Former Erie running back greats Tibor Solymosi and Ron Leuschen were among 60 players selected to the 60th anniversary Presidents’ Athletic Conference All-Time Football Team in August.
Solymosi, a Cathedral Prep grad, was one of four former Allegheny College players named to the team.
He was joined by his backfield mate, current Allegheny coach Mark Matlak. Gators quarterback Mike Ganey (1970) and defensive back Ed Pinkham (1975) also were selected. Leuschen, a McDowell grad, represented Thiel on the team.
A total of 15 PAC schools — 10 current conference schools and five former PAC schools — were represented on the team.
Solymosi was a three-time all-conference choice and a two-time honorable-mention All-American.
He rushed for 3,257 yards and 35 touchdowns in 33 career games from 1973-76, topping 800 yards in a season three times and leading the Gators in rushing all four years. He helped them to a 24-8-2 record in that span.
For three seasons, Solymosi teamed with Matlak to form one of the nation’s top rushing tandems.
Matlak rushed for 2,382 yards and 28 touchdowns in a 31-game career from 1974-77.
Solymosi and Matlak were inducted into the Allegheny Hall of Fame together in 1989.
Leuschen played running back for Thiel from 1978-81 and earned all-PAC honors three times, including first-team honors as a sophomore and senior.
He ranks second on Thiel’s all-time list with 31 career touchdowns and ranks third in points (208) and rushing yards (2,519). He entered the Thiel Hall of Fame in 2000.
Several alumni of current District 10 schools also made the PAC list: Grove City College running back R.J. Bowers (1997-2000, West Middlesex), Thiel running back Brandon Chambers (2002-05, Farrell), Thiel defensive back Kennard Davis (2001-04, Farrell), Thiel linebacker Mike Donato (1965-68, Sharon) and Washington & Jefferson offensive lineman Mike Jones (1992-95, Greenville).