by Ken Wunderley, Tri-State Sports & News Service , Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"We wanted to do something to honor these four athletes," said public relations director Laura Thomson, who organized the event held at the high school. "We were honored to bring these men and their families back to South Allegheny to celebrate their achievements as professional athletes. The distinction of being a professional athlete has not only brought pride to themselves and to their families, but to South Allegheny High School, as well. We are proud to say that they were Gladiators first."

Jim Cope was the first South Allegheny athlete to play in the pros. He graduated in 1971 after being named to the Associated Press All-State Team as a defensive end. He was a three-year starter for legendary coach Woody Hayes at Ohio State and appeared in three Rose Bowl games.

Cope was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round in 1975. He also played for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, the Denver Broncos, and finished his career with the Atlanta Falcons.

Cope went into sales after his playing days and was working as a terminal manager for a trucking company when he died of a heart attack in 1998. He is survived by his wife and three children.

"It was really neat to see where my dad went to high school," said Cope's daughter, Tina. "We moved to Arizona when I was 4 years old, so I don't remember much about the area. It was great to learn things about his personality and character and how highly thought of he is. I know he would have loved this banquet if he were alive. It's been 10 years since he passed away. It was perfect timing."

Cope was the first of three football players coached by Rich Zukauckas at South Allegheny who played in the pros. The others were Ron Crosby and Dave Opfar.

Crosby graduated in 1973 after earning all-state honors at linebacker for the Gladiators. He went on to be a two-year starter at Penn State and served as a defensive co-captain for the Nittany Lions. He played in five postseason games: Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Sugar Bowl, and Gator Bowl, and was named Outstanding Defensive Player of the Hula Bowl.

Crosby was drafted in the fifth round by Detroit Lions and played seven years in the NFL with the Lions, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets. Crosby finished his career in the USFL, playing one year each for the Pittsburgh Maulers and Philadelphia Stars.

After ending his pro career in 1985, he built a successful career in the safety industry. He is vice president of sales for R3 Safety. Crosby is married to his high school sweetheart and lives in Peters Township.

"It was a very humbling experience to be recognized by my alma mater," he said. "It was great to reminisce with friends and family. It's also good for the current South Allegheny athletes to see the great tradition we have at South Allegheny."

Opfar is a 1978 graduate of South Allegheny and played on the Gladiators only WPIAL championship team. He received all-state honors at tight end after leading the Gladiators to the Class AA title.

He followed Crosby to Penn State where he was a two-year starter at defensive tackle. He played on the Nittany Lions national championship team in 1982. After graduating from college , Opfar played three seasons in the USFL with the Philadelphia Stars and participated in three championship games.

Opfar signed as a free agent with the Steelers in 1987 and started three games that season. He also played three years in the Arena Football League, before embarking on a coaching career. After assistant coaching stints at Duquesne High School, Duquesne University , Penn State and Washington & Jefferson, Opfar was hired as head coach at Saint Francis University in loretto, Pa., in 2001.

"It was both embarrassing and humbling to be recognized by my alma mater," said Opfar, who still resides in Elizabeth.

"They gave us a trophy and encased our jersey in glass and have them displayed just outside the gymnasium. I gave the trophy to my father [Dave Sr.] who joked that it was nice that they gave him a trophy."

Scott Seabol, a 1993 South Allegheny graduate, is currently playing professional baseball in Japan. He was an all-conference shortstop for the Gladiators, and a second team selection on the Big East Conference All-Star Team while playing at West Virginia University .

Seabol was drafted by the New York Yankees after his junior year at West Virginia. In 1999, while a member of the Greensboro Bats, Seabol had a 35-game hitting streak, the fourth longest in minor league history.

He made his major league debut in 2001 with the Yankees as a pinch hitter. He also played in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system before signing with the St. Louis Cardnials in 2003 as a third baseman. He also played with the Florida Marlins before signing with the Hiroshima Carp of the Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan.

"It's been a lot of fun playing in Japan, but it's tough being away from my wife and kids," said Seabol, who was making his first visit home since Jan. 25. "The team allowed me to come home for the birth of our child."

Seabol married another South Allegheny graduate, Diana Winzek, and has twin 4-year old sons. Seabol was in Japan when the recognition dinner was held, but returned home the following week to be with his wife, who was expecting their third child.

"The recognition dinner was a great idea," he said. "It lets current athletes know that playing professional ball is possible if they continue to work hard."

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