Grover
Wearshing


WILLIAM GROVER "WORM" WEARSHING was born in New Jersey on August 20, 1906 to William and Nellie Wearshing. Even as a boy, he was known by his middle name. The family lived during the 1910s and 1920s at 1231 South 3rd Street, just south of Kaighn Avenue. Grover was the middle child of three, coming between sisters Freda and Nellie. His father worked as a stationary engineer.

Grover Wearshing was a 1925 graduate of Camden High School, and graduated from Temple University. He coached the Camden High School football team in 1931 and 1932. The following season Grover Wearshing was assigned to Camden's new school, Woodrow Wilson High School on Federal Street in East Camden. He coached the Woodrow Wilson football team in 1933, and coached baseball in the 1930s and 1940s. A natural athlete, he was best known as a baseball player. He took up basketball as a senior, and, playing in the County League in Camden and across the river in Philadelphia, he was soon a star in those circuits. He played pro basketball in the Eastern and American Basketball Leagues during the 1933-34 and 1934-1935 seasons. 


Tragically, his father, William Wearshing, was murdered in Philadelphia on January 16, 1936, at his job in a Philadelphia office building. 

When Grover Wearshing was one of the original inductees into the South Jersey Baseball Hall of Fame in 1988. At that time many veteran observers felt that "Worm" Wearshing was the greatest all-around athlete ever to graduate from Camden High School. Such opinions are always debatable but there is no doubt that at both Camden and at Temple University, Wearshing excelled at baseball, football and basketball earning him local notoriety as well as honors in the Temple Sports Hall of Fame.

Grover Wearshing was quite well known in local baseball circles for many years, playing for semi-pro teams in the area. In 1938 he played on a very strong Collingswood team in the Camden County League, alongside Jimmy Spillane and Tom Costello. He also appeared as a member of Rox Gimello's Camden Collegians, one of the best clubs of its day. Grover Wearshing also played some minor league baseball. In 1938 he played 54 games for the Greenville Spinners of the South Atlantic League, a team that had no less than 17 former or future major leaguers on its roster during the season, including future major league stars Harry "The Hat" Walker and Mickey Vernon, both of whom won batting titles and managed major league teams after their playing days were over. Grover Wearshing played in Canada in  as 1939 at third base for Trois-Rivières in the Provincial League. Grover Wearshing was coaching baseball at Woodrow Wilson High School during this period, winning a state title in 1940 with Tom Glennon at shortstop. He later coached at Moorestown High. In 1941 Grover Wearshing played shortstop and batted clean-up for Buck Lai's Camden All-Stars. He managed the Class D Dover Phillies in the Eastern Shore League in 1948, a team that produced two future major league players, the obscure Mickey Micelotta who played briefly for the Phillies in 1954 and 1955, and Jack Sanford, who pitched for eleven years in the big leagues, was Rookie of the year in 1957 and was runner-up for the Cy Young Award in the National League in 1962. 

While it is hard to list all his many skills as an athlete it is easy to see why baseball was his first love. Few players enjoyed his success at hitting a baseball and few could even approach his skill with the bat. For 33 years he played with the best semi-pro teams in the South Jersey - Southeastern Pennsylvania area and was consistently ranked among the top hitters in the local game.

Grover Wearshing left Woodrow Wilson after the 1943 season and was succeeded by Al Bass, who for the next six seasons coached basketball and baseball, winning South Jersey championships in five out of six in both sports.

Grover Wearshing retired to Phoenix AZ where  he last made his home before his passing on August 6, 1991. 


Camden Evening Courier - January 24, 1927
...continued...
...continued...
 
Ott Laxton - Grover Wearshing - Abe Corotis - Eddie Brandt - George Boone - Bart Sheehan- Harry Cuneff - Joe Murray - Bill Johns - Joe Burns
Charley Sheets - Russ Ogden - Bill Copeland

Camden Evening Courier - February 21, 1927
...continued...
...continued...
Ott Laxton - Grover Wearshing - Frank Hambleton - Jimmy Brown
Frank R. Ryan - Eddie Brandt - Jake Welsh - Graham Chesney
Norman Vaughn - John Gleason - Tom Ryan - Bill Copeland

Camden Evening Courier - December 24, 1927
Pennsauken, Blanked From Field In First Half, Falls Before Camden Club in County League Duel
...continued...
Ott Laxton - Grover Wearshing - Frank Hambleton - Charley Humes 
Clarence Layer - Eddie Brandt
Joe Murray - Don Cragin - Johnny Chambers - Tom Tracy - Abe Corotis

Camden Courier-Post - January 10, 1928

CITY LEAGUE CLUBS BEGIN SECOND HALF
Two Games at Convention Hall Tonight; Two New Clubs Join Circuit

 Second-half competition in the Reesman basketball league will begin tonight with a twin bill at Convention Hall.

