The history of athletic competition in the Hamburg Area School District can be traced from the first decade of the 20th century. Separate high schools located in Perry Township and Hamburg Borough would eventually be merged to form the joint district.

Athletic Associations

In 1906 the Athletic Association (A.A.) of Hamburg High School was organized to conduct extra-curricular athletic programs for the school. The Association was composed of all senior high school students and was administered by an executive committee including the principal, two teachers, and several elected students.

Early in its history, the Hamburg A.A. instituted a program of interscholastic competition which featured games with many coal region schools as well as Berks County schools. Before the Berks County Interscholastic Athletic Association, no league schedule was provided. From these early beginnings has come the highly organized league play provided today for all county schools by the B.C.I.A.A.

The Hamburg Athletic Association sponsored interscholastic athletics in tennis, track, marbles, basketball, and soccer for boys, and in tennis, track, and basketball for girls. Members of the A.A. would assume the task of handling the details which arose at the various games and meets. They sold tickets, acted as ushers, controlled crowds, and officiated at various events.

In the early years of its development, this organization contributed greatly to the furnishing and beautifying of the High School's athletic facilities. Between 1914-1934, for instance, steel lockers in both the boys' and girls' locker rooms were purchased, bleachers were added to the gymnasium, and new backboards were installed. In 1951-52, during its last year of formal control of Hamburg High School Sports, the Association conducted an Athletic Day to raise funds to rent the new Armory Hall for basketball games.

The Perry High School Athletic Association was established two decades later in 1926. In its first year, the Association sponsored boys' and girls' basketball as well as boys' track.  They also began raising funds to build a gym at the high school.  A year earlier the Perry Letter Club was formed to recognize outstanding athletes. A Perry "P" was awarded to students who played in at least three basketball games or won a medal at Field Day held annually at Keystone State Normal School.

In 1958, the Hamburg Area Joint School System was formed bringing together Hamburg and Perry High Schools. The cornerstone for a new consolidated high school was laid on September 24, 1961 paving the way for merged teams which played for the first time during the 1961-62 season.

Girls' Sports

The Girls' Intramural Association (G.I.A.) was started in 1931 to plan athletic activities for girls. The G.I.A. sponsored activities in soccer, hockey, calisthenics, tumbling, hiking, hit pin baseball, bicycling, horseback riding, basketball, softball and track.

Although the Berks County Association did not sponsor a girls' league, the different school associations often arranged for interscholastic play. In 1947, the Hawkettes arranged a schedule of six basketball games against local competition. In the first game at Kutztown, the Hamburg girls won with a score of 27-14. Captain Jane Gingrich lead the scoring with 11 points.

Prior to the Title IX legislation of 1972, girls' sports were often neglected in America's public schools. This was reflected most often in the number of opportunities available for girls. In Hamburg High School in 1944, for instance, six sports teams were available for boys compared to just three for girls.  By 1974, however, the number of teams, practice times, facilities, and coaches' salaries had gained parity.

In those early years, even the game rules were different for boys and girls playing the same sport. Perhaps you may remember that a girls' basketball team fielded six players (boys only five), stationed three girls on either side of mid-court, and allowed only 2 bounces before you had to pass the ball. It wasn't until 1971 that these restrictions were dropped and the rules became uniform for both boys and girls. Interestingly, however, in the early 1980s a smaller diameter basketball was introduced for girls' play.

How Things Change

In the preparation of this article, several long-time athletic personalities were brought together to reminisce and provide ideas. As they reflected on many of the changes that have occurred in high school sports, here are some that were mentioned:

• increase in girls' sports at all levels
• inclusion of junior varsity and junior high school teams
• expansion of elementary-age youth sports, particularly in the last 10 years
• organized playoff structure for county, district, and state competition
• size and conditioning of today's athletes
• equipment is much better, although low bids can cause problems
• stadium lights and all-weather tracks are becoming commonplace
• use of  game films to fine tune athletic performance
• summer sports camps
• select teams
• very few players now play four sports
• aluminum bats in baseball
• less reliance on community parks and field houses for high school sports

Two things that haven't changed in all these years are fund-raisers and the wearing of the "H" (although its more likely sewn to a jacket than a sweater as was common in the 1940s and 1950s). Speaking of sweaters, we wonder if basketball timekeeper John Flickinger still has that red sweater he wore to every game in the 1950s, 1960s and 1980s?

