PHOENIXVILLE – Longtime Phoenixville sports activist Abdul Ford-Bey will be honored by the Phoenixville Area Athletic Association (formerly Oldtimers) during a banquet Saturday night, April 5, at the Phoenixville Hose Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 Fire House, 177 Church St.There will be a social gathering at 6 p.m., followed by a dinner at 7 p.m.Ford-Bey, 60, has been active in the Phoenixville Marian Youth Club (PMYC) football, field hockey and basketball as well as Phoenixville Youth Babe Ruth League (PYBRL) baseball and softball for many years.Ford-Bey, a Viet Nam War veteran, has been a coach, basketball official, public address announcer and scorekeeper during his many years of involvement with Phoenixville athletics. He has also regularly assisted on the chain crew during football games.Tickets are available through Al Dvorak, 157 First Ave., Phoenixville, or from any board member. Board members Paul Shoemaker and Rich Kraynak Sr. are helping to promote the special night, too. Extra tickets are available by calling Dvorak at 610-935-2968. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.Cost for the evening is $20 per person with roast beef, chicken, dessert and other tasty items available on the menu along with liquid refreshments. Members are encouraged to bring spouses or sports-minded friends.Ford-Bey, who lives on Phoenixville’s North Side, can regularly be seen at all Phoenixville sporting events, even when he is not officially involved as a worker. He is also a faithful spectator for the Phantom teams.Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Frank LeMaster, who is now a local resident, is expected to attend the banquet along with the Rev. Gregory Thornton.Rev. Thornton was a star running back and defensive back on Phoenixville’s Ches-Mont League championship team in 1978 that is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. That team finished a perfect 12-0 under head coach Marty Moore, who later became a head coach at Spring-Ford High School and currently serves as assistant athletic director to Mickey McDaniel with the Rams.Rich Kraynak Jr. was a first-team All-State linebacker who also played fullback for that Phantom squad. He went on to stardom with the University of Pittsburgh’s football team when it was ranked No. 1 in the nation in the early 1980s while Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino directed the offense. Kraynak also played several years in the National Football League (NFL) with the Eagles, Atlanta Falcons and Indianapolis Colts.Parking is available on the street and nearby parking lots.Dues for annual members are payable at the dinner by contacting Ted Travis-Bey, secretary of the organization.
