Anthony M. “Champ” Ragunas

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Anthony graduated from Plymouth High School in 1945. He was player/coach on the undefeated football team, Willow Street School, Plymouth in 1939 and catcher on the Lake Township baseball team in 1941. At Plymouth High he was a 3 year varsity letterman in football and track. In 1943 he was named 3rd team Wyoming Valley All-Scholastic in football and 1^st team in 1944. He captained/ quarterbacked the undefeated Plymouth High School football team in 1944. In track he ran the 120 yard high hurdles, was Class A District 2 PIAA champ in 1943 and runner-up in 1944-1945. He placed in shot put and discus in Class A District 2 PIAA meet I943,’44, ’45. Anthony was a member of the 880 yard relay team, won 1^st place trophy at Wyoming Seminary’s meet in 1944. He attended Virginia Military Institute (VMI) 1946-1947, Temple University 1947-1948, Wilkes College 1950, and the US Department of Defense Ammunition School 1966-1968. At VMI he was a member of the first team as fullback and the leading ground gainer/ scorer in 1946 as a freshman. At Temple he lettered in football and was named to the Lithuanian All-American College Football Team 1946-47. Anthony was a fullback with the Wilkes-Barre Bullets Professional Football Team 1948-1949 and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1950, attending their training camp as single wing blocking back/quarterback. He was a running back with Bethlehem Bulldogs in 1950 and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles 1951. 1951 he was coach/quarterback with the Wilkes-Barre Bullets, their leading ground gainer in exhibition game against Chicago Cardinals. Residing in Newport News, VA, with his wife, the former Mary McNally, they have 4 children: Kathleen Hembree, Michael, John and Anthony Vincent.