Thirteenth Ward, which holds the edge in the yet unfinished first-half race, meets the formidable Camden Police quintet. Wayne and Ninth Wail meet in the other tussle.

Two new clubs have joined the league, for the second-half title hunt.

Charley Humes, manager of the Camden Community Club in the County League, will pilot his First Ward club in the municipal loop during the final semester while further interest is assured with the addition of the Central Camden aggregation. These clubs are keen rivals and both boast of strong rosters.

It is understood that Humes will file the names of several players who saw service in the county circuit as members of his old First Ward outfit while others who played with that team are also listed with Central Camden. Albert ‘Reds' Malloie is boss of the Central outfit and has signed up a classy collection of cagers for this type of play. Grover "Worm" Wearshing, who led Central Camden to the Reesman baseball championship last season, and who is regarded as one of the best backfield performers in this vicinity, is one of the Malloie entrants. Sam Godfrey. A teammate with Wearshing at Temple University, Johnny Chambers, Clayton Phifer, Lucky Mezger, Johnny Morrissey, Tom Tracy, and Ross “Bunny” Blood complete the cast with Malloie.

At the last meeting of the league managers it was decided to reduce the salaries of referees from $5.00 to $3.50 for each night’s work. Officials in the past have handled two games and the same stipulation is required for the lower fee in the second half or the schedule.

All eight of the first half combatants are planning to strengthen their rosters far the final drive. South Camden, Haddon A.A. Radio A.A., St. Paul, Ninth Ward. Camden Police, Wayne, and Fifth Ward are the contenders.

The first contest tonight is timed to start at 8:00.


Camden Courier-Post * January 21, 1928

STARS of

the COURT

GROVER ‘WORM’ WEARSHING
Camden
Philadelphia Elks

Wearshing, a protégé of Phillips R. Brooks, is expected to develop into a basketball star of the first magnitude .

Grove, an excellent guard, is enjoying a big season for Camden in the County League, and with the Elks in the Philadelphia loop.

Now 21 years of age, “Worm” did not begin playing basketball until 1925, when, in his senior year, he reported for the team at Camden High. Always a lover of baseball, other branches of athletic endeavor had never appealed to Wearshing.

He made good with a bang, and gained additional experience with the Atlantic Club at the same time.

The next year, he joined Oaklyn of the newly formed Camden County League. The Oaks won the championship, and so important a part did “Worm” play in that achievement that he was placed at guard on the all-league team, alongside Johnny Schrey.

Hence, in only the second year of his court career, he was recognized as one of the classiest players outside the big leagues.

Grove was with Oaklyn a gain last year. This season, the suburbanites threw up the sponge, and he joined Camden. In addition, he played with Physical Ed of Temple University in the City College League of Philadelphia.

Now he has gone up, with the Philadelphia Elks, in the circuit across the river after three years of previous experience.

Where will his next stop be in his campaign for basketball fame? Certainly, if  he sticks with the game, he will soon be in basketball’s highest league, for he shows improvement in every season. He resides at 1231 South Third Street.

Monday- Bart Sheehan, Immaculate Conception and Pattison


Camden Courier-Post - January 26, 1928

CAMDEN COPS LOSE TO CENTRAL QUINTET
‘Caveman’ Clayton Sparkles in City League Victory; Wayne Boys Win

 Central Camden beat the Camden Police quintet to make it two straight in the Municipal basketball circuit at Convention Hall last night. By blanking Clarence Phifer, and holding Ott Laxton down to six points the Central outfit spiked the Coppers’ attack. Clayton and Grover Wearshing did the heavy work for the winners. Clayton held Phifer without a field shot and tallied four times from the field. Wearshing bagged a trio of double-deckers.

Gus Koerner was ejected from the game when Referee Keneman ruled him off the floor for abusive language.

