(Photos provided by Abington girls' BB/Dr. Karen Weaver)
Abington Honors 50th Anniversary of District 1 Championship
The connections.
Listening to Robin Johnson tell it, that’s what stood about most about the latest reunion of the 1975 Abington girls’ basketball team at a late-season Ghosts’ game. The occasion was to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the program’s very first district championship, which – at long last – was added to the banner that has been hanging in the Abington High School gymnasium.
“It was the first time I saw several members of the team in 50 years, and the interaction was just like we were together yesterday,” Johnson said. “The members of the team – we’ve all said it, there’s a human connection that we have with one another that transcends time and space. I did not anticipate feeling like that.”
Abington’s first district title came with a 65-63 win over then defending district champion Plymouth Whitemarsh.
That year – 1975 – now joins 2010 and 2017 on the banner.
“The energy was amazing,” said Johnson of the banner unveiling. “It was so much fun. People came from out of town.
“One of the people that came in from out of town was one of the co-captains, Karin Wegener. The last time I saw Karen Weigner was when we left the court in 1975. As soon as she saw me, the first thing she did was give me a big hug.
“It’s been literally 50 years. I haven’t talked to her. I haven’t communicated with her. I haven’t had one conversation with her. That energy – there is a way we connect with one another that bonds us for life. It’s not susceptible to time and space.”
Absent from the celebration was the beloved coach of that squad, Carlotta ‘Bunny’ Schaffer, who lost her battle with cancer in November of 2024. Many players also were reunited at her funeral service.
“Dr Debbie Lewis was giving comments for the basketball team,” Johnson said. “She talked about how coach had stayed in touch with her and supported her through medical schools and to dentistry and how she’s always been in touch with all of us.
“Spontaneously, we came together and did a huddle. The minister got up and said, ‘I’ve never seen a huddle performed in a Baptist Church.’”
The team gathered for a huddle at the district banner unveiling as well.
“This team huddle was a little more organized, so it was ‘1-2-3 Together’ and fingers up – ‘we love you coach,’” Johnson said.
It was a sentiment that was echoed repeatedly from players in attendance.
They said:
(Provided courtesy of Dr. Karen Weaver, the unofficial PR person for the ’75 team)
“It was a real joy to see everyone. The celebration of winning the District I championship brought back a lot of fond memories. I felt the same camaraderie, love, and respect for my teammates that I had 50 years ago. The lessons Miss Schaffer taught us on the court have influenced every aspect of my life, especially ‘She who hesitates is lost’ and ‘We are ladies on and off the court.’”
--Karin Knisely, ‘75
“Honoring this AMAZING championship team and our great coach, Bunny Schaffer, brings back so many fond memories of Abington. These teams and teammates helped form not only strong competitive teams, but lifelong friendships that will last forever! The fact that so many of us went on to coach at various levels speaks volumes as to the influence Coach Schaffer had on us all”
--Candi Russell Parry (Class of 1974)
“It was wonderful to be back on campus and the gym again. We all shared such wonderful memories with each other and laughed like it was yesterday. We are grateful that ASHS created this moment for all of us to come together.”
--Dr. Karen Weaver (Class of 1976)
“What an honor it was to have been amongst the legends! I am so grateful to have been a part of this momentous occasion 🏀 RIP Coach Schaffer 🙏
--Rolanda Owens-Poles (Class of 1973)
"All of the players coming together to celebrate our championship was a reminder of how ‘love’ knows no time or space. Members of the team that I literally had not seen in 50 years were greeted with hugs and there was an ease and comfort with which we engaged one another. Conversations among teammates often ended in laughter, like we just saw each other yesterday. Oh, what a world we could have if that energy of oneness that we experienced was shared by all."
--Robin Johnson (Class of 1976)
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