HS FOOTBALL: Fighter's Heaven hosts Media Day

Aug. 11—WEST BRUNSWICK TWP. — Like a heavyweight boxer ready to rumble, Mike Farr jumped inside the ring that Muhammad Ali once graced on a daily basis and jokingly asked for a sparring partner.

The Schuylkill Haven head coach and president of the Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association then kicked off the annual SCFCA Media Day at Fighter's Heaven by making the perfect analogy between Coal Region football and the legendary boxing champion, who trained at the six-acre camp along Sculp's Hill Road outside of Orwigsburg from 1972-1981.

"The legacy that this place embodies is something that all kids in our area should know," Farr said. "It's part of the brand of Schuylkill County football ... it's toughness. I think Fighter's Heaven is the epitome of toughness. It's just a great fit.

"When they told me we could have it here, we didn't hesitate."

Wednesday's annual Media Day featured coaches and players from all 16 Schuylkill League football schools and was held at Ali's former training camp for the first time. Over the years, the SCFCA Media Day has been held at Maroon's Sports Bar, Hoss's Steak and Sea House, Roman Delight Restaurant, Mountain Valley Golf Course and the Schuylkill Country Club.

Most of the festivities were held in the former gym, where players and coaches met with media, completed Republican Herald Football Friday Player Profile sheets and enjoyed a buffet meal prepared by Q Brothers of Schuylkill Haven.

The food was sponsored by The Funding Zone, which raises funds for area high school programs through the sales of discount cards.

Television and Internet media conducted interviews on the grounds outside in the area near the kitchen building and stone fireplace, while Republican Herald photographers took headshots of all the players and coaches inside the kitchen building.

A total of 23 media representatives from the Republican Herald, WPPA and WAVT radio, the Allentown Morning Call, Lehighton Times-News, Hazleton Standard-Speaker, WNEP, WBRE, Fox 56, SSPTV, Skook News, D11sports.com, EasternPAFootball.com and Pennsylvania Football News were in attendance.

During his introductory speech, Farr encouraged the players and coaches to tour the facility and the numerous displays of memorabilia honoring Ali.

Area high school football teams are in the midst of heat acclimatization practices, with official preseason practices beginning Monday. Preseason scrimmages for all 20 area teams are slated for Saturday, Aug. 20, with the 2022 regular season kicking off Friday, Aug. 26.

The Republican Herald's annual Football Tabloid preview will appear in the Sunday, Aug. 21, edition and online at www.republicanherald.com.

"I think this is a place that high school kids should come see and understand the history," Farr said of Fighter's Heaven. "This guy is one of the nation's biggest icons of all time. That's part of the history. Him being here in Schuylkill County is part of our history and is a great fit with Coal Region football."

Contact the writer: Lboyer@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6026; @pubsportsboss on Twitter