The following article appeared in the Gowanda News; January 11, 2004

When I received a telephone call on Christmas Eve asking if I could cover the First Annual Gowanda Area Sports Exhibit, I hesitantly accepted the assignment. I am a die-hard Buffalo Bills Fan, a number one armchair quarterback. When my children were young they were members of the local Farm Team softball league; of course I was at every practice and every game cheering my children on. My eight year-old grandson is now into soccer, he is quite a natural at the sport; and yes, this is a biased opinion. My problem stemmed with, what could the Village of Gowanda and the surrounding area offer for me to photograph, let alone write an article about?

After all, Gowanda is a tiny, rural Village in Western New York, population; not many. The Village divided by the Cattaraugus Creek lies in two separate Towns and two separate counties. The east section of the village is located in the Town of Collins, Erie County; the western section of the Village is located in the Town of Persia, Cattaraugus County. The Village borders the Cattaraugus Indian Reservation, the largest Reservation in New York State. The manufacturing concerns that once thrived in the Village have long been closed, businesses such as Moench Tanning a Division of Brown Shoe Company and Peter Cooper, locally known as the glue factory have left the area with the task of cleaning up some of the largest toxic dumpsites in the state.

At one time, the largest employers in the area were J.N. Adam Hospital, a hospital originally built by the city of Buffalo in the rural community to treat tuberculosis patients. As the tuberculosis scourge retreated, the facility became used for those known as “mentally retarded.” The second large employer was Gowanda Psychiatric Center, a hospital tending to the needs of the “mentally insane.” Patient’s rights movements closed these two facilities, moving those deemed in need of institutionalization into Buffalo or Rochester, the remaining patients were moved into private home care centers or back into the community.

Presently, the largest area employer is New York State Correctional Facility. Having taken over the Gowanda Psychiatric Center grounds and buildings, three separate medium security facilities have been established on the grounds; Collins I, Collins II and Gowanda Correctional. It is a pity to realize that many of the persons who once called the area their home because of mental deficiencies may someday call the area home as they become now become members of the legal system due to the State’s inability to properly care for them.

With this in mind, I reluctantly headed off to the Sports Exhibit on Sunday, dreading the dead I was to perform. I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived, spending so much time at the exhibit that I aggravated my disability causing myself so much pain, that I had less than 3 hours of sleep last evening before sitting at the computer to write my article, which I have since decided to share here.

Blue skies, dry roads and unseasonably warm temperatures did not keep sports enthusiasts, history buffs and area sports VIP’s from spending time indoors at the first annual History of Gowanda Sports Exhibition held at St. Joseph’s Church Hall, on Sunday, December 28, 2003. Whether it was curiosity or nostalgia, young and old alike stopped by to view the displays of sports memorabilia appropriately themed: ‘Gowanda Area Sports’ First,’ provided by more than forty area residents and businesses. The ‘Sports’ Firsts’ theme offered a unique aspect to the displayed memorabilia which included uniforms, helmets, photos, film, scrap books, trophies, equipment, banners and even cameo appearances by area sports heroes from by-gone eras.

Sports fashion firsts included a helmet from the 1940’s Thomas Indian School football team, Coach Hillis’ 1946 jacket, the first complete uniform worn by Gowanda Little League members (circa 1962-1965) to fashions telling a unique story about the Gowanda area resident who owned the item. A pair of white spikes, dated 1969 told the story of a 13 year old starting quarterback for the Gowanda Packers, the FIRST to dare to be different during a sporting event. Wanting to make his uniform resemble the colors of his favorite team, the Oakland A’s, 13 year-old Mark Benton “bought white shoe dye from Hemilein’s Shoe Store,” dying his spikes white and adding green laces to match his jersey. White spikes were unavailable at the time, impossible to purchase and worn only by Joe Namath. Benton appeared on the field in “Broadway Joe” style, leading the undefeated Packers into a First Division Title victory.

White spikes were not the only sports fashion trend attributed to Gowanda. The Hidi Softball Team was the FIRST team to wear different colored shirts on alternating nights. They were also the FIRST team to utilize a fashion trend in the make-up of their jersey; the tie-dyed shirt. This fashion FIRST dubbed the team, “Tie-Die Hidi.”

Of course fashion and firsts go hand in hand with 1983 Gowanda Central School graduate, Charisse Sprague; the FIRST Gowanda area resident to become a Buffalo Jill Cheerleader. Sprague became a Buffalo Jill in 1990, maintaining her position for three years. Her boots, pom-poms and team roster photo were on display at the exhibition.

