Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame
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Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2000 John Dale Swogger- During his seven years as head boys’ basketball coach of the Mustangs, Mercer appeared in 5 state championship games (1962, 1963, 1964, 1966, and 1967) and won back to back state championships in 1966 and 1967. Swogger was the architect of Mercer’s devastating fast break offense, which averaged nearly 100 points per game in 1966 and 1967. During his 7-year tenure as Mercer’s coach, the Mustangs compiled a remarkable 155-31 record. Prior to coming to Mercer, Swogger started as a player for two legendary basketball coaches, L. Butler Hennon at Wampum High School and Cliff Aultman at Geneva College. Tim Thompson- He is believed to be the first athlete in Mercer High School history to individually qualify for the state championships in two sports – wrestling and track and field. As a premiere wrestler at the 167 pound weight class, Tim placed third at the state tournament. He was also a two-time Section 3 champion and a two-time Northwest Regional qualifier in wrestling. Tim also was a state qualifier in the intermediate hurdles and advanced to the state finals in the triple jump. While at Slippery Rock University he wrestled for three years on the varsity squad at the Division I level. Chuck Jaskowak- A 2-sport star at Mercer High School, Chuck was the state champion his junior year in the javelin throw. He again placed third in the state his senior year and was nationally ranked among all high school throwers. In 1981 he was one of only to Pennsylvania high school students to ever be invited to the National Championship where he placed second. During his high school career he set 14 different meet, stadium, school, and league records in the javelin, which have not been broken. Chuck went on to compete in the javelin for the University of Florida where he placed 3rd at the junior nationals in 1982. Chuck was also a standout quarterback and punter in football at Mercer and was named to the All-Tri County team three times. 1966 State Championship Basketball Team- This was Mercer’s first of two consecutive state title teams in the mid 1960’s. This tall and talented team parlayed exceptional discipline and a devastating offense in recording the only undefeated basketball season in Mercer history (28-0). The team rampaged through opponents during the regular season, averaging nearly 100 points per game. Led by the dynamic starting 5 of All-State lefty sharpshooter Bill Snodgrass, all-around standout Posey Rhoads, 6’5 ½ shooting star Tom Filer, steady point guard Mont Mattocks, and power rebounding forward Larry Woods, coach John Dale Swogger’s Mustangs capped a storybook season with a heart stopping 55-52 overtime win over Darby Colwyn in the PIAA State Champtionship at Pittsburgh’s Civic Arena. Five players on this title team went on to have solid basketball careers at the collegiate level. Other members of this team included: Larry Reichard, Dave Knowlton, Dick ―Pickle‖ Harris, Art Adair, Denny Mathieson, Les Peters, Brent Long, and managers Alex Ellis, Hugh Ringer, Jack Sampson, Harry Snyder, and Jim Hamer. Bob “Posey” Rhoads- In what is a rich basketball tradition at Mercer High, Posey ranks as the school’s greatest boys’ basketall player and all-time leading scorer with 1,516 career points. He was a starter on 2 state championship teams in 1966 and 1967 and as a senior was virtually unstoppable, scoring more than 30 points in 14 games. During his remarkable senior season, Posey tallied 50 or more points in two games, averaged 30.2 points per game, and scored 816 points, which was a Mercer County single season scoring record that lasted until 1990. Posey, who was named first team All-State and received All-American mention his senior year, went on to have an outstanding career at Wake Forest University where he was a double figure scorer for the Demon Deacons. Sandi Bittler- Mercer’s greatest girls’ basketball player ever was a 3-sport star in high school, excelling in basketball, track, and cross-country. She ranks as one of the best pure shooters in Mercer County girls’ basketball history. Sandi was a 4-year letter winner for the Lady M’s and, during her senior year in 1986, she led her team to a 26-2 record and the PIAA District 10 Championship. Sandi was graduated from Princeton University where she ranks as the school’s all-time leading scorer in women’s basketball and was named Princeton’s women’s basketball athlete of the century. Upon graduation from Princeton, Sandi worked for the National Basketball Association office in New York City. Currently she is Vice- President of Business Operations for the Portland