Chuck Langerman, a 1973 graduate of Cheltenham High School and greater Glenside’s very own local historian, was highlighted by The Press of Atlantic City in an article titled “By the numbers: Chuck Langerman knows his South Jersey football history“.
The story discusses Langerman’s favorite hobby (stat keeping) and describes him as “one of South Jersey’s most prominent high school football historians.” The 69-year-old retired high school math teacher said his love for high school football began watching Cheltenham High School’s Reggie Jackson in the early 1960s. Langerman noted that the future MLB Hall of Famer rushed for 938 yards as a senior in 1963.
“That would be equal to about 1,500 now. He was a strong linebacker, too,” Langerman said. “That’s how I got interested in high school football, following him. I was just a kid at the time.”
The Gettysburg College grad went on to say that he “always like to find stats nobody knows about.”
From the article:
The records Langerman has discovered and chronicled give perspective on today’s achievements and allow schools to celebrate past accomplishments. This season, Langerman has noted that Mainland Regional junior wide receiver Jake Blum is the first Mustangs player to have more than 1,000 yards receiving in a season. Langerman has also highlighted Atlantic City senior wide receiver Sah’nye Degraffenreidt, who holds the Atlantic County record with 37 career TD catches.
Langerman eventually hooked up with former Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Marc Narducci, who began a South Jersey football preview magazine in 1992. Scott Parker, then an Egg Harbor Township High School quarterback and now the Cedar Creek High School principal in Egg Harbor City, was on the first cover. Langerman’s records appeared annually in Narducci’s magazine until it ended after the 2022 edition.
“He adds a lot of prestige,” Narducci said. “You don’t see every area having these kinds of in-depth records. It’s just incredible. He had a great passion.”
Langerman told The Press that he spends a couple of hours a week on records and “chasing down history. He describes high school football records as an inexact science. Not every game is reported on. Not every team keeps statistics. These days, Langerman keeps his records on the computer,” the article said.
“I’m always looking,” Langerman said. “I update things as they come along. I’ll enjoy it, so I’ll keep on doing it.”
For Langerman’s contributions to Glenside Local’s “History with Chuck” series, you can click here.
For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.
Photo: Chuck Langerman