Stephen Brezna

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My love of sports began with my father, Steve “Unc” Brezna, who was the athletic trainer at Hanover High School.  He allowed me to accompany him as he took care of all the athletes from all sports at Hanover.  I was a 3-sport athlete at Hanover Township High School.  In football, I was a 1966 All-Scholastic.  In wrestling, I was the 1965 District Champ in the 180lb. weight class and the 1966 District Runner-up at Heavyweight.  In baseball, I was the 1966 All-Star at 1^st base.

After graduation from Hanover, I went to Penn State in fall of 1966.  I was originally recruited by Rip Engle in 1965.   He retired in February, 1966 and Joe Paterno took over.  I then became a member of Joe Paterno’s 1^st team at Penn State.  I started in the 1966 season but had to leave for surgery.  I returned to play on the 1967 Penn State Freshman Team.  In 1968, I started as a punter and was a back-up linebacker behind 2 time All-American, Dennis Onkotz and All-East, Jim Kates.  I lost the punting job to Bob Parsons in 1969.  I was a team member on the two undefeated 11-0 seasons 1968 & 1969 which took the team to their appearances in the 1969 and 1970 Orange Bowls.

I graduated from Penn State in December, 1970 and returned to Hanover Township H.S. to begin my teaching career, starting on January 14th, 1971.  From 1971 – 1974, I was an assistant football coach under Jim Moran.  In 1972 I was an assistant wrestling coach under John Carr.  In 1972, I became the head baseball coach, the first at “Hanover Area” High School.  I spent 4 seasons as Head Coach, winning the division title in 1973 and 1974 and was named Coach of the Year in 1973.

I was an assistant football coach at Bishop Hoban in 1975 under Jim Moran.  In 1976, I became the Head Football Coach at Hanover and coached for 4 years.

Being involved in athletics has given me many things. I have really enjoyed the friends I’ve made over the years, including my teammates, coaches I’ve worked with, other coaches and players who have remained life-long friends.

After I retired in 2004, I became the biggest fan of my granddaughter, Maddy Grilz, and cheered her on at her soccer and basketball games and track meets.  She is a 2024 Penn State graduate and I am one proud Poppy!