Mike Leib

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Mike Leib lettered and started all three years of high school under football coach Tony Scarcella at Hazleton High. As a speedy running back, he scored 12 points during the 1963 season as a sophomore, 64 points during the 1964 season as a junior, at which time he also started kicking extra points and started as a defensive back. His senior year was a gem as he led the region in scoring with 89 points (13 TD’s and 11 extra points), starting as defensive back and rushing for 1081 yards. In a game against Minersville, he carried the ball 33 times, rushed for 223 yards and scored all 20 points. He was team captain in 1965, twice MVP of the Thanksgiving Day game and made the Big 33 checklist in 1965. As a National Honor Society student, he received a full grant-in-aid scholarship to play football at Lehigh University, where he played offensive halfback and defensive halfback and wide receiver. He also returned kick­offs and punts. He was named co-captain during his senior year, All-ECAC Team twice for Colgate Game, CO-MVP and given the game ball for his final collegiate performance vs. arch rival Lafayette. He played semi-pro football for the Schuylkill Coal Crackers during the 1970 season. In baseball, he was MVP in 1964 of the Teeners Regional championships held at Swoyersville. During his years at Hazleton High, Leib started 3 seasons in centerfield and also pitched, was one of the leading hitters and led the team in stolen bases during his junior and senior years. He played American Legion ball and was the area’s only player to advance to Harrisburg for the Legion All-Star team. He received the Sports Achievement Award during the 1969 YMCA All-Sports banquet. Currently Mike resides in Sugarloaf with his wife Jane and their three children, Jessica, Michael Jr. and Sarah. He is a metallurgist and is the owner of Weatherly Casting and Machine Company.