Ted Weinstein (above left) stepped down as Cheltenham High School’s head football coach in January 1983 following one of the most successful tenures in program history.

According to local historian Chuck Langerman, Coach Weinstein led the Panthers from 1975 to 1982 with a 54-31-3 record. His 10-1 team in 1976 tied for the Suburban One title and was ranked among the best in the state of Pennsylvania. In 1977, the Panthers were 8-3 and champions of the SOL American Conference.

One of the smallest schools in the league, the Panthers were 9-2 in 1980 and 8-3 in 1981, just missing titles each time.

“Weinstein was an incredibly innovative football coach who changed his program to fit his players. The years before record-setting quarterback Gregg Caplan ’82 arrived, Cheltenham used a wishbone offense,” Langerman said. “Realizing Caplan’s passing skills, Weinstein put in a pro set.”

Following his resignation, Coach Weinstein remained at Cheltenham as head of the Health and Physical Education Department.

Cheltenham’s first state championship team

The Cheltenham High School girls’ basketball team upset undefeated Pittsburgh Oakland Catholic 54-52 in the PIAA Girls Class AAAA title game at Hersheypark Arena on March 24, 2000 to claim the school’s first-ever state team championship in any sport, boys or girls.

Oakland Catholic, coached by Suzie McConnell Serio, the aunt of former Philadelphia 76ers guard T.J. McConnell, had eight players on its roster at 6-foot or taller, while the Lady Panthers tallest player was 5-11 junior Tammy Frazier, the granddaughter of former heavyweight boxing champion “Smokin” Joe Frazier.

The Lady Panthers, coached by Bob Schaefer, were paced in the state final game by senior forward Shayla Johnson’s 20 points and sophomore Rachel Myers game-high ten rebounds.

Cheltenham’s first state championship team finished the season 32-1 and ranked 14th in the nation by USA Today.

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