Correspondent
Mike Pettine has received athletic honors and accolades as Pennsylvania's winningest AAAA high school football coach at Central Bucks West High School in Doylestown. Movies have been made about this man's ability to coach a football team. And, the best thing of all, he's from Conshohocken.
Born in 1940 to Mike (Sike) and Virginia Pettine on 239 East Eighth Avenue, Pettine grew up during a time when his block was known as the League of Nations because each family had different ethnic backgrounds, including Charles 'Shortie' Johnson, John and Joe Pilcicki, Jo Andrey, Buffy Bonkowski, Ray and Jack Rodenbaugh, Bill Fair, Dan McGee, and Franny Shinners. "It didn't matter what your background was, your school, or your church -- we were all friends; we got along, and we were all on the same page, "notes Pettine.
In the late forties and early fifties, life was simple. Pettine's neighborhood pals weren't bored as they played every kind of game - wireball, stickball, basketball with a homemade rim and hoop. They played on the B Field, but mostly on the streets.
"Older kids wouldn't let me play so I had to fight to play. My father would not want me complaining if I didn't get in the game. He gave me one of the best lessons - to fight my own battles," notes Pettine.
After attending Conshohocken Elementary, he spent the next five years at Conshy High and had wonderful teachers.
In tenth grade, he played varsity football, basketball, and baseball. "Back then, you didn't concentrate on just one sport, you moved right along - just like the seasons," quips Pettine.
Football was his sport of choice, as the Conshohocken Comet (because of his running ability) starred for Conshy High's Golden Bears.
Another defining moment is a game that Conshy High lost. He was upset and started to complain. Pettine's father said he shouldn't blame anyone else but himself. It was a lesson that has stayed with Pettine his whole life. "The buck stops with you."
Even though the senior Pettine was warm, he was also a disciplinarian, but encouraged his son to be active in athletics and gave him great encouragement. "I could always tell by the game program what my dad thought.
If it was crinkled with frayed edges, it was a tight, tense game. If the program was in good shape, that was a good sign the game went well," remembers Pettine. His mother, just as proud of her son's accomplishments, however, was always concerned that he would get hurt. She stayed home and prayed.
Pettine remembers two Thanksgiving Day games - 1955 and 1957.
The townspeople came in droves for this rivalry between St. Matthew's and Conshohocken High. Pettine remembers the A field was packed. Incredibly, St. Matt's beat Conshy High at the last
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second. The Golden Bears lost the game, and then had to go to the victory dance at the Fellowship House where both winners and losers attended.
The November 1957 Thanksgiving Day game is another one for the books. Pettine states: "My teammates and I were so cocky talking about the victory dance before we played, and were overconfident. We won, but played one of our worst games. Coach Ray Weaver was not happy and said the wrong team won. He said St. Matt's outplayed us. He reiterated that even though the scoreboard reflected that Conshy High won, we didn't. This was when I learned it's not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game (trite, but true). I'll never forget going to that victory dance, I wanted to find the closest corner and hide my head," states Pettine.
It was another significant moment where Pettine saw that football reflects life. Sometimes life isn't fair, just like the game when the wrong team won.
Because of those incredible Thanksgiving Day rivalries between St. Matt's and Conshy High, Pettine was able to motivate his CB West football players. "Do not be intimidated. You don't know what intimidation is until you have lived through the Holy War (referring to the annual Thanksgiving Day games between St. Matt's and Conshy High). They were pressure games - and then you had to live with yourself for a whole year," says Pettine.
Conshohocken native and long-time friend, Jimmy Neve, Lower Gwynedd resident, had these words about that 1955 game: "If there was anybody that could have won the ballgame, it was Mike Pettine. We were friends all year, except for the two hours we played on Thanksgiving. That was the beauty of Conshohocken - it didn't matter what school you went to, you were friends.
They don't come any tougher, finer, or better than Mike Pettine. Despite all the hoopla and notoriety, this guy is the same today as he was when we were altar boys at SS. Cosmas & Damian," continues Neve.
Spiritually, SS. Cosmas & Damian was Pettine's parish. One of his favorite priests was Fr. Georgi, who, according to Pettine, was a great leader and demanded respect. He even wrote Pettine's mother how proud he was that he was a good boy as well as being an altar boy.
Memories flood Pettine's mind about things from Conshohocken, from Wally's Steak's to the Soap Box Derby to peeking in the blue windows at the Fellowship House and watching a high school basketball player from Overbrook High School, Wilt Chamberlain, wow the town playing in the Fellowship House Basketball Classic.
After high school, Pettine went to Villanova University. Sophomore year he joined the football team. One of the motivating factors that spurred him on to doing his best in college was during freshman orientation. He remembers there were over 1,000 kids with me. The moderator said to look around at all these people because in four years there will only be about 400 of you left. From that point, Pettine really studied hard.
Even though Pettine went to Conshy High, a lot of his friends went to St. Matt's. His friends were also athletic, and were aware of each school's coaching staff's. Vince Bonkowski, legendary coach at Conshy High and Buffy's father, died of a heart attack in the spring of 1955. In July of that same year, Charlie Heavey, St. Matt's beloved football coach, was electrocuted during a storm. Pettine remembers both schools being in shock as there was a close affinity and respect between these two football powerhouses.
While at Villanova, Pettine decided to become a coach. He loved sports and teaching, so he combined the two. He married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Miller, from West Conshohocken at St. Thomas of Villanova chapel on July 1, 1959.
