Gwiazdowski, Yoh, Troika honored by Reading Berks Basketball Association

By Mike Drago Last updated Sep 22, 2022

RBBA officials Phil Fromuth, left, and John Crossan, center, honor award recipients, from left, Tom Gwiazdowski, Roger Yoh and Paul Troika Wednesday night at Victor Emmanuel II Beneficial Society.

One of the first officials Tom Gwiazdowski met when he joined the Berks County Basketball Officials Association more than 30 years ago was George Zeppos, one of the chapter’s most respected and veteran members.

That made receiving the George Zeppos Award for dedicated service Wednesday at the Reading Berks Basketball Association Summer Shindig especially gratifying for Gwiazdowski.

“George took me under his wing and continued to mentor me,” said Gwiazdowski, who has officiated high school basketball for 31 seasons and has worked seven District 3 championship games, tied for the most of any Berks chapter member.

Gwiazdowski has worked PIAA championship games in 2009 and 2021.

Recent Zeppos award recipients include John Buckley, Jeff Benedict, Jonathan Hoffman, Phil Fromuth, Mike Paulson and Barry Sherman.

Former Conrad Weiser and Albright guard Roger Yoh and former Reading High guard Paul Troika were also honored Wednesday with Distinguished Achievement awards.

Yoh was a three-year starter with the Scouts who led Berks in scoring at 22.8 points as a senior in 1980-81.

He was an All-Berks pick and recipient of the Dr. Richard Kleppinger Award as Berks’ Outstanding senior male basketball player in 1981.

Troika was a three-year starter with the Red Knights from 1964-67, playing for Pete Carril and Jut Misbach.

In Carril’s final season, 1965-66, the Red Knights went 25-1 and won a District 3 championship. He was also an East Penn all-league pick in baseball, helping the Red Knights win the league championship.

Earlier this year the RBBA inducted eight members into its Hall of Fame, including Don Sechler, Charlie Copp, Joe Linderman and Bob Birmingham.

Also earlier this year, the organization awarded $2,000 scholarships to eight high school players: Caroline Reedy, Berks Catholic; Elizabeth Miller, Conrad Weiser; Colin Payne, Exeter; Will Ryan, Fleetwood; Elisa Fiore, Gov. Mifflin; Danny Turchi, Oley Valley; avier Davis, Reading High; and Keidra Levengood, Wilson.

A moment of silence was observed for RBBA members who died in the past year, including Carril, former official Lou Maiero and Gov. Mifflin boys basketball coach Kyle Conrad.