Football

Wyoming Seminary has one of the most historic and successful prep football programs in the United States, winning well over 500 games since it first played in 1884.

Sem is a New England Preparatory School Athletic Council (NEPSAC) affiliate and plays against many of the top prep schools in the Northeast and Eastern United States. This competitive schedule, of at least nine games played in the fall, provides student-athletes with opportunities to showcase their skills, learn from intense competition and grow as a football player. Sem's rigorous schedule pushes student-athletes to new heights, preparing them for success at the collegiate level.

As a college preparatory school that is renowned for its academic excellence, student-athletes receive a well-rounded education and are also exposed to a network of college recruiters who actively seek talent from our athletic program. Our coaches and staff work tirelessly to connect student-athletes with opportunities for athletic scholarships and college admissions, opening doors to bright futures and premier institutions.

Five Wyoming Seminary alumni (Ron Beagle '52, Joe Donchess '26, Jack "Spike" Harding '22, George Welsh '51 and George "Mike" Wilson '25) are in the College Football Hall of Fame. More recently, Kyree Campbell '17 was a defensive tackle for the Orange Bowl champion Florida Gators and Robbie Dwyer '19 played linebacker for the Rose Bowl champion Penn State Nittany Lions. Ten members of the Class of 2023 signed to continue their academic and football careers at NCAA schools at the Divisions I, II and III levels.

Our team of experienced and highly skilled coaches, led by Head Football Coach Kevin Burke, provides players with expert guidance, instruction and mentorship to unlock their full potential as a football player.

Whether you are a beginner, an experienced veteran or a postgraduate, there is a place for you in our program.

 

Wyoming Seminary 2024 Football Roster
(last updated: Aug. 22, 2024)

Desmone Battle '25
Damon Jennings '25
Trumain Lawson '25
Sean Joy '25
Lenny Heckelmann '25
Aimery Bertrand '25
Jibril Ndiaye '25
Giovanni Gallo '25
Isaiah Reyes '25
Gavin Green '25
Michael McMaugh '25
Tiago De Tavora Vasconcelos Barros Francisco '25
Guangbo Sun '26
Tanner Ferguson '26
Aaron Kutney '26
Adam Kovangbandi '26
Emmanuel Onyemali '26
McAllaster Holmes '26
Sander Fernandez '26
London Parent '26
Ryan Crete '26
Raphael Fortin '26
Roy Gernhardt '26
Connor Baird '26
Cormack Price '26
Jaden Arterberry '26
Jesse Ibiefo '27
Tyler Murphy '28
Nicholas Cramton '28
Martin Kasangu '28
Landon Lutsey '29

Kevin Burke — Head Coach
Kevin Burke was announced as Wyoming Seminary's head football coach in June 2021 after previously serving as the running backs coach at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. In his first season at Sem, Coach Burke led the Blue Knights to a 5-4 record.

Coach Burke previously served as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach at Poly Prep in Brooklyn, New York, for three seasons. He is a 2014 graduate of SUNY Empire State College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.

In addition to his recent roles at Poly Prep and Wesleyan, Coach Burke's extensive coaching experience includes being wide receivers coach at Maine Maritime Academy; player development/defensive quality control and offensive/recruiting assistant at Rutgers University; and game charter for the Cleveland Browns.

Coach Burke is also the Associate Director of Athletics at Sem.

Kyle Paul — Assistant Coach

Michael Amato — Assistant Coach

Dave Donovan — Assistant Coach

Ray Knaub — Assistant Coach

Julia Truskowski — Assistant Coach

Gerard McGroarty — Assistant Coach

Nesbitt Memorial Stadium was originally built in 1922 at the location where it stands today — 101 W. Hoyt St., Kingston, PA 18704 — although it has undergone numerous upgrades and renovations in the past century.

The facility is equipped with two full-size turf fields that are lined for football, soccer, baseball and softball. The facility also includes a training room, offices and home and away locker rooms.

Another facility that is integral to Wyoming Seminary football is across campus at the Pettebone-Dickson Student Center, which houses the weight room and the offices of athletic personnel like Head Football Coach Kevin Burke and Strength and Conditioning Coach Dave Shultz.

Frank Baur, Class of 1985: A native of nearby Forty Fort, Baur, a quarterback, led Wyoming Seminary to a 6-1 record in 1984. Baur was an All-American at Lafayette College and once graced the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine.

Ron Beagle, Class of 1952: A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, Beagle was one of the top collegiate football players of the 1950s. He was the 1954 recipient of the Maxwell Trophy, awarded to the college football player of the year, while playing end for Navy.

Mike Blandina, Class of 1970: Blandina attended Wyoming Seminary for one season as a postgraduate. He continued his football career at Temple University. In 1973, Blandina recorded six touchdown catches for an Owls team that went 9-1.

Alfred E. Bull, Class of 1892: Bull, a native of Wilkes-Barre, owns the distinction of being the Wyoming Valley's first All-American college football player. He played center and was the captain of the University of Pennsylvania in 1895.

Kyree Campbell, Class of 2017: Campbell was evaluated by 247Sports as a three-star recruit at defensive tackle before signing with the Florida Gators. Campbell made 39 tackles and played in all 13 games in 2019 for the Orange Bowl champion Gators.

Ralph Chase, Class of 1921: Chase was captain of the University of Pittsburgh in 1925, the same year he was unanimously selected as an All-American tackle. Chase briefly played in the NFL as a member of the Akron Indians and Hammond Pros.

Gib Cool, Class of 1911: The Cornell University football team of 1915 was nicknamed, “The Big Red Machine,” for its dominance. Cool was the All-American starting center for this team, which went 9-0 and won every game by double-digits.

