Athletic Hall of Fame
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Shaler Area Athletic Hall of Fame 2008 Eighth Annual Banquet Shaler Area Middle School September 27, 2008 Athletes-Coaches-Officials-Contributors-Teams MISSION STATEMENT To recognize those individuals who have brought prestige and pride to the Shaler Area School District athletic program and to the community either as a player, coach, administrator, or supporter. Selection Committee Don Bender, Retired Teacher/Coach Amy Bodenlos, Secretary Marna Bodnar, Community Member Michael Brooks, Assistant High School Principal James DiNucci, 2001 Hall of Fame Inductee Richard T. Dixon, 2001 Hall of Fame Inductee Susan Fisher, Community Member David Fortun, 2007 Hall of Fame Inductee/Retired Teacher/Coach Lynn Handza, Community Member Robert Hinds, Retired Teacher/Coach Paul Holzshu, Athletic Director Jared Jones, Student Joseph Laslovic, Community Member Carol Martin, Teacher/Coach Melissa McConville, Teacher David Shutter, Community Member William Suit, High School Principal Mark Weidner, Supporter of Athletics PROGRAM Welcome…………………….….Dr. Donald Lee Superintendent Invocation…………….................James Giel, Jr. School Board President Dinner Master of Ceremonies……….......David Shutter Presentations Inductees Presenters 1945 Etna Basketball Team ………....Tom Perka Scott Alexander……………………..Erich Kaiser Rick Saulle Sam Bair…………………..….Martin Martynuska Carol Martin………………...……….Barb Martin Glenn Meyer………….………...……..Jeff Meyer Harris Price…….…..…………….Jerry Matulevic Dan Kite………………………….Jerry Matulevic The 1945 Etna Basketball Team The 1945 Etna High School Ram Basketball Team was the most dominant in Western Pennsylvania. This team won the WPIAL Class B Tournament and finished the season with an amazing 21-1 record. Back Row: Clarence Metzger, (Coach); Roy Kumraus, (Manager); Joseph Perkovich (Perkins), Eugene Gazdik, Robert Grabb, George Tymas, Richard Wigginton, (Manager), Robert Harder, (Asst. Coach); Front Row: Matt Zugay, Howard Kleber, William Drinksi, (Captain); Ted Jackson, Jack Ganster John Vresh Bill Ostoich Not in picture. Went to Service Scott Alexander Shaler Area Class of 1989 Scott earned an amazing 7 varsity letters in soccer and track at Shaler Area High School. He played on the 1985 and 1986 section champion soccer teams and was named the Section 5 Most Outstanding Player and the WPIAL Player of the Year in 1988. Scott still holds the record for most goals and points in a single game. In track, Scott distinguished himself by qualifying for both the WPIAL and PIAA Championships. After high school, Scott received a soccer scholarship from the University of Pittsburgh. At Pitt, he was awarded four varsity letters, and he currently holds the Panther season and career records for most assists. Scott then went on to distinguish himself as a soccer coach in Maryland. He led his youth teams to 3 state cups and 2 national championships. Scott also won the National Capital Soccer League Coaches Award in 2003 and 2004 and was named the Olney League’s Coach of the Year in 2004. Sam Bair Shaler Area Class of 2003 Describing Sam’s success in cross country and track and field at Shaler Area High School is as simple as saying that he was one of the most prolific high school runners in the country. Sam’s 8 varsity letters only begin to tell the story of his dominance. As a freshman, he was an all-state performer in the 800 meter. As a junior, Sam ran one of the top 10 fastest times in the country in the 800 meter. He is a school record holder in the 800 and 1600 meter. Sam’s other accomplishments include a 2002 WPIAL Cross Country Championship and being named the Gatorade Pennsylvania Track Athlete of the Year. Sam also place third in the country in the mile at both the Nike Indoor Classic and the Adidas Outdoor Championship. Sam’s success continued at the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a full scholarship. At Pitt, he currently holds the school record in the indoor mile and outdoor 1500 meter and is also a part of the school record setting distance relay team. Sam was named to the Big-East All Conference Team 4 times and is a 4 year cross country letterman. Sam graduated from Pitt in 2008. Carol Martin Coach Carol’s success in sports began at Verona High School where she earned 2 varsity letters and served as a 3 time captain of the girl’s basketball team, the only sport available for females at the time. Carol’s interest in sports then carried over to her 34 year career as a Shaler Area teacher and coach. Carol coached volleyball on the junior high, junior varsity, and varsity levels. Her teams made