Midland High School may no longer exist, but the
proud community has a ton of wonderful memories of its great
student-athletes. One of its favorite sons is Ivan Toncic, who was a
triple threat with the Leopard football team – running, passing, and
kicking his way to All County, All WPIAL, and All State honorable
mention awards his senior season of 1956. He concluded his
scholastic career by being named MVP in the Beaver County All Star
Game and also was picked to play in the Pittsburgh Area All Star game.
At the University of Pittsburgh, Ivan
was a three year starter as a multidimensional
threat, quarterbacking, playing defensive back, punting, and kicking
for the Panthers. His spirited play earned him third team All
American honors as a senior and an invitation to play in the
East-West Shrine All Star Game. In 1960 he was named Most
Outstanding Athlete in Pittsburgh by the Dapper Dan Banquet.
Although drafted by both the Washington Redskins and Buffalo Bills
in the newly formed American Football League, Ivan signed with
Hamilton of the Canadian Football League, where he played defensive
back and backup quarterback. Ivan suffered a broken arm his first
year in Canada and the following season signed with the Boston
Patriots of the AFL as a safety but ended his year with a major knee
injury, which caused him to lose much of his speed. Ivan then went
to Wheeling of the United Football League, where he played for three
years, earning MVP honors his second season. In the third year,
player-coach Ivan again suffered a knee injury, this one ending his
playing days. Ivan stayed with Wheeling for several years, helping
to start flag football and hockey leagues.
Midland High School may no longer exist, but the
proud community has a ton of wonderful memories of its great
student-athletes. One of its favorite sons is Ivan Toncic, who was a
triple threat with the Leopard football team – running, passing, and
kicking his way to All County, All WPIAL, and All State honorable
mention awards his senior season of 1956. He concluded his
scholastic career by being named MVP in the Beaver County All Star
Game and also was picked to play in the Pittsburgh Area All Star game.
At the University of Pittsburgh, Ivan
was a three year starter as a multidimensional
threat, quarterbacking, playing defensive back, punting, and kicking
for the Panthers. His spirited play earned him third team All
American honors as a senior and an invitation to play in the
East-West Shrine All Star Game. In 1960 he was named Most
Outstanding Athlete in Pittsburgh by the Dapper Dan Banquet.
Although drafted by both the Washington Redskins and Buffalo Bills
in the newly formed American Football League, Ivan signed with
Hamilton of the Canadian Football League, where he played defensive
back and backup quarterback. Ivan suffered a broken arm his first
year in Canada and the following season signed with the Boston
Patriots of the AFL as a safety but ended his year with a major knee
injury, which caused him to lose much of his speed. Ivan then went
to Wheeling of the United Football League, where he played for three
years, earning MVP honors his second season. In the third year,
player-coach Ivan again suffered a knee injury, this one ending his
playing days. Ivan stayed with Wheeling for several years, helping
to start flag football and hockey leagues.