Coach built Pahokee football
By Jason LIESER Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
The fire that burns in the Pahokee football program's soul can be traced to former coach Charles Weider "Web" Pell.
Mr Pell, 91, passed away at his home in Okeechobee on Sunday. He coached the team from 1952 through 1968 and some credit him for laying the foundation for one of America's elite programs.
"He was looked upon as the developer of modern Pahokee football, " former Blue Devils coach Don Thompson said. "It was played with intensity and guts. It was played to get kids to college. Every kid looked forward to and dreamed of playing football for him"
Thompson was a middle linebacker under Mr. Pell before graduating in 1959 and moving on to play at The Citadel. He said Mr. Pell's influence transcended sports and Thompson named one of his sons William Pell Thompson in his honor.
"He was an inspiration to me all of my life, "Thompson said. "No matter what happened in my life, he was always a person to encourage me. He did that with all of his players.
"He's a great Christian man and he taught us that there was a God out there who loved us. I'm happy because I know he is with the Lord Jesus today."
Mr Pell attended Davis High School in West Virginia before starring in basketball at Marshall University. His daughter Peggy Krogel, said Mr. Pell earned the nickname "Web" while playing there in the 1940's. He initially went by "Spider" because it rhymed with his middle name and the moniker evolved to "Spider Web" and then simply, "Web".
He was a pilot in the United States Navy from 1939 through 1945, married his wife Jane, in 1945 and lived in Okeechobee since 1970.
Mr. Pell suffered from dementia for the past 10 years, Krogel said, but continued to support the Pahokee team whenever possible. He attended games during the 2008 season.
'His entire life was dedicated to young people and their development,"Krogel said. "He was a role model with that. Four of his children went into education and coaching."
The Palm Beach County Hall of Fame inducted Mr. Pell as a member in March. Longtime Cardinal Newman football coach and athletic director Sam Budnyk was among those who voted for his induction.
"He belonged with us, "Budnyk said. "He was a great man in the high school coaching profession, and he really is one of the giants of Palm Beach County football."
Mr. Pell is survived by his wife and seven children. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Patrick and Bill.
Funeral Services for Mr. Pell will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Okeechobee. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m.
He will be buried in his hometown of Davis, West Virginia.
By Jason LIESER Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
The fire that burns in the Pahokee football program's soul can be traced to former coach Charles Weider "Web" Pell.
Mr Pell, 91, passed away at his home in Okeechobee on Sunday. He coached the team from 1952 through 1968 and some credit him for laying the foundation for one of America's elite programs.
"He was looked upon as the developer of modern Pahokee football, " former Blue Devils coach Don Thompson said. "It was played with intensity and guts. It was played to get kids to college. Every kid looked forward to and dreamed of playing football for him"
Thompson was a middle linebacker under Mr. Pell before graduating in 1959 and moving on to play at The Citadel. He said Mr. Pell's influence transcended sports and Thompson named one of his sons William Pell Thompson in his honor.
"He was an inspiration to me all of my life, "Thompson said. "No matter what happened in my life, he was always a person to encourage me. He did that with all of his players.
"He's a great Christian man and he taught us that there was a God out there who loved us. I'm happy because I know he is with the Lord Jesus today."
Mr Pell attended Davis High School in West Virginia before starring in basketball at Marshall University. His daughter Peggy Krogel, said Mr. Pell earned the nickname "Web" while playing there in the 1940's. He initially went by "Spider" because it rhymed with his middle name and the moniker evolved to "Spider Web" and then simply, "Web".
He was a pilot in the United States Navy from 1939 through 1945, married his wife Jane, in 1945 and lived in Okeechobee since 1970.
Mr. Pell suffered from dementia for the past 10 years, Krogel said, but continued to support the Pahokee team whenever possible. He attended games during the 2008 season.
'His entire life was dedicated to young people and their development,"Krogel said. "He was a role model with that. Four of his children went into education and coaching."
The Palm Beach County Hall of Fame inducted Mr. Pell as a member in March. Longtime Cardinal Newman football coach and athletic director Sam Budnyk was among those who voted for his induction.
"He belonged with us, "Budnyk said. "He was a great man in the high school coaching profession, and he really is one of the giants of Palm Beach County football."
Mr. Pell is survived by his wife and seven children. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Patrick and Bill.
Funeral Services for Mr. Pell will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Okeechobee. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m.
He will be buried in his hometown of Davis, West Virginia.
