The coronavirus pandemic has halted a 48-year tradition, the Philadelphia Catholic League wrestling banquet.
Organizer Bill Hunter, a former coach at North Catholic and Bishop McDevitt, still plans to present the honorees with their awards.
The Travis Manion Award, given to a former wrestler for his career achievements, was earned by 1997 Archbishop Wood graduate and Langhorne resident Joe Jamison. Jamison was an All-Catholic wrestler who has a master’s from St. Joseph’s University. He was an assistant coach at Princeton for 10 years and is now the head coach at Ursinus College. Past winners include Sean McDermott (NFL coach), Eddie Alvarez (MMA world champion), Nate Houston (U.S. Army special forces), Tom Murt (state representative) and Timothy Steinmetz (Navy SEAL).
The Catholic League Coach of the Year is Conwell-Egan’s Chuckie Connor, a 1996 PIAA champion wrestler at Pennsbury. Conwell-Egan has struggled in recent years, but Connor led the Eagles to an 18-5 record and a spot in the playoffs this season. Two wrestlers qualified for the state tournament in Hershey.
The Bud Lindholm Award, in memory of a legendary coach for service to Philadelphia wrestling, is being given to referee Bob McCarney. For the last 35 years, McCarney has officiated thousands of PCL wrestlers as well as many PIAA finals.
The Hal Selvey Award, named in memory of a Cardinal Dougherty senior for unselfish dedication and leadership, was won by Father Judge’s Eamonn Logue. Logue was a four-time league champion, won 142 career matches, was a PIAA qualifier and is ranked eighth in his class. He will be attending the University of Wyoming.
The banquet was to be held at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5. Parents who paid for their tickets are donating the money to a fund to benefit the family of Jimmy O’Connor, the Philadelphia police sergeant murdered in the line of duty in March. Hunter worked with O’Connor in SWAT. Both graduated from North Catholic.
