Sports Stew: A tale of Donora legends

On Jan 26, 2023

Urbanik BILL Ohio State University Photography — Donora legend Bill Urbanik during his time at Ohio State University. Courtesy of Ohio State Athletics

By WAYNE STEWART
For MVI Sports
Bill Urbanik, a 1965 graduate and football standout at Donora High and Ohio State, enjoyed a great football career for more than 50 years.
He was a Parade All-American, he helped win a Rose Bowl over O.J. Simpson and Southern California, and he coached and scouted for college and pro teams. But Urbanik is just one of many other stars from Donora.
Urbanik coached at Marshall University the year after a 1970 plane crash claimed the lives of many members of their football team.
Another outstanding DHS football player, Larry “Knucks” Nelson, was on that Marshall team, but wasn’t on the squad the day the accident occurred.
In his senior season at Donora, Nelson was explosive from the running back position scoring 97 points, second on the team. Teammate Ken Griffey said Nelson helped give Donora “the nucleus of a real strong team.”
In 1967, Nelson nearly joined Malcom Lomax with 1,000+ yards rushing.

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