Tag Archives: Veterans

PA’s Chuck Heberling: Teacher, coach, NFL referee, veteran

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Chuck Heberling was a teacher, a coach, an NFL referee, and a veteran of WWII. Photo credit: Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame

Many outstanding educators also serve as excellent sports officials. One of these is Chuck Heberling, a Pennsylvania teacher and coach who was also a distinguished official for the National Football League (NFL).

Chuck was born on April 28, 1925, in Pittsburgh. After his graduation from Perry High School, he served during WWII as a fighter pilot in the United States Navy. At the conclusion of the war, he enrolled at Pennsylvania’s Washington & Jefferson College, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1949. There he was a multi-sport athlete, lettering in both football and baseball.

After earning his college degree, Chuck accepted a position as a teacher and the coach of the football and basketball teams at East Washington High School. During the 1970’s, he served on School Board of the North Allegheny School District.

For 15 years, Chuck worked as a football official at the high school and college level. He also spent 23 years as an official in the NFL. For 16 of those years he was the crew chief. And as if that were not impressive enough, he was the referee for two of the most famous games in professional football: The Hail Mary in 1975 and The Drive-In in 1987. He also served as an alternate on the crew of officials for the Super Bowl XIII and the Super Bowl XXI, and as the replay official for the Super Bowl XXIII.

In 1976, Chuck became the Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPISL). At that time, the WPIAL was rapidly growing as one of the top scholastic organizations in the country. In 1992, Chuck inaugurated the WPIAL Scholar-Athlete program. During the next few years, the program awarded scholarships to more than 50 students from more than 40 high schools. Chuck retired from the WPIAL in 1997 after 21 years. Today, the WPIAL serves as a model around the county for high school athletic organizations.

In 2002, Chuck was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. In 2007, he was inducted into the Washington & Jefferson College Hall of Fame.

Chuck Heberling died of natural causes on Dec. 9, 2019, at his hime in McCandless, Pennsylvania.

Prescott Cogswell: Drivers’ Ed teacher and US veteran

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Longtime Drivers’ Education teachers and veteran Prescott Cogswell Photo credit: Inland Valley Daily Bulletin

This is probably a first for me: to write a story about a public school Drivers’ Education teacher. Yet here it is, a blog post about Prescott Cogswell, who was exactly such a teacher in Southern California.

Prescott was born on October 19, 1927, on a family farm in El Monte, a suburb of Los Angeles, during a time when that small town was still farmland. As a young man, he served a stint in the United States Navy during World War II. He was stationed in Newport, Rhode Island, where he served as an archivist. When the war was ended, Prescott returned to Southern California, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree from Pomona College in 1951. He then earned his Master’s degree in Education from California State University, Los Angeles.

Once he earned his degrees, Prescott taught briefly in Calexico, a city in Imperial County, situated on the border with Mexicali, Mexico. Later he relocated to the Riverside area, where he accepted a position at Riverside Polytechnic High School. There he taught Drivers’ Education, and reportedly taught many teenagers in Riverside to drive. In fact, one of his students was renowned professional baseball player Bobby Bonds. Next, Prescott spent several years working in the district’s Audio-Visual Department before deciding to return to the classroom, where he taught History at Central Middle School. He also taught for some years at Lincoln High School. Prescott retired from the teaching profession in 1985, but continued to conduct classes part-time for an additional five years as a member of the emeritus program.

In addition to his work in the classroom, Prescott served many years as an Assistant Scoutmaster, helping youngsters learn an appreciation for the outdoors by leading their monthly camping weekends.

Sadly, this accomplished educator and US veteran passed away April 19, 2025. He was 98 years old. He was interred at Riverside National Cemetery for veterans in Riverside, California.

 

Julian McPhee: High school vocational education teacher and veteran

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Julian McPhee

Julian McPhee, the high school vocational education teacher who became president of Cal Poly universities Photo credit: Cal Poly University

There are many stories of talented high school teachers who work their way up into positions in universities. This is true of Julian McPhee, a high school vocational education teacher who eventually became the president of the California Polytechnic University system.

Julian was born in San Francisco on February 7, 1896. His parents were immigrants from Canada. After his graduation from high school, Julian enrolled at University of California at Berkeley, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. While still working on his undergraduate degree, Julian inaugurated his career as an educator by teaching a course in agricultural education at Pomona High School in Pomona, a suburb of Los Angeles.

During the waning months of World War I, Julian enlisted in the US Navy, where he served as an ensign. While in the service, he worked as an instructor at the naval port guard and as an aide in Naval Intelligence. In 1918, at the conclusion of the Great War, Julian was given an honorable discharge.