The Wayne dribblers battled down South Camden under a 46-20 score in the other combat Jimmy Reed and Devlin were the bright stars for the winners.


Camden Evening Courier - 1928

...continued...
...continued...
 
Ott Laxton - Grover Wearshing - Frank Hambleton - Johnny Chambers - Eddie Brandt
Jimmy "Soup" Campbell - Joe Devlin - Billy Strobel

Camden Courier-Post

June 30, 1928

Harry Rasmussen
Bill Veach
Grover "Worm" Wearshing
West Jersey Hospital
Camden High School
Civic Center
Haddon A.A.
Central Camden
Clay W. Reesman Twilight League


Trenton Times - August 14, 1929

..continued..

Robert Ashenfelter - William Moll - Earl Stopfer - Clay Reesman
Joe Snyder - Grover Wearshing - Elwood Bearint - Orville Danenhower
Pete Weygand - Bill Werking - Elmer Loeble - Rock Reeves


Camden Courier-Post - November 12, 1930

Camden Basketball in Test Against Eastern League Kennett Square Club Tonight
WEARSHING READY FOR OPENING NIGHT
 
Temple Hero Enlists With Lobley for Eastern League Fray With Kennett Square
HUGE CROWD IS EXPECTED

 By STEVE O'KEEFE
Morning Post Sports Editor

Grover Wearshing, whose football feats and dazzling play on the basketball boards, form a glowing part of the athletic history of Camden High School and Temple University, has enlisted with the Camden Club in the Eastern League and will join the team when the inaugural skirmish with the Kennett Square (Pa.) quintet is staged at the Convention Hall annex tonight.

Wearshing, now gridiron mentor at Camden High, will thus don the royal blue and white with another court hero who sparkled for the purple and gold. Eddie Lobley, captain of the Penn passers last season already has signed to perform along with Phil Knudsen, Bill Bergen, Tony Ca1land, Bill Johnson and Bernie Maguire the remainder of the local roster.

 Owing to the heavy demand for seats, Manager Brown feels that a capacity crowd will met the club.

 Announcement of the signing of Wearshing was made last night by Manager Jimmy Brown who expressed confidence that the present lineup will prove capable of hanging up a victory over Joe Sheehan and his invading mates tonight. Whether Wearshing will start is not determined but it is high1y probable that he will at some time during the fray pair off in the backfield with the rugged Bergen, who proved a popular member of the local cast last season.

Johnson in Backfield

Bergen's running mate when the game starts will probably be Johnson, who combines the happy faculty of speedy defensive play and. a deadly aim for the baskets. Lobley will get the call for one of the forward berths with the sturdy little Calland or Maguire in the opposite corner.

Knudsen, who abandoned the American: League position with the Paterson club, is regarded as one of the foremost pivot men in the East and his husky, six-foot-four-inch frame should prove valuable in mid-floor combat.

Owing to the fact that Knudsen, Bergen, Calland and Johnson have been playing regularly with the Union City Reds for the past several weeks, it is likely that Manager Brown will send this quartet into action with Lobley at the start of the game. Johnson, however, may be shifted to a forward post alongside Lobley in the even Wearshing is summoned to open the battle in the backfield.

Sheehan and Scrone at Guards

The Kennett Square ensemble will show Joe Sheehan, one-time Camden Catholic High and Villanova College guard, paired with Joe Scrone, a former local dribbler, in the defensive department with "Red" Ellis and Walter Gailey at forwards. Charley "Dink" Irwin is slated to engage Knudsen in the jumping duel.

Fans who flock to the civic hall for the fray will see a change in the battle floor, as the court has been shifted to the center of the annex and space for several hundred additional seats provided. In addition to this, music for dancing during the intermission and following the game will be provided.

The preliminary tussle tonight will present Sam Price and his Peerless Kids in action with the R. M. Hollingshead passers. This game will mark the start of the Camden County Industrial League pennant scramble. The early game is timed to start promptly at 8 p. m., under a penalty for failure to do so, in order that the Eastern League teams may be permitted to take the floor at 9 o'clock.


Camden Courier-Post - October 21, 1931

Camden High Crushes Collingswood, 33 to 7
(Back in 1924)

By Otts Hulleberg

Camden High crushes Collingswood, 33 to 7!

