1939

The Beginning of a Tradition

The First Save-An-Eye All-Star Football Game — 1939

In 1939, the Erie Lions Club launched what would become one of the longest-running charitable high school football traditions in Pennsylvania: the Save-An-Eye All-Star Football Game. The goal was simple but powerful — replace the club’s traditional tag day fundraiser with a meaningful athletic event, and use the proceeds to provide eye exams and glasses for Erie County students in need .

The inaugural game was held on December 2, 1939, at Erie Stadium and served as a unique capstone to the local high school football season. Ticket prices reflected the era: 25¢ for students, 50¢ for adults, and $1 for box seats .

A True County-Wide All-Star Game

From the start, the Save-An-Eye Game was designed to unite schools across Erie County. Coaches agreed that each team would carry 35 players, with every participating school represented in the starting lineups — a groundbreaking concept at the time .

• East Team Schools:
  Tech, East, Wesleyville, Lawrence Park, Harborcreek, North East, Wattsburg, Union City

• West Team Schools:
  Academy, Strong Vincent, Cathedral Prep, Millcreek, Fairview, Girard, Albion, McKean, Waterford, Edinboro

The East team was coached by Jim Hyde of East, while the West team was led by legendary Academy coach Lowell Drake .

Mud, Grit, and the First Touchdown in History

Heavy rain turned the field into ankle-deep mud, but the conditions didn’t stop history from being made. The first touchdown in Save-An-Eye Game history came when Clark Tyzinski of East connected with Jim Flanigan on a 21-yard touchdown pass .

The West team responded with a dominant third quarter, fueled by special teams heroics:

• Ralph Erven (Fairview) and Bob Orlando (Strong Vincent) each blocked punts

• Dick DiTullio (Strong Vincent) scored on a 1-yard run

• Bob Orlando recovered a fumble in the end zone

• Hank Benckowski (Academy) added a 28-yard touchdown run

Final Score: West 18, East 6

Despite the weather, the Lions Club netted $1,600 from the first game — a remarkable sum in 1939 — proving immediately that football could be a powerful vehicle for community good .

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Honoring the Players Who Started It All

The 1939 rosters read like a time capsule of Erie County football history, featuring athletes who represented not only their schools, but the beginning of something much bigger.

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A Player’s Perspective — Ron “Bud” McCoy (Girard)

Ron “Bud” McCoy played in the first game and always referred to it as the City-County All-Star Game. Though humble about his role, he proudly kept his jersey — a symbol of being part of history. McCoy later coached at McDowell and remained connected to football until his passing in 1991 .

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A Player’s Perspective — Billie Rickard (Albion)

Albion’s Billie Rickard recalled the honor of simply being selected to play. Players supplied much of their own equipment, and few could imagine the facilities and uniforms athletes receive today. After high school, Rickard served 42 months in the U.S. Marines during World War II, flew torpedo bombers in the South Pacific, and later worked on the railroad for 41 years — a reminder of the generation that shaped this game’s foundation .

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The Visionaries Behind the Game

The Save-An-Eye Game would not exist without the foresight of Erie Lions Club members like Dr. James R. Smith, a West Point graduate, National Guard lieutenant colonel, and early supporter of youth athletics and vision care. Along with fellow Lions — including Gus Pulakos — Dr. Smith helped establish both the Sight Center (1938) and the Save-An-Eye Game (1939), laying the groundwork for decades of service .

As his son later reflected, Dr. Smith was a quiet man who never sought credit — a trait embodied by the Lions Club mission itself .

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Why This Still Matters

What began in mud, rain, and modest ticket sales has endured for over 85 years. The first Save-An-Eye Game proved that:

• Community collaboration works

• High school athletics can change lives

• A single game can create a lasting legacy

And it all started here — in 1939.