Zacko  Says  Maroons  Deserve  Title

Big Crusader Also Donates A Ring For Light's Auction

By: Tim Demko

    It's hard not to like Russ Zacko.
     The 80-year old, lifelong resident of Pottsville is every sports' fans
favorite because of the limitless commitment he has to sports and
recreation.
     Growing up in a town well-known for its outstanding athletic teams,
Zacko has been instrumental in trying to get the National Football
League to recognize the accomplishments of hte 1925 Pottsville Maroons.
     "I'm a crusader for this Maroons cause," said Zacko, who has been the
proprietor of Joann Jewelry in Mechanicsville for the past 46 years.  "The
75th anniversary of the 1925 team is coming up this November and we're
hoping to get them the recognition they deserve."
     On December 6, 1925, the Maroons defeated the Chicago Cardinals
21-7 in a league game.
     A week later on December 12, at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, the
Maroons' Charlie Berr kicked a late field goal to defeat the legendary
"Four Horsemen and Seven Mules" of Notre Dame 9-7 in what was hailed
as the Pro-vs.-College game.
     They were legitimate World Champions of the NFL that season and
deserved such recognition.  Or so it seemed.
     But in classic case of being "ripped off", as some say, the Pottsville
club was denied the championship due to the Frankford Yellowjackets'
protest that the Maroons invaded their territorial rights and should be
stripped of their championship.
     Since the Cardinals were the closest competitor to the Maroons, league
president Joe Carr decided that Chicago would need to play extra games
in late December with snow on the ground.
     Most teams had already disbanded by this time and the Cardinals
eventually played a team of high school players which they easily
dominated.
     "Not enough people know or understand the history behind the
Maroons," said Zacko, whose father Joseph owned the sporting goods
store which was the official outfitter for the team.
     Thus, the Maroons were stripped of their world championship and it has
become known to many in the Coal Region as the "Stolen Championship."
     Now, in addition to assisting the Maroons Memorial Committee in their
efforts to receive official recognition, Zacko has decided to donate one of
the rings manufactured for the 1925 Maroons championship team to the
16th Street Lighting Committee for their upcoming Sports Memorabilia
Auction.
     The Sports Memorabilia Auction is slated to take place on Saturday,
Oct. 14 at Tassone's Catering Hall in Port Carbon.
     Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the auction is scheduled to begin an
hour later.  Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children.
     "The rings were designed by myself and Frank Bucher," said Zacko.
     "We're continuting on with our "Crusade' to rightfully get back what
should have been given to the Maroons."

Pottsville Republican- Friday, September 8, 2000