Cornell University Athletics

It was a brisk and sunny November Saturday back in 1964. The streets of Phillipsburg, N.J., seemed quieter than usual on this late football season day. On the other hand, the bars, diners, and restaurants were full in this western Jersey enclave, known for its wealth of football talent on the state line backing up to the Delaware River and Pennsylvania. The scent of warm mid-day dishes was complemented by the smoke from cigarettes and Italian stogies; and in the case of the cramped and crowded hang-outs, wafted traces of beer, whiskey, and home-made Italian wine joined in the menagerie of smells. Yet, a subtly strained anxiety hung over each of the respective gatherings: It was Cornell at Princeton on regional national television, and one of their own would be knocking heads with All-Americans ­- Philipsburg’s own George Arangio, co-captain for this game, toe-to-toe with the likes of Cosmo Iacavazzi and Stas Maliszewski, “… the kid’s one of us, and he made it at Cornell!”

Cornell would be on the shorter end of the 15-12 score that day, but when the clock showed no time left, the Jersey faithful smiled, raised their glasses, and toasted one of their favorite sons. One of George Arangio’s uncles would smile and proudly state: “That is the best offensive line play I’ve ever seen. He made us proud.” What a great Cornell effort it was, and just a hard fought football game - ­Phillipsburg style.

Cornell led the league in defense and many observers considered the offensive line the best in the East. “In my 15 years of coaching,” said offensive line coach Chuck Gottfried, “ I have never seen a team that has played together, hit so well, scrambled more, shown better second effort, or has known its assignments so perfectly as this year’s team”. [1]

Today, George Anthony Arangio, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a retired, award-winning orthopedic surgeon living comfortably with his wife Judy in their home in Fogelsville, Pa. Dr. George, as I address him, epitomizes the disturbing Biblical claim: “I was your friend, until I told you the truth.” In the “… facts matter” world of broken bones, hip and knee replacements, this former All-Ivy and All-East offensive guard has always demonstrated “compassionate authority” and tells it like it is. His teammates loved this about him, as did his coaches and teachers. His medical colleagues at VSAS Orthopedics in the Lehigh Valley respect him for his frank assessment of medical and business realities. Those listening to his lectures today from Bologna in Italy to Hershey in Pennsylvania, those in his family, and those that can call him friend, … we all fully appreciate that his success in life is now only outpaced by his significance to others.

Dr. Arangio would tell you he has been blessed. His healthy children have awarded him with wonderful grandchildren. His faithful wife Judy, a registered nurse, whom he met in New York while he was at Cornell Medical School, is the perfect complement. Ithaca, N.Y., has been George’s and Judy’s second home for decades with two of their children having graduated Cornell, and two being proud Ithaca College alumni. Don’t try to call the Doctor between 3-5 p.m. on most day - ­he’s “coaching” his grandkids, … blocking techniques, wrestling moves, stretching exercises, the meaning of life, the presence of an Almighty God, the joy of discipline, the benefits of giving, the warmth of their Sicilian, Italian, and Irish heritages. It’s not about “Pop-pop”, it’s about the kids. This is significance in action.

Cornell Football is at the core of George’s heart. His generosity of time, talent, and finances is an encouragement to the Cornell Football Association and Coach Jim Knowles and his staff. His frank appraisal on how to make the program better is valued by Pete Noyes, Coordinator of Football Alumni Relations, Rhett Ticconi, Director of Football Operations, and the rest of the team in Ithaca. The Doctor just continues to give back to his beloved Cornell, for lots of reasons.

How did this wave of significance begin for the overachiever from Jersey? It is the story that young Cornell Football athletes should heed, … it’s a story of discipline, focus, commitment, hard work ­ never room for self-pity, selfishness, or regret. It was always about doing one’s best now, so the yesterdays and tomorrows would have few if any regrets.

With a strong and close-knit family backing, young Arangio would grow up at the top of his class at tiny Sts. Phillip and James Catholic High School in Phillipsburg, excelling in football and baseball.  A soft smile comes to his face when he recalls that freezing night when Coach Ted Thoren, now immortal Cornell legend, made the trip down to Jersey to sign George up for Cornell. Coaches from Alabama, Colgate, Delaware, Yale and others thought they had the Newark Star Ledger first-team all-state lineman … the first Catholic school player ever to be picked from Western New Jersey! But ol’ Teddy was at his best, and after Grandma’s home cooking, and the tense concern of George’s father and uncles at the end of the table, the commitment was made.

“So that’s it, George,” Coach Thoren would conclude. “The family will be proud that you are coming to Cornell.”

Everyone raised a glass, but not Grandma. She had a question in her worthy, Sicilian-accented English: “Mr. Coach, with whata priests willa my grandson be?”

The men sat quietly… “Priests at Cornell … to live with George?”

Legend has it that Teddy took a deep breath, and said, “No problem.”

For three years Dr. Arangio lived with the Jesuit doctoral students at The Newman Oratory on Stewart Avenue … and Grandma was happy.  He studied in the pre-med curriculum, worked at Statler, and played football with his friends - ­the likes of Gary Wood, Joe Ryan, Duke Grkovic, Pete Gogolak, and Big Ten-like teammates … and the rest is a story of success and significance. And on that special day in November of 1964, George and his Cornell teammates played on TV like All-Americans against All-Americans, and everybody in his hometown felt so successful and significant themselves … all because of young Arangio.

This writer today looks back on the warm spring day in1966 when a compact, serious, alumnus moved quickly through Psi Upsilon Fraternity, checking for back mail, speaking to Seniors, and wishing all well for the summer. I, a frightened Cornell frosh, still struggling to compete both academically and on the football field, just stared. Who was this guy, whose name ended in a vowel like mine, whom I heard was from Jersey? What’s this one all about?

“That’s George Arangio, All-Ivy guard last year, now in medical school… tough as nails, and a great guy. Too bad ya missed him at Cornell. He got it done.”

Well, that’s all I needed. A role model who was a shadow I’d gotten a glimpse of. But what was said of him was significant to me. It was all possible … George Arangio did it … we can’t give up.

Today I call Doctor George  …“friend.” That is important to me and my family. His successes at Cornell in the early Sixties, his long successful career as an orthopedic surgeon, and his other personal and professional accomplishments are today matched by his significance, … to so many of us.

Perhaps today’s members of Cornell Football will learn about George and understand that success and significance in life are each within reach. May all count their blessings and never look back, but rather to what is in front of them, … just like George Arangio, a significant All-Ivy Guard, 1964.

^{[1] “A Tribute to The Seniors” by Joel Kaplan ’65 Sports Editor, Cornell Daily Sun, Dartmouth vs. Cornell Program, November 14, 1965}

Joe Cervasio is a ’69 graduate of the ILR School, football letterman in ’67-’68. His first novel, Bad News on the Doorstep, is a fictionalized memoir that has one of his characters attending Cornell in the late fifties (www.authorhouse.com , www.amazon.com , www.barnesandnoble.com) ; his second book, Now or Never: The 11 Secrets of Arimathea, a didactic spiritual novel, will be released in September 2009 (www.xulonpress.com, www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and most book stores. )

Other Cornell stories by Joe can be found on his blog, www.joecervasio.typepad.com )