Steve Zernich
is well known in Beaver County as an accomplished surgeon with over
50 years of experience. But his athletic accomplishments are notable
as well. After all, how many people can state that they competed in
their sport for 65 years at a championship level? Steve grew up in
Aliquippa, but was cut from his first tryout for the basketball
team, although he secured a starting spot on the freshman team at
the University of Pittsburgh and was the sixth
man his sophomore and junior season, leading the team in minutes
played. His coach, legendary Doc Carlson, named him team captain
his senior year. But with World War II raging and surgeons in need,
Steve entered the service at the end of his junior year at age 19.
In the service, he proceeded to become an All Star performer in basketball,
softball, and football, catching 15 passes in his very first
gridiron game. After his days in the service, Steve competed in
several Serbian National Basketball Tournaments, helping Aliquippa
to five titles. At age 70, Steve was determined to be the number
one ranked tennis player in the United States, but a severe hip
injury curtailed his march to the top. However, Steve has been a
fixture on the local tennis scene, winning 15 county titles with his
doubles partner,
Joe Petruny.
Steve Zernich
is well known in Beaver County as an accomplished surgeon with over
50 years of experience. But his athletic accomplishments are notable
as well. After all, how many people can state that they competed in
their sport for 65 years at a championship level? Steve grew up in
Aliquippa, but was cut from his first tryout for the basketball
team, although he secured a starting spot on the freshman team at
the University of Pittsburgh and was the sixth
man his sophomore and junior season, leading the team in minutes
played. His coach, legendary Doc Carlson, named him team captain
his senior year. But with World War II raging and surgeons in need,
Steve entered the service at the end of his junior year at age 19.
In the service, he proceeded to become an All Star performer in basketball,
softball, and football, catching 15 passes in his very first
gridiron game. After his days in the service, Steve competed in
several Serbian National Basketball Tournaments, helping Aliquippa
to five titles. At age 70, Steve was determined to be the number
one ranked tennis player in the United States, but a severe hip
injury curtailed his march to the top. However, Steve has been a
fixture on the local tennis scene, winning 15 county titles with his
doubles partner,