A visit with WPIAL champion coach Guy Montecalvo

Background Info: Guy Montecalvo, a 1977 graduate of Washington High School, has won WPIAL titles as an athlete and a coach. Montecalvo was a three-year starter at tailback and defensive back and held the school record for career rushing yards until Brian Davis broke it. He also won three WPIAL titles and one PIAA title as a track sprinter. As a sophomore, Washington's 880-yard relay team won a WPIAL title and placed second in the PIAA. As a junior, he placed second in the WPIAL in the 220-yard dash and Washington's 880 relay team placed second. As a senior, he won the 220 dash and set a WPIAL record, placed second in the WPIAL in the 100-yard dash, and Washington's 880 relay team won a WPIAL title. Montecalvo was also awarded the WPIAL MVP in his final year. Montecalvo continued his football career at Penn State, but four knee surgeries ended his career. After graduating from Penn State, he became Washington's football coach in 1980 and compiled a 192-71-2 record in 23 seasons. The Little Prexies won two WPIAL titles and placed second four times during his tenure. He also coached Washington's track & field team for 13 years and won two WPIAL team titles and one PIAA team title. He also coached seven years at Canon-McMillan and finished his coaching career with a 225-107-2 record.

Guy Montecalvo's WPIAL championship experience as an athlete.
"My first WPIAL title came as a member of Washington's 880-yard relay team. We won a WPIAL title and placed second in the state. As a junior, we placed second in the WPIAL in the relay and I placed second in the 220. I was really sick during the WPIAL meet and tried to compete in the PIAA meet the following week, but was so weak that I could barely run. After the state tournament, we found out that I had mono. I spent two months recovering. I was healthy my senior year and won two WPIAL titles, in the 220 and the 880-relay. I set a WPIAL record in the 220 and also placed second in the 100. I was awarded the WPIAL MVP of the meet that year. That was my biggest accomplishment as an athlete. I have a beautiful placque and the medal I won displayed in a trophy case that my wife surprised me with as a Christmas present.

How did Montecalvo's coaching career begin?
"Coach Joe Paterno gave me my first opportunity to coach. He designated me as a student assistant after my fourth knee surgery, then brought me back as a graduate assistant for two years. The following year, the Washington job opened up and I was hired."

Montecalvo's WPIAL championship experience as a coach.
"We played in the WPIAL title game six times and won two titles. We beat Riverside [12-7] in the 1993 final and Beaver Falls [24-14] in the 2001 final. We lost in the finals in 1990, 1995, 1989, and 1999. The one loss that I remember the most was in 1995 when we lost to Burrell. It was the first overtime game in a WPIAL final. We decided to go for two points [and missed] because Heinz Field had the narrow goal posts used by the NFL. They switched to high school goalposts the following year. We also lost a heartbreaker [21-20] to Canevin in 1990. We also won two WPIAL team track titles and one PIAA team title during my 13 years as track coach. It's a lot more gratifying to win a WPIAL title as a coach."