When local football fans discuss the best All Around athlete in the history of Coatesville High School, the conversation usually begins with the name Abel Harold Joe. The discussion usually ends with that name as well. Many argue that he was the best ever All Around in the state of Pennsylvania.

Abel was All Ches-Mont in football, basketball and track and field. In 1972, he was voted/selected to the All-Pennsylvania State First Team in football and was a Scholastic Magazine All-American. He won the Maxwell Club Award for the outstanding area high school football player as well as the Order of the Purple Heart Award presented to Chester County’s top football player.

In the final game of his high school career, the Thanksgiving Day Game with Downingtown High School, Abel scored 5 touchdowns and kicked an extra point. In the same game he rushed for 291 yards on 19 carries. He established individual season and career records for points scored.

Abel was selected to play in the Pennsylvania Big 33 All-Star Game. He and Tony Dorsett were the starting running backs. The same Tony Dorsett who was outstanding for the Dallas Cowboys. They played against the State of Ohio All-Stars.

After graduating from high school, Abel enrolled at Cheyney University. Where his brother, William “Billy” Joe was Head Coach. Abel led the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) in rushing as a senior and was All-Conference First Team in 1975 and 1976. He was signed by the Dallas Cowboys in 1976, but due to an unfortunate injury, Abel’s professional career never materialized.

In high school track, Abel was a two-time All Ches-Mont Champion, in the Shot-Put and the Discus. He threw the Shot-Put 57 feet 8 inches. He high jumped 6 feet 7 1/2 inches. He still holds the high school Discus record of 172 feet 4 inches.

Abel was the starting center and co-captain of the high school basketball team. He earned a position on the All Ches-Mont First Team in his senior year.