California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

As a teacher, administrator, and coach, John "Jack" Scarvel was one of the more recognizable and respected athletic figures in, not only the Monongahela Valley, but all of western Pennsylvania.

Originally from Farrell, Mercer County, he was one of 12 seniors who helped the 1951 Farrell Steelers compile a 10-1 overall record that was highlighted by a 15-0 win over Munhall in the WPIAL championship game. He was also a scholastic wrestler.

Scarvel earned his bachelor’s degree in education from Cal U in 1959 and later his master’s of education from Westminster College. He started at Cal U in the early 1950s but delayed his schooling while serving in the Army, where he finished with the rank of sergeant.

Scarvel returned to Cal U in 1956 and was a powerful Vulcan defensive leader on the 1958 team that went a perfect 8-0 with four shutouts. The 1958 Vulcans, one of only two undefeated teams in school history, allowed only 31 points all season. That vaunted Vulcan team led the nation in rushing defense and was second nationally in total defense. Scarvel earned All-State honors and helped the stingy Cal defense yield an average of just 3.9 points per game.

He began what would become a legendary coaching career in Sharpsville, Pa., and spent two years there before beginning his career at Monessen High School in 1962 as a history teacher and assistant football coach under Joe Gladys.

For nearly 40 years, Scarvel worked in the Monessen school district, handling a variety of jobs including teacher, football coach, guidance counselor, and athletic director. After guiding the junior varsity football program to 21 consecutive undefeated seasons, Scarvel became the Greyhounds’ head coach in 1983 and held this position until his sudden death from heart failure stunned the scholastic sports scene in October, 2000. Scarvel was 66 years old and had also been Monessen’s athletic director since 1992.

During his 18 years as Monessen’s head coach, Scarvel compiled a brilliant 127-58-4 career mark with 10 conference championships and 14 WPIAL playoff appearances. His 1995 Greyhound squad reached the WPIAL Class A championship game and Monessen enjoyed 16 straight winning seasons and 17 non-losing season from 1984 through 2000. Five of Scarvel’s teams reached the WPIAL semifinals. Scarvel was a member of numerous athletic and educational organizations, including the Pennsylvania Football Coaches Association, the Pennsylvania Guidance Counselor’s Association, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Director’s Association, and Tri-County South Athletic Directors Association.

Last summer, Scarvel was inducted into the PA Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Mid-Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame, and received the Michael Duda Athletic Achievement Award from the Cal U Alumni Association.

All of the awards or honors that Scarvel has received are richly deserved if overdue. However, words of praise and admiration from colleagues, friends or players carry more feeling than a trophy or plaque.

“Scarvel was a builder of young men,” wrote Stephen V. Russell about the longtime Greyhound leader in his Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame Biographical Journal. “He was a godfather and best man to those he initially encountered on the gridiron, but ultimately touched in so many ways. Scarvel was a father figure, a protector, and educator, a soldier, a family man, and a pious man. He left the spotlight to the youths he led and impacted their lives in positive and lasting ways.”

He is survived by his wife, Lucia DeRocco Scarvel ´59, and two children, Jack Scarvel, Jr., and Marissa Scarvel Sacco, who last month gave birth to a daughter, Milana.