 |
 Al Vlasic was one of the best of many Monaca
natives who starred on Geneva College basketball teams in the ten
years after World War II. In his four years at Geneva (1948-1951)
under coaches Slim Ransom and
Cliff Aultman,
Al started every one of
the 103 varsity games on the schedule, setting new scoring records
for each of his last three seasons. Ironically, Al’s senior season
record of 575 points in 1951 was his best but the Covies suffered
through a disappointing 12-18 season, although upset victories over Duquesne
and St Francis in the final two games helped make the season
bearable, as did the fact that Al finished his career
with a school record 1535 points. He was named to the NAIA All
State team in his junior and senior years and received honorable
mention as a sophomore. At Monaca High School, Al played on
three strong teams before graduating in 1942. During his sophomore year,
the Indians lost in the WPIAL championship game. In his junior
season, they were edged out of section honors by a one point loss to
a talented Midland High team led by
Dave Alston.
Al paced the
Indians in scoring his junior and senior years, and the team finally
won the WPIAL Class A playoff title in 1942. Al served in the
Marines from 1942 to 1946 and played service basketball in China.
During his Geneva career, he also played for the powerful Beaver
Falls American Legion basketball teams and was named to the Legion
All American squads in 1950 and 1951. He later played with the
Philadelphia Spas on a national tour with the Harlem Globetrotters.
Al also played for many Beaver County cage teams before retiring in 1957.
He was active as a PIAA basketball official for many years and also
assisted Chuck Wilson of WBVP.
Al retired from the Arco
Polymers Company. |
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