Do you know someone who has dedicated their life to the development and growth of youth character? Nominate them for the Foundation’s “Bob Craig Youth Service Award.” Each year we join with the West Shore Kiwanis Club to recognize a local resident who exemplifies a dedication and success of serving our youth. To nominate someone for this prestigious award, send us an email.
Past recipients include the following distinguished citizens:
2013 – A. Joseph Cribari
Joe was born February 17, 1931 in Steelton, PA. He attended grade school at St. Ann’s in Steelton and graduated from Steelton High School in 1949. He then attended Thompson Business School and served in the Unites States Air Force.
Following his years of service to the US, Joe worked at Steelton Steel Works as a Rigger, Olmsted AFB as a Contract Negotiator, and the New Cumberland Army Depot as a Systems Analyst.
He was elected president of the 10-Team CFA Parochial League in 1972 and was inducted into the CFA Football League Hall of Fame in November, 2006, and into the Capital Area Chapter PA Sports Hall of Fame in April, 2008. Joe also received an award from Saint Catherine Laboure Catholic Church for over 50 years of volunteer service.
Joe is president of the Steelton Italian Club, Guys & Dolls Travel Club, and Commissioner of the CFA Football League for the last 40 years.
2012 – Clyde Cressler
Clyde Cressler was Bob Craig’s first scholastic wrestler at Newport High School. Clyde credits Coach Craig with “bringing him out of his shell” and encouraging him to wrestle. This changed Clyde’s life. In his high school career of 60 – 10, he took 4 sectional titles, 2 district titles and 4 regional medals. His wrestling career at Shippensburg State College included a winning record of 24 – 4 – 1 and winning the Pennsylvania State Colleges Wrestling Championship in 1962.
Clyde earned a BS in Elementary Education and briefly taught sixth grade in the Cumberland Valley School District. He then graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Pharmacy and opened his first pharmacy. Today he owns Care Capital Management, which owns and operates 15 Medicine Shoppe Pharmacies.
Clyde has mentored children individually and also has a strong history of supporting wrestling – in particular, sponsoring tournaments, founding booster clubs, creating wrestling scholarships and assisting in the sponsorship of international wrestlers.
2011 – Dr. James “Jim” Blacksmith
Jim Blacksmith is a 1964 graduate of Cedar Cliff High School where he played three years of varsity football under Coach Craig. He also wrestled for three years and played two years of varsity baseball. He played in the Big 33 Football Classic in 1964 and was also a Pennsylvania State wrestling champion that year. He also has a successful football and wrestling career at Lock Haven State College.
Jim went to Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and opened a family practice in Lemoyne. He became the team physician for Cedar Cliff High School in 1973. He also served as one of the physicians at the high school Pennsylvania State Wrestling Tournament from 1973 to 2005.
2010 – Robert “Bob” L. Keith, Jr.
Bob Keith coached youth football for Cedar Cliff for 29 years before retiring to spend more time with his grandchildren. Keith graduated from Cedar Cliff in the early 1960s. He played football, wrestling and gymnastics.
Coach Craig was one of his childhood idols. He encouraged him to play sports when Bob was in his classes. After high school, Bob played a year of semi-pro football, as a running back for the Cumberland Colts in 1962. He then became a Marine and served until 1967. He received an honorable discharge due to injuries sustained while serving in Vietnam. Bob received a Purple Heart, with Gold Star. He received many other medals and commendations, chief among them being the Navy and Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon.
During the years before his retirement, he enjoyed coaching. He coached youth football and baseball at Red Land, Lower Allen, and Cedar Cliff. He was selected to two halls of fame, the Capital Area Sports Hall of Fame and the Catholic Football Association Hall of Fame. He also earned a Presidential Sports Award from President Ronald Reagan.
Bob is remembered as a consummate teacher and educator.
2009 – Charles “Chuck” Clement
Chuck was appointed to serve on the Court of Judicial Discipline by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania on April 8, 2011. He has served as a Magisterial District Judge in Cumberland County for 23 years.
Judge Clement has been the recipient of his State Association's “John J. Jeffers Memorial Award” in recognition of dedicated and unselfish service and the “Themis Award” for lifetime achievement.
Judge Clement contributes to his community by serving as guest speaker at local schools and before various community groups. His Court hosts high school and college interns each academic year. He coaches high school basketball as a volunteer assistant.