Sounds Good, doesn't it, Purple and Gold fans? But wait a minute. That was "news" seven years ago, in 1924 to be exact, and for the last six years the shoe has been on the other foot.

Yes sir, believe it or not, the “Colls" have downed the "Purple Avalanche" for six straight seasons and suburban fans are just as confident that the present bunch of gridders under "Skeets" Irvine will run the string to seven in a row on next Saturday afternoon at Collingswood. Local fans, on the other hand, feel just as confident that 8,11 things must come to an end, and that this is a Camden High year.

Things were not always so. Camden and Collingswood have met on the field of battle 18 times, and the honors are all even. Each school can point to eight victories, while two games resulted in ties. Operations began back in 1911, but no games were played in 1919 or 1922, when the respective athletic directors were un­able to agree on a suitable date.

It seems so long ago since the ”Purple Avalanche” gained the upper hand on the "Colls," that we are resurrected that 1924 battle. It may serve as inspiration for the present Camden High team, and on the other hand it may make the 1931 “Colls" just a little bit more determined to win Saturday.

Come what may, however, here goes:

Locals Were Undefeated

Camden entered the 1924 battle against the "Colls" with a record of six straight victories under its belt, still smarting from defeats at the hands of Collingswood in 1921 and 1923, no game having been played in 1922. The last previous Camden High victory had been chalked up by Don Cragin, Doug Crate, George Grenhart, et al, in 1920.

Before game time, it was announced by Coach Phil Brooks that Capt. Johnny Carson and Bruce “Parry" Wallace, star backs, were nursing injuries. Carson, however, started at quarterback with Grover "Worm" Wearshing (present coach) ; Tony Gricco and "Reds" White as his ball-toting partners, while the line had Carl Purnell and Sam Godfrey at the wings; Ed Ferren and "Chinny" Weber, tackles; “Plumber" Jackson and Max Cylinder, guards and Pat O'Brien, center.

The game resulted in one of the worst shellackings ever handed to a Collingswood team, Camden scoring 250 yards from scrimmage against 10 yards for the "Colls." whose backfield of Cliff Rubican, Herb Voight, Ken Brenner and Jack Moran was smothered completely. Camden scored 24 first downs against one for Collingswood, a forward pass on the last play of the game, Eddie Picken to "Toots" Shuster, giving the suburbanites their first down.

A case of "butter fingers" prevented Camden from scoring in the first half, despite the fact that the Brooksmen chalked up 12 first downs. However, the "Avalanche" rolled up five touchdowns in the last two per­iods on the same number of plays, Wearshing going over twice and Wallace, Gricco and “Cats" Winners each scoring one.

Wallace Goes Over

After losing chances galore to score in the first half, the Camden team began to click in the third period.

Taking Brenner's kickoff on his own 20-yard line, Wallace returned it 15 yards and the locals then paraded down the field for the initial touchdown, with Gricco, Wearshing and Winners ripping huge holes in Collingswood's forward wall. Wal­lace hit center for the score and Wearshing added the extra point with a dropkick.

Winners battered his way through tackle for the second score in the third period after an uninterrupted march of 50 yards, but Wearshing's dropkick was wide to make the score read 13 to 0.

Soon after the fourth quarter got under way, Wearshing climaxed another long march by skimming around right end for the six-pointer and "Worm"" kicked the extra point. A few minutes later, the locals marched from their own 32-yard line to the one-yard stripe of the "Colls," Grieco smashing his way over and Wearshing kicked his third extra point. Then the score mounted to 33-0 when Wearshing climaxed another march by weaving through center for 18 yards and a touchdown. "Worm" again booted the extra point.

Near the end of the game, with nearly the entire Camden second team in action, Galbraith blocked Malmsbury's punt, Shuster scooping up the ball and dashing 12 yards for a touchdown. "Chuck" Wise kicked the extra point to make the final score read 33-7.

All "Colls" Since Then

And as we said before, since that decisive victory, Collingswood has held a "jinx" over Camden grid elevens. It mattered not whether the locals had a good season or bad previous to the annual conflict, those "Colls'" just coasted to victory, despite the fact that in more than one instance the locals held their own in actual yardage gained.

So complete has been Collingswood's mastery in the last six years that the locals have been able to score exactly 14 points against 92 for “Skeets" Irvine's charges.

