Ollie Eyrich

The first Reading High School athlete to make first team (AP) All-State in football in 1940, leading his team to an 8-1-1 record. He was the high scorer in the Big 15 Conference under coach Hal Rock. Sportswriter Bill Reedy praised him as “the best RHS player in 27 years since the great Horse Charlton in 1913.” Eyrich helped secure a historic win over Easton at Cottingham Stadium—the first in 32 years—and led victories against Allentown, William Penn, and Lancaster. Penn’s coach George Munger called him “the top back in the state.” Named Reading High School MVP, Eyrich scored what would have been the winning touchdown against Bethlehem Liberty, a play that was disallowed but later verified by a newspaper photo. His teammates included Dick Swope, Harry Stump, Dick Missbach, Jim Klemmer, Russ Guensch, Will Fromuth, and Angelo Franco.

Deceased