LEROY P. DAY

Leroy P. (Hank) Day, one of two deceased honorees, was regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the early days of WPIAL football.

Day, born in 1891 at Prosperity, graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in 1915 and played guard on the football team. He became an assistant football coach at Washington High School in 1918 and head coach the following year. In 15 seasons he had a 101-14-10 record, including seven undefeated seasons and four WPIAL championships when there was only one division in football.

The 1920 team was the first in the WPIAL to win an undisputed title, while the 1923 squad outscored it’s opponents, 430 – 0, and allowed three first downs all season. The team in 1926 was 10 – 0 and in 1931, Wash High won all seven games and outscored it’s opponents 267 – 6, missing a championship because of a lack of Gardner points.

Day left Wash High in 1932 to become head coach a W&J where he had a 19-21-2 record in five seasons during a period of de-emphasis. He went to Farrell High School in 1937 and had a 49 – 28 record for 10 seasons, returning to Wash High in 1947, and ending his coaching career two years later.

Day, a decorated veteran of World War I, also enjoyed success as head track coach at Wash High. He died in 1955 at the age of 63 while serving as principal of Third Ward and Sixth Ward Schools.