Building a future, Honoring the Past

 At Monessen School District, we’re charting an exciting course for the future through our New Modern Monessen initiative — investing in innovation, infrastructure, and student support to build a brighter tomorrow. But as we rise into the future, we proudly honor the powerful legacy of those who paved the way, especially two legendary Greyhounds whose impact echoes on the biggest stage in sports: the Super Bowl.

🏈 Sam Havrilak – A Pioneer in Super Bowl History

A proud Monessen graduate, Sam Havrilak carved out a place in NFL history as a versatile player for the Baltimore Colts. His role in helping the Colts to a Super Bowl V victory remains unforgettable — but it’s his unique mark on the game that sets him apart.

Havrilak became the first player in Super Bowl history to complete a pass, catch a pass, and take a handoff in the same game — a feat that speaks not only to his athleticism but to the creativity and grit that started right here in Monessen. His name belongs on any NFL honor roll, not just for the win, but for the history he helped write.

🏆 Doug Crusan – Champion of the Perfect Season

Another Greyhound who made his mark at the highest level is Doug Crusan, a force on the offensive line for the Miami Dolphins during their dynasty years. Crusan played seven seasons with the team and won two Super Bowls — including Super Bowl VII, where he was a starter on the only undefeated team in NFL history.

That 1972 Dolphins team remains a benchmark of excellence in professional sports, and Crusan’s role in anchoring the line and protecting legendary quarterback Bob Griese was instrumental to their success. His work ethic and leadership continue to inspire future generations of Greyhounds.

🐾 Building the Future, Honoring the Past

As we build a New Modern Monessen — with innovative programs, facility upgrades, and reimagined learning spaces — we never forget the roots of our community’s greatness. Sam Havrilak and Doug Crusan are more than NFL heroes; they are reminders that greatness begins in places like Monessen, where determination, hard work, and community pride shape champions.

Their legacy is a guiding light as we develop our students not only into scholars and leaders — but into tomorrow’s pioneers and history-makers.

Once a Greyhound, always a Greyhound.
Let’s continue to celebrate our past while we boldly move into the future.


Dr. Robert Motte 

Superintendent of Schools

Monessen School District 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The New Modern Monessen

Image
The New Modern Monessen: A New Chapter for Monessen Schools At Monessen City School District, we are dedicated to creating learning environments that spark curiosity, support innovation, and prepare students for the world beyond our walls. That commitment is coming to life through a series of exciting renovations across our schools—renovations that reflect the vision of The New Modern Monessen. Innovation Begins at Monessen Elementary We’re thrilled to announce the transformation of the former library at Monessen Elementary into a dynamic new space called the Pup Hub. This revitalized area will serve as a modern media center, designed to encourage creativity, collaboration, and exploration for our youngest learners. A key feature of the Pup Hub will be a TV Production Lab built specifically for elementary students. This space will be equipped with age-appropriate technology and tools that allow students to explore storytelling, broadcasting, and digital literacy in a fun and developmen...
Read more

Innovation in Action: What Powers the New Modern Monessen

  The New Modern Monessen Dear Monessen School District Families, We're excited to share the latest updates on our transformative New Modern Monessen initiative. Project Greyhound Rising is designed to keep you updated about what is happening across our schools as we work to create an innovative, supportive, and future-ready learning environment for all students. 🏗️ Infrastructure Improvements We’re making great strides in upgrading our facilities: 🏫 Energy-efficient HVAC systems are being installed at the Middle/High School. 🏗️ Roofing improvements are underway to ensure our buildings are protected for years to come. 🏋️ High School Gymnasium repairs are progressing well. All structural damage is being repaired. 🚀 Innovative Learning Spaces Our new learning environments are taking shape: 📚 The Hound Hub (Middle/High School) and Pup Hub (Elementary Center) media centers are nearing completion. ☕ NEW! Student Coffee Shop in the Hound Hub – A real-world learning opportunity wher...
Read more

The New Modern Monessen: Building Deeper Engagement in Our Phone-Free Classrooms

The New Modern Monessen: Building Deeper Engagement in Our Phone-Free Classrooms Greetings, Monessen families, students, and community members! As your Superintendent, I frequently reflect on our journey to create "The New Modern Monessen" – a community where our schools are at the forefront of fostering environments that truly empower our students. A significant part of this journey has been the successful implementation of our Yondr bags and dedicated phone-free learning zones across the district. We established these measures with a clear goal: to minimize the digital distractions that can hinder learning and foster deeper, more meaningful connections. And indeed, we have seen positive shifts. The constant stream of notifications has lessened, and there's a sense of reduced distraction in our classrooms and hallways. Students are, without a doubt, more present in the physical space of the school. Beyond Distraction: The Next Frontier of Engagement While the Yond...
Read more