Semi-pro football in Sayre,Pa., in the 1940’s is profiled in the Fall issue of the Sayre Historical Society’s Quarterly history magazine. The story includes a series of photographs donated by Guy Liguori that includes several of his father, Augie Liguori, who played on the Sayre Boosters.
The Sayre Boosters was comprised on “former high school stars,” according to a November 21, 1941, issue of the Sayre Evening Times. One newspaper account highlights a hard-fought 12-7 win over a strong Cortland team that “lost only a single game in the past two seasons and is highly rated in Central New York semi-pro circles,” the newspaper stated.
Well-known names from the Valley sporting world included John Oliski, Augie Liguori, Sam Copie, Arnold Cochi, Nicholas Onofre, Dominic Pace, Vern Casselbury and more, according to the Times account.
In the late 1940’s, the team was called the Valley All-Stars and included many World War II veterans, according to the October 2, 1948, Evening Times. The roster of a competing team called the Elmira Gliders featured a former professional player and former college players from Cornell University and Ithaca College, stated the October 2, 1948, newspaper.
The Quarterly, published four times a year, is mailed to historical society members as part of their membership benefits. Individual copies are available at Carl’s News Stand in Sayre and the historical society museum located in the former Lehigh Valley Railroad Passenger Station in downtown Sayre. Museum hours are Saturdays from 10 to 4 and Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m.
