Niagara Falls Reporter

Top WNY High School Athletes Who Made It Big
This article is a tribute to former local high school athletes who through hard work, talent and determination became sports icons. Below is a list of 12 such athletes, in no particular order, who hit it big and the high school that got them started. 1. Warren Spahn (South Park HS). Perhaps the greatest left-handed pitcher of all time, Warren pitched 23 seasons in the big leagues. Spahn won 363 games, threw 64 shutouts and had 13 seasons with 20 or more wins despite missing three years for military service in World War II. All three marks are records for left-handed pitchers. He appeared in three World Series and won the 1957 World Series against the powerful New York Yankees led by Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berva. Not bad for a local boy. 2. Sal “The Barber” Maglie (Niagara Falls HS) - Sal was the ace of the New York Giants championship teams of the '50's, winning the World Series in 1954. In a three-year stretch, Maglie won 60 games and lost only 16. His career winning percentage was .657 and that is in the top 20 of all time. He was best known for dueling Don Larsen in 1956, where he lost 2-0 to Don’s perfect game in the World Series. 3.Daryl “Moose” Johnston (Lewiston-Porter HS) - After graduating from Syracuse University, Daryl spent 10 years as the starting fullback for the Dallas Cowboys. In that stretch, he won three Super Bowl Rings, two pro bowl nominations and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. His devastating blocking style enabled fellow backfield member Emmitt Smith to become the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. 4 Ron “The Polish Rifle” Jaworski (Lackawanna HS) After being drafted in the second round from Youngstown State, Ron went on to throw 179 touchdowns in the NFL, became the 1980 NFC player of the year and made 116 consecutive starts at quarterback. In 1980, he reached the peak of his career leading the 12-4 Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl, throwing for 3529 yards and 27 touchdowns. He is currently an ESPN broadcaster. 5. Jimmy Arias (Grand Island H.S.) – In 1980, Jimmy as a 5' 9" inch 16 year old teenager turned pro and with his grinding baseline style rocketed to the number four tennis player in the world. Arias won five titles (all on clay), one grand slam mixed doubles title in the French Open and almost $2 million dollars in prize money before his 22nd birthday. 6. Bob Lanier (Bennett H.S.) – After a stellar four-year career at St. Bonaventure, leading the Bonnies to their only final four appearance in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, Bob was the first pick in the NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. As a 6' 11" 260-pound giant, Lanier was a graceful athlete with a soft touch. In his 15/ year NBA career, Bob scored 19, 248 points, pulled down 9698 rebounds. Was an 8-time all star and made the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. 7.Christian Laettner (Nichols H.S.) – This 6'11" center/forward was the John Wooden Award winner as the best collegiate basketball player in the country in 1992. During his fabulous four year career at Duke University, he won two NCAA titles and his buzzer-beating basket in the NCAA Tournament remains among the most famous plays in history. Laettner was selected with the third pick in the NBA draft, made the 1997 all star team and was a member of the 1992 Olympic Gold Medal Team. In 2012, Christian was elected to the Collegiate Basketball Itall of Fame. 8. Cliff Robinson (Riverside H.S.) – After four years at the University of Connecticut, Robinson was drafted in the 2nd round by the Portland Trail Blazers. In his 18-year NBA career, Robinson was an all starcin 1994, a two-time second team all-defensive player. and the sixth man of the year in 1993. Cliff scored 19,591 points, corralled 6306 rebounds and played 1380 pro games (seventh all-time). Robinson also played for a record five playoff teams, starting for each one. 9. Joe Mesi (Sweet Home H.S.) – From 1994-1996, Joe started his boxing career as the New York State Super Heavyweight Golden Gloves Champ. He became the alternate Super Heavyweight for the 1996 Olympic Boxing Team. As a Pro, Mesi was undefeated at 36-0 with 29 knockouts. Unfortunately, Joe’s career was cut short by a brain injury before his chance to fight for the Heavyweight Championship of the World as the number one contender. 10. Rob Gronkowski (Williamsville North). After an exemplary career at the University of Arizona, Ron was drafted in 2010 by the New England Patriots with their 2nd pick. Gronkowski set the single-season record of 17 touchdowns for tight ends in the NFL and also became the youngest player at 21 to score three touchdowns in a NFL playoff game. In this writer’s option, he is on his way to the Hall of Fame as one of the greatest tight ends to ever play in the NFL. 11. Tom Baker (Riverside H.S.) – Tom turned pro in 1976 and went on to win 12 tournaments. Tom rolled 65 300 games and set the all-time record for the highest average in a bowling tournament (247 average for 40 games at the Denver Open). He was elected to the Pro Bowlers Hall of Fame in 1999. But Barker was not done, as he won the top tournament in the sport (the PBA World Championships) at the ripe old age of 49! How many athletes can claim their greatest feat was five years after they were elected to the Hall of Fame! 12. Allie Brandt (Lockport H.S.) – In 1939,Allie set the all-time record for three games when he fired an 886 series at Transit Lanes in Lockport and that record stood for over 50years. Imagine if Brandt had the benefits of the technology of the new bowling balls with their multiple surfaces, how well he would perform today. He was elected to the Pro Bowlers Hall of Fame in 1960. ---- Honorable Mention: James Starks, Dan Maijkauski, Rick Manning, Jim Burt, Jonny Flynn, Joe Ehrman,Doris and Cindy Coburn. My apologies to the rest of the local athletes who excelled in their careers whom I missed.