As to that 1924 season, Camden kept right on winning after that victory over Collingswood and the locals loomed a favorite to beat out Atlantic City for the South Jersey Class A diadem. It seemed that the entire City of Camden invaded the seashore for the fuss with Atlantic City which also was undefeated. What happen next has gone down in scholastic sports history as the biggest farce ever cooked up in South Jersey.

The Camden team, after a few min­utes of action, was withdrawn from the field because of "raw" decisions by officials, and when all the fluff and flurry had subsided, Atlantic City was awarded the game by a 1-0 forfeit score, and with it the cham­pionship. 

But that is another story. What we're interested in just now is whether or not the local "Purple Avalanche" can duplicate the feat of the 1924 team- or whether the present Collingswood team will rise to the same heights enjoyed by the Blue and Gold machines of the past six years.

Saturday will tell the story!

 Here's the box score of the 1924 game:

Camden High

Collingswood High

Purnell left end Shuster
Ferren left tackle Zeugner
Jackson left guard

(C) Morris

O’Brien center Webb
Cylinder right guard Wise
Weber right tackle Hood
Godfrey right end Magill
Carson (C) Quarterback Moran
Gricco left halfback Rubican
Wearshing right halfback Voight
White fullback Brenner

Score by periods:

Camden 0 0 13 20 33
Collingswood 0 0 0 7 7

Touchdowns- Wearshing 2, Wallace, Gricco, Winners, Shuster. Points after touchdowns, Wearshing 3, Wise 1 (placement)

Substitutions- Camden: Malmsbury for Wearshing, Lawrence for Jackson, Wallace for Carson, Winners for White, Wearshing for Malmsbury, Mozeleski for Gricco, Wisniewski for Weber, Gassel for Cylinder, Tommesetti for Purnell, White for Wallace, Smith for White, Egbert for Jackson.

Collingswood: Boggs for Wise, Pickens for Moran, Moran for Voight, Fortiner for Shuster, Wise for Boggs, Galbraith for Hood, Young for Webb.

Referees-Geiges, Swarthmore. Umpire- Tatnall, Haverford. Head linesman- Weller, Temple.


Camden Courier-Post - October 21, 1931

JOHNNY BUSH HURT IN NORTHEAST TILT
Camden High Center Aggravates Old Injury During Practice Game

Camden High's grid squad advanced another step in its conditioning process for the Collingswood game on Saturday by engaging in a two­hour practice game with Northeast High, in Philadelphia, yesterday.

Although Coaches Grover Wearshing and Nick Navario were well pleased with the result of the drill, the practice also had its bad features in that Johnny Bush, veteran center, aggravated a hip injury during the scrimmage.

Bush was hurt in the Woodbury game two weeks ago and has seen little action since. Yesterday, however, he started at the pivot post but when he was bumped on the injured spot yesterday, had to be replaced. It is doubtful whether he will be in shape to start on Saturday and either Elmer Angelo or Smith will be substituted,

Although no score was kept of the practice game, Camden had much the better of the going. Several times Steve Schuster, Irving Johnson and Hubert Reynolds got loose for long gains, only to be recalled and the action continued at the same point.

Although Coach Wearshing started several second string men, all the regulars saw action before it was all over. Reynolds replaced Weber in the backfield and displayed enough stuff to warrant a starting post, while Abe Singer at guard and "Swede" Dahiquist, at tackle, also performed well in place or Captain Jim Ross and Walt Hadtke.

It was announced yesterday that the Camden "Midgets," composed of players on the squad under 130 pounds, will meet Woodbury's "Midgets" at Forest Hill Park on Monday..


Camden Courier-Post * June 3, 1932
...continued...
Ed Sharp - Grover Wearshing - Chuck Wexlin - Camden High School

Camden Courier-Post * June 4, 1932
...continued...
Fred Leap - Walt Seward - Bob Sharp - Grover Wearshing - Chuck Wexlin
Frank Logandro - Felix Mechini - Camden High School

Camden Courier-Post - June 23, 1933

Mitchell Mozeleski Is Assigned to Coaching 
LOCAL STAR ATHLETE WILL ASSIST BROOKS
Wearshing Shifted to Woodrow Wilson Hi; Lobley and O'Brien to Teach 
SIAS AT CRAMER JR. WITH MARY LADEWIG

By FRANK KOPESKY

The appointments to the city's educational staff announced by Samuel E. Fulton, president of the board of education, revealed last night that three former Camden High athletes are among the new appointees. 

