Hank Royal

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As a youngster, Hank participated in swimming at the YMCA in Wilkes-Barre, basketball and baseball at St. Therese‘s, and heavyweight boxing at St. Al‘s. At Meyers High School in Wilkes-Barre, Hank was All-Scholastic in football at tackle and was named Most Valuable Player of the league. Playing on both offense and defense, he also kicked off and kicked extra points. He played in the UNICO game and the 1954 All-Star game. Among all local family members playing football, Hank and his two sons are the only ones from Wyoming Valley who made All-Scholastic Lineman from the same school, with all three playing in UNICO games. In track at Meyers, Hank took Districts in track (discus) and went to States. He also threw shot put. At the University of West Virginia as a freshman, he played nose guard on its undefeated team; however, an injury ended his football career. Hank participated in local softball as a catcher on the Wilkes-Barre Police Force team for 10 years. He was the original Wilkes-Barre Police McGruff Crime Dog (“Take a bite out crime”). A policeman for 34 years, he was awarded citations “Above & Beyond the Call of Duty.” He is a member of the executive board of P.A.L. of the Wilkes-Barre Police. Hank resides with his wife Lillian in Wilkes-Barre. They are the parents of four children: Hank, Barbara, Jim and Elizabeth.