By NCNews Staff
BY JOHN D'ABRUZZO JD'ABRUZZO@NCNEWSONLINE.COM
Anthony "Monk" Laurenza is an ironman among New Castle High football greats. A 1971 graduate, Laurenza was a three-year letterman (1968, 1969 and 1970) and made 30 consecutive starts at offensive and defensive tackle for the Red Hurricane. "I know he didn't miss a game or a down," former teammate Chuck Fiorante said. "He was a role model and an anchor of those teams. He set a high standard for us." One of 13 inductees into this year's Lawrence County Historical Society Sports Hall of Fame, Laurenza's 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame helped earn him the nickname "Monk." "I've had that since about junior high," said Laurenza, who also wrestled for three seasons in high school. "It just stuck with me. Most people don't know me by my real name other than family." Voted to New Castle's all-time team, which selected football players from 1952 to 1987, Laurenza was a co-captain of the 1970 'Canes team that won all 10 games. "Many people said we were the best," Laurenza said. "I played with some great players. Everybody contributed and I don't feel we had a weak spot on that whole team. "We were able to run on first down. We were able to throw on first down. We just did whatever we had to do. We were a close-knit bunch of guys." From his first game at McKeesport in 1968 until his final at Ellwood City in 1970, Laurenza endured some injuries. Prior to the start of his junior season, he suffered a sprained ankle. "It was basically fractured," said Laurenza, now 54. "I kept the cast on for a few days and took it off. I didn't miss camp or anything. "That was the way it was then. If you didn't want to lose your position, you had to play hurt. We didn't want to come off the field. We stayed out there as long as we had to." The next season he suffered a foot infection with four games remaining. "I thought I was going to miss the game, but thankfully (coach) Lindy Lauro wouldn't let me miss it," Laurenza said. Laurenza earned Midwestern Athletic Conference honors all three seasons, named honorable mention his sophomore year, second team his junior year and a unanimous vote on the first team following his senior season. He was also voted the conference's most valuable lineman. "He was the first prototypical lineman to come out of New Castle," Fiorante said. "He was so reliable, devoted and unselfish." Selected as a Who's Who among athletes in 1970 and named a Prep All-American honorable mention by Coach and Athlete Magazine, Laurenza received a scholarship to play football at the University of Miami, Fla. He did not to return after his freshman season. "I went back for a second year and came out of spring ball as a starting guard, but I decided it wasn't for me," Laurenza said. Laurenza found he didn't have as much passion for playing at Miami as he did at New Castle. "When I left (Miami) I could have gone other places," he said. "But when you decide to play it's like you catch a cold. It gets in your blood and it gets in your system... and it drives you. "And as much as I picked it up, I lost it." Laurenza still treasures the memories of the 1970 New Castle team. "It really was a team effort that year," explained Laurenza, whose family includes wife, Carol, stepsons Jon and Todd, and daughter Toniann. "It's not just a quarterback, it's not just a running back. The quarterback can't throw without the line blocking. The middle linebacker is no good without the front four. "Everybody must contribute." Tickets for the banquet are available at the Lawrence County Historical Society, from Norm Moses at the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens, at Chuck Tanner's Restaurant, Bucky's Barbershop in Union Township, Shenango High School and Wilmington High School. TOMORROW: Joe Scungio.
Anthony "Monk" Laurenza is an ironman among New Castle High football greats. A 1971 graduate, Laurenza was a three-year letterman (1968, 1969 and 1970) and made 30 consecutive starts at offensive and defensive tackle for the Red Hurricane. "I know he didn't miss a game or a down," former teammate Chuck Fiorante said. "He was a role model and an anchor of those teams. He set a high standard for us." One of 13 inductees into this year's Lawrence County Historical Society Sports Hall of Fame, Laurenza's 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame helped earn him the nickname "Monk." "I've had that since about junior high," said Laurenza, who also wrestled for three seasons in high school. "It just stuck with me. Most people don't know me by my real name other than family." Voted to New Castle's all-time team, which selected football players from 1952 to 1987, Laurenza was a co-captain of the 1970 'Canes team that won all 10 games. "Many people said we were the best," Laurenza said. "I played with some great players. Everybody contributed and I don't feel we had a weak spot on that whole team. "We were able to run on first down. We were able to throw on first down. We just did whatever we had to do. We were a close-knit bunch of guys." From his first game at McKeesport in 1968 until his final at Ellwood City in 1970, Laurenza endured some injuries. Prior to the start of his junior season, he suffered a sprained ankle. "It was basically fractured," said Laurenza, now 54. "I kept the cast on for a few days and took it off. I didn't miss camp or anything. "That was the way it was then. If you didn't want to lose your position, you had to play hurt. We didn't want to come off the field. We stayed out there as long as we had to." The next season he suffered a foot infection with four games remaining. "I thought I was going to miss the game, but thankfully (coach) Lindy Lauro wouldn't let me miss it," Laurenza said. Laurenza earned Midwestern Athletic Conference honors all three seasons, named honorable mention his sophomore year, second team his junior year and a unanimous vote on the first team following his senior season. He was also voted the conference's most valuable lineman. "He was the first prototypical lineman to come out of New Castle," Fiorante said. "He was so reliable, devoted and unselfish." Selected as a Who's Who among athletes in 1970 and named a Prep All-American honorable mention by Coach and Athlete Magazine, Laurenza received a scholarship to play football at the University of Miami, Fla. He did not to return after his freshman season. "I went back for a second year and came out of spring ball as a starting guard, but I decided it wasn't for me," Laurenza said. Laurenza found he didn't have as much passion for playing at Miami as he did at New Castle. "When I left (Miami) I could have gone other places," he said. "But when you decide to play it's like you catch a cold. It gets in your blood and it gets in your system... and it drives you. "And as much as I picked it up, I lost it." Laurenza still treasures the memories of the 1970 New Castle team. "It really was a team effort that year," explained Laurenza, whose family includes wife, Carol, stepsons Jon and Todd, and daughter Toniann. "It's not just a quarterback, it's not just a running back. The quarterback can't throw without the line blocking. The middle linebacker is no good without the front four. "Everybody must contribute." Tickets for the banquet are available at the Lawrence County Historical Society, from Norm Moses at the Pennsylvania Association for Retarded Citizens, at Chuck Tanner's Restaurant, Bucky's Barbershop in Union Township, Shenango High School and Wilmington High School. TOMORROW: Joe Scungio.
