In this post we are privileged to share some historic audio recorded by the WISL microphone way back in 1952, only four years after WISL began broadcasting. This clip takes us to the crowning ceremony of the Coal Township Football Queen of 1952.
Before we get to the main exhibit, let’s begin with some background information. In 1950, The Coal Township Boosters Association hosted the first Football Queen competition. The program was created to help raise money for the Boosters Association and their various activities throughout the year.
A total of ten girls would be selected from the Freshman, Sophomore, Junior and Senior classes of the West End High School and the Pulaski School. These girls would then compete, through a voting process, for the title of Coal Township Football Queen. Voting boxes would be placed at each one of the schools as well as at local businesses throughout Coal Township. For a nominal fee, five cents in the earliest years, a person could cast their ballot for queen.
Over the years, the fundraising event would grow and each girl would hold various fundraising events such as bake sales, to increase the amount of money raised.
The final year a Coal Township Football Queen would be crowned would be in 1964. The merger of the Shamokin School District and the Coal Township School District resulted in the dissolution of the Coal Township Boosters Association. Although the Coal Township program would come to an end, by the 1960s many other local schools would begin holding annual Football Queen competitions of their own.
Now, back to 1952. The Coal Township Football Queen was Mary Anne Apple who received a total of 8,606 votes. She was a junior at West End High.
The following clip features an unidentified WISL Radio announcer introducing the crowing ceremony. This program was recorded during the half-time program of the Coal Township vs. Mount Carmel Catholic football game and features remarks from third runner up Miss Rose Marie Krupa, Lady In Waiting (second runner up) Miss Betty Moore, Coal Township Boosters Association President Elmer Shuey as well as a few words from the queen.
So, let’s go back in time and give a listen to the official crowning of the 1952 Coal Township Football Queen.
AUDIO EXHIBIT
WISL – Coal Township Football Queen Crowning: Mary Anne Apple October 17th 1952