Coach built Pahokee football
By Jason LIESER Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
The fire that burns in the Pahokee football program's soul can be traced to former coach Charles Weider "Web" Pell.
Mr Pell, 91, passed away at his home in Okeechobee on Sunday. He coached the team from 1952 through 1968 and some credit him for laying the foundation for one of America's elite programs.
"He was looked upon as the developer of modern Pahokee football, " former Blue Devils coach Don Thompson said. "It was played with intensity and guts. It was played to get kids to college. Every kid looked forward to and dreamed of playing football for him"
Thompson was a middle linebacker under Mr. Pell before graduating in 1959 and moving on to play at The Citadel. He said Mr. Pell's influence transcended sports and Thompson named one of his sons William Pell Thompson in his honor.
"He was an inspiration to me all of my life, "Thompson said. "No matter what happened in my life, he was always a person to encourage me. He did that with all of his players.
"He's a great Christian man and he taught us that there was a God out there who loved us. I'm happy because I know he is with the Lord Jesus today."
Mr Pell attended Davis High School in West Virginia before starring in basketball at Marshall University. His daughter Peggy Krogel, said Mr. Pell earned the nickname "Web" while playing there in the 1940's. He initially went by "Spider" because it rhymed with his middle name and the moniker evolved to "Spider Web" and then simply, "Web".
He was a pilot in the United States Navy from 1939 through 1945, married his wife Jane, in 1945 and lived in Okeechobee since 1970.
Mr. Pell suffered from dementia for the past 10 years, Krogel said, but continued to support the Pahokee team whenever possible. He attended games during the 2008 season.
'His entire life was dedicated to young people and their development,"Krogel said. "He was a role model with that. Four of his children went into education and coaching."
The Palm Beach County Hall of Fame inducted Mr. Pell as a member in March. Longtime Cardinal Newman football coach and athletic director Sam Budnyk was among those who voted for his induction.
"He belonged with us, "Budnyk said. "He was a great man in the high school coaching profession, and he really is one of the giants of Palm Beach County football."
Mr. Pell is survived by his wife and seven children. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Patrick and Bill.
Funeral Services for Mr. Pell will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Okeechobee. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m.
He will be buried in his hometown of Davis, West Virginia.
By Jason LIESER Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
The fire that burns in the Pahokee football program's soul can be traced to former coach Charles Weider "Web" Pell.
Mr Pell, 91, passed away at his home in Okeechobee on Sunday. He coached the team from 1952 through 1968 and some credit him for laying the foundation for one of America's elite programs.
"He was looked upon as the developer of modern Pahokee football, " former Blue Devils coach Don Thompson said. "It was played with intensity and guts. It was played to get kids to college. Every kid looked forward to and dreamed of playing football for him"
Thompson was a middle linebacker under Mr. Pell before graduating in 1959 and moving on to play at The Citadel. He said Mr. Pell's influence transcended sports and Thompson named one of his sons William Pell Thompson in his honor.
"He was an inspiration to me all of my life, "Thompson said. "No matter what happened in my life, he was always a person to encourage me. He did that with all of his players.
"He's a great Christian man and he taught us that there was a God out there who loved us. I'm happy because I know he is with the Lord Jesus today."
Mr Pell attended Davis High School in West Virginia before starring in basketball at Marshall University. His daughter Peggy Krogel, said Mr. Pell earned the nickname "Web" while playing there in the 1940's. He initially went by "Spider" because it rhymed with his middle name and the moniker evolved to "Spider Web" and then simply, "Web".
He was a pilot in the United States Navy from 1939 through 1945, married his wife Jane, in 1945 and lived in Okeechobee since 1970.
Mr. Pell suffered from dementia for the past 10 years, Krogel said, but continued to support the Pahokee team whenever possible. He attended games during the 2008 season.
'His entire life was dedicated to young people and their development,"Krogel said. "He was a role model with that. Four of his children went into education and coaching."
The Palm Beach County Hall of Fame inducted Mr. Pell as a member in March. Longtime Cardinal Newman football coach and athletic director Sam Budnyk was among those who voted for his induction.
"He belonged with us, "Budnyk said. "He was a great man in the high school coaching profession, and he really is one of the giants of Palm Beach County football."
Mr. Pell is survived by his wife and seven children. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Patrick and Bill.
Funeral Services for Mr. Pell will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Okeechobee. Visitation will begin at 10:30 a.m.
He will be buried in his hometown of Davis, West Virginia.
