Mystery Classmate 120

Congratulations to Coleman Brennan, Colleen O’Connor Casey, Milton Koutavas, Mary Brandenstein Curran, Greg Markantone, Christine Trinchero Haddad, Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli, Stu Cohen, Amy Chufo Prezelski, Michele McClelland, Doug Kull, and Rich Reschoff, all of whom correctly identified Eric Kostic (’85) as Mystery Classmate #118 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Eric is about to begin his first season as head football coach at Saltsburg Middle/High School, where he is also the school principal. Eric previously served as head football coach for 10 years at McDonough High School in Charles County, Md., before moving to Greater Latrobe High School, where he filled the role of defensive coordinator from 1999 to 2001.

"At McDonough, we developed a pretty good program," he said. "It was an exciting time," including repeat conference titles and a trip to the state finals at the end of one season. He said a highlight of his time on the Latrobe staff was the team's trip to the WPIAL playoffs for the first time in nearly two decades.

Eric also taught in the Latrobe school system and worked as a school administrator in Maryland, before most recently serving as assistant principal at North Hills Junior-Senior High School.

After his Churchill career as a fullback and linebacker, Eric played defensive end at Mercyhurst College. "To me, playing sports is a release," Kostic said. "It's something that's fun to do, and it's something the players should enjoy."

He added, "There is an equation that works: hard work equals success. The kids here have an opportunity to do well, if they are willing to put the effort into it."

Kostic declined to reveal any strategies from his previous teams that he may adapt for the Trojans. He said, "The only goal I've ever had as a coach is for my team to be well-prepared and fundamentally sound. We need to block, tackle and avoid turnovers."

Several classmates had fond memories of Eric. Christine Trinchero Haddad and Stu Cohen felt that Eric still looks the same as he did in high school.

Amy Chufo Prezelski elaborated, “He has that same lopsided smile that just lights up his face (he looks way too serious without it)! He was always nice to me in spite of me being a lowly friend of his sister, Sue. He looks great!”

Milton Koutavas remembered the yearbook photo that earned Eric the nickname of "Walnuts".

Rich Reschoff announced, “Eric Kostic #54 your starting middle linebacker for your Churchill Chargers!!”

Lynn Abt LeBlanc guessed Barry Schwartz. Jim Davliakos guessed Bruce Babich. Mike Mroz guessed Tony Soprano.

Mystery Classmate 119

Congratulations to Lori Haas Baccari, Marc Schanfarber, Pam Van Cara Collis, Donna Andreas Copley, Dave Weidenhammer, Nancy Ondick Hahn, Ted Smith, Andy Moss, Lisa Smith, Doug Mackay, Jean Ward Dunnivan, Rhonda Gigliotti Fiore, Kelly Mazon Sauer, Greg Markantone, Karen Campbell Ricci, Ellen Broadberry Gallagher, Michele Sherer Ancheta, Cheryl Mehalic, Sharon Wasko Skoff, Kira Kenyherz Bartlett, Beth Chufo Nichols, Linda Wolff, Chad Calabria, Lynn Abt LeBlanc, and John Plack, who correctly identified Doug Battaglia (’84) as Mystery Classmate #119 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Doug lives in Columbus, Ohio, and works for Honda Motor Company. Rhonda Gigliotti Fiore, whose husband went to Pitt with Doug, reports that his family just grew on July 7 when his second daughter Angelina was born. Congratulations Doug!

Many classmates had nice things to say about Doug. Pam Van Cara Collis remembered that she grew up just down the street from Doug.

Ted Smith wrote, “Who can forget that Plymouth Barracuda? The unreliability of which surely made him look for work at Toyota.”

Andy Moss wrote, “I recall playing soccer with Doug, seems that he was usually sharing defensive duties with Craig Davis, catching all the charges that I let go through the midfield.”

Chad Calabria remembered that Doug was a nice guy and super funny.

Lynn Abt LeBlanc remembered that Doug always had a nice smile and a great sense of humor.

Donna Andreas Copley reported that her first kiss was with Doug’s brother Frank.

The picture was taken at the Class of ’84 reunion picnic and several classmates remembered seeing him there, where he was a big hit with the kiddies. Michele Sherer Ancheta reported, “The kids had a blast chasing him and getting him wet with water balloons. Also, my daughter, Ella found his cellphone in the grass and won the grand prize of $1. She couldn't stop talking about it!”

Linda Wolff added, “My daughter, age 10, said that he is really cool. A note to Doug.. You turned out to be a real nice guy.”

Lori Haas Baccari thought he looked cute with his baby bottle.

