Penn-Trafford Football Hall to induct 2nd annual class

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, September 25, 2017 | 6:36 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

The Penn-Trafford Football Hall of Fame will induct eight members in its second annual class Oct. 14 during a banquet at Giannilli's II in Greensburg. Tickets are $35 each; $20 for members of the ‘81 team. For ticket information, email warriorfootballhof@gmail.com.

The class includes players Mike Bird (Class of 1993), Tony Casino (1974), Bill McHugh (1961), Bill Sullivan (1962) and Marko Thomas (1999); coaches Art Tragesser (1996-08) and Pat Kelly (1969-78); and the 1981 team.

The inductees also will be recognized during a pregame ceremony prior to the Warriors' game against Armstrong on Oct. 13.

Here's a look at half of the class:

Mike Bird (1990-92)

Mike Bird was an elite offensive and defensive lineman during one of the most successful eras in P-T history. From 1990-92, the Warriors posted a 25-7 record with two WPIAL playoff appearances. At the time, the 1991 team was the highest-scoring team in state history.

While at Penn-Trafford, Bird made the all-conference first team at offensive tackle his junior and senior seasons. In 1992, he was a team captain. At 6-foot-4, 285 pounds, Bird was a three-year letterman. He blocked for one of the greatest running backs in P-T history, fellow Warrior Football Hall of Famer Chris Schneider.

Bird accepted a football scholarship to Miami (Ohio), where he was a three-year letterman from 1995-97. During all three of those years, Bird was voted first-team All-Mid-American conference. He also served as team captain during his senior year. He earned his bachelor's of arts degree in sociology from Miami in 1998. Bird is a financial advisor for the Principal Financial Group located near Charlotte, N.C.

Tony Casino (1971-73)

After the birth of Penn-Trafford in 1972, it didn't take long for the school to find their first superstar. Tony Casino was the star running back for the Warriors and set many school records that lasted for two decades.

During the inaugural 1972 season of Warrior football, Casino led the team with eight touchdowns, all on the ground. He was the leading scorer on the team with 48 points. He ended the season with 1,074 yards on 129 carries. On Nov. 4, 1972, he rushed 17 times for 224 yards and four touchdowns in a 37-14 win at Franklin Regional. The 224 yards was a single-game P-T record for 21 years. The 1972 Warriors surprised the WPIAL by finishing second in the Keystone Conference with a 6-2-1 record.

During the 1973 season, Casino was one of two team captains and again led the team in scoring with 32 points. He rushed for 650 yards to set a school record for career rushing yards at 1,724 that would stand until 1992 (Schneider). He was named to the Keystone Conference first team in 1972 and ‘73 and won the Drury Award his senior year.

Casino moved on to play football at Washington & Jefferson and earned All-PAC honorable mention honors in 1975. He graduated from W&J in 1978. Casino then earned his doctor of dental medicine degree from Pitt in 1985 and that same year opened Casino Family Dental Center with his brother, former Warrior Chris. He also served on the Penn-Trafford school board for 12 years.

Bill McHugh (1957-60)

Bill McHugh was a senior star on one of the greatest football teams in Trafford history — the 1960 Tomahawks. That team went 8-0 and had a 189-19 point differential. The team was denied the chance to play for the WPIAL Class B title due to Gardner Points. In 1960, the WPIAL had yet to create a playoff system.

McHugh was a four-year letterman as a left guard, nose guard and linebacker. He was on the all-conference first team and team captain. McHugh was also on the wrestling team and was a four-year member of the Varsity Club, serving as vice president his senior year.

McHugh received collegiate letters of interest from Pitt, Michigan State and Tennessee to play football, but he decided to join the military instead. He served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and was in the 82nd Airborne for three years and was in every country in Europe.

After his military days were over, he worked for Duquesne Light for 40 years and now is retired. McHugh likes to fish, ride his pedal and motorcycle bikes and attend local high school games.

Bill Sullivan (1959-61)

Only one player from Trafford, Penn Joint and Penn-Trafford high schools was drafted to play at the NFL level — Bill Sullivan.

Sullivan was a talented end for Penn Joint from 1959-61, earning all-county, WPIAL and state honors. He was the president of his senior class in 1962. He widely is considered the greatest football player in Penn Joint history.

During his senior year, his team finished 6-3 and made it all the way to the WPIAL Class A championship game. On Nov. 17, 1961, in front of 5,321 fans at Connellsville Stadium, Albert Gallatin defeated Penn Joint, 19-6. It was the first and last time Penn Joint played for the WPIAL football title.

He earned a scholarship to play college football at West Virginia, where he was a standout pass catcher, runner and defensive end from 1962-65. He played in the 1964 Liberty Bowl, a 32-6 loss to Utah in the first major college bowl game played indoors. As a senior in 1965, Sullivan was one of the team captains.

On Nov. 27, 1965, the 6-foot-5, 230-pound defensive end was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 15th round (225th pick overall) of the 1966 NFL Draft. Sullivan never saw action in an NFL game because of a separated shoulder injury during his senior year at West Virginia that ended his career.

Sullivan graduated from West Virginia in 1966 with a bachelor's degree in journalism with a major in advertising. He was drafted for military service for the US Army and served three years and was stationed in Korea. After the army, Sullivan started his professional career as an advertising advisor for Gulf Oil for 11 years and later in prominent roles for several businesses. In January 2011, he became the president at IPM Software, Inc in Houston, Texas.

Tags: Penn-Trafford