By Al Benson
East Aurora High School’s 1973 and 1998 football teams were honored Thursday, Oct. 19, during the 78th annual East High Football Oldtimers Association reunion dinner at Lincoln Inn Banquets in Batavia.
Steve “Benny” Kenyon, association president and East Class of 1968 alum, was the emcee for the event which attracted 125 attendees.
Features included raffle prizes and displays of vintage Tomcat memorabilia.
Kenyon said, “The East High Football Old Timers organization is unique and has sustained nearly 80 years to keep the Tomcat spirit vibrant. “Established in 1945, the association provides social opportunities for former East Aurora High School football team members and contributes support to current Tomcat football players.”
Kenyon announced that annual association scholarships to players will increase from $500 to $1,000. Graduation class of 2023 recipients are Nathaniel Mojica, Michael Moravek and Bryan Romero.
Tomcat 1998 team members inducted into the association were Craig Rhoades, Cliff Pensyl, Sam Wright, coach Art Panka, Rafeal Martinez, Javier Alonzo, Mitch Eleshorn, Efrain Davilla, Steve Magan, Jessie Cerda and Kevin Talkington.
Members of the 1973 team inducted were Brian Dolan, coach Walt Switalski, Melvin Bailey, Don Harden, coach Bill Fornal, coach Cal Tyson, coach Tom Madden and Kevin McDonough.
In addition to players and coaches, guest speakers included Auroran Ed Colton, 96, and current Tomcat head coach Nicholas T. Kukuc. Colton recalled how his 1944 Tomcat team walked in uniforms and cleats from the former East High (now Waldo Middle School) to Roy E. Davis field for games. He led the crowd in a vintage Tomcat fight cheer.
Kenyon said Colton, of Aurora, is East’s oldest surviving East High Football Old Timer. “He is a real treasure and an inspiration for our organization.”
Entering to a standing ovation, Kukuc arrived near to the event’s end due to parent-teacher conferences. In a rousing speech, he thanked Old Timers for ongoing moral and physical support and announced that the Tomcats secured a postseason tournament bid and will play at Belleville East at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27.