The trio are Mitchell Mozelski, Edward Lobley and Edward "Pat" O'Brien. In addition to the appointment of the above, shifts in the physical education department for Camden's two senior high schools were also announced. 
Mozeleski, Lobley and O'Brien were stars of the first water while attending the local institution and also sparkled in college athletics. Mozeleski has been assigned to the physical education department at the
Camden Academic High School at Farnham Park and will assist Phillip R. Brooks. 

Brooks and Mozeleski will coach the various sports at the academic institution, with the latter more than likely taking over football and track and the former basketball and baseball. Brooks, however, will be in charge of the physical department. 

Mozeleski comes back to his alma mater after having had wide success in college sports and in coaching. "Mitch" attended William and Mary College and captained the football and basketball teams in his senior year, while also earning a letter in track. Following graduation from the Virginia college, Mozeleski coached at a Virginia military academy. 

Wearshing at Woodrow Wilson 

Mozeleski is well versed in football and is expected to turn out a formidable team this year at the academic institution. Still, he will have to find plenty of new material, as a number of the present gridders have transferred to the Woodrow Wilson Commercial High School, located at 32nd and Federal Streets. 

Grover "Worm" Wearshing, who assisted in the physical ed department at the local school during the past three years, and tutored the football and baseball teams, will take charge of that department and athletic teams at the Woodrow Wilson High School

As yet no assistant has been named for Wearshing, but within the next few weeks an announcement will be made by the board of education. 

Frank Sias, who was on the physical ed staff at the local high school and coached track, has been appointed as physical instructor at Cramer Junior High School and will be assisted by Mary Ladewig, another former Camden High grad, who has starred on the cinders for Temple University and Meadowbrook, holding a number of Middle Atlantic A. A. U. records. 

Lobley and O'Brien have been appointed as teachers in grammar schools. The former wlll teach at Fetters School, while the latter will tutor at Stevens School
Lobley and O'Brien Stars 

Lobley, who was a three-letterman at Camden High, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and was on the varsity basketball team for three successive years, captaining the five in his senior year when the Red and Blue won the Eastern Intercollegiate championship. 

O'Brien, who was a star center at Camden High on the eleven, is a graduate of St. Joseph's College, and performed for three years at that position for the Philadelphia institution. While both have been assigned as teachers, it is likely that they will build up a foundation of grammar school athletics, teaching the youngsters the fundamentals of various sports. 

Fulton also announced last night that in dividing the present enrollment at Camden High into two separate institutions, that both will have the required number of male students to enter the Group 4 division in athletics. 

Schedules are already being drawn up for football for teams at both the academic and commercial arts schools. Fulton also stated that in all likelihood the elevens of both schools will meet on Thanksgiving Day to decide the supremacy of the city public school football title. However, this cannot be decided upon definitely until the alumni agrees to abandon their regular Thanksgiving Day game with the senior high team. .


Camden Courier-Post - August 16, 1933

NOVARIO TO RETURN AS FOOTBALL COACH HERE, RUMORS SAY
Former Temple Star Will Assist Brooks With Camden High Eleven
JOHN BUTLER SLATED TO HELP WEARSHING

Rumors which have their origin from a reliable source have it that Nick Novario, who threw up the sponge as assistant football coach at Camden High School last Fall, will return to the local institution this coming season despite his resignation.

According to the reports, Novario will serve as line coach at Camden Academic High with Phil Brooks, athletic director, as his superior. "Mitch" Mozeleski apparently was in line for a football position, but will handle baseball and basketball, it is said.

Old Dame Rumor went on to say that Johnny Butler, former Penn center, will assist Grover "Worm" Wearshing with the pigskinners at Woodrow Wilson High. Wearshing coached the eleven at Camden High last season, but was transferred to the new school.

Novario declared he was through with coaching at Camden High at the height of last season's campaign, announcing that his resignation would become effective at the close of the season.

His resignation caused quite a controversy as many believed it was due to dissension between Novario and Wearshing. Both, however, denied this.

Brooks formerly tutored the gridders at Camden High. Novario, during his three years with the Purple and Gold, always had a powerful line on the field..


