New York Capital Region Sports Memories 1900-2013 Volume 1

About the Book

The Capital Region has always had a rich sports tradition, and over the years, many outstanding athletes, coaches, and teams have graced its athletic facilities. Olympic gold medal winner Jeff Blatnick, Brooklyn Dodgers pitcher Johnny Podres, NFL star Ernie Stautner, NYU basketball All-American Barry Kramer, race car driver Shirley Muldowney, and the Whiz Kids are just a drop in the bucket. Volume 1 of New York Capital Region Sports Memories 1910-2013 is a collection of more than 350 sports figures and teams of yesteryear, plus trivia. The Schenectady Gazette, Schenectady Union Star, Albany Times Union, Troy Record, and other area newspapers, as well as my personal memories and conversations with area sports figures and fans, were my sources for putting this collection of memories together.

About the Author

The writer, Mike Meola, played basketball, baseball, and football for Linton High School from 1960-1963. His three-sport teammate was NBA coaching legend, Pat Riley. Mike was an All-County selection in all three sports both his junior and senior years. He was named the County Football Player of the Year, the Tom McAnn Award winner, and an All-American honorable mention his senior year. Mike played basketball for Johnny Orr at the University of Massachusetts from 1963-1967, then taught and coached at Bishop Gibbons High School for two years and with the Schenectady City School District for thirty-eight years. He occasionally filled in and hosted a sports talk show for sportscaster John Graney at WVKZ (1240 AM). Mike also did the play-by-play of some Siena College basketball games, filling in for Graney. Retired, he spends much of his leisure time playing golf and attending sporting events. Mike was inducted into the Schenectady City School District Athletic Hall of Fame/