Triple Sense of Teamwork Learned at ESU

When the Detzi triplets of Wind Gap graduated from high school, only two of them had intentions of going on to college. But Joe, John and Jeff all had to make the decision.

“Our father said it was all of us or none of us going to college, so we had to convince Joe to go,” said Jeff.

Joe ended up being glad he went. “Without my dad forcing us to make the decision together, none of this would have happened,” he said.

Once the decision was made, only one school was on their minds – East Stroudsburg University. And a little football recruiting didn’t hurt one bit.

The three brothers were the only set of identical triplets playing college football at the time, according to Joe, and because of that, received a lot of publicity for the college. And with two sets of twins also on the team at the same time, there was plenty of talk, on the field and off.

In their four years of playing football at ESU, the team won every game but three, and played in three conference championships, including the 1978 game that won ESU the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title. Publicity came in all forms for the triplets and the school, including photos in Sports Illustrated.

“Producers of the TV show ‘To Tell the Truth’ saw the article in the New York Daily News and called the university,” said Joe. “We got a lot of attention because of being triplets, and then more attention because of football.”

The Detzis were on the show in 1977 when they were sophomores, and remember watching it in the common area of Laurel Hall, where they lived.

After graduation in 1979, the trio went their separate ways for a while.

Jeff, an education major, taught seventh grade for three years after college. He also tried out for professional football.

John, an economics major, served in the Navy from 1982 until 1987.

Joe, a recreation major, stayed in the area to help out with the family restaurant, Detzi’s Tavern. The popular Wind Gap restaurant and bar was opened in 1960 by their parents, Mary and LeRoy “Reno” Detzi, and all three boys worked there as they grew up.

Life eventually brought the brothers back together.

“My father passed away in 1982 and the business fell into our laps,” said Jeff.

Joe ran the restaurant until 1990,when John came back to Wind Gap. Jeff followed in 1996, and the triplets continue to manage the family business to this day.

They thank football for helping them develop the teamwork needed to keep the tavern going.

“A lot of what helps us work together so well was growing up together paralleled with the football career we had. There’s teamwork you need to have. We have it here and had it at ESU,” said Jeff. “It’s a tough business to run and you need to cooperate and have teamwork. We have that here with our staff as well.”

Some of the triplets’ favorite memories are of their time living on campus. They all agreed that some of their best times in school were spent on the football field. They also said they’ll never forget their professors. And since the three of them are in ESU’s Athletics Hall of Fame, the memories will live on forever.

“We had some tremendous teachers that I’ll never forget. The friendships with our teammates and everyone at the school are great remembrances of ESU,” said Jeff.

The ESU memories don’t stop there.

“I was thrilled my daughter Alexa went to ESU. She played women’s basketball, and was a sports management major,” Jeff said. John’s stepdaughter Erica graduated from ESU this year.

Detzi’s Tavern gives back to the community and gets involved every chance they get. They will be entering their wings into the Pocono Wing-Off this year for the seventh time. They are also involved in a charity golf event in Wind Gap to help build a new YMCA.

“We get nice support from the community,” said Jeff. “ESU has been very good to us, so we give back.”

The sports-themed restaurant has changed a little over the years. New menu items and an addition are the biggest changes. Jeff runs the kitchen and Joe and John run the front of the house. A few things are constant – sports and ESU memorabilia on the walls and at least one of the triplets are at the restaurant during working hours.

“We are not absentee owners. We are here everyday,” said Jeff. “It’s a family place that’s family run and unique.”

Detzi’s Tavern, 570 Lehigh Ave. (Route 512), Wind Gap. www.detzistavern.com.

Search

Recent Posts