Letters and photographs fill every wall and drawer in Shaz’s Barber Shop in Windber. 70 years of memories and mementos for the owner, Shaz Yuhas, an iconic figure in town. Perhaps just as iconic, is Yuhas’ old friend, Frank Kush.

Kush, the former Arizona State University football coach, passed away Thursday, June 22nd at 88-years-old.

“We all lived on the same street, went to the same schools, grew up together. Just a great friend and teammate,” said Shaz Yuhas, Kush’s childhood friend.

Yuhas was a manager of the Windber High School football team, where Kush played in the late 1940s. Jack Torquato was also a team manager.

“Even though I was a manager they thought I was a part of the football team, even though I really wasn’t. It was like glue with him with most people. Not just me,” said Jack Torquato, Kush’s classmate.

Although Kush left Windber, people in town said he never forgot his roots.

Yuhas and Kush kept in touch over the years with letters and visits. During one trip to Baltimore, while Kush worked as the NFL’s Colts head coach, Yuhas brought back another trinket, a caricature of Kush.

“I said Frank, the barber shop needs a trophy. How about I take this back to the barbershop? He said take it,” Yuhas said.

Years of photographs, trinkets and memories, which Yuhas and Windber won’t soon forget.

“You mention Kush’s name, total reflection there. Great friend. I’m going to miss him a heck of a lot. Everybody,” said Yuhas.