Doug Mackay noted that “it looks like he is still trying to figure out if beer or formula is better for his soccer game.”

Those who hadn’t attended the picnic thought that Doug looked exactly the same.

Andrew “Bearsy” Plack came close, guessing Frank Battaglia. Brian “S.D.” Stevenson, Paul Rodgers, and Stu Cohen guessed Gregg Bobick. Dave Weidenhamer also considered Greg Bobick before guessing correctly.

Karen Campbell Ricci considered Chris “Crinkle” Kennedy before guessing correctly. Maria Wojtaszek Romanelli took a wild guess and selected Tim Henry, although she didn’t think the hair was right. Ellen Lin guessed Stu Cohen. Dave Holmes guessed the actor Paul Rudd.

Mystery Classmate 118

Congratulations to Mark Koutavas, who correctly identified Omar Lateef (’82) as Mystery Classmate #118.

In case you were wondering, Omar is a Scion Certified Salesperson at Fred Anderson Toyota and Fred Anderson Scion in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Anderson Automotive Group is a world class retailer dedicated to excellence in automotive sales and service, whose mission is to improve the lives of our employees, customers, business partners, and communities by providing automotive service with the highest level of quality, convenience and customer satisfaction.

Rich Reschoff, Michelle Osterholm, and Stu Cohen guessed Melvin Coburn, Jr. Stu added that “he sat behind me my senior year and was one of the funniest human beings I ever met.”

Jerry Koutavas guessed Cleveland Furby, adding, “Cleveland showed me early on that I had no ability to rap and for that matter carry a beat and to stick to piano lessons.”

Donna Andreas Copley thought that Omar looks “like a black Vince Oddo.” Karen Campbell Ricci agreed.

Mystery Classmate 117

Congratulations to Marc Schanfarber, Dave Holmes, Pam Matthews, Tabitha Husted Riggio, and Jeff Buchanan, all of whom correctly identified Ed Pogozelski (’84) as Mystery Classmate #117 and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

In case you were wondering, Ed is a physics professor at the State University of New York – Geneseo, where he is known as Dr. Pogo. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon in 1988, Ed was employed at Westinghouse Electric Corp. for two years, where he worked on the design and manufacture of U.S. Navy nuclear refueling equipment. In 1990, he left Westinghouse for graduate school and earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from The Johns Hopkins University in 1996. Before coming full time to SUNY-Geneseo, Ed taught at several colleges in the Rochester area, including SUNY-Geneseo, RIT, and Houghton College. While not teaching, Ed has done consulting work with Delphi Automotive and HydroAcoustics, Inc., both in Henrietta, New York. You can find more information and another picture on his web page at http://www.geneseo.edu/%7Epogo/.

Several classmates shared fond and unique memories of Ed. Jeff Buchanan and Marc Schanfarber both pointed out that Ed finished out his high school time at Turtle Creek, after the Woodland Hills merger sent Eastmont and other Wilkins Township residents to the Crick.

Dave Holmes and Pam Matthews remembered that Ed was Pam’s prom date, and offered to share a picture of Ed with a rubber chicken on his head and his hand between two pillows, but only if Ed agrees.

Tabitha Husted Riggio also remembered Ed and the rubber chicken, and bowling. We need details, people!

Later, Tabitha elaborated, “The four of us went to the prom together, Dave (Holmes), Pam (Matthews), Ed, and me. After the prom we went bowling and up to my cottage in Ligonier (God rest its soul). We were so tired from staying up so long that absolutely everything was hysterically funny. (Just for the record, there were no sex, drugs, or alcohol involved.) I remember someone throwing a deck of cards in the air and thinking it was the funniest thing in the world. Pam had probably brought the rubber chicken and that too seemed very funny at the time - and somehow still does! Some of the best memories I have are from high school...wonderful friends and wonderful times...”

Amy Petrina guessed Matt Myers. Steve Falvo guessed Greg Germ. Dave Weidenhamer guessed either Kevin Germ, Charlie (David) Kotler, or Ben Williams.

Donna Andreas Copley and Karen Campbell Ricci agreed that Mystery Classmate #117 looked like Jeff Spaeder, but it couldn’t have been Jeff Spaeder, because Karen saw Jeff in church and he looked nothing like that today. Anyway, he went to Central Catholic. His younger brother Tim is a cardiologist at Johns Hopkins.

On a related note, Jennifer Taylor Brandeis considered guessing Tim Spaeder but decided not to. Jerry Koutavas guessed Mike Zanic, noting that he is of Greek descent.