FORMER TROY FOOTBALL PLAYERS HONOR COACH 'STREZ' WITH STATUE UNVEILING (2024-10-26)
Northern Tier Sports ReportTROY — Former players and family were at the unveiling of the statue for former Troy football coach, Mark Strzelecki, at the football team’s practice field on Saturday.
“I’m very happy with the turnout,” said Rich Rogers, a former player of Strzelecki’s and the current Wyalusing football coach. “Over 60 former players all donated to make this happen. It’s a beautiful day for family, friends, everybody who was able to come - just an awesome, awesome day. I’m just so thankful for having the chance to play for him, continue what he taught me, passing down to the kids that I work with now. This is where it all came from, he’s the one who taught me the game.”
Coach ‘Strez’ coached during the 1980’s, starting in 1980. After going 1-8 in that season he coached eight straight consecutive winning seasons, earning three NTL titles (1981, 1985, 1988), one District IV title (1988) and undefeated season (1988). He passed in 2021.
“The amazing thing is everybody knew the same man,” Rogers said. “Whether you were a fourth string punter, or first string QB, everybody knew the same man. He respected everybody, you respected him, everybody who knew him would have run through a wall for him, that’s who he was.”
Along with a statue at Troy’s practice field on Turtleback, there is a bench in his honor outside the home football locker room at Alparon Park.
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PHOTOS PROVIDED
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