County Council Announces Hero Bowl Coaches

Garnet Valley High School Head Football Coach Mike Ricci and Head Coach Tom Oropeza, of Monsignor Bonner High School, will coach the 36th annual Delaware County Hero Bowl May 31 at Widener University.

The 2012 game, to be played once again to benefit the Hero Scholarship Fund of Delaware County, will mark the first time that Ricci will lead the West team.  He was Head Coach of the East team in 1992, 1994, 1999, 2001 and 2003 when Garnet Valley was a member of the Del-Val League. Garnet Valley is now a member of the Central League.

Oropeza is leading the East squad as Head Coach for the first time. 

County Council Chairman Thomas J. McGarrigle commended the two coaches.

“It is a tribute to them and to the cause for which the game is played that they are carrying on a tradition of service to community by dedicating their time and energy to assure the continued success of the Hero Bowl and the Hero Scholarship Fund it supports,” McGarrigle said.

“Their commitment includes not only the night of the game but also the three weeks of evening practices for the players which they and the many assistant coaches conduct to prepare the players. Such a contribution provides an example of exemplary citizenship for the young athletes to emulate.”

Hero Bowl Chairman Robert T. Lythgoe, a County Detective and former Tinicum Township Police Chief, said the players begin three weeks of practice on May 14 at Widener University to prepare for the game, a showcase for the best senior players from the Central League, the Del-Val League, Episcopal Academy, Haverford School and Archbishop Carroll, Cardinal O’Hara and Monsignor Bonner high schools.

Tickets are available at all TD Bank branches in Delaware County for $5 each.  Tickets will be sold at the gate on game night, when pre-game activities will begin at 7 p.m. Kickoff is 7.30 p.m. McGarrigle urged support for the game, which he described as an annual highlight of the high school sports calendar.

The Hero Scholarship Fund was established in 1977 by County Council at the urging of two members of Upper Darby Township Council to provide scholarship aid for the children of police, firefighters and emergency medical personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

This press release was provided by Delaware County Council.