multiple playoff appearances and won section championships in 1979, 1980, and 1981. Carol also coached softball on the junior high, junior varsity, and varsity levels. Her teams won 2 Junior WPIAL Championships, and she was a varsity assistant when Shaler Area won the WPIAL Championship in 1982. The team was named the PIAA Runner-Up that same year. After giving up coaching, Carol remained very active in Shaler Area sports by sponsoring intramurals and working numerous athletic events. Glenn Meyer Shaler Area Class of 1976 Glenn’s athletic career can be best described as inspirational. In high school, Glenn earned 3 varsity letters in football, 1 varsity letter in wrestling, and 3 varsity letters in hockey. In football, he received the most votes in the West Penn Conference for First Team All-Conference Linebacker. He was also elected to Street and Smith’s All American Football Team. Glenn then walked on and ultimately earned a full scholarship to play football at the University of Pittsburgh. He captained the Panther’s special teams in 1978 and 1979. Glenn’s other accomplishments include playing on the 1976 national championship team as well as competing in the 1977 Sugar Bowl, the 1978 Gator Bowl, the 1979 Tangerine Bowl, and the 1980 Fiesta Bowl. Perhaps the best testimonial to Glenn’s college football career is from Jackie Sherrill, Glenn’s former coach at Pitt, who is writing a book called The 12th Man. Sherrill has described Glenn’s progression from being a walk-on to a starter and team captain as his inspiration for the book. Harris Price Shaler Area Class of 1974 Harris was an accomplished 3 sport athlete at Shaler Area High School, earning a combined 8 varsity letters in football, basketball, and baseball. He was All-Section and All-WPIAL in basketball, but he truly dominated on the baseball diamond. He was the Titan’s most valuable player his senior season and he played in 3 WPIAL championship games. Harris became the first Titan baseball player ever drafted when the Chicago White Sox selected him in the 4th round. He played 5 seasons of pro ball. Harris also had considerable success as a coach. He has coached numerous local girls’ softball teams, one of which won a national berth from Pennsylvania in the fast pitch division. Harris also served as a Shaler Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach from 1992-2001. A highlight of these years was the 1999 team winning the WPIAL Championship and being the PIAA Runner-Up. Dan Kite Shaler Area Class of 1979 Dan excelled in both football and baseball at Shaler Area High School, earning 7 varsity letters. Despite his considerable success on the football field, baseball is the sport in which Dan truly dominated. This ALL-WPIAL pitcher was an integral player on 4 section championship teams from 1982 through 1985. The 1983 and 1984 teams were WPIAL Runners-Up and competed in the state playoffs. In the history of Shaler Area Baseball, Dan is tied for second with 23 wins and is third with over 193 innings pitched. He also holds the record for career strikeouts with 269. Dan’s outstanding baseball career continued with a full scholarship to Louisiana State University where he was a 4 year starter who twice pitched in the College World Series. He was named a first-team Freshman All-American and played for Team USA in Intercontinental Cup in 1988. Dan was drafted in the 4th round by the Boston Red Sox and played in their minor league system. Hall of Fame *Class of 2008 1945 Etna Basketball Team Scott Alexander Sam Bair Dan Kite Carol Martin Glenn Meyer Harris Price *Class of 2007* Michael Bacasa Dave Fortun Thomas “Whitey” Gralewski Michael Handza Richard LaFerriere Kevin Nellis Kraig Nellis *Class of 2006* Colleen Geyer Troy Letters John Kuzniewski Rich Massucci 1941 Millvale Football Team *Class of 2005* Alan Alt Ralph DeStefano Alan Gray David Longwell Clarence “Ben” Martin Tricia Miller Jason Raker 1947/48 Shaler Football Team *Class of 2004* Scott Bronowicz Dr. Richard Brown Earl Ceh Donald Geyer Robert Siar, Jr. Matt Stennett Jeff Trew James Wirth 1980 State Champion Girls Basketball Team *Class of 2003* Robert Bestwick Kyle Nellis Gene Biles Paul Schweiger Lauren Colaizzi Henzler Gary M. Siriano Clifford “Lefty” Fair 1977-78-79 Boys Swim Team Keith Nellis PIAA Qualifiers *Class of 2002* Mary Bukovac Robert Kopnisky Julie Deer Keenan Jerry Matulevic Leo “Ducky” Elter Michael McDermott Forrest Ford Kenneth Nellis Jan Kepple 1980 Shaler Baseball Team *Class of 2001* James DiNucci Richard T. Dixon Arthur Howe Kenneth Karcher Joseph Kopnisky James Laslavic Louis Martig Beverly Miller Markwith Edwin Peery Robert Siar .