I was unloading the dishwasher yesterday morning when KDKA broke the news that Franco Harris had died at 72. This, just two days before the 50th anniversary of the “Immaculate Reception” and three days before his #32 jersey would be retired. I felt really choked up over Franco’s passing. I don’t typically get emotional about celebrity deaths. But something about this news got to me. It took some time for me to realize it had to do, at least in part, with the story of place. Fifty years ago, Franco Harris helped turn around a franchise in a city that was facing hard times.
Thanks for sharing. I grew up in Alliance, Ohio in the triangle of steel between Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Youngstown. Football was king and so were the heroes on the field. It’s rewarding to see these cities reinvent themselves while not forgetting their industrial past, ethnic neighborhoods, and sports traditions.
The Beaver Falls video was the BEST! I worked my way through college from 1972-76 in the metalogical lab of B&W Tubular in Alliance. That is my connection with the city where B&W Tubular Products was headquartered.
The community development director spoke to what I believe we as trail advocates should be. That we (the trail, trail organizations, and trail advocates) are catalysts, the enablers, that allow and nurture people to shape and change their communities for the better.
Thanks for sharing. I grew up in Alliance, Ohio in the triangle of steel between Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Youngstown. Football was king and so were the heroes on the field. It’s rewarding to see these cities reinvent themselves while not forgetting their industrial past, ethnic neighborhoods, and sports traditions.
The Beaver Falls video was the BEST! I worked my way through college from 1972-76 in the metalogical lab of B&W Tubular in Alliance. That is my connection with the city where B&W Tubular Products was headquartered.
The community development director spoke to what I believe we as trail advocates should be. That we (the trail, trail organizations, and trail advocates) are catalysts, the enablers, that allow and nurture people to shape and change their communities for the better.
Did I tell you Amy, I was at that game?
This was a very thoughtful article and I checked out all the resources. Thank you!