McCoy memorial service May 17

It was a Saturday morning back in the 1951-52 basketball season and the Sharpsville High team was scheduled to scrimmage the Farrell Steelers in the Farrell gym. It was a mismatch which the Blue Devils realized shortly after taking the floor, maybe even before.

There were two things learned that day. Legendary coach Eddie McCluskey was the coach of the Farrell team and No. 2, one of his most accomplished players was a young man by the name of Julius McCoy, probably the best basketball player in Farrell history.

While McCluskey ranted and raved at his players from side-court, (that was his style) McCoy was shredding the nets with uncanny accuracy from all angles. Not only was he a prolific scorer but his rebounding ability left little to be desired. Both coach and player have been instrumental in Farrell’s accomplishments on the hardwood.

Julius “Hooks” McCoy was laid to rest April 11 in Harrisburg, Pa., following complications from diabetes. He was 76. A memorial service is planned for May 17, in the E.J. McCluskey Gymnasium in Farrell.

His death shocked the residents of Farrell, where he grew up to become one of the best players in the high school, college and even in the professional ranks. Everyone loved Julius, his teammates at Farrell, Michigan State University and the St. Louis Hawks. Another draft grabbed him first though, a date with the Army.

We’re not going to delve into McCoy’s accomplishments in athletics and the business world. That would take weeks. But we did want to mention that he was also active in the pro ranks as a veteran performer in the Eastern Professional Basketball League, he toured with the Harlem Globetrotters and in 1996 was named to the Continental Basketball Association All-Time Team.

A number of his Farrell High teammates were interviewed and each had about the same thing to say about Julius: He was a tremendous basketball player, always a gentleman, a great father and husband and an idol to thousands of youngsters.

In Harrisburg, he was a teacher and coach, and worked as director in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Equal Opportunities and served as special assistant to the secretary for PennDOT. McCoy was not only a legend in the basketball world, he enjoyed his hectic civic commitment and was kind and respectful to almost everyone he came in contact with.

Julius and his brother, Jim, were an awesome duo at Farrell. Julius, with his famed hook shot, and Jim with those long two-handed set-shots that often times came from the mid-court line, were just too much to contend with for opponents. Julius, who operated in the pivot area, had a knack of putting english on the ball. The shot would go to the back-board, make contact and then carom off, left or right, down and through the nets. Amazing!

The McCoy era at Farrell came when the city was booming. The blue-collar workers were very active and the smoke stacks at Sharon Steel were running full blast. And it was during this time that the Steelers fans filled the gymnasium to capacity each night Farrell had a home game.

Times were good and so was the Steelers basketball team. McCoy helped McCluskey launch his seven PIAA state championships back in the 1951-52 season when the Steelers posted a 29-1 record winning over Coatesville in the title game. In his three years at Farrell, Julius totaled 1,471 points, the best in school history.

Our sincere sympathy to Julius’ wife of 49 years, Betty, and to all of his family, friends and associates.

Frank Sincek. former Farrell High coach following McCluskey’s departure, may have put it best when he said he’ll remember Julius not only for what he meant to the school and the basketball program, but what he meant to the town. Julius was Farrell.

Our thoughts are the same, Frank. We’re going to miss you, Julius.