Inductees

Jim earned nine letters in football, basketball, swimming, and track at Connellsville High School (1954-1957).

Named Honorable Mention All-State as a senior (1956) and All-Fayette County First Team in football both as a junior and senior (1955-56).

Jim was the fullback in the famed "Three C's" backfield at Pitt along with Fred Cox of Monongahela High School and Bob Clemens of Munhall High School (1957-1960).

In 1960 game vs. Notre Dame, was voted “Outstanding Running Back” by coaches and teammates

He was First Team All-East his junior and senior years (1959-60) and was UPI Honorable Mention All-American as a senior.

He was drafted in 1961 in the third round by the Washington Redskins and played 3 NFL seasons with them. Was also drafted that same year by the New York Titans of the AFL.

Was named the game MVP of 1963 Shrine Charities Pro Football game ( Redskins vs Colts)

Played for the Wheeling Ironmen of the Continental Football League and was their MVP in the 1966 season.

Jim has been inducted into both the Western and Fayette County Chapters of PA Sports Hall of Fame, the Connellsville High School Sports Hall of Fame , and the Minor League Pro Football Hall of Fame

Former Ft. Le Boeuf High School (Erie County), Penn State University and Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks and New Orleans Saints short yardage running back. In track he was a three time PIAA discus champion and his throw of 206' 3" was a 20 year state record. He also was a 2 time PIAA shot put champion and at Penn State was the NCAA discus champion his sophomore year. The Erie Times named him among the top 10 of "Erie's Best Athletes of the 20th Century".

Brian Milne Hall of Fame Induction Speech

Former Susquehanna Township High School (Harrisburg, PA) , Hofstra University and New Orleans Saints wide receiver who retired as the Saints all-time leader in pass receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches. Caught 7 passes for 83 yards in the Saints Super Bowl XLIV victory over the Colts. His 10 year New Orleans Saints career stats include 711 receptions for 9759 yards and 72 touchdowns. He is also the Saints career leader in receiving yards per catch (13.7 yds), most seasons with 100 receptions (6), most 100 yard receiving games (28) and most games played by a wide receiver (146).

Marques Colston's Hall of Fame Induction Speech

As a senior at Cathedral Prep in Erie, he was named team captain and was chosen First Team All-State as he led the Ramblers to the state championship game. His #20 was retired by the school in 2007. At Iowa he was named to three All-Big 10 teams and was a Second Team All-American as a senior. Played in the Senior Bowl and won numerous college awards. Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He was named AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2007, the first Colt to win the award. Was an integral part of the Colts’ defense that led the team to a victory in Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears. Also played for the San Diego Chargers.

James Mungro played five seasons for the Indianapolis Colts of the NFL and became the sixth Colts' rookie with 100+ yards in his first start. In 2003, he totaled three rushing touchdowns against Tampa Bay as Indy erased a 35-14 deficit in the last four minutes in an eventual 38-35 OT win. The next season, he caught two of Peyton Manning's record-breaking 49 touchdown passes, including the record-tying 48th against San Diego. He got a Super Bowl ring when Indy won Super Bowl XLI.

He was a four-year letterman at Syracuse and had his best year as a senior, running for 1,170 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. His 2,984 rushing yards and 29 rushing touchdowns were both second all-time at Syracuse. Mungro was named Music City Bowl MVP with 162 yards (including a career-long 86 yard burst) and two touchdowns versus Kentucky. He was chosen Insight.com Bowl Offensive Player-of-the-Game for totaling 112 yards in a victory over Kansas State.

He attended East Stroudsburg South High School where he set 48 team records during his career and was a three-time team MVP. He was both Parade and Street and Smith's All-America performer, Pennsylvania Player-of-the-Year as a junior and an All-State selection his final two seasons. He set the Pa. state record after amassing 8,432 rushing yards and 9,513 all-purpose yards during his career.

Steve was a legendary athlete at Johnstown Bishop McCort high school earning All-State honors in Football and leading the Basketball team to a PCIAA State Championship. He was a three-year starter at tackle and captained the 1968 and 1969 Orange Bowl Championship squads. He and Mike Reid formed what many feel was the best defensive tackle tandem in college football history. A fourth round pick of the Baltimore Colts he elected to play in the Canadian League where he was a member of the Montreal Allouettes 1970 Grey Cup Champions from 1970-76 and an All-Star two of those years.