Tony Couto, Class of 1974: Couto thrived in his one season at Sem and continued his winning ways at Wilkes University. As a senior at Wilkes, Couto, a linebacker, recorded seven sacks, four interceptions and was named the MAC North’s Most Valuable Player.

Justin Denson, Class of 2024: In his lone season as a Blue Knight, Denson made five interceptions, broke up nine passes, recorded 45 tackles and was named the East Coast Power Prep Defensive Player of the Year. Prior to enrolling at Michigan State, he played in the All-American Bowl.

Joe Donchess, Class of 1926: Donchess is a legendary figure at Wyoming Seminary, where he played three sports. Donchess was an All-American end and played in back-to-back Rose Bowls for the Pitt Panthers. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

Robbie Dwyer, Class of 2019: Dwyer, a linebacker and native of nearby Plymouth, attended Wyoming Seminary for one season as a postgraduate. He played more than 20 games for Penn State, including the Nittany Lions' 2023 Rose Bowl win against Utah.

Joe Gattuso, Class of 1951: Gattuso’s football career was highlighted by the 1955 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. A fullback, Gattuso rushed for 111 yards; helped Navy beat Ole Miss, 21-0; and was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.

Jack Harding, Class of 1922: “Spike” was an outstanding quarterback at Sem and Pitt. However, he is perhaps best known for his time at the University of Miami, where he served as head football coach and athletic director. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Quentin Harris, Class of 1997: Sem was winless in 1995 but adding Harris, from nearby Wilkes-Barre, proved key, as the Blue Knights went 6-1 in 1996. A defensive back, Harris made 183 tackles and 10 interceptions at Syracuse and then played five seasons in the NFL.

Harry Hiestand, Class of 1978: A one-year postgraduate student, Hiestand was a lineman for the undefeated 1977 Sem football team. Hiestand was a longtime assistant coach at high-level programs, including Notre Dame and the Chicago Bears.

Steven Johnson, Class of 2007: Helped Sem to a 7-2 record in his postgraduate season before enrolling at Kansas, where he played 35 games. Johnson was an All-Big 12 linebacker as a senior with 120 tackles. He played six seasons in the NFL with Denver, Tennessee, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

Tim Jordan, Class of 1978: Jordan played one season at Sem as a postgraduate. He continued playing football at Navy as an offensive guard. As a senior, Jordan was one of Navy’s captains and he participated in the Hula Bowl in Hawaii.

Joe Katchik, Class of 1950: Listed at 6-foot-9, Katchik, a defensive tackle, was among the tallest men to ever play professional football. He played part of the 1960 season with the AFL’s New York Titans following his collegiate career at Notre Dame and Dickinson College.

Bill Kern, Class of 1924: Kern was an All-American tackle at Pitt and he played two seasons for the Green Bay Packers, as well. Kern’s post-playing career included two stints as head football coach at West Virginia, compiling a 24-23-1 record.

Tom McHale, Class of 1982: McHale’s collegiate career began at Maryland and ended at Cornell. He graduated from Cornell as the program’s single season and career sacks record-holder. McHale played nine seasons in the NFL as an offensive lineman.

Roger Americo Nanni, Class of 1940: "Bob" transferred from a school in nearby Pittston and played two seasons as an offensive tackle at Sem. He played college football at Duke and was a key member on some of the Blue Devils' top teams, including the 1942 Rose Bowl participants.

Frank Piekarski, Class of 1901: A native of nearby Nanticoke, Piekarski was one of the nation's most celebrated athletes at the turn of the century. He was a consensus All-American guard in 1904 at the University of Pennsylvania, helping the Quakers post a 12-0 record.

Fred Reitzel, Class of 1977: Reitzel was a key figure in Sem’s undefeated 1976 season and he continued his career at Navy. After playing defensive back in 1978 and 1979, Reitzel was Navy’s starting quarterback in 1980, throwing seven touchdowns and rushing for eight more.

Irvin “Bo” Roberson, Class of 1954: Arguably the greatest all-around athlete to attend Sem, Roberson was an Olympic silver medalist in the long jump. Roberson graduated from Cornell and scored 18 touchdowns in the pros with Buffalo, Miami, San Diego and Oakland.

Marvin Russell, Class of 1973: Injuries thwarted Russell’s lone season at Sem, but he still rushed for 305 yards and three touchdowns in two games. Russell played football at Notre Dame and was a linebacker for the 1973 national champions.

Andy Salata, Class of 1924: Salata was a letter-winner in baseball and basketball at Sem, as well as playing offense and defense for the football team. He then played offensive line at Pitt and helped the Panthers win a pair of national championships.

Vinnie Sites, Class of 1932: Sites arrived at Wyoming Seminary by way of St. John’s High School in Pittston and had a stellar run as an end. After playing for Pitt, Sites remained in the Western Pennsylvania city for two seasons as a member of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Pirates.

George Welsh, Class of 1951: As Navy’s quarterback in 1955, Welsh finished third in Heisman Trophy voting. Welsh spent 28 years as head coach of Navy and Virginia, winning 189 games and earning induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

George “Mike” Wilson, Class of 1925: Wilson played halfback for Wyoming Seminary and continued at that position at Lafayette. He led the nation with 20 touchdowns runs during the Leopards’ undefeated 1926 season and is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

Please note this is not a complete list, but a mere snapshot, of the outstanding players who have contributed to the rich history of Wyoming Seminary's football program. Email Matt Bufano, communications and marketing associate, with suggestions at mbufano@wyomingseminary.org.