Camden Courier-Post - February 8, 1936

SIDELINE SLANTS
By FRANK KOPESKY

JOE CREAN, Bud Sheehan, Sam Godfrey and Worm Wearshing all play in the Delaware River Basketball League ... Joe Barry considers Walt Roman, a little chip, one of the best performers on his Catholic High quintet, and the coach recently had the diminutive guard showing the others on the varsity a few tricks ... Haddon Heights High goes in for gymnastics in a big way and the school has all types of equipment ... Norman Ford is the member of the faculty who teaches that sport ... Joe Shields, former Camden High and Springfield College star, is attending Jefferson Medical College, .. Newt Danford, ex-Camden athlete, teaches at Westmont Junior High, and Ted Nitka, the Fordham Flash, is a faculty member at his alma mater, also Camden High ... The senior William Denof is a swell bowler and the missus is a swell hostess ... Johnny Vogeding and Jack Bitting, popular Woodbury athletes, are employed at the Mannington Mills plant in Salem ... Frank Duffy is active in athletics at the RCA here.


Woodrow Wilson High School - June 1936 Yearbook

 WILSON SWAMPS CAMDEN
Raiczyk Pitcher of No-Hit, No-Run Game

ON FRIDAY afternoon, May 8, at Dudley Grange Park, Wilson proved what a great baseball team it has by rolling over its greatest rival, Camden High, by a score of 7-0. The victory clinched the championship of the city.

Stan Raiczvk celebrated his eighteenth birthday by pitching the greatest game of his career. He allowed exactly no runs, no hits, four passes, and two men to reach first base by hitting the batters. Two others reached first by faulty fielding. He gave probably the greatest individual sport performance of which Wilson can boast. The crowd were thrilled to their toes when in the ninth, after passing two men, Raiczyk proceeded to strike out the next three men, to end the ball game. Since he had previously struck out six, this brought his total strikeouts to nine. Stan pitched a game that will long be remembered.

John Sviben was also an important factor in the victory, hitting a home run and two singles to help the Wilson cause. Jones made two hits.

Early in the season, we predicted that Wilson would have a baseball team of which we could be proud. This was certainly proven by our victory over the strong Camden team. The whole team seemed to be headed for a championship.

Wilson scored with a bang in the first inning and gained three runs. We then proceeded to score single runs in the third, fourth, seventh, eighth innings, to take the game easily by a final score of Wilson 7, Camden 0.

A great victory by a great team.

ERNEST HESS, 1936

Wilson Whips Bridgeton

AGAIN displaying great pitching and hitting, the Wilson nine easily defeated the Bridgeton Tossers by an 8-0 score. The victory retained our lead in the Camden Surburban League. Our record up to date is six wins against one loss.

Allen Howe pitched dazzling ball for boys. He allowed only two hits and fanned no less than eleven batsmen. His performance with Raiczyk’s no-hit, no run game proved that Wilson has about the best pitching staff in these parts.

The Orange and Black again walloped the ball hard, making fourteen safe blows and scoring eight runs. Howe also led the hitting attack with a booming triple and single. Jones, Orr, Bugowski, and Lichtenberg stood out, with two hits apiece.

During the first five innings, there was a pitching duel, neither team able to score. Coming into the sixth, however, Wilson unleashed a blasting attack that netted us five runs. We came back to score three more in the eighth, and took the game, 8-0.

ERNEST HESS, 1936


Camden Courier-Post - February 5, 1936

WITNESS ARRESTED IN WEARSHING DEATH
Member of Crew on Ship in Collision Held as Knowing of Slaying

Another material witness, member of the engine room crew of a merchant steamship which was in collision in the Delaware, was held yesterday, without bail, for a further hearing in Philadelphia as a material witness in the slaying of William Wearshing, of Camden.

Wearshing, 78, of 1231 South Third street, was the father of Grover Wearshing, former Temple University football star. He was fatally beaten January 16 in Philadelphia office building where he was employed as chief engineer.

The man held by Magistrate Charles Medway in the Twelfth and Pine streets police station is Thomas McKim, 35, of Wharton street near Seventeenth, Philadelphia, member of the crew of the S.S. Volusia. The Volusia and the S.S. Eastern Sun crashed in the river Monday, near Wilmington.

