Phil Colella’s problem as a college football
player was what to do for an encore. The first time he carried the
ball as a Notre Dame freshman in 1945 he sprinted 76 yards for the
touchdown that helped the Irish upset a strong Illinois team, 7-0.
The thrilling feat was so unique that it made Ripley’s famous
“Believe It or Not” cartoon feature in newspapers all over the United
States. In three years at Rochester High School (1941-1943), Phil
piled up 352 points for a Beaver County football career scoring
record. Following his graduation in 1944, Phil
entered the Navy and eventually went to Notre Dame. His career
for the Irish lasted only one year because Coach Hugh Devore left
after the war and Phil followed him to St Bonaventure College at
Olean (NY), where Phil starred for three seasons, making Little
All America and playing in two Blue-Gray games. Phil then had a
brief fling at pro football with the old New York Bulldogs. He later
served as backfield coach at Benedictine High School in Richmond,
Virginia, and at Ambridge High School (1966-1969). Phil was a
teacher at Moon Area High School after his gridiron career.
Phil Colella’s problem as a college football
player was what to do for an encore. The first time he carried the
ball as a Notre Dame freshman in 1945 he sprinted 76 yards for the
touchdown that helped the Irish upset a strong Illinois team, 7-0.
The thrilling feat was so unique that it made Ripley’s famous
“Believe It or Not” cartoon feature in newspapers all over the United
States. In three years at Rochester High School (1941-1943), Phil
piled up 352 points for a Beaver County football career scoring
record. Following his graduation in 1944, Phil
entered the Navy and eventually went to Notre Dame. His career
for the Irish lasted only one year because Coach Hugh Devore left
after the war and Phil followed him to St Bonaventure College at
Olean (NY), where Phil starred for three seasons, making Little
All America and playing in two Blue-Gray games. Phil then had a
brief fling at pro football with the old New York Bulldogs. He later
served as backfield coach at Benedictine High School in Richmond,
Virginia, and at Ambridge High School (1966-1969). Phil was a
teacher at Moon Area High School after his gridiron career.