Football Reunion 2011

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Football Reunion 2011

FOOTBALL REUNION

OCTOBER 14TH & 15THFRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL GAME AND AMVETS PARTY

SATURDAY TOUR OF THE NEW IMPROVED VANDALIA BUTLER HIGH SCHOOL& GATHERING AT CHRISTY'S PIZZA

SATURDAY THERE WAS A DINNER AT THE RIB HOUSE FOR THE TEAM MEMBERS

"OH WHAT A NIGHT", those guys sure had a great time reconnecting after 50 years.

A Great group of guys.

READ THE ARTICLE AND SCROLL DOWN FOR MORE PHOTOS

10/13/2011 3:47:00 PM

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The Vandalia-Butler 1961 football team.

Some members of the 1961 football team celebrated a perfect season.

Aviators celebrate 50th anniversary of 10-0 season

By Greg Smart
Editor

On Oct. 14-15, the 1961 Vandalia-Butler football team will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of a 10-0 season.

They are the last football team in school history to have an unblemished record. Prior to that, the 1932 squad acquired a perfect 8-0 mark under coach M. B. Morton.

The Aviators were the Southwestern Buckeye League champions and recorded their first winning football season in six years and improved upon a 4-6 record the previous year and a seventh place league finish.

"It was one of the highlights of my life," said Coach Powell Toth, who oversaw that accomplishment. "I look back on it with very fond memories and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything that I've had."

Today, Toth is a retired professor who lives in Hurricane, W. Va. After leaving Vandalia, he got his doctorate at The Ohio State University. He taught at West Virginia University and at Marshall University for 42 years.

After winning the final game of the undefeated season, Toth told his squad "that they were the finest bunch of people that I've ever known."

"I still think they are among that group," Toth told the Drummer. He stressed that the group went on to be very successful in their lives and careers.

"They were a very unselfish bunch of people," said Toth. "They all worked together and noone really cared whether someone else got more publicity than the other."

Toth said he is looking forward to this upcoming reunion with his players.

"I'm looking forward to it. As far as I'm concerned, I would imagine it will be one of the highlights of my life, really," he said.

Toth coached five years at Vandalia.

"I have very warm feelings about it. I made many wonderful friends. Everyone that I came into contact with in Vandalia was very supportive and I have very fond memories of it," said Toth.

"I think one of the greatest things about Coach Toth was the fact that at no time during the season did we really talk about can we win this game: can we do this," said Larry Lutz. "Everything was geared to going into the game: we're going to win this game. We never talked about losing...At no time during that 1961 season, did we ever think about losing...We didn't disappoint anybody, especially ourselves."

Coach Toth was named The Dayton Daily News Coach of the Year. Lutz was named the Valley's Most Valuable Player. He led the SWBL with 122 points on 19 touchdowns and four two-point conversion runs. John Erisman claimed the Top Defensive Player award.

Named to the Daily News All League teams were Dave Savec, offensive guard; Lutz, offensive back; Stuart Gitman, defensive end' and John Erisman, defensive linebacker. All-SWBL team members were Bob Bush, John Everman, Larry Lutz, Mike Shea, John Erismnan and Danny Gatzulis. Honorable mention recipients were Lyle Nowicki, Rich Murphy and Stuart Gitman. Toth was Coach of the Year.

After winning its 10th game, Coach Toth told his team, "Your're the greatest bunch of guys I've ever known."

For the 50th anniversary, the team is planning to attend the home football game. Saturday afternoon at Christy's Pizza from 1 to 4 p.m. the team will host an open event for anybody that wants to visit with them. Also invited are classmates from the Classes of '62, '63 and '64 and other football players from their era. Saturday night, a dinner is planned for team members only at the Rib House.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of their undefeated championship season, the committee has approved a gifting program to commemorate their season and their anniversary. Over time, many of the portraits of the football teams, including the 1961 championship portrait, which had been displayed in the high school, have deteriorated to the point where they are no longer displayable.

The 1961 team has agreed to establish a fund to replace, restore and maintain the Vandalia Butler athletic championship gallery. Memorial contributions from anyone will also be accepted in the names of the deceased teammates.

All contributions should be sent to: 61 football school gift fund, PO Box 724, Vandalia, OH 45377.

Make checks payable to: 61 football school gift fund. Deceased coaches are Chet Nyberg and Bill Rentz. Deceased team members include: Richard Eckels, Mike Dearth, Dave Sabec, Bob Barns and Stu Gitman,

1961 Roster

Seniors: Larry Lutz, Dan Gatzulis, Lyle Nowicki, Mike Brown, Bob Barnes, Bill Ewen, Stuart Gitman, Marvin Flick, Dave Miller, Rick Murphy, Mike Porter, Mike Shea, Ron Washburn, Jerry Wehrley.

Juniors: Bob Bush, Bob Davis, Gary Durst, Harry Campbell, Jerry Compton, John Everman, John Erisman, Bud Grell, John Klepinger, Jim Larson, Dave Sabec.

Sophomores: Mike Dearth, Bob Collins, Dick Eckels, Richard Fleenor, Larry Gitman, Tom Gorman, Joe Jenkins, Paul Meece, Danny Roland.

Managers: Chuck Irwin, Dave Mundhenk and Dale Ridenour.

Coaches: Head coach Powell Toth. Assistant coaches Chet Nyberg and Bill Rentz.

1961 season scores

Vandalia 30, Beavercreek 20

Vandalia 30, Trotwood 26

Vandalia 12, West Milton 0 (ended West Milton's 17-game winning streak).

Vandalia 34, Brookville 16

Vandalia 26, Oakwood 6

Vandalia 48, Tipp City 0

Vandalia 16, Northridge 6

Vandalia 46, West Carrollton 12

Vandalia 20, Eaton 6

Vandalia 26, Englewood 13