CHESTER, Pa. — Since 1911, the tradition of Homecoming as we know it has been taking place all across the country. Homecoming is a day in which alumni and supporters of a respective school attend their institution's football game, reminiscing the great times they had in school while cheering on the football team. For those that have attended Widener University, whether under the current institution's name or Widener College or Pennsylvania Military College, they have been fortunate enough to see the school's unique Broom Drill before the football team would kick off and add another win to its illustrious history.
On Saturday, for the first time in four years, Widener will be recognizing its fifth Athletics Hall of Fame class at halftime during its Homecoming football game against Alvernia. The Class of 2022 — Annette Angelotti Reiter ('83), Laurie Barbour Eriksen ('82), Tony Caia ('50), Rich Grzeszkowiak ('80), Gibson Ivery ('77), Lou Stevens ('88) and the 1981 national championship football team — was formally inducted into the Hall of Fame on Friday night during a ceremony at Springfield Country Club. However, this group is looking forward to coming back to Chester and being honored in front of family, friends, and supporters from an institution that has provided them with lifelong memories.
"It's a real honor," said Jim Hirschmann, who was one of four captains on the 1981 football team. "It was an honor to represent Widener during my time there. We had a great deal of support from the administration, the Board of Trustees, and a fantastic coaching staff. Our homecomings are special, whether you come back every two years, five years or 10 years. This one will be really special because of our team being inducted."
"This is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life," said Ivery, who was a star on the football field and on the track. "I've been inducted into the Chester High School Hall of Fame, the Delaware County Black Hall of Fame. But the Widener Athletics Hall of Fame, that is the ultimate achievement of my life, outside of Christ."
It's unbelievable," said Angelotti, who shined on the basketball court for the women's basketball team. "Looking back, I feel honored to be chosen for this. It does give me a great sense of pride. I had a lot of pride for this school when I attended and when my daughter graduated from here. This is really special."
This class features three inductees who had a major impact on the football field in Caia, Ivery, and the 1981 team.
Caia was one of PMC's finest football players from 1946-50. After serving as a medic in World War II, he came to PMC as a running back and set a school record of five touchdowns in one game against Swarthmore in 1948. That record helped him win the Maxwell Club Award for the top performance in the East that week and it stood until 1972, when Billy "White Shoes" Johnson broke the record with six touchdowns against St. John's. Caia finished the 1948 season by leading PMC to an 8-1 record — its best season in program history since 1934 when the Cadets went 7-0-2 — and becoming the program's second All-American. After graduating from PMC, Caia coached football for 55 years and taught special education.
Unfortunately, Caia passed away in 2012. Caia's son, Matt, said Caia always carried his love for PMC/Widener in everything he did.
"Tony's time at PMC was pivotal in advancing his football career as well as enabling him to continue serving his country as an Army Air Corps reservist - activities both of which were very meaningful to him," Matt said. "He enjoyed staying active as a Widener alumnus and contributing to the Widener sports community."
As for Ivery, he showcased his incredible athletic abilities on both the football field and the track from 1974-77. On the football field, Ivery was the leading receiver for the Pioneers in all three seasons, making 69 catches for 1,246 yards and 16 touchdowns. In 1976, Ivery earned All-American honors after hauling in 29 receptions for 527 yards and seven TDs while also returning 13 punts for 153 yards and one score. In track and field, Ivery was a two-time All-American as a member of the 4x100 outdoor relay team (1976, 1977), the MAC champion in the indoor 300-yard run in 1976, and the MAC champion in the indoor 60-yard dash in 1977. Ivery and the 4x100 outdoor relay team in 1977 still hold the record in that event with a time of 41.29 seconds. For his efforts, Ivery was named to the MAC 100 Century team in 2013. Ivery went on to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1977 as a wide receiver.
To Ivery, Widener was a way out of the tough streets of Chester and allowed him to grow as a person. Ivery credited Widener legendary football coach Bill Manlove for him attending Widener.
"He gave me a shot to come here," Ivery said. "I have to credit him. I would not be here without him and Christ."
Four years after Ivery's time, the 1981 team made a huge mark on the university and in Middle Atlantic Conference history by claiming its second national title that season by way of a 17-10 victory over rival Dayton. Widener finished the season with a perfect 13-0 record and joined Wittenberg as the only other Division III program at the time with two NCAA football championships.
