Phiel, Dick

Dick Phiel – (2003)

 

Dick Phiel, a three sport lettermen, excelled in football during an era (1940’s) when Lorain High was considered a state powerhouse.

The city of Lorain had only one public high school then. It was commonplace for the football crowds jamming Recreation Field (now called George Daniel Stadium) to average more than 6,000 fans, regardless of the opponent. Arch-rivals such as Cleveland Heights, Lakewood, Shaw and Elyria attracted standing-room only throngs more often than not.

That golden era saw Coach Hal Pryor’s Steelmen win 75% of their games. Pryor, who had to serve in the U.S. Navy for two years during World War II, carved out a record of 51-12-5 with the Steelmen from 1937-43, then returned to the Washington Ave. and 6th St. campus to compile a 15-10-3 mark against the ruggedest of foes from 1946-48 when Phiel and Co. prevailed.

After performing as a running back as a junior, Phiel was converted to the two-way end position during his senior season of 1947. The move capitalized on his crashing aggressiveness and his love of physical contact. “He (Phiel) turned in unusually good offensive and defensive play for a man playing his first year on the flank,” wrote Lorain Journal sports editor John Saffell at the time.

Phiel, in addition to being picked LHS team captain in 1947, was named first team All-Lake Erie League as well as a prep All-Ohioan. Halfback Bob Dover and Phiel were Lorain’s first team All-LEL selections that season. Four Steelmen were named 1947 second team All-LEL members. They were tackle Dave Sparks, guard Phil Miceli, center Dick Olson and fullback Louis Krul.

Dick was then selected to play for Barberton Coach Harry Strobel’s North Yankees in the third annual North-South prep all-star game held in front of 20,000 fans at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium during August 1948. Phiel played most of that game for the North at defensive end. Teammate Vic Janowicz of Elyria High led a 20-0 Yankee victory with a 31-yard touchdown scamper and two extra-point kicks.

Phiel accepted an athletic scholarship from Ohio State University where he played his freshman year. Dick transferred to the University of South Carolina his sophomore year to join high school teammates Dave Sparks and Harry Jabbusch. Although the team was competitive against a stiff schedule, the Gamecocks suffered through seasons of 4-6 and 3-4-2 under Coach Rex Enright in 1949 and 1950, respectively.

Phiel had quickly worked his way up on the defensive ladder and lettered for the Gamecocks in 1950 when Sparks was team captain. Sparks, a Lorain Sports Hall of Famer like Jabbusch, died unexpectedly of a heart attack while he was a member of the NFL’s Washington Redskins in 1954.

Dick left Columbia, S.C. prior to graduation to serve his country in North Korea.

In his day, Dick Phiel was a fierce competitor who loved contact and “came to play,” as they used to say. He now lives in Naples, Fla., and is married to his high school sweetheart, the former Fran Matesic.