By Betty Lou Roselle
When my copy of Tales From The Museum – A Collaborative Anthology arrived in the mail, I thought to myself, ‘I am not worthy.’ Why did I say I would review this book? I come from a family that never encouraged participation in sports and my short time on a softball team in grade school proved I was an average player at best. But as I started reading this full-color 250-page book, it turned out to be, as Rich Pagano states in his forward – ‘entertaining, educational and inspirational.’
This book celebrates men and women athletes from the 1900s to present day, most stories accompanied by a Behind the Scene Story which I really enjoyed, giving you a glimpse into the heart of these athletes, many who gave generously of themselves to the community.
There is no better example of this than seven-time All-Star and two-time A.L. batting champ Mickey Vernon. He not only was a great baseball player but he volunteered his time and more to worthy causes like the Sports Legends Museum of Delaware County. In 2002, Strath Haven High School’s theater department dedicated their musical Damn Yankees to the former Wallingford resident. There are several Behind the Scene Stories detailing his character, including a quote from Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, “If you didn’t like Mickey Vernon you didn’t like anybody.”
Tales From the Museum is divided into four chapters, each depicting locations (Chester, Chadds Ford, Media and Radnor Township) that the Sports Legends Museum of Delaware County has called home in the 20 years spanning 2001 through 2020.
Chester
The museum started as Delco Athletics Hall of Fame Sports Legend Exhibit when Joe Cirilli and co-chair Jim Vankoski moved their collection to the Museum of the History of Delaware County in Chester, PA.
One of the many athletes honored is football player Jack Klotz who played for the New York Titans and the Jets and made the All-AFL team in 1962. In 1995, he was asked to serve as a bodyguard for Mother Theresa, an event that moved him deeply. He devoted much of his time in retirement to helping those less fortunate in Chester.
The Delco Historical Society closed their Sports Legends exhibit in mid-February of 2003.
Chadds Ford
Tore Fiore became executive director of the Delaware County Brandywine Conference and Visitors Bureau in 2004 and found the space and funding to bring the museum to Chadds Ford and the Granite Run location in Media.
I think most people will be surprised by all the Olympians that have come from Delaware County. Haverford High’s Jean Shiley, a star in field hockey, basketball, track and tennis, won the gold medal in high jump at the 1932 Olympics and Monsignor Bonner High’s Dr. Eddie Coyle of Lansdowne overcame polio to become one of the most decorated atheletes in Delco history. He won 2 Pan American gold medals, 3 world championships, 2 Olympic gold medals and 1 silver. These are just two Olympians of many that are highlighted in this book.
Granite Run Mall, Media
The Mickey Vernon Museum opened with a fantastic turnout at the Granite Run Mall in March of 2013. Their boxing exhibit in 2014 honored Ridley High’s Mike Picciotti, who started his amateur boxing career in 1975 and captured the Philadelphia Golden Gloves Lightweight championship the following year. In 1979, he fought his way back from a serious car accident, returning to action just nine months later.
The Legendary Delaware County Women’s Wide World of Sports Exhibit took place in May of 2014 celebrating Delco’s female athletes such as Swarthmore High’s Alice Putnam (Putty) Willets who is in both the National Lacrosse and the National Field Hockey Hall of Fame. Marple Newtown High boasts the Anderson sisters – Sarah, Taylor, Courtney and Emily. the only curling team completely made up of sisters to ever qualify for the Women’s National Curling Championships.
Radnor Township
After the destruction of the Granite Run Mall, the museum found its new home in the Radnor Township Building, 301 Iven Avenue in Wayne. At the grand opening May 7, 2016, the portrait of 1942 graduate of Radnor High and WWII veteran Emlen Tunnell was on display (his statue would be installed at the museum in 2018). Tunnell was the member of two NFL Championship teams, first full time African American assistant coach and first African American as well as the first defensive player inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967.
Tales From The Museum – A Collaborative Anthology is filled with pictures and stories that will make you proud you live in Delaware County. With Mother’s Day and Father’s Day right around the corner, this would make an excellent gift. To place an order request, please email Jim Vankoski at vankoski21@comcast.net or call 610-909-4919.