Through the Decades

The first basketball game for a Hamburg Hawks (red and white) team was probably played during the 1910-11 season in the old Armory Hall. John Land, principal, also served as coach. The Perry Admirals (blue and white) didn't take to the court until 1922, playing their games in the old Shoey Fire Hall. Typically a few members of each team were part-time students who attended school only during the basketball season. Rules were pretty loose in the early days of high school sports. Since that time, Hamburg High, Perry High, and (since 1961) Hamburg Area High School have seen some great teams and athletes. Here is just a sampling.

1930s

The 1935 half-mile relay team from Hamburg won the state title in record time. The team of Stauffer Heffner, Charles Klahr, Sterling Fink, and Mark Potteiger was coached by Paul Adams. The next year the Hawks repeated the feat. Also, in 1936 the Perry High Admirals boys' basketball team won the Berks County championship with a thrilling victory over Wilson, 40 to 31.

In the 1920s, 1930s and early 1940s, a popular event in the county was the Athletic Field Day in Kutztown. Here the best athletes in Berks were brought together to determine the champions. In 1922 through 1925, the team from Perry bested all competitors.

1940s

Hawks athletics during the 1940s was dominated by the soccer team which won five Berks County Championships. That first championship came in 1944 with only 4 minutes left in the final period when Bobby Gowans, the Hawks' star left halfback, took the offensive and booted a long one through the uprights for a 2-1 victory over Muhlenberg. The 1948 playoff game for the Berks Championship, however, was in everyone's estimation the most exciting contest in the history of the County finals. The game extended into four periods before Skeeter Henne drove in a goal to put Hamburg past Robesonia 1-0.

The 1940s also saw Hamburg's boys' basketball team as Northern Division Champs four years in a row.  Losses were posted to Muhlenberg in the 1946 and 1947 Berks County Finals. Girls' basketball began interscholastic play as did softball and baseball.

In addition to coaching the championship soccer and basketball team, Arlan Baver also directed track and baseball for many years. 

Because of the war, high school sports activity in Berks County was severely curtailed. In 1944 and 1945, for example, basketball was the only boys' varsity sport carried on at Perry due to rationing and the departure of former coach, Donald Snyder, to the armed services. In 1945, Principal Lamm stepped in as coach to keep the programs going. By 1949, however, Perry sports were back in full swing as the girls completed an undefeated basketball season.

1950s

John Brosious, Hamburg's new soccer coach, continued the winning tradition for the Hawks with a sixth Berks County Championship. This would be their last.

Two new sports appeared on the scene - tennis and hockey - as did Liz Heckman as the new boys' basketball coach. In his first year of coaching in 1957, his Hawks showed no mercy in beating Perry 104 to 27 and Schuylkill Valley 120-47. This game was played in the old fire hall in Leesport where a long set shot had to travel above the rafters before reaching the net. In the two years prior to his arrival, Hamburg teams were defeated in the County Championship game by Kutztown (1955) and Mt. Penn (1956).

In addition to boys' and girls' basketball, the Perry Admirals fielded teams in soccer and baseball and competed in the Northern League against Ontelaunee, Kutztown, Fleetwood, and Hamburg. In 1950, Perry lost to Kutztown in the Berks basketball championship game without their star player, Larry Baver.  Interestingly, in 1955-56 Perry joined with Ontelaunee and competed as Schuylkill Valley. Games were played in Shoemakersville due to the lack of facilities in Leesport. A year later, the union dissolved and Perry was back on its own until the first jointure teams with Hamburg played in 1961-62.

