Conshohocken Golden Bears By Jack Coll

Conshohocken Golden Bears Organization

Started 55 Years Ago in 1961

August 22, 2016

By Jack Coll

Hard to believe that 55 years ago in the summer of 1961 Peter Hiebler along with a number of other borough residents decided to organize a youth football program for Conshohocken youngsters. The founders of the league raised money for uniforms and insurance, helmets and shoulder pads. In 1961, 52 boys and 22 cheerleaders participated in the program as two teams took the field that fall.

The program enjoyed great leadership throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s. Len Wasmanski, Harvey Borzelleca, Matt Doughtery, George Salomone, Arnie Martinelli, Harry Donovan, Anthony Maresca, Jerry Richardson, Ange Damico, Louis Cappelli, Bill Mitchell, Joe Danitz and Richard Wilfrom were some of the early leaders helping guild the youth football program.

Other residents who contributed to improving the program in the 1970’s, and 1980’s and beyond included Rachele Intreri, Mickey Martinelli, John Borusiewicz, (For whom the Borusiewicz Memorial Field was named), Paul Balzano, Mary Mason, Bill McAvoy, Matt Giorgio, Sharon Bradford, George Katzenback, Rita Fleming, Ed Borkowski, Steve Ondik, Hal Zweiback, Rob Henry and Joe Fritz just to name a few. There’s no-way we could ever mention everyone who was ever involved but these are a few of the names that come to mind.

Today the responsibilities of keeping the successful program in order fall squarely on the shoulders of President Rick Prete who is serving as the 2016 President and Mike Monteleone who is currently Vice President of the league. Jennifer Krier is in charge of keeping the books balanced as she is league Treasurer.

President Prete told us that more than 140 boys have signed up and are in pads with perhaps a few more to sign on after vacation time passes. More than 40 Bears Cheerleaders were going through their routine at the time of our visit under the direction of Jennifer Krier.

Prete told us that the Bears are a great family organization and coming out to practice every-night in August is a great family experience. Winning games and championships is a real bonus considering that most of the coaches weight the success of the program watching the children grow throughout the season.

The Bears football and cheerleading programs happen to know a little-bit about winning games and championships as in recent years many of the teams and cheerleaders have a stash of hardware consisting of trophies proudly displayed in their homes. The organization is part of the Keystone State League who conducts the league under strict guidelines and just last year in 2015 the Bears 75lb team under coach Mike Kikalonis won a championship as did A. J. Coccia with the 90lb team and Prete who coached the 105lb won a championship with his team in both 2014 and 2015.

Conshohocken’s Youth Football Program was officially nicknamed the “Golden Bears” in 1968 when the Keystone State League instituted organization nicknames. From 1961-1967 the teams in the Conshohocken program carried the names of “The Bobcats,” “Wild Cats,” “Tigers” and “Blue Devils.” Conshohocken High school wore the banner of the “Golden Bears” from 1926, until the school closed in 1966.

Walt Hannum, a long time writer for the old Conshohocken Recorder newspaper noted in a column back in 1926 that the Conshohocken High school football team had played “GOLDEN” and named them the “Golden Bears,” little did Walt know then that the school would hold onto the name for the next 40 years.

Rick Prete didn’t have all the names in front of him when we spoke but wanted me to note that it takes an army of volunteers, mostly parents to run a successful program and the Bears certainly appreciate all the help they get from residents and businesses.

Here are some photos from a recent trip to the B-Field where the Bears players and cheerleaders practice.