Fire in the WNBA. Class of 2001 Renzie Hoffman- Mercer boys’ basketball coach from 1943 to 1956, Mr. Hoffman won 74% of his games during that 13-year span. His teams won seven District X championships, with six of these clubs reaching the state final four before bowing to the WPIAL champions. Three of his former players: Jim McElrath, Gary Peters, and Tom Clayton scored more than 1,000 career points. During his tenure, Mr. Hoffman also coached football, track, and girls’ basketball. He is given credit for reinstating Mercer’s football program in the mid 1940s. Coach Hoffman retired from education in 1958 and he passed away in 1976. Chuck Marsh- Chuck Marsh is believed to be the first ever track and field state champion at Mercer High School. In 1966 Chuck was undefeated in the javelin throw, where he broke his own school record six times. He was also the first ever Mercer County track athlete to eclipse the 200’ mark with a throw of 203’9‖. Chuck then went on to establish record setting throws at the collegiate level while attending Indiana State University. Chuck was active in the Mercer community throughout his life until he passed away in 1997. Mark Brown- Generally recognized as the most versatile of all the outstanding basketball players during Mercer’s championship runs in the 1960s, he was the first player in Pennsylvania basketball history to start three straight state championship games, first as a point guard on the 1962 and 1963 teams and then as a forward on the 1964 state finalist club. Mark Brown’s 1,133 career points are the 7th best in Mercer boys’ basketball history. This exceptional all-around player is the school’s career assist leader, hold the school record for scoring as a sophomore, and holds the Mercer High School record for most consecutive made free throws (21 in 1963-64). Ken Tarczy- Regarded as perhaps Mercer’s finest all-around athlete, Ken was a 3-sport star in high school excelling in football, basketball, and track where he earned a state medal. His 937 career points ranks 10th in Mercer boys’ basketball history. He also rushed for over 1,300 yards in football his senior year, and then qualified for the track and field state championships in three events the same year. Ken was graduated from Harvard University where he earned three varsity football letters and was named All-Ivy League, All-New England, and Honorable Mention All-American during his collegiate career. 1967 State Championship Basketball Team- The second of Mercer’s two consecutive state title teams in the mid-1960s, this tall, lightening quick, fast breaking team rolled to a 25-2 season under the leadership of Hall of Fame coach John Dale Swogger. The Mustangs posted a 20-2 regular season record. Led by All-State and All-American Hall of Famer Bob ―Posey‖ Rhoads, 6’7‖ rebounder and defender Art Adair, and the fast breaking back court trio of point guard Dave Knowlton, and wings Denny Mathieson and Dick ―Pickle‖ Harris, the Mustangs dominated four Western regional playoff opponents before running Eastern Regional champion Montrose off the Harrisburg Farm Show Arena floor 61-52 to capture the PIAA Class B championship. Other members of this championship team included sixth man Brent Long, along with Les Peters, Bernie Pyle, Jake Amos, Andy Frydrych, Jack Smolnik, and managers Tom Zimmerman, Calvin Redfoot, Harry Snyder, and Dick Burns. Mark Hannay- Coach Hannay was selected for membership in a special category. This long-time track and field coach has been a member of the USA Track and Field’s National and Olympic Pole Vault Development and Education Committee and the National Pole Vault Coaches Staff. A noted expert in pole vault, Coach Hannay has published and co-authored articles, manuals, and exams on this track and field event. During Coach Hannay’s nine years as the Mercer Boys’ Head Track and Field Coach, his squads produced the highest winning percentage of all sports in Mercer Varsity Athletics’ history. Coaching record: 94% win/loss record (102 wins and 7 losses), three consecutive District X titles, five undefeated seasons, six Mercer County Championships, seven consecutive Tri-County Championships, six Mercer ―Coach of the Year‖ awards, seven Tri-County ―Coach of the Year‖ awards, and 48 Pennsylvania State Championship medals. Class of 2002 Jim McElrath- ―Tyke‖ as he is known in basketball circles ranks as one of the top basketball players to come out of Mercer County and still ranks as one of Mercer County’s top all-time point makers. During his three-year span with the Mustangs beginning in 1950-1951, he tallied 1,404 career points, second in school history, and led his team to a three-year record of 60- 12, two District 10 Championships, and two trips to the Western Regional Finals.