Pettine's first teaching job was at St. Pius X High School in Pottstown teaching English and as an assistant football and basketball coach from 1962 to 1965. He was then was offered at job at teaching Social Studies and as assistant football coach at Central Bucks High School in Doylestown.
CB West football coach, John Kracsun, was leaving the area and returning to Western Pennsylvania. Pettine was offered the job of head football coach. In reality, the school took a chance, but they wanted someone who was familiar with the CB program. The chance paid off.
From the time he got the head-coaching job in 1967 until 1999, Pettine's four state league championships, including his record of 327-42-4 is a Pennsylvania AAAA record. His dynasty at CB West is the stuff legends - and movies - are made of.
Recently, this story made it to celluloid. The Last Game, which was literally the last game CB West played under the tutelage of Pettine, received great reviews from USA Today, LA Times, and the Sundance Film Festival. Even people who are not football fans love it.
The birth of this movie came about through Tim Murray, nephew of Jim Murray, former GM of the Philadelphia Eagles, who called Pettine last year. Murray and his friend, Alex Weinress, another local guy, wanted to do a movie on the history of CB West football i.e., where it started and how it evolved.
Fast forward two weeks later; ESPN calls and says they want to do a documentary on the high school football program. Pettine had to tell ESPN that the school already had an agreement with Murray and Weinress. He mentioned that his son coached at North Penn and the rest, as they say, is history.
The ESPN movie followed Mike Pettine, Jr., around for the whole football season, up to and including the climactic game when father (CBWest) played son (NorthPenn). This father versus son game got national and international coverage in 1999.
But The Last Game has everything - drama, adversity, and a cast of characters that could only come straight out of Hollywood except Hollywood wasn't involved. They capture family dynamics during football season with father and son talking at home, at times arguing, but most times, showing their love and respect for each other. In addition, it follows the Pettine family the entire year from practices to dinners at home. The directors wanted to know - do these guys even talk? The movie showed both Pettine's - Mike and Mike, Jr. had a life that revolved around football.
The Last Game is real. This was Pettine's team. They had the good, the bad, and the ugly. "We could have had a losing year and a boring season, but instead we hit the jackpot. The filmmakers got everything they wanted. We were doing fine then all of a sudden all hell breaks lose. The final scene is an unbelievable scene - right out of 'Win one for the Gipper'. We lost the first three running backs and were down to a fourth stringer in the State Championship against Erie Cathedral Prep, a football powerhouse nationally ranked," remembers Pettine.
The Last Game will be released in December 2003 for rental at Blockbuster. There is even a possibility of a Hollywood movie.
Pettine and his wife, Joyce, live in Doylestown and are the parents of three children, Linda, Sandy, and Mike Jr. Mike, Jr. is also an athlete in his own right. Pettine notes that he pushed his son hard...to be the best. Mike Pettine, Jr. is now a defensive coach with the Baltimore Ravens. Pettine's sister, Eileen Sardo and brother, Carmen, take pride as well in their brother's accomplishments.
Pettine's greatest professional accomplishment was at CB West where he helped kids get into college by getting partial or full scholarships.
He said feels that when players go on to bigger and better things -- that is the essence of coaching. To him, these scholarships mean more than the memories of trophies, great games, or even state championships. It's how we apply lessons learned in life, especially when a kid comes back and says thanks. He also tells his players that kids are looking up to you.
Personally, being grandfather to six makes Pettine smile.
Presently, Pettine is retired from CB West but he still gets calls to do clinics and speaking engagements. He also loves to putter around the house and help out with a hammer, saw, and nails. In addition, he plays golf at many charity outings.
Pettine will be honored November 25 by Montco Coaches Hall of Fame at Westover Country Club (sidebar). Pettine states this is a great honor to be inducted into the Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame.
A few things about sports upset him, especially when he hears kids that they have nowhere to go and nothing to do. "I think back to my youth when we managed to create games. We didn't have video games and Nintendo. I'm glad I grew up when I did otherwise I'm afraid I wouldn't have developed the work ethic and mental and physical toughness.
"I also don't like professional athletes who are unapproachable.
"Many athletes are good genuine role models, but many are also characters and full of themselves.
"When I think about my hero, Chuck Bednarik, you could see the loyalty in that man's eyes.
He really cared for the team and the sport. I can't imagine Bednarik grandstanding in the end zone when he made a touchdown," states Pettine.
Even though he now lives in Doylestown, Pettine admits growing up in Conshy was a blessing. He had a unique childhood that has made him who he is today.
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The public sale of tickets for the 2nd annual Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame banquet are now on sale at a number of outlets throughout Montgomery County.
The banquet is scheduled for Tuesday evening, November 25 at Westover Country Club in West Norriton Township. At the banquet Central Bucks West football coaching legend Mike Pettine, the late Jim Crawford of North Penn High track and field fame, and Germantown Academy and Olympic swimming coach Dick Shoulberg will be inducted. Also, Ralph (Skag) Cottman will become the first inductee into the Montgomery County Community Coaches Honor Roll.
Tickets are priced at $50 and tables of eight can be reserved for $400. There are also packages that include tickets and program book sponsorships.
For information call ticket chairmen Sal Gambone (610) 279-4444 or Jim Serratore (610) 539-3575, or any board member - Gary Smith 610) 279-1072, Dale Hood (610) 539-8587, John Pergine (610) 277-1210, Jim Davis (610) 783-7005, Jim Church (215) 997-6480, Geoff Brandon (610) 312-2617 and Bob Bloss (610) 275-2911.