George Waterman, 56, of 3124 E street, Philadelphia, was held as a material witness February 1.

According to McKim's story to detectives, he, Wearshing and Waterman at one time were employed together in the office building. Waterman, he, said, offered him $50 to write a fictitious letter to Wearshing's wife "so she would make trouble around the building and Wearshing would lose his job."

McKim said Waterman hoped to be promoted to Wearshing's post and said he thought that McKim, since fired from the building, would succeed Waterman.


Camden Courier-Post * February 17, 1938

'Y' VARSITY CONQUERS COACHES
Mentors Bow by 55-51; Catholic High Beats Limited Seniors, 35 to 27

The Camden Y.M.C.A. varsity quintet took the measure of the South Jersey Coaches by 55 to 51 last night in a free-scoring tussle at the "Y" court.

Fields and fouls were plentiful during the tussle with the Y.M.C.A. outfit racking up a total of 20 baskets from scrimmage and 15 of 23 foul attempts. Bill Ackerman and Al Scott led the attack for the winners with 11 counters apiece, while Art Blaker, Camden High mentor, was the big gun on the offense for the Coaches with five fields and seven fouls for 17 counters.

The preliminary tussle brought together the Camden Catholic High quintet and the Y.M.C.A. Limited Seniors with the scholastic outfit gaining the decision by 35 to 27. Bob Olesiewicz, star center, led the attack for Catholic with seven fields and two fouls for 16 counters, while Eddie Biehler starred for the Limited Seniors with four and one for nine points. Catholic led all the way and was out in front by 16 to 10 at the 
intermission.


Camden Courier-Post * June 1, 1938
Camden County League Baseball

Walt Cowan Twirls 'Colls' to Easy 8-1 Decision Over Westmont



Woodrow Wilson High School - June 1940 Yearbook

 ONE of the sports in Wilson which has gained many honors for the school is the national pastime. baseball. When the umpire shouts "play ball" a scrappy, hustling, and determined Wilson High nine will take to the baseball field in hopes of coming through with another championship.  

With seven letter men back from last year, coach "Worm" Wearshing has high hopes of  putting out another winning ball club. The veterans are Norm Selby, a hard hitting right fielder, John Timmons, a chucker with plenty of zip on the ball; Harry King. a fleet-footed outfielder; Harry Fox, a stellar all-around player, who covers the outer gardens; Merrill Long. our keystone sacker; Joe Gaughan, a flinger; and Bob Bieler, who will handle the catching duties like a veteran.. Other prospects are "Ripper" Holt, who will cover the initial sack; Ben Fillari, our indomitable third baseman, and Tom Glennon, the shortstop. Warren Jones, John Kreps, Ben Zippke, Joe Gorski, and Jerry Jurczykowski are listed as reserves.


 

Camden Courier-Post
July 25, 1941

Baltimore Elite Giants
1941 National Negro Baseball League
Paul Salanka
Ted Laux
Harry Theurer
Jim McQuestion
Grover Wearshing
Buck Lai
Eddie Novak

 


Camden Courier-Post
July 29, 1941

Newark Eagles
1941 National Negro Baseball League
Paul Salanka -
Bill Narleski
Phil Logan - Jim McGinnis
Bill Graupner - "Weiner" Wheatley
Harry Theurer - Jim McQuestion
Grover Wearshing - Buck Lai
Eddie Novak - Buck Lai Jr. - Jim Duffy

  1941 American Negro Baseball League - St. Louis Stars


Camden Courier-Post
July 30, 1941

Newark Eagles
1941 National Negro Baseball League
Paul Salanka
Bill Narleski
Phil Logan
Jim McGinnis
Bill Graupner
Howard "Weiner" Wheatley
Harry Theurer  
Jim McQuestion
Grover Wearshing
Buck Lai
Eddie Novak
Buck Lai Jr.
Jim Duffy

  1941 American Negro Baseball League - St. Louis Stars


Camden Courier-Post * July 31, 1941

  1941 American Negro Baseball League - St. Louis Stars
Jim Duffy - Jim McGinnis - Bill Narleski - Phil Logan - Bill Graupner
Howard "Weiner" Wheatley -
Harry Theurer - Jim McQuestion
Eddie Novak - Buck Lai Jr. - Grover Wearshing - Buck Lai


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