Spider Minor, local sports legend, dies
Area athletes who grew up in the city’s East End are sharing a common sorrow in the death of an icon best known for his coaching techniques that even led some of them to the professional level. Wilfred “Spider” Minor died Thursday in the Uniontown Hospital at age 79.
A graduate of Uniontown High School, Minor was considered a sports legend of his time having played basketball, baseball and football.
But, it was at the East End Playground where Minor shared his talents serving as both a coach and a mentor to those who gathered there, including former Uniontown native Gene Huey, the running backs coach for the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.
“There’s a lot of names he has touched,” said Huey.
Huey said that a lot of the athletes at the Uniontown High School such as Don Ringer, Ron Sepic, Chuck Munsey and Ray Gillingham spent the majority of their time at the playground where Minor helped produce some of the city’s All Americans and All Staters.
“He taught us all how to win and in a way that was not degrading to our opponent,” said Huey.
Huey said he always remembers what Minor and his other high school coaches taught him, especially during this year’s Super Bowl.
According to Huey, Minor was in his 30s then when the community’s teens flocked to the playground where they were taught how to make the most of their abilities.
“We’re all interwoven that was part of growing up in the same community and attending the same school,” said Huey.
Lawrence Curry, a cousin to Minor, said he thought of the kids more than himself because of his dedication to them.
“When the ball bounced Spider was the one to show us how,” Curry added.
As a child, Al Owens recalled Minor’s presence both on and off the court.
“He was the flavor of the neighborhood,” said Owens.