The mention was first seen on social media. Soon searches on Amazon brought it into view. As a devout follower of high school basketball and the game’s history in general, this was a must have. Trumpet Call to Glory is the title of this outstanding work. It tells the story of Saint Gabriel’s High School in Hazleton, a town of just under 30,000 population located 30 miles south of Scranton, Pennsylvania. Specifically the story of the basketball Saints or G-men, focusing their last few years on the hardwood before the school closed in 1970.
Beside history, there was a personal touch. When I became a manager at St. Bonaventure, my freshman year in the Fall of ‘70, Paul Hoffman, arguably Saint Gabriel’s greatest player, was entering his junior year on the Bonnies. On the Freshman team (they were around then) was John Breslin, who played on the Saints’ last team in the school’s history. The three hundred plus pages chronicled not the entire history of the Saint Gabriel’s High School. Rather, the author, Joe Farley took a close look at the last half dozen years of the small catholic school in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, right up until its closing in Spring of 1970.
Farley recalled that he figured all the work, research, interview and writing would take ‘six to eight months’. “It actually took a good two and a half years,” Farley said recently. The process exceeded time projections largely due to the interviews. Something Farley found most enjoyable: visiting former Saint Gabriel’s players, coaches and even opponents. “It was great to catch up with so many people,” he said. “Their recollections were accurate. It was great to remember those days and get the thoughts and views of our former opponents. It extended the time in writing the book, but it was well worth it.”
The author had a unique perspective. He not only grew up a few blocks from Saint Gabriel’s but played there and was a member of the final graduating class. Farley, a New Cumberland (Pennsylvania) resident likes to say “I graduated 37th…in a class of 40.” He went on to earn a degree from Bloomsburg State University, playing as a freshman, before embarking on a three and a half decade career with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
As time marches on our perspective changes. Chalk it up to maturity. Events we lived through in our teens are often viewed in a different light, a few or more decades removed. Considering Farley’s book centered on what he witnessed during adolescent years, one would expect many of the games, rivalries and such would be addressed from a different frame of mind. Actually, the author cited only one instance when the years altered his view. “During my Saint Gabriel’s days, I read the newspapers religiously,’ Farley said. “Back then I thought there were writers who had it out for us and/or favored another school like West Hazleton. Doing my research and rereading those game accounts and columns, I came to realize those reporting were very objective. No favoritism. Just good solid reporting and coverage. They were great writers.”
Interesting to note that the local high school games had a reporter and/or columnist in attendance. These days, outside of state or county tournaments, many high schools struggle to get attention and coverage. Back around 1970, packed gyms were the norm in my native New Jersey. Outside of the aforementioned tournaments such is not the case these days. “It’s happened here around Hazelton,” Farley said. Back in the day crowd near a thousand would attend many Anthracite League (no longer in existence) contests. Bigger meetings – with league supremacy on the line or a rivalry – could command two thousand with some fans being turned away. Pennsylvania state finals could command in the six thousand range. “Saint Gabriel’s had a loyal student body,” Farley recalled. “The high school had about a 160 coed student enrollment. The gym seated about 250 and that is why home games were at Saint Joseph’s in Hazleton, which held 2,300.”
The six seasons gave a great wealth of stories and personalities, not only those garbed in the purple of Saint Gabriel’s but, as noted, the opposition as well. Among them, Paul Hoffman and Digger Phelps.
Hoffman, who later went on to star at St. Bonaventure, was a four-year starter, 2,000-point scorer, and stand out for the G-Men . “Hoffman was arguably the greatest player from this region,” Farley said. “At 6’2” he played the four spot but was used a lot at the guard position. He could hit the jump shot, penetrate and was a tough rebounder.” It was mentioned to Farley that at Bonaventure Hoffman was a friendly, down-to-earth type who remained humble given his success. “That was ‘Hoffie’ in high school,” Farley recalled. “Same thing, humble and unassuming.”
At book signings, Phelps – yes, he of Notre Dame notoriety – is often the subject of inquiring fans. “Digger actually coached only one year (1965-66), here but made an incredible mark,” Farley said. He not only won a state tournament but changed the game in the area. “Digger got here and announced he would full court press the whole game,” Farley said. “That was unheard of. Here coaches only pressed if they trailed in the fourth quarter. Phelps kept his word, was effective and soon other coaches started doing the same.” After one year on the Saint Gabriel’s sideline, Phelps left to take the Freshman coaching job at Penn.
Farley’s work is candid and honest. He recalled telling the story of an opponent who was taunting a Saint Gabriel’s player. With the contest in hand, late in the game coach Jack Cryan, a good coach and tough disciplinarian, instructed someone to punch out the taunter. The mission was accomplished; more blows were exchanged. Not something to be overly proud of yet it was recounted. “In all cases,” Farley said, “I told what was going on but wanted to be positive and not criticize.”
His own career was quite different. In spring of his junior year he was asked by the administration not to return to Saint Gabriel’s. He enrolled at Marian Catholic. Rather than sulk, he took advantage of the teachings of coach Bob Fulton. “As much as I admired and respected our Saint Gabriel’s coaches, I learned so much from coach Fulton. Especially about man-to-man defense. He was unbelievable.”
Behind the scenes teammates and a few others convinced the powers that be to give Farley another chance. He jumped at it. Paperwork had to be cleared through the state association regarding eligibility. He was granted the chance to play. Not many games left, but quality superseded quantity. Farley assumed the lead guard spot as they made their historic run.
After a slow start to the season the Saints were on a roll. In the state tournament they advanced to the final. The afternoon of the championship game, Farley recalled gathering with teammates in the hotel to watch St. Bonaventure, with Hoffman at guard, take down Villanova and earn a trip to the Final Four. Years later Farley still feels the Saints were inspired by that game. They went out to upset highly-regarded Uniontown Saint John’s in a nail-biter to win the championship.
“Our fan support was just tremendous,” Farley said. “It’s something that you can’t forget. Seeing all our fans there celebrating that championship. It was something special you can’t forget.” Meeting up with Joe Curry is something vividly present in the memory bank. A talented player, Curry had run ins and was dismissed from the team with no chance of reinstatement. After the game Curry caught up with Farley on the floor saying, “congratulations on the title, but I was rooting against you guys all the time.”
It was a moment that hit home with the reader. A moment resonating with Farley to this day. He tried contacting Curry for an interview for the book. Efforts only brought the author in touch with Curry’s sister, whom he no longer associates with.
A modest individual, Farley does note the feedback on the book is very positive. “Many have said how much they liked it and those who played for and against the Saint Gabriel’s team spoke highly of its honesty.”
Presently, between book signings and related appearances, Farley is working on a project on the top basketball and football coaches in Pennsylvania history. “You have some great names,” Farley said, “but you leave yourself open to debate on who is in or who is left out.”
Farley is enthused about his current project. He is openly eager to discuss some of the outstanding mentors who roamed the sidelines during Pennsylvania Falls and Winters. All things considered, Trumpet Call to Glory will always have that special place in Farley’s heart. Understandably so.
would like to correspond with mr. farley but di not have his info????
i graduated from the catholic school in hazleton that replaced st gabes and played bball also.
my older cousin, tony kinney, is frequently mentioned throughout the book