Alex was a two-way starter at Clarion State College. Gained All-District, All-Conference, and All-American recognition at End in 1952 and 1953, He was an NAIA Hall of Fame selection in 1958 and Clarion’s All-Time team in 1961. Alex was drafted by the Baltimore colts in 1954; he started at Guard on the Great colt teams of the 50’s and 60’s for thirteen years. Alex was a Colt silver anniversary Honoree in 1978 and their 50-year team in 2002, A Western chapter Inductee in 2008.

Ernie retired as the New York Giant’s Vice-President and General manager following the 2006 season, a distinguished 36-year career in the NFL. The Hershey High School athlete, Wake Forest grad, worked in Sports Information Departments of St. Joseph’s and Penn State Universities after an outstanding career as a writer at the time Baltimore Sun and Philadelphia Inquirer. Accorsi served as general manager of the Colts, Browns and ended his career with the Giants, in 2007. He built the Giants team that won the Super Bowl.

Accorsi’s acquisition of QB Eli Manning propelled the Giants to an NFL Championship. Accorsi had nine playoff teams, divisional and conference champions. Accorsi was named Executive of the Year by USA Today and the NFL.

Jim was an all-around athlete at Beaver Falls High School earning 8 letters in football, basketball, and baseball. He garnered All-WPIAL and second-team All-State football honors as a senior. He went to Notre Dame and played defensive end as a sophomore and was a starting receiver and team captain in his junior and senior seasons. After two years in the Marine Corp, Jim played for the Baltimore Colts from 1954-1961 catching 220 passes for 3,885 yards and 40 touchdowns and earned Pro-Bowl honors in 1957.

About This Inductee:

• Coughlin High School-football
• 1980 Wyoming Valley Conference champs
• All-Scholastic, All-State, All-American
• University of Maryland-4-year starter
• Played in Aloha, Tangerine, Japan, North-South Bowls
• 1983 Atlantic Conference Lineman of the Year, first team All-ACC
• 1983 Rookie of the Year with NFL’s Indianapolis Colts
• Named to AFC Pro Bowl, UPI All-Pro Team 1987
• Lineman of the Year with Philadelphia Eagles 1990
• Outstanding Lineman of the Year with Colts 1991
• Inducted into PA Sports Hall of Fame in 2005

Ron Solt graduated from Coughlin High School in 1980 with a 3.8 grade point aver­age. Along with his honors as a student, Ron excelled in football, wrestling and track at Coughlin. Ron starred on Coughlin’s undefeated 1980 football team, which went on to become Wyoming Valley champions. Ron was All-Scholastic two years in 1979 and 1980. He was named to the PA All-State team in 1980, as well as being named to the High School All-American team as an offensive guard and a defensive tackle. He was also named to the Adidas All-American Team. Ron also excelled in wrestling at Coughlin High where in 1980 he was district cham­pion, regional champion, and finished second in the state wrestling tournament that year. Ron also led Coughlin’s track team, earning a first place in the Shot Put in the district meet and a fourth place in the PA State meet.

Ron earned a football scholarship to the University of Maryland and graduated with a 3.5 scholastic average. He played four years at Maryland, participating in the Aloha Bowl, Tangerine Bowl, Japan Bowl, and the North and South Bowl. He was voted the Atlantic Conference Lineman of the Year in 1983, and also named to the First Team All-ACC in 1982 and 1983.

Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1983, Ron was “Rookie of the Year.” Ron was named to the AFC Pro Bowl and the UPI All-Pro Team in 1987. In 1988, Ron was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and in 1990 started his 100th straight game. Ron was named the Philadelphia Inquirer Lineman of the Year that same year. Ron went back to the Colts in 1991 through 1993, and was named Outstanding Lineman again in 1991.

Ron again resides in the Wyoming Valley and has six children, Kierra, Lauren, Tayler, Jarred, Matthew and Ryan.

About This Inductee:

• Plymouth High School-football and basketball
• Notre Dame quarterback 1949-1951
• Led Irish to National Championship in 1949
• Assistant coach at Tulane 1955-1959, Marquette and Boston College
• 1962 joined Buffalo Bills as assistant coach
• As offensive coordinator helped Bills win 3 Division and 2 AFL championships
• 1969 offensive coordinator with Boston Patriots, in 1970 took over as head coach
• Inducted into PA Sports Hall of Fame in 2004

John was an outstanding athlete at Plymouth High School where he starred on the football and basketball teams. A star player at Notre Dame, where he was a member of the 1949 national-championship team. He quarterbacked the Irish from 1948 through 1951. He led the Irish to a National Championship in 1949. His love for the game turned him to coaching, as an assistant at Tulane from 1955-1959 and then Marquette and Boston College.

