2015 PHHOF Program Booklet1.Pub
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PENNPENN HILLSHILLS SPORTSSPORTS HALLHALL OFOF FAMEFAME 3131stst ANNUALANNUAL INDUCTIONINDUCTION BANQUETBANQUET FRIDAY,FRIDAY, APRILAPRIL 24,24, 20152015 GREEN OAKS COUNTRY CLUB www.pennhillssportshof.com Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame FROM THE DESK OF THE CHAIRMAN Esteemed Inductees, Past Inductees, Families, and Friends: On behalf of the PHSHOF Committee, welcome to the 31st anniversary of the Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet. Thirty-one years ago, a shrine to honor the best in Penn Hills sports was formed and we are pleased to carry on the tradition. As I reflect back on how much Penn Hills sports has been and continues to be part of my life, I am grateful to have represented the “Red and Gold,” appreciative of the fine men and women who taught, coached and helped me be a better man, and blessed to have made some lifelong friends. Each year I am amazed at the talent and character of the inductees, as well as the many, many people who helped them on their journeys. Tonight culminates seven months of work for the PHSHOF Committee. I thank them for their sacrifice of time and talent in making tonight a once-in-a-lifetime night for our honorees. Indeed, we are all fortunate to be connected to Penn Hills sports. Just relax, listen and enjoy. May God Bless You, Edward M. Adams Chairman Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame Committee 1985 - 2015 31 YEARS OF HONORING PENN HILLS FINEST ATHLETES AND HUMANITARIANS 2015 COMMITTEE Edward Adams – Chairman Dan Brown– Vice-Chairman Beth Strauss – Secretary/Banquet Coordinator Terrence McCue, PE – Treasurer Hubie Bryant Todd Holler Charlie Buttgereit Mark Ionadi Fred Chirielieson Bob Martini Dan Garofalo John Peterman Ron Graham Carl Sinkula Cindy McCue, - Administrative Assistant TONIGHT’S PROGRAM Welcome..…….……………………………….…………..Dan Brown Vice-Chairman Introduction of Inductees..………..…….…………………..Jay Mitlo Penn Hills High School Volleyball Coach Pledge of Allegiance ……………………….……………Bob Martini Committee Member Invocation…....……………………....……………….…..Dan Brown Dinner…………….………..……..……………………...….….7 p.m. Master of Ceremonies...…..………………………....……...Jay Mitlo PHSHOF Committee Recognition Past Inductee Recognition The Year in Sports……………………………………..John Peterman Penn Hills Athletic Director Special Awards………...……………………………...…..Dan Brown The Class of 2015 INDIVIDUAL INDUCTEES CHARIS BRITT FRANK FISCHETTI MIKE GORDON MATTHEW IONADI GEORGE MACKANOS JAKE SCHIFINO SHA‐TIRA SNELL STEPH STRAUSS TEAM INDUCTEES 1978 BASEBALL TEAM 2004 BOY’S BASKETBALL TEAM History of the Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame In 1983, Clarence Frank and Jack Schafer were having a meal at Mr. Steak Restaurant on Rodi Road in Penn Hills. Clarence had been involved in Penn Hills sports his entire life and Jack Schafer, then the Penn Hills Parks and Recreation Director, had seen years of Penn Hills sports himself. After a great meal, the owner Charlie Dieble joined them, and yes, they talked sports as they often did. They started talking about the past and the great athletes that the people of Penn Hills were fortunate to see play and the dedicated coaches and trainers throughout the years. “Remember George Karl, Bill Fralic, Hubie Bryant and Andy Urbanic?” Story after story flowed across the table. The one thing they had in common was PENN HILLS. At one point, Jack said to the gentlemen, “Why doesn’t Penn Hills have a Hall of Fame?” “I don’t know,” Clarence replied, “but it sounds like a good idea!” So, the idea was formed. Clarence became the first Chairman of the newly formed committee, and by the spring of 1985, the first class of inductees was honored at a banquet held at the same Mr. Steak Restaurant where the idea originated. The first seven inductees included George Karl, Ralph Heck, Bob Goin, George Roman, Leonard Gallo Sr., Jack Kreider and Glen Davis. As the years went on, the crowds increased and the banquet was subsequently moved to St. Gerard Majella Church, then to the Harley House Hotel at the end of Rodi Road (currently the Comfort Inn). In 2005, after Mike Birmingham became Chairman, another venue change was necessary due to space limitations. The celebration was then moved to Churchill Valley Country Club, and in 2013 to Green Oaks Country Club. The Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame is made up of an exceptional group of athletes and quality people. Indeed, the founding fathers could not have been more correct — the people of Penn Hills have been very fortunate! President - ROBERT HOFFMANN Vice President - STEPHEN ZERA 260 Aster Street Secretary - AMANDA POWER Pittsburgh, PA 15235 Treasurer - DEANA FOLEY Membership - JAMIE HARRIS CONGRATULATIONS 2015 INDUCTEES! TONIGHT’S MASTER OF CEREMONIES Jay Mitlo Jay Mitlo is the youngest son of Thomas and Betty Ann Mitlo. Jay is a 1989 graduate of Penn Hills High School in Pittsburgh, PA and 1993 graduate of Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana. After interning at the Dept. of Transportation in Washington D.C., Jay began his professional career as an industrial products salesman. One year later, he began to serve those less fortunate by working in a teenage shelter for girls and with kids in crisis as a wrap-around counselor. Continuing his diverse background, Jay was a wine sales representative for the next year back in Bloomington Indiana. Having successfully moved up the ranks of representatives, Jay felt called to do more than sell wine. In 1996 he moved back to Penn Hills and began working with YoungLife, a non-denominational Christian youth outreach ministry. After serving for 12 years as Area Director of the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh and Metro Director for all of Pittsburgh, Christ called Jay again. The next calling was to those who need Christ, no matter what their age. Jay completed some lay counselor training with the Center for Relational Care in Austin Texas and served as Executive Pastor for Rolling Hills Church in Penn Hills. He is presently the Pastor at Faith Community Church on Jefferson Road, Penn Hills. Jay has always been very involved in the local community. He has coached the Penn Hills volleyball teams since 1996 and has been, “the voice of the Penn Hills Indians,” announcing the football and basketball games since 2009. 501 Jefferson Road • Penn Hills, PA 15235 • www.faithchurchph.org • 412‐242‐0210 We come from a variety of backgrounds. Some of us grew up in the church. Some recently discovered Jesus. At Faith, we recognize the unique purpose of each person and the gifts that they bring. Faith Community Church exists to help people inside and outside our walls come to know Jesus Christ and to grow in relationship with him. Sunday Worship ‐ 11 a.m. Sunday School ‐ 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Love Service ‐ 7 p.m. CHARIS BRITT Football, Basketball and Baseball Charis is a 1997 graduate of Penn Hills Senior High School, where he participated in football, basketball, and baseball. Following graduation, he attended Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, Florida, where he played baseball for his freshman and sophomore years; and earned an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts. In 2000, he transferred to the University of Pittsburgh where he continued to play baseball his junior and senior years, lettering both years and earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Administration of Justice. Charis continued his education; he pursued and earned a Master’s Degree in Urban Education from Mercy College in New York City, New York. In Charis’ three years at Penn Hills Senior High School, he lettered in Football, Basketball, and Baseball. He had the opportunity to play on the 1995 Varsity Football team, which won the WPIAL and Quad A State Championships. He played Varsity Basketball his sophomore and junior years on teams that shared Section titles and qualified for the playoffs. He played on the Varsity Baseball Team that won two Section Titles and made it to the semifinals for both WPIAL and State Playoffs. Upon graduation from the University of Pittsburgh, Charis began his career in education. He started in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he spent five years. He then relocated to New York City to pursue a Master’s Degree and work for the New York City Department of Education. Charis is currently a High School Mathematics Teacher and Lead Math Chair at Bronx Collegiate Academy, which is on the Taft Educational Campus, where he is also the Head Varsity Baseball Coach. He is entering his eighth year in coaching and has accumulated an overall record of 76-48; his teams have made the post season four times, winning two Division Titles and earned a PSAL Division B Championship appearance. Since he started coaching at Taft his team has moved up from the B Division; to the highest competition level in New York City, Triple-A. Charis is inspired daily by the young adults that he has the privilege to teach and coach. He continues to implement the strategies and philosophies the he learned and were instilled in him while attending school and playing sports in Penn Hills. When asked, he proudly shares where he is from, saying “I am from Penn Hills.” FRANK FISCHETTI Coaching, Track and Football Frank is a 1969 graduate of Penn Hills High School. He ran track at Penn Hills High School as a sophomore and junior and earned a spot in the 440 yard dash at the W.P.I.A.L. qualifying meet. He also played football during his junior and senior years. He received an honorable mention as the running back in the West Penn Conference and was elected the Indians' MVP running back, as well. After graduating from Edinboro State College in 1973, Frank was fortunate enough to land a job at Seneca Jr. High School. In year two of his 38-year Penn Hills career, he began coaching track and in 1980, he started coaching football.