LC defeats NP at Thanksgiving Alumni Game
TOWAMENCIN- After a Thanksgiving morning practice on the turf field, the 2016 Knights football team handed over the reins to their predecessors in hopes of earning the trophy for the second annual Thanksgiving Day Alumni Game against the Lansdale Catholic Crusaders. However, LC earned the victory with a final score of 51-68, making this their second year as champions.
As the Knights and Crusaders began arriving around 9am on Thursday, November 24th, their family members, sporting old jerseys and jackets, filled the stands, in addition to other NP community members. With over 130 players between NP and LC, the Knights were represented from the class of 1976 to 2016, and the Crusaders were represented from the class of 1970 to 2016.
After the playing of the National Anthem by NP alumni from the band, LC elected to start the game after winning the coin toss. Maria Rosato, an alum from the Class of 2011, played for the band during game, and noted that since the fourth grade, she has been involved with the NP music program.
With her involvement ranging from wind ensemble to marching band to drum major in junior and senior year, she admitted that it’s great to be back.
“It’s awesome,” stated Rosato. “I was going to go last year. I was really debating about it, and I regretted not coming, so I’m really happy I’m here today. It’s so awesome to see people I haven’t seen in a really long time.”
Rosato also noted the significance of the NP community’s continued involvement and support.
“The community is so supportive; I think it’s something that really holds North Penn together,” explained Rosato. “It includes so many people. It’s events like this that I really hope that in the future it continues to grow and people are able to come out and continue to support things like this. This is what we need; we need alumni to come back and keep everything growing.”
The community is so supportive; I think it’s something that really holds North Penn together
— Maria Rosato, a NP alum
In the first quarter, the Knights were first on the score board with a touchdown (7:43), and after a two-point conversion, NP was head 8-0.
With no other touchdowns, NP and LC headed into the second quarter, and the Knights were quick to add to their lead with another touchdown and two-point conversion, bringing them to 16-0 (11:12).
However, the Crusaders made a comeback, with four touchdowns, each followed by a two-point conversion, bringing them ahead with a score of 16-32 (11:12, 8:16, 2:28, 0:20).
Although the Crusaders were in the lead, Jim Algeo, the Honorary Coach for the Alumni Game and former LC football coach of 44 years, noted that the game was about positivity and fun. With his wife, son, and grandkids at the game, Algeo reflected on the relationship with NP and LC.
“We played North Penn for the first time around 1976, near the bicentennial celebration,” stated Algeo. “That was on a Saturday before Thanksgiving, and we didn’t play for a couple years, and then we started playing on Thanksgiving. At the end, both teams were in the playoffs, so we didn’t play on Thanksgiving, because of that, and they moved it to the beginning of the season. I don’t think they’ve played in the past couple of years, but it’s great to see all of these guys. I think it’s a good time.”
Algeo also wished the NP Knights the best of luck in their game against Garnet Valley on Friday, November 25th.
During halftime, the inaugural class of NP Knights of Honor recipients that were honored Wednesday evening were recognized on the field. June Browne, James Finnemeyer, Stephen Frederick, Davis Giersch, and J. Michael Haynie were the five 2016 recipients.
Dave Kratz, President of the NPSD Educational Foundation, announced the winner of the Foundation’s 50/50 prize, which was about $100 in cash. Alicia Milligan and her son James Milligan excitedly accepted the prize and continued to enjoy the game.
In the third quarter, the Knights earned two touchdowns, bringing the score to 28-32 (10:43, 8:00). After that, however, the Crusaders were quick to keep hold of their lead by scoring three touchdowns, the first two followed by two-point conversions, which brought the score to 28-54 (5:10, 2:37, 1:42).
In the fourth quarter NP scored three touchdowns, one followed by a two-point conversion and the other a three-point conversion (14:42, 11:40, 6:28). LC kept their lead with two touchdowns, one of which was followed by a two-point conversion (13:18, 4:57).
Colby Beck, an alum who played in the final quarter, was involved with the NP football program since he was a little boy. He admitted that it feels a bit strange not suiting up on Friday nights anymore.
“I was a water-boy up until eighth grade, and then ninth grade I started playing during the summer,” stated Beck. “It’s just been awesome playing for North Penn, and it’s a great program. We’ve gone to eleven district championships in fifteen years. It’s just incredible, and the whole community gets involved.”
It’s just been awesome playing for North Penn, and it’s a great program. We’ve gone to eleven district championships in fifteen years. It’s just incredible, and the whole community gets involved
— Colby Beck, a NP alum
Involving the entire community takes extreme preparation and planning. Kaitlyn Andrey, Communications and Development Specialist at the Educational Services Center and Coordinator of Alumni Relations with the NP Alumni Association, explained that the event begins to take shape over the course three months through communicating and coordinating with over 200 alumni from NP and LC.
“The preparation and planning for this event are probably some of the most in depth and overwhelming projects that I take on all year, but the payoff is worth it beyond words,” stated Andrey.
With about 500-600 people in attendance, Andrey explained that she was impressed with the turnout.
Today really proved how much this tradition means to the community,” stated Andrey. “The energy of the crowd and the exchanges that you hear from people are so warm and encouraging. This is more than just a game; it’s an opportunity for friends and families to reconnect after decades of not seeing each other. That’s my vision for this game is for it to be the one day of the year that our community looks forward to spending time with old friends and reminiscing on their favorite memories from high school and beyond. Although I was never fortunate enough to experience the ‘old’ LC vs NP Thanksgiving games, I’d like to create a tradition that this community looks forward to the way they looked forward to that.”
Today really proved how much this tradition means to the community.
— Kaitlyn Andrey, Communications and Development Specialist, and Coordinator of Alumni Relations
Andrey also took the time to mention the different factors that aided in making the game a success: the apparel vendor, NP’s infamous and dedicated facilities leader Bob Lanetti, Np’s partners at LC, the NP football team and coaching staff, countless volunteers, devoted participants, coaches and directors, and the community.
She explained that this opportunity has reinforced the fact that she served as a factor that aided in bringing together the community.
“To know that I had even a small part in bringing together friends, family and community members that may not have otherwise crossed paths is something I really don’t even know how to describe. It’s a sign that we are doing something right at North Penn to have created such long lasting connections and meaningful reunions,” explained Andrey.