Supplying the athletic equipment needs of local teams and players during the 1950s was the Hamburg Sports Center (F & F Shop) operated by P.A. Fink and H.E. Fink on Fourth Street.

1960s

Wrestling emerged on the scene in 1963 and cross country debuted in 1964 for the newly created Hamburg Area High School teams. Bill Edwards was the first grappler and hurrier coach.  Doug Carr came from Perry and took over the soccer program. Bowling was introduced in 1966, and Dolores Mathers (Troutman) began her 24-year dynasty as hockey coach. Golf appeared on the sports schedule in 1967, as did gymnastics as a performance program. The boys' basketball team continued strong during the sixties despite losing four times to Kutztown for the Berks County crown (1961, 1962, 1964, 1967).

Most noteworthy during this decade was the beginning of football under the direction, first of Geno Poli, then Brian Miller. The first varsity season in 1969-70 yielded no wins against 10 losses for the fledgling Hawks.

The first all-sports banquet was held in the spring of 1968.  Dennis Schwoyer was recognized as Hamburg's outstanding athlete.

The 1960s also saw Wilt Chamberlain playing in an exhibition basketball game at the Hamburg Field House. Following the game, a reception was held at Haag's Hotel in Shartlesville, where "Wilt the Stilt" was observed polishing off a big meal by eating a whole pie.

1963 produced Hamburg's first and only State Legion Baseball Champions. Behind the strong pitching of Charles Miller, David Stambaugh, and Charles Fitzpatrick, the Hamburg Athletic Association-sponsored team (coached by Harvey Bachert, Sr.) swept the state competition after finishing fourth in the county.

1970s

Football continued in the 1970s, but it wouldn't be until the 1973-74 season that the Hawks would see their first victory - a 12 to 0 nationally recognized win over hapless Palisades High School. Hamburg went on to a respectable four and six season (including a victory over Holy Name) under coach Joe Leonzi.  Later in the decade (1976), the Hawks would defeat Schuylkill Valley in the first Frost Bowl game.

Bowling had a good year in 1971, taking the Berks County Championship behind Glenn McNeil's county high single and series.  Girls' basketball dominated in 1972, closing the regular season undefeated before losing to Juniata in the P.I.A.A. district 3 playoffs. Hamburg Area's first homecoming was celebrated in 1971-72. Girls' track and girls' bowling competed in their first seasons in 1973.

Not to be outdone by the boys, in 1975 the Hawkette kegglers emerged as Berks County Champs with Chris Gleason sporting a county high season average of 178.  Also in that year, the junior high boys took the baseball crown, and cheerleading for JV and Junior High sports was inaugurated.

The second half of the decade proved just as fruitful as the first. Jeff Rubright (fourth in States at 112 pounds) lead Hamburg's wrestlers to a shared Berks County Championship in 1976 under coach David Einsel. The bowlers also continued their winning ways with both boys and girls champions emerging that same year. Other great teams included hockey, golf, baseball (18-0 County Champs), track, and wrestling. To close out the decade, Dave Yerger, at 132 pounds, placed third in the state tournament after losing 6-4 to the eventual state champ. Girls' cross country also began in 1979 with Laurie Donatelli selected to the Berks County all-star team.

1980s

Wrestling remained strong in Hamburg during the early 80s.  Despite having only three seniors in the line-up, the Hawk grapplers posted a 17-1 season, losing only to Governor Mifflin 26-30. Mike Rhoads and Sheldon Henne entered the State tournament in 1980. Mike emerged in third place at 98 pounds and repeated the feat by taking the state runner-up crown the next year at 105 to cap a 32-1 season. The 1979-80 athletic campaign ended with the all-sports banquet featuring Richie Ashburn as guest speaker.

