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A tribute to Bill Ennis
Brought to you by
the Morning Times Hall of Fame Class of 2020
C2 • Saturday, February 15, 2020 Morning Times morning-times.com
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Staff Photo
Canton’s Timmy Ward (right) looks for an opening against an opponent during a match earlier this season. Ward is back on the mat after battling cancer last year.
Remembering a legend
The Morning Times & members of the PA wrestling family honor Bill Ennis
I
t has been just over a year since the Pennsylvania wrestling
family lost legendary photographer Bill Ennis to cancer.
His legacy will live on forever as the North Section and
District IV Hall of Fame photographer touched so many lives
through his work in the sport of wrestling.
The Morning Times wanted to remember Bill during the
North Section Tournament and reached out to several people
to give their thoughts on the Hall of Fame photographer:
I
Ed Boardman
’ve been covering high school sports for just under 20 (Local Photographer)
years, and I’ve reported on pretty much every sport — “Bill is missed terribly. It’s only been a year and I’ve already
from football to lacrosse and everything in between. caught myself a ton of times looking back at our discussions
But I can honestly say that the sport that is the most like a on photography and local sports and wishing he was around to
family is wrestling — and the Pennsylvania wrestling family lost share more with him.
one of its most beloved members last January when legendary Bill was a great friend and a mentor. There was nothing better
photographer Bill Ennis passed away after a courageous battle than going down to Hershey for the wrestling championships
with cancer. and seeing what he turned out the next day. His photography
I knew for a few weeks that I was going to write this column, would challenge you. It still does.
and I’ll admit that I put it off several times because I knew it Bill loved local sports but I think everyone knew wrestling
wasn’t going to be easy. was his favorite. As quiet of a guy that he seemed, he had
Bill and I weren’t close friends, but we were what I would no problems going up to coaches, wrestlers or parents prior
call “wrestling friends.” or after events and talking about wrestling. He was very well What makes a man do that? What makes a man traipse to
Over the past 19 years covering the sport in Pennsylvania, respected in our area and beyond. He loved the kids. He loved gymnasiums all over Northeast Pennsylvania, or to unknown
New York and Maine, I’ve made plenty of “wrestling friends,” documenting their achievements. He was a great story teller, ballfields in the summer, and take pictures?
but the times I got to spend with Bill matside will always be too. I learned over the years I knew Bill that he did it because he
very special to me. Last year was hard. It was the first time in about two decades loved it. He loved the way people responded to his work. He
Bill and I worked together a lot over the years as I helped I wouldn’t sit matside with Bill. I’m sure this year won’t be loved capturing the joy, the grit and the determination of sports.
put together this North Section project. Many times his photos any easier.” He loved capturing the beauty of nature. His eye for a good
would be on the cover, and I can truly say his work brought photo was his superpower.
this section to life. Tom Elling Wherever Bill went, he smiled. More importantly, wherever
For more than a decade, Bill and I would talk down on the (Pennsylvania Wrestling Handbook) he went, everyone else smiled. He brought joy to a world which
floor of the old Hershey Park Arena and later the Giant Center “Bill Ennis was a dedicated Northern Tier sports fan. He moves at a breakneck pace day in and day out. When we often
as we covered NTL wrestlers searching for gold. We also both covered it all and told magnificent stories with his photographs. fail to slow down an absorb the moment, Bill made sure to
had birthdays in early March, so many times we would be He loved his whole area and they loved him back. Bill was capture it on film or digitally so we’d never forget it.
celebrating in one of our favorite places. well-respected by his fellow photographers and journalists. Bill I was fortunate enough to be inducted into the District 4
I took a job in Maine back in 2014, and I would be away from was named “Photographer of the Year” in 2014 by Wrestling Wrestling Hall of Fame the same year Bill was. I’ll never forget
the area until last March. During that time it was difficult not USA Magazine. getting a phone call from him and hearing the glee in his voice
being able to make the trip to Hershey, but I loved following I would run across him at football, little league baseball and as he spoke of an honor he couldn’t quite seem to comprehend.
Bill on Facebook as he captured every moment. especially wrestling events. He especially enjoyed coming to He didn’t take photos and share them for the recognition. He
When I think back on my time with Bill — whether it was our wrestling breakfasts and bringing his great friend Clarke did it because he loved to do it, and he did it because he loved
at the Magic Dome in Williamsport or in Hershey — there’s Davis. I miss sitting on the floor of the Giant Center during doing something nice for others. And to be forever remembered
not one particular moment that sticks out. It’s a collection of state wrestling and joking back and forth with him.” among the great athletes and great contributors in one of the
incredible conversations about wrestling, but also plenty of most celebrated wrestling districts in the state was something
moments where it was easy to see that Bill Ennis was not only Dave Post he was immeasurably grateful for.
a great photographer, he was an amazing human being. (Morning Times Sports Editor) Walking into the Magic Dome every winter isn’t the same
Everyone knows Bill was a legend with the camera, but the “Bill and I didn’t work together often, but whenever we did without Bill. I miss his smile. I miss our chats. I miss his work.
reason why his passing was so tough and why everyone was he was unfailingly friendly — always with a smile. That he I miss seeing the joy his work brought to others.
honoring him was because of the type of person he was. was a great photographer goes without saying. The world was Mostly, I just miss my friend. And I’m so proud to be able to
I watched from Maine as person after person posted on diminished by his loss.” call Bill Ennis my friend.
