Longtime Beaver school custodian and archery coach will become latest to wear special No. 1 jersey

By Karen Kadilak / For the Post-Gazette

Since 2004, the Beaver Area School District has occasionally presented a No. 1 jersey to a distinguished alumnus, teacher or community member — many of them athletes or coaches.

Those honored in the past include former Beaver football coaches Pat Tarquinio and Jeff Beltz, former Penn State and NFL linebacker John Skorupan and current professional bowler and former Major League baseball pitcher John Burkett.

Russ Sabo will become part of that select group when he is presented with a jersey at the Beaver vs. Quaker Valley football game Oct. 18 at Pat Tarquinio Field.

Sabo, 68, of New Brighton, will have been employed as a custodian by the district for 38 years in April.

He has also served as archery coach for 12 years, with Bobcat teams ranked among the best in the state in high school and middle school competitions during his tenure.

Sabo was stunned — and moved — when administrators informed him he would be honored.

“It was unbelievable,” he said. “When you think about, ‘Why me?’”

But as he reflects upon how many students he has known and influenced through the years, he begins to understand.

High school principal Sean Snowden said Sabo is especially good at working with students with disabilities.

“They'll help him do (things like) cafeteria work” — skills that will help them later in the working world, Snowden said.

Sabo is proud to have made an impact.

“I never thought I would leave a footprint on people to nominate me,” he said. “It means a lot to know my efforts here at the school have paid off. It brings tears to your eyes.”

He expects to see a lot of friends at the ceremony.

“I don't have a big family and most are out of town, but the few locals will (attend),” he said. “I have a lot of support from students and families from the past who say they will be here.

“It's a great day to be a Bobcat and I'm glad the people of Beaver accepted me through 38 years, that they trusted me.”