Laskay, Joseph

Joseph Laskay – (1991)

 

JOSEPH LASKAY

In the days of his youth, towhead Jay Laskay was usually spotted in Oakwood Park or some recreational area with his buddies Albie Reisz, Stan Pincura and Kernie Kohlmyer in some kind of athletic endeavor. He was a standout both for his skills and his flaxen hair.

Jay recalls the great depression and particularly the summer that Princeton tennis ace and Lorain Hall of Famer Ralph Minnich brought tennis balls from Coach Mercer Beasley to distribute to the young netters at Oakwood Park. With Ralph’s tennis tips, it was a summer Jay will never forget. Because there was little to fill the summer days but some form of athletics, Jay believes that the depression spawned many of Lorain’s greatest athletes.

During his career at Lorain High, Jay was awarded seven letters, two in football as offensive-defensive end, two as a basketball center, two as relayer, shotputter and the discus in track and one for his third singles slot in tennis. As far as he can remember, he may be the only Lorain graduate to have earned four letters in one year. Further football honors included All Lake Erie League first team at end in 1936. Football was his favorite game and Jay was known for his crisp blocking and deadly tackling. In a run oriented offense, he was a favorite pass receiver and occasionally he could demonstrate his running ability.

One of Jay’s favorite recollections developed while he was competing as a relayer and shotputter at the state track finals. He was privileged to watch Paul Kromer run a 9.9 hundred only to have Jesse Owens set the world record of 9.6.

Discarding the Lavender and Purple for Northwestern Purple and Silver, Jay played three years varsity football under famed Pappy Waldorf in an era when Northwestern was an annual contender for the Big Ten title. He lettered in 1938 and 1939 as an offensive fullback and defensive halfback and end. In 1939, he was selected as “Player of the Week” and All Big Ten Honorable Mention, quite an honor for a blocking back. One of his biggest thrills was in the 1938 scoreless tie with Michigan. More than once that afternoon, he renewed acquaintances with Paul Kromer. When his football was over in 1938 and 1939, Jay traded his cleats for his sneakers and earned two letters in basketball.

Until retirement, Jay owned his own firm located in the Chicago area. He engineered and constructed gymnasium floors for schools and other arenas. One of his last ties to the Lorain area is the gym floor at Admiral King. He was called in as a consultant to advise on its composition and engineering before it was layed.