The Abington School Board announced that the boys’ soccer team will be formally honored at its next meeting, where members will recognize the squad’s historic state championship with a special presentation.
The meeting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Abington School District Administration Building, located at 970 Highland Avenue.
Players, coaches, and families are invited to attend as the district celebrates the program’s first-ever state title and pays tribute to the leadership of retiring head coach Randy Garber.
Abington High School finally ended its 41-year championship drought, as the boys’ soccer team captured its first-ever PIAA Class 4A state title with a 3-1 win over West Chester Henderson. The victory marked only the school’s third state championship across all sports, and the first since 1981.
Abington finished the season 22-2-3 and ended up dominating the state tournament. The Ghosts came out blazing in the final, building a 3–0 halftime lead and never looking back.
For head coach Garber, an Abington alum from the Class of 1971 and the program’s leader for 32 years, the championship comes in his final game at the helm. Garber, a former professional player, received hundreds of congratulatory messages from former players and community members.
“I’ve had great teams, but something just clicked this year,” Garber said. “Everything fell into place.”
While many students traveled to York County to watch the match in person, the celebration back home was just as memorable. Schools across the district tuned in live, and the team was welcomed back with a parade through Glenside and local elementary schools, complete with fire trucks, cheering students, and neighbors lining the streets.
Athletic director Charles Grasty praised Garber’s lasting influence, both as a coach and as a longtime health and PE teacher:
“He does an excellent job with our students. The team trusted him, and it paid off.”
