Andrew Barilla

Category
1991
About This Inductee

Andrew Barilla, Jr., was born and raised in Swoyersville and became Swoyersville’s first All-Scholastic in three sports. In football, he played guard and tackle, both offense and defense. He played guard in basketball and caught on three championship teams in baseball. Selected by his teammates as outstanding athlete of the Senior Class, 1954-1955. He played under Coaches John YonKondy and Steve Suehy in the East-West UNICO Game in 1954, when, for the first time, the West upset the East. Andy was selected outstanding lineman of the game. Played semi-pro baseball in the Wyoming Valley League with Swoyersville AC’s while in high school, and had a tryout with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Attended Michigan State University on a football scholarship under Coach Duffy Dougherty. Two of the outstanding players on the team at that time were Clarence Peaks and Earl Morrall. Also as a freshman, he caught for Dick Raditz who was nicknamed, “The Monster,” who became a star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Barilla sustained a severe knee injury which abruptly ended his sports career, and then he attended Lockhaven State Teacher’s College. Andy spent 10 years on Swoyersville Borough Council and founded Slocum Street Playground. He is a charter member of Swoyersville Baseball Club for Boys and was instrumental in building Roosevelt Stadium in Swoyersville. He also sponsors Barilla’s team in the Wyoming Valley Girls’ Softball Traveling League. He attended certification classes at Shippensburg University and re-certification classes at Penn State University and Wilson College. Past President of Crime Clinic of Greater Wyoming Valley. Past President of Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania, and presently serves as District Justice to the communities of Swoyersville, Forty Fort, Luzerne, Courtdale, and Pringle. He is married to the former Mary Ann Charnetski. They are parents of five children, Susan Davis, David, Anita Waravdekar, Andrew IV, and Lisa, deceased. He also is proud of three grandchildren: Jonathan and Jennifer Davis and Drew Waravdekar.