Curry, a man of integrity

By Frank Kastreva, WVCD2.com

Over the years I have taken some heat for following Berwick football, writing on them each week and in a sense hoping they would give me the thrill of writing on another state championship. At the beginning of this season, myself and many others thought 2005 could be the year Berwick returned to the "big dance". In the Dawgs' glory days that stage was set in Altoona, now the show is in Chocolate Town USA otherwise known as Hershey, PA. Berwick has not made the trip to Hershey since the playoffs returned there in 1998, but back then kids believed AS A TEAM in hard work and dedication. Those years seem to have past in Berwick of late and its certainly not because of Pennsylvania's winningest head coach George Curry. In fact Curry has not change his coaching ideals at all, more importantly he still believes in ethics and tries to guide young men in the right direction. That was very evident this season, in what was quoted by Curry "as a roller coaster of a year".

It all started about 8 weeks into the season, when Curry had to dismiss two players for violating school and team policy. Berwick went about their business and got a win in week 9 and the coaching staff really seemed to half a good grip on the team. You don't play by the rules, then you have to leave your ticket at the door policy and that's how it should be!

So you would think after the staff making that known to all the players over the years that they would walk a thin line, consume themselves with school and making another run at a state title, you would think that BUT. Players again decide to break team policy and Curry has to release more players before the Hazleton Area game, the biggest game of Berwick's season. They win and they are in the D2/11 subregional playoffs. It surely is a sad day when you see seniors on the Berwick football team letting down their teammates and walking away from what may be the most traditional program in Pennsylvania. How has Berwick built that tradition? One man George Curry, he is Berwick football and its about time its said.

Here is a man that has been accused of, quite frankly BS over the years. George Curry has been coaching and guiding young men at Berwick since 1971 and since he has retired from the guidance counseling job at the Berwick H.S. it seems like these student athletes are not going the right way. You can say all you want, think about it, its true. Curry is only coaching the football program at this point and being apart of the kids lives on a daily basis is a thing of the past. Besides you shouldn't have to be watching every move your team makes, that's what leaders are for.

Curry dismissed 6 players in two weeks and that certainly had an outcome on Berwick missing the playoffs. Its a tough thing to swallow for those seniors that stuck it out for all those years, from mini football on up, learning the game and the Berwick scheme. Those seniors learned something this season, things can change in a heartbeat and nothing is a sure thing. People that you think would never walk out on you, do. That's life and they will run into something like this again somewhere down the road. It may not have anything to do with football, but in someway they will use Curry's teachings.

To all those people that moaned and groaned about Curry recruiting over the years. Stop for a moment and look at this season. Here is man that may of had his last chance to win a PIAA championship, but would not sell his team's soul and the values he basis his life on, that my friends is INTEGRITY. Like it or not!