Journey ends with $50K payoff

Donation comes from NFL coach Bill Belichick

Staff report

STRUTHERS

What would appear to be serendipity really isn’t.

When Curt Kuntz became Struthers High School’s head football coach in January, he didn’t know much about the community except that his wife’s grandparents were lifelong residents.

But he was given a book about the history of Struthers football by former coach Pete Pirone Sr. That was the beginning of a journey that recently concluded with a $50,000-plus payoff.

Had Kuntz been content to supervise conditioning and map plans to improve the Wildcats’ 2011 record of 5-5, the program would have probably seen a change in its fortunes starting this fall.

In addition to those duties, the 35-year-old Kuntz embraced the Struthers tradition, diligently did his research and, eventually, procured the whopping gift from New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick.

Kuntz, whose high-school coaching includes stints at Kent Roosevelt, Warren Harding, Howland and most recently two years at Poland under Mark Brungard, was also at Kent State for three years. That’s when he developed bonds with different coaches who eventually branched off to include the Patriots.

When Kuntz discovered that the Struthers football book had references to Steve Belichick — Bill’s father — as one of its players from 1934-36, the wheels in his head starting turning. The elder Belichick died in 2005.

“I came across Steve Belichick and his playing days, so I made copies of the articles and sent them to Bill, thinking he’d be interested,” Kuntz said of mail sent in mid-May.

Two days later he got a phone call.

“He said he used to have a scholarship fund in his father’s name to be used at different places,” Kuntz said. “Bill said he didn’t want to do that because it only helps one person, but, rather, he wanted to help a lot of people. Then he asked what I needed. I was quivering to think that Bill Belichick asked me that. So I laid out a five-year program of what we needed.”

However, once established, the order-payment method was a cumbersome process. “ ... We decided it would be best to send Struthers the check with the stipulation that I oversee how the money will benefit the most kids in a most meaningful way for an extended time.”

At the time, Kuntz didn’t know the gift’s total amount.

“I thought $7,000, maybe $10,000, then it came in at a little over $50,000.”

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so, we’re blessed,” Kuntz said.

“We’re in the process of upgrading several things now,” he said, noting needs such as the new headsets for coaches and major video upgrades.

“Our practice jerseys are probably 20 years old and the same for the travel bags and other equipment that we’ll be able to use for a long time.”

Kuntz is preparing a plaque in Steve Belichick’s name to be given to whichever player performs his best, regardless of status.

The articles Kuntz sent to Belichick were the culmination of correspondence in one form or another.

“I knew it would be difficult to reach Bill, but because a few coaches I worked with were with the Patriots, I got through to him.”

During his five years at Harding, Kuntz was under Thom McDaniels, whose son eventually became an assistant under Belichick.

Also, Josh Boyer, a groomsman in Kuntz’s wedding, was one of Kent’s former coaches who moved on to New England.

“I was told to mail the articles to Josh [Boyer] who put them on Bill’s desk. I didn’t know Bill Belichick [personally] from the man in the moon, but I knew enough people who had access to him.”

Kuntz said he’d hope the infusion of money will translate into wins. “Hopefully, the little things will help us in practice and eventually show on the field on Friday nights.”