An Obiecunas production
When Bethel Park puts together its highlight video for the 2013 American Legion season, Post 760, likely will contract with J&E productions. The production company is owned and operated by Post 760 manager Jerry Obiecunas and his wife, Erika. In addition to highlight videos, the company specializes in weddings, movies and other occasions.
“While I only took one communications class, I learned a lot from my roommate. He was in the entertainment business,” Obiecunas said of Justin Woodrow, who was a music producer through college. The Knoch High School product, who was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2000, is a pharmacist today.
Though a torn ACL curtailed his collegiate career, Obiecunas garnered a sports management degree from California University of Pennsylvania. He also earned his athletic director’s certification.
Baseball, however, is and always had been Obiecunas’ passion. In fact, he played in the Bethel Baseball Association from ages 6 to 19 before most recently becoming the manager of the organization’s American Legion club.
As a player, Obiecunas experienced much success. He played on Post 760’s regional team that lost to St. Mary’s in the championships. In high school, he played on Bethel Park’s WPIAL and PIAA runner-up clubs. The Hawks lost to North Allegheny in the 2003 district final but avenged that defeat in the state playoffs. Obiecunas went 5-for-5 against the Tigers.
While he played several seasons of baseball in the Federation League post college, Obiecunas dreamed of coaching baseball. When the Bethel Park Legion position opened, he applied. His first fray into managing was met with little success by way of wins and losses, but the seeds were planted for the future.
“I wanted to coach,” Obiecunas said. “I knew last year was hard on the kids, but they all came back. They bought into what it takes to win. I told them that I’ve been to the state championship and when we won, there was no one bickering at each other. We were one with each other.”
This summer, Bethel Park bonded. Everything came together and that thrilled Obiecunas, who understands another facet of managing. “It was exciting to watch them grow. I have never been so proud in my life,” he added.
“I realize now why coaches get proud and emotional. It’s not just that they are becoming better ball players but they are growing into even better people. It’s great to see that happen with young adults.”