Neshannock retiring Brzoza’s number
Written: Oct 17, 2014
  By Kayleen Cubbal
New Castle News
Tom Brzoza said he was taken aback when he learned that his uniform number would be retired by Neshannock High.
“I remember saying, ‘Me? You sure?’ ” Brzoza said.
Yes, Neshannock is sure.
Brzoza’s uniform No. 57 will be retired prior to the Lancers’ 7 p.m. game tonight against Chartiers Houston at Bob Bleggi Stadium. It will be the first number in school history retired by the district.
Brzoza, a 1974 Neshannock graduate who is in New Castle this weekend for his 40th class reunion, will be presented with a shadow box with his number by Bleggi, his former high school coach, at 6:30 p.m. Brzoza also will be honored with a reception in the high school cafeteria from 5-6 p.m. Anyone who would like to offer congratulations is invited.
A duplicate shadow box will be placed in the high school.
The extremely modest Brzoza, who went on to become a two-time All-American at Pitt, where he blocked for the legendary Tony Dorsett, said he is a lot humbled and a little embarrassed at the honor.
“I’m still kind of flabbergasted, to be honest,” he said. “I don’t think I was that great a player in high school. I’m kind of hoping that they will retire the number for a little bit, then put it back into circulation. I would be honored if other Neshannock football players wore it down the line.”
Bleggi said that Brzoza is most deserving, indeed.
“This has been a long time in coming,” Bleggi said. “The reason I really wanted to see it happen is here is a guy who was not only one of the best players ever to come out of this school and this county, but one of the best ever at Pitt, and I doubt that most players who come through the system at Neshannock have an idea who he is. In fact, they probably don’t know who Tony Dorsett is.
“I want them to look at that shadow box in the high school and take an interest in who he was and strive to be just like him. There were a lot of good players to come along, but I’d have to put Tom right up there with the best of them.”
Brzoza, 58, made the trip from his home in Laurelton, in central Pennsylvania where he is a manufacturing representative for Hays and Associates, which sells outdoor sporting goods.
He is staying at the Neshannock Township home of his brother, Joe. Brother Jim also plans to make the trip from Pittsburgh to attend the ceremony, as will sister Tekla from Philadelphia. Brzoza’s parents, Dr. Joseph and Patricia Brzoza, are deceased, as is another sister, Janet.
A third sister, Kate, lives in New Mexico, and is unable to attend.
Brzoza was recruited by Pitt after establishing himself as a star on the offensive line at Neshannock, and became a starter the fourth game of his freshman year in a game against North Carolina. He was named Freshman All-American by the Football News and, a year later, was named honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press. The accolades picked up during his junior season when he blocked for Dorsett at right guard. The Pitt offense set all-time rushing records at the school and rewrote the NCAA rushing record book while winning the national championship. He was named second-team All-American by the AP, United Press International and the Sporting News.
Brzoza was moved to center his senior year at Pitt, a move he originally protested, but resulted in first-team All-American from the AP, UPI, Walter Camp and the Football News.
He was selected in the 11th round of the NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers, went on to sign a free-agent contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was traded to St. Louis in 1979. He later signed a free-agent contract with the Cleveland Browns, retiring after the first exhibition game.
Brzoza says he has enjoyed following the recent success of the Lancers under coach Fred Mozzocio.
“I’ve made sure to get to a few of their games,” he said. “I like what they’re doing as a staff and as a team. I look forward to seeing them play again.
“I’ve asked that some of my old teammates and coaches come onto the field with me,” Brzoza added. “I was only one part of the equation, without all of them, I would have been nothing.”
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