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Delco sports museum looking for new home

The Mickey Vernon Sports Museum needs a new location because the Granite Run Mall is closing.

JIM VANKOSKI is looking for a site for more eyes.

He's the curator of the Mickey Vernon Sports Museum, a place that's as special as the man it's named after.

But unless something happens very soon, Saturday will be the museum's last day as it's housed in the soon-to-be-renovated Granite Run Mall.

"We have no money and no political connections and that's a bad combination," said Vankoski.

What they do have is a rich collection of Delaware County sports memorabilia that needs a new home.

The museum is named in honor of Vernon, who was born in Marcus Hook and played at Eddystone High before winning two American League batting titles and making seven All-Star teams over a 20-year career.

"We've got people who want to help," said Vankoski as he watched Wisconsin beat Michigan State on TV yesterday afternoon. "But we need a place to go.

"[On Saturday] Bo Ryan [the Wisconsin coach] called me to ask if he could go make some calls, or do whatever."

Ryan played basketball and football at Chester High. He was the quarterback, Ted Cottrell the center. Yes, the same Cottrell who coached in the NFL.

They're just a few of the names associated with the museum. There's also legendary b-ball coach Jack Ramsay, an Upper Darby High grad, baseball great Mike Scioscia, of Springfield High, and Radnor High football star Emlen Tunnell, who became the first African American to play for the Giants and to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Women, of course, are also represented, including Sharon Hill's Gertie Dunn. She pitched in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which inspired the film "A League of Their Own."

You can check out the athletes and memorabilia at mickeyvernonsportsmuseum.com

Sadly, unless something is done soon, that's the only place you'll be able to see them.