Top WNY High School Athletes Who Made It Big

This article is a tribute to former local high school athletes who through hard work, talent and determination became sports icons. Below is a list of 12 such athletes, in no particular order, who hit it big and the high school that got them started.

1. Warren Spahn (South Park HS). Perhaps the greatest left-handed pitcher of all time, Warren pitched 23 seasons in the big leagues. Spahn won 363 games, threw 64 shutouts and had 13 seasons with 20 or more wins despite missing three years for military service in World War II. All three marks are records for left-handed pitchers. He appeared in three World Series and won the 1957 World Series against the powerful New York Yankees led by Mickey Mantle and Yogi Berva. Not bad for a local boy.

2. Sal “The Barber” Maglie (Niagara Falls HS) - Sal was the ace of the New York Giants championship teams of the '50's, winning the World Series in 1954. In a three-year stretch, Maglie won 60 games and lost only 16. His career winning percentage was .657 and that is in the top 20 of all time. He was best known for dueling Don Larsen in 1956, where he lost 2-0 to Don’s perfect game in the World Series.

3.Daryl “Moose” Johnston (Lewiston-Porter HS) - After graduating from Syracuse University, Daryl spent 10 years as the starting fullback for the Dallas Cowboys. In that stretch, he won three Super Bowl Rings, two pro bowl nominations and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection. His devastating blocking style enabled fellow backfield member Emmitt Smith to become the NFL’s all-time leading rusher.

4 Ron “The Polish Rifle” Jaworski (Lackawanna HS) After being drafted in the second round from Youngstown State, Ron went on to throw 179 touchdowns in the NFL, became the 1980 NFC player of the year and made 116 consecutive starts at quarterback. In 1980, he reached the peak of his career leading the 12-4 Philadelphia Eagles to the Super Bowl, throwing for 3529 yards and 27 touchdowns. He is currently an ESPN broadcaster.

5. Jimmy Arias (Grand Island H.S.) – In 1980, Jimmy as a 5' 9" inch 16 year old teenager turned pro and with his grinding baseline style rocketed to the number four tennis player in the world. Arias won five titles (all on clay), one grand slam mixed doubles title in the French Open and almost $2 million dollars in prize money before his 22nd birthday.

6. Bob Lanier (Bennett H.S.) – After a stellar four-year career at St. Bonaventure, leading the Bonnies to their only final four appearance in the NCAA Basketball Tournament, Bob was the first pick in the NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. As a 6' 11" 260-pound giant, Lanier was a graceful athlete with a soft touch. In his 15/ year NBA career, Bob scored 19, 248 points, pulled down 9698 rebounds. Was an 8-time all star and made the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.

7.Christian Laettner (Nichols H.S.) – This 6'11" center/forward was the John Wooden Award winner as the best collegiate basketball player in the country in 1992. During his fabulous four year career at Duke University, he won two NCAA titles and his buzzer-beating basket in the NCAA Tournament remains among the most famous plays in history. Laettner was selected with the third pick in the NBA draft, made the 1997 all star team and was a member of the 1992 Olympic Gold Medal Team.
In 2012, Christian was elected to the Collegiate Basketball Itall of Fame.

8. Cliff Robinson (Riverside H.S.) – After four years at the University of Connecticut, Robinson was drafted in the 2nd round by the Portland Trail Blazers. In his 18-year NBA career, Robinson was an all starcin 1994, a two-time second team all-defensive player. and the sixth man of the year in 1993. Cliff scored 19,591 points, corralled 6306 rebounds and played 1380 pro games (seventh all-time). Robinson also played for a record five playoff teams, starting for each one.

9. Joe Mesi (Sweet Home H.S.) – From 1994-1996, Joe started his boxing career as the New York State Super Heavyweight Golden Gloves Champ. He became the alternate Super Heavyweight for the 1996 Olympic Boxing Team. As a Pro, Mesi was undefeated at 36-0 with 29 knockouts. Unfortunately, Joe’s career was cut short by a brain injury before his chance to fight for the Heavyweight Championship of the World as the number one contender.

10. Rob Gronkowski (Williamsville North). After an exemplary career at the University of Arizona, Ron was drafted in 2010 by the New England Patriots with their 2nd pick. Gronkowski set the single-season record of 17 touchdowns for tight ends in the NFL and also became the youngest player at 21 to score three touchdowns in a NFL playoff game. In this writer’s option, he is on his way to the Hall of Fame as one of the greatest tight ends to ever play in the NFL.

11. Tom Baker (Riverside H.S.) – Tom turned pro in 1976 and went on to win 12 tournaments. Tom rolled 65 300 games and set the all-time record for the highest average in a bowling tournament (247 average for 40 games at the Denver Open). He was elected to the Pro Bowlers Hall of Fame in 1999. But Barker was not done, as he won the top tournament in the sport (the PBA World Championships) at the ripe old age of 49! How many athletes can claim their greatest feat was five years after they were elected to the Hall of Fame!

12. Allie Brandt (Lockport H.S.) – In 1939,Allie set the all-time record for three games when he fired an 886 series at Transit Lanes in Lockport and that record stood for over 50years. Imagine if Brandt had the benefits of the technology of the new bowling balls with their multiple surfaces, how well he would perform today. He was elected to the Pro Bowlers Hall of Fame in 1960.

----

Honorable Mention: James Starks, Dan Maijkauski, Rick Manning, Jim Burt, Jonny Flynn, Joe Ehrman,Doris and Cindy Coburn.
My apologies to the rest of the local athletes who excelled in their careers whom I missed.

Niagara Falls Reporter www.niagarafallsreporter.com
Nov 27 , 2012