Latrobe football alumni dinner will honor '59, '60 champion squads
Varsity gridiron champions from six decades ago will be honored anew Oct. 5 at the Latrobe Wildcat Football Alumni Association’s Kick-Off Dinner in Unity.
The second annual buffet dinner, set for 6:30 p.m. at Giannilli’s II Restaurant on Route 30, will recognize the 1959 and 1960 Latrobe Wildcats football squads.
Each captured the Foothills Conference championship.
The keynote speaker will be 1961 Latrobe alumnus Francis Harvey, former Secretary of the Army.
The event serves as a fundraiser for the association’s Coach Findley Scholarship, which is awarded to a senior football player who “embodies the principles of character, hard work, academic excellence and citizenship.” The scholarship is named for Chuck Findley, who coached the Wildcats from 1957 to 1968, winning four conference titles.
The day before the dinner, members of the ‘59 and ‘60 teams will be individually recognized before the 7 p.m. start of the Wildcats’ Homecoming football game against Penn-Trafford, in Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium.
During each of the two championship years, the Wildcats compiled an 8-1 regular-season record and claimed the Westmoreland County Class AA crown.
Defeating opponents including Schenley, Wilkinsburg, Jeannette, Greensburg, New Kensington, Norwin and next-door rival Derry Area, Latrobe fell to Connellsville, 20-15, in 1959, and lost 21-13 to Penn Hills, in 1960.
Findley’s 1968 team went on to capture a WPIAL championship and was honored at last year’s inaugural alumni association dinner. Findley also taught social studies to Latrobe students.
Those attending this year’s dinner can claim half of the $50 ticket price as a tax-deductible charitable donation. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with a cash bar available.
Tickets may be purchased by selecting “Events” on the Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation Facebook page or by visiting the Greater Latrobe Senior High School Center for Student Creativity.
For more information, call 724-539-4220.
Jeff Himler is a TribLive reporter covering Greater Latrobe, Ligonier Valley, Mt. Pleasant Area and Derry Area school districts and their communities. He also reports on transportation issues. A journalist for more than three decades, he enjoys delving into local history. He can be reached at jhimler@triblive.com.
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