's):
Passing Yards/ Completions-Attempts (TD's):
**Please add to the story by emailing pictures, stats, videos, and stories to thomasjeffersonhistory@gmail.com