After a dismal start to the decade, boys' soccer posted its first win in 2 1/2 years when they squeaked by Brandywine Heights 3-2 in a 1982 thriller. Later that season the boys' basketball team, under coach Bill Colunio, and led by star Troy Williamson, would create some of the most fan enthusiasm in Hamburg history when they completed a 24-0 undefeated regular season before losing to Reading in the County play-off game. Four years later, Troy's cousin, Mel Edwards, would break the school record with 1,713 career points. (Tom Romig also went over the 1,000 point mark that same season.)

Girls' basketball also would shine in the 1980s behind the crack shooting of Mel's sister, Zena. In the 1985 season, Zena became Berks County's all-time leading scorer with 2,231 points, including one 52-point single game. Golf also had some great teams in the mid-80s with two 10-0 seasons and a Berks County championship. Mark Degler was a gold medal winner at the County individual tournament.

The fall of 1985 saw two remarkable efforts by Hamburg Area Sports teams. The football team would go 10-1 to become the Inter-County League Champions behind quarterback Jeff Haag. And in tennis, the girls would stop Kutztown's 66-match winning streak with a thrilling 4-3 victory on the way to an outstanding 15-3 season.

The 1980s also saw the erection of stadium lights on the football field. A huge jewelry sale, sponsored by the Sports Boosters, and involving the entire student body, raised over $10,000. Ed Gleason, a long-time supporter of Hamburg athletics, chaired the event.

Rounding out the decade, the hockey team captured a County Championship in 1987 with a 1-0 defeat of Daniel Boone. Winter track started in 1987-88, and the boy hoopsters had another great season going 20-4 with Aaron Williamson, Troy's brother, reaching the 1,000 point mark. In the spring of 1989, the baseball team took another county crown with an 8-0 shutout of Muhlenberg behind pitcher Lyle Adams.

1990s

The 1989-90 school term produced the Hawks first B.C.I.A.A. golf champion, Ralph Hoshauer. The girls began interscholastic competition in soccer with a respectable 5-8 first season record.  And in basketball, jersey #32 worn by Troy and Aaron Williamson and their cousins Zena and Mel Edwards, was retired following Aaron's final season as a Hawk hoopster. Aaron ended his career with a school record 2,012 points.

The 1990s also witnessed several firsts in Hamburg sports:  Chris Gerow set a school record of 101 wins in wrestling after going 22-0 in dual meets in 1991; Hamburg boys basketball scored its first-ever win over Reading High (58-47 in 1997); the football team beat Northern Lebanon 20-19 in the first double-overtime game played in Berks County (1995); softball players appeared in their first Berks County Championship game only to lose to Boyertown (1997); Alea Balthaser scored 109 career goals in soccer and was selected to the state and all-east teams (1998); the 1999 B.C.I.A.A. bowling tournament crown went to Hamburg keggler Brett Stefan; and Jarrad Gruber scored a HAHS record single-game high of 47 points in a basketball game against Tulpehocken (1999). Also, during the decade, three more Hamburg hoopsters reached the 1,000-point career mark:  Kim Colunio, 1,280; Dan Colunio, 1,309; and Jarrad Gruber, 1,406.

In 1992, the Hamburg Hawks continued a strong tradition in baseball by capturing their eighth division title in nine years. In 1995, the wrestlers lost a close match (24-20) to Brandywine Heights for the County Championship. The hockey team met a similar fate in the fall of that year, losing to Boyertown 2-1.  A year later, the girls' soccer team lost to Wilson in the Berks County Championship game after posting their best season in history with 15 wins.

Two junior high teams emerged during the 90s - hockey and soccer. During the 1999-2000 season, Hamburg fielded 36 varsity, junior varsity, and junior high teams compared to only 13 sports teams in 1964.

Capping a century of Hamburg sports was the appearance of the Hawk hockey team in a state semi-final game, the best showing of a school team since the jointure. Three players, Carrie Wilhelm, Jen DeNault, and Kayla Bashore, were selected to the All-State team. Michelle Heffner and Carrie Wilhelm were also named to the state all-academic team.