The rustic setting of The Kiski School in nearby Loyalhanna Township represents an academic and athletic tradition that dates to the late 19th century.
But that tradition is about to be tweaked starting next year.
The school will shift from its boarding school format to one of accepting commuter, or "day" students, beginning in September. It will be interesting to see what effect that will have on the sports programs at the school.
The possibility exists that more student-athletes could enroll at the school. Some could be from communities where a parent is disenchanted with the public school coach, or others might want to get away from a losing sports program.
Despite the potential to attract talented student-athletes, parents would still be facing a tuition that currently totals $28,500 per year and could come close to $30,000 next year. Strong academic requirements will remain.
According to athletic director Andy Muffley, the school accepted day students up until about 10 years ago. New leadership at Kiski, which includes new headmaster Christopher Brueningsen, thought the time had come to resume accepting commuter students.
Brueningsen replaced John Pidgeon, who recently retired after a distinguished career. Pidgeon is the husband of state treasurer Barbara Hafer.
Kiski formerly accepted day students from a 10-mile radius. The new program will allow students from a 30-mile radius to commute, while the bulk of its students will remain on campus.
Begun officially as Kiskiminetas Springs School in 1888, the school was one of the first in the state to sponsor football in 1890, three years after Philadelphia-based high schools adopted the sport.
Some of the athletes who played at the school include Harry Stuhldreher, one of the fabled Four Horsemen of Notre Dame, and Olympian and former U.S. Senator Bob Mathias (R-Md.).
Other notable Kiski school graduates besides venerable college football guru Beano Cook include televison zoologist Jack Hanna, best known for bringing exotic animals on to the David Letterman show and other programs.
Muffley said there are no plans to apply for WPIAL and PIAA membership, although such a move in the future couldn't be ruled out. For one thing, Kiski accepts fifth-year seniors such as recent Penn State standout Curtis Enis. Former Kiski Area High School quarterback Corey Smith and Deer Lakes running back Valdez Halis made their way to Kiski following high school graduation.
Those athletes and current Penn State recruit Daryl Clark would not be eligible for PIAA interscholastic sports because they had played eight semesters past the eighth grade.
Clark remains committed to Penn State for next season, according to an article in Penn State's student newspaper.
Besides, the school enjoys its status as a member of the Interstate Prep School Conference, but also plays some PIAA schools in exhibitions.
"We have a good relationship with all the schools, although there is the travel," Muffley said. "If we need a school on the schedule, I know who to call and when to call."
Football is one of 12 sports sponsored by the school, four each in the fall, winter and spring. Each student is required to participate in a sport each season, either as a player, or student-manager, equipment manager, etc.
The 350-acre site also feaures a nine-hole golf course and the area's most beautiful baseball facility -- John Andreassi Field. A Kiski grad who made it big on Wall Street, Andreassi donated $750,000 to the school for the baseball field construction.
The football team actually won two games last Saturday. Nicholls School of Buffalo had to forfeit because it was down to 13 players due to injuries and defections. Muffley moved up its game this week with The Academy of the Bethel Park area to last week. The Cougars won that one in a breeze, 38-6, as Dave Welsh rushed for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
Mundekis watch
Junior running back Wayne Mundekis of the Springdale Dynamos is approaching the school's all-time career rushing record.
Mundekis has 1,874 rushing yards and needs 128 yards to equal the Springdale record of 2,002 yards set by Dave Mator from 2000-02. He could surpass that mark Saturday when the Dynamos play at Duquesne.
Springdale, 6-0, is tied with Clairton at No. 2 this week in the Valley News Dispatch Class A Coaches Poll.
George Guido is a Valley News Dispatch scholastic sports correspondent. His column appears Wednesdays.