Hirschmann and fellow captain Tony Britton both felt the 1981 team was motivated to right a couple of wrongs that happened in the 1979 and 1980 seasons. After all, the Pioneers had advanced through perfect regular seasons and won their quarterfinal games in the national tournament, only to see their ultimate goal dashed with losses in the semifinals. The Pioneers lost to Wittenberg, 17-14, in 1979 and fell to Dayton, 28-24, in 1980, with both teams going on to win the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl and claim the national title in those respective year.
"We had certain strengths as a team, but we had that extra effort and experience to get us over the hump," Britton said. "Every one of us contributed in every way to win the national championship."
"The 1981 team may not have been the best team ever, but it overcame a lot of adversity," Hirschmann said. "We just had that will to win."
While Widener has a long-storied tradition with football, Angelotti, Barbour, Grzeszkowiak, and Stevens helped put Widener on the map during the 80s as well.
One of the most prolific scorers in Widener women's basketball history, Angelotti graduated as the program's second leading scorer after amassing 1,568 career points for the Pioneers from 1979-83. In doing so, she led the team to three consecutive Middle Atlantic Conference Southern Division titles from 1980-83. In 1981-82, Angelotti guided the Pioneers to a school-record 19 wins and a spot in the first NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship tournament. Angelotti was selected to the MAC Southern Division First Team three times and was named the division's Most Valuable Player in 1983. Angelotti currently ranks fourth on the all-time scoring list and still ranks in the top 10 in Widener history in field goals made in a season (seventh with 170 in 1981-82) and scoring in a season (10th with 432 points in 1981-82).
Angelotti felt her time at Widener prepared her for her career as a nurse and as a head coach on the high school and college levels, with her most recent stint being the head coach at Rutgers-Camden.
"It was filled with great memories and experiences," Angelotti said. "The lessons I learned for my career as a nurse, the experiences of being a player, and even being a resident assistant for three years came into play throughout my life. I was trying to help every person and student-athlete who I worked with."
As for Barbour, she was a standout in the pool for the Pioneers. Barbour became the Pioneers' first All-American swimmer under the NCAA in 1982 after earning that status in two events by placing second in the 50 butterfly and fifth in the 100 butterfly. Barbour's 50 fly time of 27.51 seconds and her 100 fly time of 1:01.91 were school records that stood for 20 years until 2002. For her efforts, Barbour was named to the MAC 100 Century team in 2013.
Grzeszkowiak was one of the top performers in Widener men's track & field history from 1976-80. Grzeszkowiak won the NCAA title in the decathlon in 1980 and was Widener's first three-time All-American in any sport. In his victory in the decathlon as a senior, Grzeszkowiak set the school record with 7,160 points, which still stands today. Grzeszkowiak also won four MAC championships in the triple jump and two in the long jump. For his efforts, Grzeszkowiak was named to the MAC 100 Century team in 2013.
Stevens made his mark in the latter half of the 80s as one of the most dynamic players in the history of Widener men's basketball. Stevens was the first player in school history to surpass 2,000 points as he graduated with 2,140 points, which still ranks No. 1 in program history. Stevens finished as the school's all-time leader in field goals made (821), free throws made (492), free throws attempted (673), and points in a season (661). He was tabbed an All-American in 1987 and 1988 as well as the NCAA Division III Player of the Year in 1988. He was a two-time MVP of the NCAA Division III Mid-Atlantic Regional in 1987 and 1985. He was voted to the 1985 NCAA Division III All-Tournament Team after leading Widener to the Final Four. He is a member of the Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame and the Philadelphia Small College Basketball Hall of Fame.
When these inductees or representatives gather on Saturday, they will all relive the memories and enjoy the pageantry of all that Widener does for its Homecoming weekend. More importantly, they will be grateful to be enshrined and to have a place they call home forever.
"I love everything about Widener," Ivery said. "Widener saved my life. It got me out of a rough place and gave me a new perspective on life."
"I remember when I got the letter in the mail from Widener saying I was going to be inducted this year, I was like 'Oh my gosh! Really?'," Barbour said. "It has given me a chance to reflect on my career. This makes me feel special."
"It's an honor," Stevens said. "It puts a cap in my career, even though it was a long time ago. It has shown that I have come a long way from when I first started playing."
