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Matt Ordich

All Around ∙ Midland

Matt Ordich was a multi-sport star who helped lead the 1931 Midland High School Football team to the first of only two undefeated seasons in school history. A speedy and cunning left halfback, he led Beaver County in scoring and was 1st Team All-County and 1st Team All-WPIAL.

Matt was equally as talented in track and field. He was adept in four different events, medaling in all at the Geneva College Invitational and University of Pittsburgh scholastic meets. He was especially good in the 220 low hurdles, placing second in the WPIAL Championship Meet and fourth in the PIAA finals. Showing his versatility, Matt also played basketball at Midland. In all, he earned 12 varsity letters.

After graduating, Matt was the centerpiece of the Midland Merchants of the Ohio Valley Semi-Pro Football League built around him and his MHS '31 teammates by fellow Hall of Famer Dr. Frank Benedict. Matt starred at left halfback and led Midland to the league title. He also played center midfielder for Midland's championship semi-pro team in the Pittsburgh Press Soccer League. Additionally, he was on the Crucible Steel Heat Treaters, his department's basketball team, before heading off to college.

At Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Matt, a Bearcat varsity offensive threat, played fullback, earning three football letters. He played guard on Saint Vincent's basketball squad and ran an intramural team nicknamed Ordich's Cardinals. Matt also served as an assistant coach of the Saint Vincent Prep School Football team.

In 1942, Ordich joined the U.S. Army, rising to sergeant, Duty NCO, Platoon Leader, and MP. He also played football on one of the top service teams at Fort Warren, Wyoming. With halfback and quarterback duties, Matt competed against some of the top college teams in the nation, including a game in which the Fort Warren Broncos routed the University of Utah 60-0, with Matt scoring a touchdown.

An electrician by trade, Matt was deeply involved in his beloved community of Midland, including serving six years on the school board. In 2013, he was enshrined in the Midland Sports Hall of Fame.

Born in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, on August 19, 1912, and raised in Midland, he was dedicated to his community and to his family: wife Esther, daughters Bonnie (Barnhart) and Sharon (Krueger), and son Terry Ordich. Matt also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He passed away on December 1, 1985.