The pandemic shut down a lot of great things.
One of those great things was the North Catholic Soccer Hall of Fame banquet.
The banquet, which was traditionally held every year in March, was put on ice for a few years while the world calmed down. Now, it’s back.
The Falcons will hold their event Sunday at the FOP, 11630 Caroline Road, and just like before, a fantastic event is planned.
The team will induct five new members, as well as the 1990 Catholic League championship team. The ceremony highlights a great day of dinner, drinks and, of course, stories about North Catholic soccer.
“I think everyone in our committee looks forward to it and we’re hoping the absence of the hall for the last couple of years doesn’t deter people, because we’re really excited about it,” said former North Catholic coach Jerry Brindisi. “We have a great new venue, a great room, we’re just excited to honor the best of the best.”
This year, the featured speaker will be Tommy Ciolko, who was the coach of the 1990 championship team, but all of the honorees should have fun stories to tell.
“We’re thrilled to be back, and we hope to keep it going as long as we can,” Brindisi said. “It’s always a fun afternoon. It’s always a great chance for everyone to see each other, have some fun and celebrate some great men.”
Tim Weglicki
A three-year varsity player helped the Falcons win a Catholic League and city championship before graduating in 1979. He also picked up First-Team All-Catholic honors and First-Team All-City, as well as the MVP of the Old Timers Association All City Game. A former star in the Juniata Park Soccer League as a kid, Weglicki went on to play for Temple University. There, he was First-Team All East Coast Conference, First-Team All-Soccer Seven all four years, and a team captain.
Joseph Casey
Casey was a two-year starter for the Falcons, and twice led North to a Catholic League championship, in 1962 and 1963. In fact, North didn’t lose a Catholic League game during his time on the team, including his senior year when he was a captain. He also was First-Team All-Catholic and the team MVP. Also named a Philadelphia All-School Boy selection. Ended up scoring the winning goal against Dougherty in overtime to help North win the championship in 1963.
Andrew Filewicz
Whenever the Falcons needed a goal during his junior or senior seasons, it seemed Filewicz, a 2007 graduate, was the one to come through. That’s why he was First-Team All-Catholic during his junior and senior year. That came after making Second-Team All-Catholic as a sophomore. Behind Filewicz, the Falcons returned to the Catholic League playoffs after failing to qualify. After leaving North, Filewicz was named Rookie of the Year at Elizabethtown, and made Second-Team All-Conference during his freshman and sophomore year. He transferred to Rutgers-Camden, where he helped the team win the ECAC Championship. For his efforts, he was named ECAC Tournament MVP.
John “Jake” Morris
Morris, who graduated in 1983, was a three-year member of the Falcons and a two-year starter. He was a First-Team All-Catholic selection as a senior and a Philadelphia Old Timers Selection. He went on to continue his career at La Salle on scholarship under Bill Wilkinson. He played all four years, including two years as a starter. He twice was a Metro Atlanitc Athletic Conference champion. Led La Salle to a 34-30-9 record during his career.
Ed Szambelak
The 2004 graduate was both a soccer and golf star at North. In soccer, he was a two-time Catholic League champion and twice an All-Catholic selection and Northeast Times Catholic League Soccer Player of the Year. In his two sports, he earned eight varsity letters. He continued his soccer career at Holy Family where he was a three-time All-ACAA selection and the first player in Tigers history to receive NSCAA Regional All-American Honors. He was also a 2007 All-Tournament Team selection and a Top 10 individual and All-CACC Team.
John Burns
A 1998 graduate, Burns became a steady defender for the Falcons. During his senior year, many times he marked the other team’s best scorer. One of those assignments was to mark Jim Curtin, the coach of the Philadelphia Union who went to McDevitt. A three-year varsity player, Burns went on to play for Temple University, where he was named Rookie of the Year in his freshman campaign.
Ira Woodruff
A three-year varsity starter, Woodruff helped the Falcons win a championship in 2008 and was a First-Team All-Catholic selection in 2009, his senior season. After graduating, he became a four-year starter at Holy Family, where he was a member of the All-Academic Team. He left Holy Family with a nursing degree, and graduated from La Salle with a doctorate, and is now a certified nurse anesthetist.
1990 North Catholic team
A 10-year Catholic League championship drought might not seem like a long time, but when you’re North Catholic, it’s an eternity. However, thanks to goals by Nick Briglio, Mike Tims and John McIntyre, this team knocked off Monsignor Bonner 3-1 in the Catholic League championship game to give the Falcons their first championship since 1979. The team was coached by Tom Ciolko, and included hall of famers McIntyre, Tom McIntyre and Joe Murtaugh.
For tickets to the event, call 215-906-8496.