Sprague is not the only Gowanda area resident with ties to the National Football League (NFL). Also on display were photos and biographies of Bonnie Krauss, the Gowanda resident who works in the marketing department of the Buffalo Bills; Mark Benton, who worked administration for Jim Kelley Enterprises Inc. from 1988–96; and of course; Gowanda’s major claim to NFL fame; Bob Palcic.

Palcic played a linebacker position for the Gowanda Panthers 1968–70, furthering his education at the University of Dayton, where he would return to begin his coaching career as defensive ends and offensive linemen coach in 1974. His coaching career would also result in positions with Ball State, Wisconsin University, the Canadian Football League (CFL), the University of Arizona, Ohio State, Southern California and UCLA before entering the ranks of the NFL as offensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons in 1994. He also coached tight ends for the Detroit Lions in 1997-98; coached offensive line for the Cleveland Browns in 1999 before joining the New Orleans Saints in 2000 as a tight end coach, where he has since remained.

Football and cheerleaders were not the only focus of the Sports Exhibit. Softball fans had plenty of memorabilia to stir those blissful recollections of days gone by. There were plenty of displays for the baseball and softball fans, including remembrances of the historic attributes of the FIRST and only team to win league championship for four consecutive years, the Capella Softball Team. Capella’s championship bout (1975-78) has set a standard yet to be matched by any other softball team throughout the twenty-four year history of the league. Photos, trophies, jerseys and jackets were displayed, as was the infamous BOMBAT, an aluminum bat used during three of the four championship games.

The BOMBAT was also utilized by another Gowanda area Championship softball team; Harold’s Lounge. This team won three consecutive championships, becoming the FIRST team, notorious for their historic celebratory standards. The BOMBAT has since been retired due to The Amateur Softball Association’s (ASA) new rulings on what constitutes illegal equipment.

For the bowling aficionado the display included a series of bowling pins from days gone by, as well as an authentic 1920’s two-holed wooden bowling ball. Of course, Gowanda area residents hold great standings in the bowling world. Charles Brecht was the FIRST Gowanda area resident to bowl an 802 series. Bob Robe was the FIRST Gowanda area resident to bowl two perfect games. His first 300 game was bowled on November 16, 1992, his second on March 8, 2000.

Sporting equipment was not the only equipment on display. The microphone of the FIRST” unofficial voice of Gowanda Youth Football’ Mike Updegrave was also exhibited. Updegrave who debuted as the ‘unofficial’ voice in 1988 by calling the second half of a Panther’s Varsity Football game, became impassioned with calling sporting events after placing third in a Van Miller sound alike contests during the late 80’s.

Other exhibits included the FIRST four consecutive Darien Lake Tri-Athalon Gowanda area winners; Motocross racing, pictures from Capella’s motorcycle track off Wheather Road and Springville Hill Climb dated 1936-39, memorabilia from Gowanda’s Harley Happening, a display of Nick Crassi’s NASCAR ProTruck Racing Championship memorabilia, a display of John Benton’s cycling memorabilia, a display of the North American LaCross Champions, dedications to Gowanda area youth who attended Springville School District, the recognition plaque for St. Joe’s own Father Walsh who carried the 1996 Olympic Torch through Fredonia and much more.

Cameo appearances were made throughout the day by such Gowanda Greats as Ed Urbank, the Gowanda Hurler who went on to pitch for the Bradford Blue Wings and Chuck Perkins who along with Urbank were members of the undefeated Gowanda Basketball Team of 1946-47. Dave Robbins, The coach of the Gowanda Merchants Team since its inception in 1971 also made an appearance, as did Tom Paulucci, former Gowanda resident who held the Pennsylvania State Dead Lift Record. Tom Noecker, the FIRST person to score 53 points in one basketball game as a member of the St Joe’s Cagers in 1971was also present, as was Henry “Puffi” Sprawka a former Gowanda Jets Coach.

Keeping with the theme of firsts, the first ten winners of the Chinese Auction were: Edna Butzer, a model motorcycle from Gowanda Harley Davidson; Willy Kota, the 50/50 raffle; Ed Pallen a Choel’s Gift Certificate; Kevin Regan, a Capozzi Pizzeria Gift Certificate; Mike Updegrave, a Gowanda Panthers wood carving; Justin Bobseine, a lottery board; Rob Jimmerson, a Gable Bros. Gift Certificate; Henry Sprawka, a K & L Lanes Gift Certificate; Tom Noeker, a Gowanda Pharmacy gift certificate and Linda Munro, a Springville Championship sweatshirt.

All in all, the event was an overwhelming success, receiving good reviews from participants and bypassing anticipated attendance. Proceeds from the exhibition will be utilized to assist 2004 Gowanda area sports programs.

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