After the war, Julian returned to the San Francisco area, where he accepted a position as a teacher of agriculture at Gilroy High School in Gilroy, Santa Clara County, California. During his many years as a high school educator, Julian strongly emphasized vocational education, particularly in the fields of agriculture. An advocate of hands-on learning, he formed clubs for agriculture and mechanics in each one of Gilroy’s public schools.

In 1928, Julian completed the requirements for his Master’s degree in Agricultural Education through the University of California at Los Angeles. Between 1926 and 1944, he worked as the chief of the State Bureau of Agricultural Education. In this capacity, he formed the California state headquarters of Future Farmers of America.

In 1933, Julian was selected president of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. There he converted the struggling school from a two-year technical school to a full-fledged four-year university in the CSU system.

When World War II broke out, Julian served as the director of California’s War Food Production Training Program. Later he served as acting chief of the Bureau of Readjustment Education, the Assistant Executive Officer of the State Board of Vocational Education, and the director of Vocational Education for the State of California. He also oversaw the founding of newly-built Cal Poly Pomona.

By 1966, Julian could claim 33 years as the president of the Cal Poly system. But because of deteriorating health, he decided to retire. Sadly, this amazing educator passed away of colon cancer on November 10, 1967. He was 71 years old.

Matthew Winheim named CA 2025 State Teacher of the Year

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Middle school STEM educator Matthew Winheim has been named the 2025 California State Teacher of the Year. Photo credit: Flight Test Historical Foundation

I am always excited to share the story of an exceptional educator who has earned honors for his work in the classroom. One of these is Matthew Winheim, a STEM teacher from California. He has been named his state’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.

Matthew teachers science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to middle schoolers at the Space and Aeronautics Gateway to Exploration (SAGE) Magnet Academy. The school is part of the Palmdale School District located in Southern California. There Matthew integrates aeronautics in his STEM course to inspire the next generation of innovators and aviators.

One of his most notable accomplishments was helping to create and establish a high school math course in collaboration with a community college. This course reduced the need for remediation and prepared students for success in STEM careers. 

In addition, Matthew is a veteran of the US Air Force. And his commitment to the military community continues, even though he has been discharged. To this end, he serves as the president of a nonprofit called the Edwards Air Force Base Civilian-Military Support Group. The organization supporting active–duty military personnel and their families in the community.

His selection as California’s Teacher of the Year is not the only honor Matthew has earned. In 2022, he was honored as a “Hometown Hero” at the Edwards Open House and STEM Expo, where he flew with the Air Force Thunderbirds.

Matthew earned his Associate of Science degree in Aeronautical Sciences from the Community College of the Air Force in 2000. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies with a Minor in Mathematics from California State University, Bakersfield, in 2002. He earned his Master’s degree in Mathematics Education from Western Governors University in 2008. His career as an educator spans more than 20 years.

 

Teacher, coach, and former professional football player Herb Banet

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Teacher, coach, counselor, and former professional football player Herb Banet. Photo credit: Manchester University

When I think of Chalkboard Champions, I never forget all of our nation’s talented coaches. These dedicated professionals work many long hours with our young people, teaching them the value of self-discipline, healthy competition, fair play, and teamwork, and helping them to choose a healthy, active lifestyle. One such Chalkboard Champion is Herb Banet, a high school teacher, basketball coach, and guidance counselor from Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Herb was born in 1913 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As a high school student, he was a gifted athlete.  At 6’2″ and 200 pounds, he earned All-City Honors in both football and basketball. After his graduation from Fort Wayne South High School in 1933, he attended Manchester University in North Manchester, Indiana, where he played collegiate football. While at Manchester, Herb played All-Conference Football and All-State Football in 1934, 1935, and 1936. During the 1937 season, Herb played in the National Football League with the Green Bay Packers.

As if all this were not enough, Herb was also a war hero. When World War II broke out, he served his country in the US Navy.

These experiences served him well during his eighteen-year career as a coach at Central High School in Fort Wayne. While coaching there, his team made one trip to the Final Four in 1960, where they were defeated by just one point by East Chicago Washington. Later in Herb’s career he served as a guidance counselor at Northrup High School. This talented educator retired in 1979. In recognition of his illustrious career as an athlete, he was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.

Herb Banet passed away in 2003 at the age of 89 years of age. He is buried at Falls Memorial Gardens in Wabash, Indiana. It is certain that his efforts as a gifted teacher, coach, and counselor will always be well-remembered.