One year after his passing, the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation has recognized a former Summit Hill man for his role as a coach and an educator.

Dr. Albert F. Leonzi, Ph.D, died Feb. 19, 2014, at the age of 71. A 1960 graduate of the former Summit Hill High School, he worked at Kutztown University from 1969-2005, where he served as a football coach and professor of secondary education.He was an inductee into four halls of fame - the Carbon County Area Chapter of the Sports Hall of Fame and the Kutztown University Hall of Fame, both in 2007; the National Football Foundation, Lehigh Valley Chapter, Hall of Fame in 2000; and the Lehigh Valley Sports Hall of Fame for Football in 2013.At a recent banquet held in the Lehigh Valley, Penn State football coach James Franklin hailed Leonzi's career. Leonzi gave Franklin his first collegiate job, hiring him at Kutztown.Meanwhile, the banquet program noted the former Golden Bear head coach's contributions the development of student-athletes over five decades. The article follows:"In early 2014, many of us experienced a tremendous loss with the passing of Al Leonzi. His family members lost a husband, father and grandfather; football lost a friend, a celebrated former player and a longtime coach; and academia lost a lifelong educator, leader and mentor.As newspapers, sport's blogs and other media announced the passing of Al Leonzi, one particular banner was most likely the one Al himself would have selected as his favorite. On February 20, 2014, the Morning Call printed a story entitled, "Former KU Coach Al Leonzi remembered for helping kids." No one could disagree. However, a large number of adults who benefited from his work with numerous charities, his church and a variety of civic and philanthropic organizations would say he did so much more.Known to his many friends as Al, his students as Dr. Leonzi, and to all who ever donned a helmet and pads as Coach, he touched everyone in a special way. A generation of students and student athletes went on to greater things because of him … because he cared to make a difference. Just ask the 112 All-PSAC players and eight All Americans he coached, the players who made it in the NFL, or those who had their coveted shot at the NFL because of him. The same could be said for many others who attained success as a result of his help and guidance.Al was always there with a smile, an encouraging word and his hand. He always offered his hand for a welcomed greeting or a much-needed "hand-up." He was often the caring adult for a kid in need who had no one, or as the voice of reason for the night student juggling work, school or the complexities of everyday life.Throughout his career as a teacher and a coach, he was first and foremost, an educator. For the generations of students who stepped foot into his classroom, you always knew, you were one of "his" students. For his players, as he often said, if you ever strapped on a Kutztown football helmet, even if only for one day and you genuinely tried," you would always be one of "his players," a Golden Bear. He meant it.Al was a coach in the classroom and a teacher on the field. His teaching style could be described as coaching without a whistle. His lectures were laden with football analogies and sports metaphors. He inspired competitive spirit and drive to excel, even if the competition was with yourself. His football practices were for learning. His game prep emphasized study, and on Saturdays, you were tested.Al's classroom was 120 yards long (Al the Educator never let you forget the 20 yards of end zones) and 53- yards wide. His field of play was anywhere with a lectern and where students from all walks of life, ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds could come together to listen, to learn and get ready to play the game of life.The legacy of Al Leonzi will always be the lasting impression he left with so many people. Good teachers and good coaches, there are many. Educators and great coaches, there are few.Albert F. Leonzi, there was one … only one."