Twenty-seven years ago, on February 5, 1994, Minersville High School’s very own Al Matakonis, (“Mr. M.”, to us!), established a new Minersville High School record for points scored in a single basketball game for the Battlin’ Miners! During the first-half of that Saturday afternoon game versus the Weatherly Wreckers, Mr. M. connected on 11 three-point field goals, a state record which he holds to this day! Ultimately, Mr. M. finished the game with a total of 56 points, setting the single-game scoring record that has stood for 27 years. At that time, Mr. M. was close to wrapping up his senior year as a student here at Minersville Area Jr/Sr High School.
Ace Ventura: Pet Detective was released on February 4, 1994. The movie would go on to gross over $107 Million and catapult Jim Carrey’s stardom into the stratosphere!
Harry Styles, the English singer, songwriter, and actor most famously known as a member of the boyband “One Direction” was born on February 1, 1994.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 releases to widespread acclaim! – On February 2, 1994, the Sega company released “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” for it’s video game platform “Genesis”. The side-scrolling platformer game, which features the titular Sonic and his side-kick Tails in their adventures against their nemesis, Dr. Robotnik, was very well received by millions of Sega Genesis console owners. The game remains a favorite of nostalgic gamers around the globe.
A lot of excitement was going on in the world of music, at the time. On February 1st, 1994 the critically acclaimed third album from the pop-punk band Green Day was released. “Dookie” was the first from the band to be released on a major record label, a factor that ultimately benefitted the album’s sales. “Dookie” is widely considered one of the first mainstream forays into pop-punk, a genre defined by its raw sound and emotionally-driven lyrics. Various hit singles emerged from this album including “Longview,” which was released at the time of the LP’s release, “Basket Case,” “When I Come Around,” “Welcome to Paradise,” and “She.” Prior to the release of 2004’s “American Idiot,” “Dookie” was the band’s most influential album, paving the way for the success of various other pop-punk bands including the Offspring, blink-182, and Sum 41. Over twenty-six years later, this album remains a pivoting moment in the evolution of rock music.
The highest viewed show on television that week was the hit ABC sitcom, Home Improvement. The sitcom was in the middle of its third season, and would continue to air new episodes for well over six more years. The show centers around the Taylor family, a stereotypical run-of-the-mill portrayal of the American middle class. The series is distinct for additionally containing a “show-within-a-show” segment, in which the main protagonist Tim, portrayed by Tim Allen, presents a new “tool of the week” to his audience. Tool Time, as it’s called, featured an array of physical comedy, usually due to Tim’s ineptitude at handling the various equipment. Not only did this series launch the career of Tim Allen’s, but also that of actress Pamela Anderson, who starred as the original “Tool Time Girl,” during the show’s first three seasons. As a whole, Home Improvement remains one of the most iconic sitcoms of the 1990’s.
Writers: Micah Borrelli & Lucas Hydock
Miners Pub 