Florey Tribute Friday at Bucktail High School

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Gym Dedication Set for Friday Night

by Christopher Miller

RENOVO – Few people leave as many memories in the lives of young ones than their teachers and coaches.

This Friday during the halftime of the Bucktail boys basketball game, the life and athletic achievements of J. Dale Florey will be celebrated by naming the Bucktail High School Gymnasium in his memory.

Dale Florey
Dale Florey
Dale, a 1939 Williamsport High School and 1948 Lock Haven State Teachers College alumnus was the Head Coach of the former Renovo Railroaders basketball team for a 22-year career coaching record of 257-205 and Health & Physical Education teacher until his retirement in 1979. Though he passed away in 2001 his memory still lingers strong in the community at large.

Dale’s widow Katie can recall facts and data about her husband’s life as if it were yesterday, including the epic clincher of the ’61 Lock Haven – Renovo playoff game. The last second “miracle” basket made by Charlie “Bullhead” Saltsman to send the game into overtime was termed the “shot heard round the world.” The Railroaders won in overtime 55-52 defeating Lock Haven.

Something that not many people know about the late coach Florey was that in his original teaching contract, he was required to be the assistant football coach under Louie Bruno. Though he enjoyed football, he had little-to-no experience with the sport. Luckily for the Railroaders, basketball was his calling.

Teacher’s wear many hats. Along with being an athletic coach, Dale was also a life coach.

Frank Hanobic, Bucktail Athletic Director remembers Dale for being the best man at his wedding. “I chose him because of being my inspiration, friend and the person that taught me so much about life,” replied Hanobic in an email.

Katie recalls one time in particular where if it would not have been for her husband’s persistence, his student might not have graduated. As Katie recalls it, a mother called Dale frantically one evening saying that she was at the end of her rope in trying to talk her son into doing his school work to graduate. Dale being the stickler that he was, personally saw to it that his students maintained a “C” minimum grade to be able to participate. “He kept poking at it, making sure his student was getting his homework grades and studies up,” exclaimed Katie. “Seeing that young man graduate from high school was his mother’s wish, and boy did I get the biggest hug from his mother after he received his Diploma,” recalled Katie!

It was Dale’s reputation as a top-notch educator and coach that earned his respect by the students, parents and colleagues of the greater Renovo area.

“He did it for free…a volunteer,” says Katie speaking about Dale’s Saturday intramural sports practices. For the students that did not make the varsity team, he would work with them on Saturday mornings in training and preparation. As Katie says it, “it provided a great crop of students to choose from in the future for the team helping students from grades 8+ succeed in the sport.”

Joe Desmond, who both played for Dale as a student and was his JV Coach remembers him as being a stern, but fair man. “Academics came first and foremost,” replied Desmond. “Dale was a stickler for good uniforms too – shoes and socks must be the same for all the boys; they must be well-dressed and uniformed.” Thanks to great record keeping, Desmond was able to confirm Florey’s 257-205 record, but that was mostly likely attributed to his score keeping of Varsity games.

Out of Dale’s students, two basketball players became county judges, eight had professional education careers as professors and even one became a Philadelphia Phillie.

Asked about how Dale would have felt about the dedication, Katie replied, “Dale was never big into the hoopla behind things…he would ask me to go instead of him!” “Even when he was given the LHU Award (Alumni Association Achievement Award), he was never one to boast or give-in to the hoopla,” replied Katie. “But we both went along and he was so very appreciative to be thought of and remembered!”

Dale Florey will be remembered again by his past colleagues, students and friends who knew him well.

The Bucktail Gymnasium naming ceremony will take place during the boys Bucktail-Columbia/Montour Basketball game on Friday. Though the late coach Florey cannot physically attend, he will certainly be around in spirit and memory of those who knew him best.

therecord-online will provide live online audio/video coverage of the game and the halftime ceremony.

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