Facebook remembering Bill, and I cried when I saw Penn State
wrestling honor him during one of the Nittany Lions’ matches Mitch Rupert Bill Sexton
after he passed. (Williamsport Sun Gazette Sports Writer) (Towanda Wrestling Coach)
Returning to Hershey for the PIAA Wrestling Championships My favorite conversations with Bill Ennis had nothing to do Bill was a wrestling guy. He did wrestle at Towanda and
has been something I’ve wanted to do since I moved away in with wrestling. I loved to ask him about his cherished Ford he did work here with the local newspaper and then his own
2014, but it’s just not going to be the same. Galaxie. I enjoyed asking him about his dad, a World War II stuff that he began doing, so it was kind of Towanda based,
One reason I loved going down to Hershey was getting a veteran who he was so proud of. but in general Bill was a statewide and a national wresting
chance to hang out with other wrestling journalists matside — Sure, there were the occasional conversations about wrestling. contributor.
and at the top of that list was Bill Ennis. There were updates passed back and forth when I couldn’t He was just a great guy in terms of the way he was able to
I guarantee there will be moments where I stop and think make it up North or he couldn’t come down South. But I was publicize the sport and promote the sport with his photography
about Bill while sitting inside the Giant Center — and I know always more interested in what made Bill tick as a person, and and his writing too. His writing gets kind of underplayed
he will be looking down watching all the action from the best it’s why I asked about the other aspects of his life. because you normally saw his pictures everywhere, but his
seat in the house. He loved setting up behind his camera and freezing a moment blog that he had going there at the end was tremendous and I
Pat McDonald can be reached at (570) 888-9643 ext. 228 or editor@
in time. And no matter what he was capturing, he just wanted remember him writing the “Wrestler’s Corner” in some of the
morning-times.com. Follow Managing Editor Pat McDonald on Twitter to share it with the people who were involved, or people he local stuff when I first got here. He was one of the early guys
@PatMcDonaldMT. knew would be interested. doing that.
morning-times.com Morning Times Saturday, February 15, 2020 • C5
Staff Photo
Wyalusing’s
Logan Newton
looks for the fall
during a match
this season.
C6 • Saturday, February 15, 2020 Morning Times morning-times.com
Sayre, PA
Hwt.: Bryan Champluvier (Wyalusing) 98: Eric Knolles (Athens) 185: Alvin Morgan (SRU 2008: Towanda
1996 105: Tim Hoffman (Towanda) Hwt.: Jim Coombs (Athenss) 2009: Troy
103: Jim Onofre (Sayre) 112: Shane Cole (Athens) 1975 2010: Athens
570-888-7992 112: Erik Franklin (Sayre)
119: Jeremy Sluyter (Towanda)
125: Gabe Webster (Sayre)
119: Joel Marshall (Sayre)
126: Jim Souto (Northeast)
132: Brett Keeney (Northeast)
98: Mark Bennett (Athens)
105: Glenn Jarvis (Athens)
112: Dwight Shoemaker (Troy)
2011: Towanda
2012: Wyalusing
2013: Towanda
www.secristlumber.com 130: Jared McMicken (Wyalusing) 138: Frank Repsher (Wyalusing) 119: Tony Wells (Wyalusing) 2014: Towanda
135: Randy Levan (Sullivan) 145: Rob Wolfe (Sayre) 126: Doug Rhoades (Athens) 2015: Wyalusing
140: Ryan Rogers (Sayre) 155: Paul Keysaw (Athens) 132: Dan Hildebrandt (Northeast) 2016: Wyalusing
145: Jonathan Henry (Wyalusing) 167: Todd Wertz (Wyalusing) 138: Walt Fisk (Sayre) 2017: Wyalusing
152: Cassidy Shults (Wyalusing) 185: Matt Vanderpool (Towanda) 145: Glenn Dieffenbach (SRU) 2018: Wyalusing
• Finished Lumber • Rough Lumber 160: Jon Johnson (Wyalusing)
171: Jason Vermilya (Troy)
Hwt.: Chris Clark (Northeast)
1985
155: Stan Fox (Northeast)
167: Ivan Janowsky (SRU)
2019: Towanda
Sectional Team Titles (By School)
• Kiln Dried Lumber • Mill Work 189: Brad Cron (Sayre)
Hwt.: Kevin Allis (Sayre)
98: Shawn Madigan (Sayre)
105: Tim Mosier (Wyalusing)
185: Tom Peterman (Sullivan)
Hwt.: Lynn Perry (SRU)
Wyalusing: 24
Towanda: 18
1995 112: Jay White (Troy) 1974 Athens: 12
• Steel Roofing & Siding 103: Duke Smalley (Sayre)
112: Jeremy Sluyter (Towanda)
119: Sam Bocchino (Wyalusing)
126: Dave Kennedy (Athens)
88: Glenn Jarvis (Athens)
95: Dan Rhoades (Athens)
Sayre: 5
Troy: 2
• Wood Chips & Mulch 119: Gabe Webster (Sayre)
125: Joe Quatrini (Sayre)
132: Joe Doss (Wyalusing)
138: Craig Havens (Troy)
103: Joe Onofre (Sayre)
112: Tony Wells (Wyalising)
SRU: 2
Canton: 1
130: Jared McMicken (Wyalusing) 145: Paul Keysaw (Athens) 120: Doug Rhoades (Athens) Northeast Bradford: 1
135: David Valenzuela (Towanda) 155: Todd Werts (Wyalusing) 127: Bill Regan (Athens) Wellsboro: 1
morning-times.com Morning Times Saturday, February 15, 2020 • C7
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