In 1962, Lou Saban hired him as assistant coach of the Buffalo Bills. Mazur became the offensive coordinator of the Bills and helped Buffalo to three division titles and two AFL championships. In 1969, he became offensive coordinator of the Boston Patriots, and he was named head coach in 1970, succeeding Clive Rush. He lead the team to a 6–8 mark that year, which included upsets of the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Colts and Oakland Raiders, the team enjoyed its best record since 1966, and Mazur was awarded a new contract with a substantial pay increase. Mazur then resigned on November 13, 1972.

Mazur would resurface the next year as defensive backs coach with the Philadelphia Eagles, and would survive the dismissal of much of the coaching staff following the end of the 1975 NFL season. However, after just one year working under Dick Vermeil, Mazur left in 1977 to join former Eagles assistant Walt Michaels, who had been hired as head coach of the New York Jets.

After two years as defensive backs coach with the Jets, Mazur was promoted to defensive coordinator in 1979, helping the team to its second straight 8–8 season. The following year, the team's fortunes dipped considerably with a 4–12 mark, while Mazur's health also took a turn for the worse. In December, he announced that he would be retiring to battle the effects of Parkinson's disease.

He died November 1, 2013 at the age on 83.

Bull Schweder played offensive line for Liberty High School in Bethlehem, PA and the University of Pennsylvania. He was drafted in the 1949 draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and traded to the Baltimore Colts. After one year and 11 games with the Colts, he went to Pittsburgh. He spent five seasons (1951 to 1955) with the Steelers and played 60 games on their offensive line.

Swoyersville High School-football (All State) and baseball
Stauton Military Academy, Virginia, and Kentucky University
First team All-American junior and senior years
1958 first round pick of Los Angles Rams
1961 with Pittsburgh Steelers, 1964 with Baltimore Colts
Helped Colts to several championships through 1969
On 1969 Super Bowl team which lost to N.Y. Jets
1970-1971 with Green Bay Packers
Inducted into PA Sports Hall of Fame in 1989

Outstanding high school performer in football, and baseball. Enrolled in Staunton Military Academy, Virginia in 1952 and starred in football. Entered Kentucky University in 1954. Gained All American honorable mention in Sophomore year and was picked on first team All American in Junior and Senior years. In 1958, was first round pick of Los Angles Rams where he played until 1960. In 1961, Lou was traded to the Pittsburg Steelers where he played until breaking Lou Groza’s record. Traded to the Baltimore Colts in 1964, he helped the Colts to several championships through 1969. Lou played on the 1969 Super Bowl team which lost to the N.Y. Jets. Released by the Colts in 1970, Lou signed with the Green Bay Packers. In 1971, he terminated his career with the Packers.

One of the most versatile athletes in Palmyra history, became an outstanding center and linebacker for the Gettysburg College football team. He continued his career in the Marines and played linebacker for the Baltimore Colts in 1962 and the New YorkJets in 1963. From 1968 to 1975, he was football coach at Middletown High, where his teams had a fantastic 71-13-2 record that included five Capital Area Conference Championships and three undefeated seasons. As a player, chosen to All State Collegiate and Scholastic teams; first team selection Armed Forces and Marine Corps teams; Recipient of Beechum Award. Capital Area Chapter Inductee.

Native of Groton, Connecticut…A Scranton resident since 1922…Graduated from Dunmore High School in 1939…All-Scholastic football career…Played center and captained Penn State University’s 1942 team…Selected Second Team All-East…Served in Air Force…Played with New York Giants (1946-1947) as center and defensive halfback…Started NFL officiating career in 1951…Retired after 1981 season…Memorable games officiated were the 1958 “sudden death” between the Giants and the Baltimore Colts, and Super Bowls IV, VII, XI…Now a retired and licensed architect…serves as consultant to leading architects in Northeast Pennsylvania… Owns garden center business.

Glenn’s outstanding record at Mahanoy Joint High School was only the beginning of this man’s football career. Few in sports make it to the top – but Glenn Ressler holds that distinction. He was selected to the Pennsylvania “Big 33” football team and after graduation from Mahanoy Joint High School in 1961, Glenn went to Penn State where he studied agriculture education and played football. Four years later, Glenn Ressler graduated from Penn State, but not before establishing an impressive record there. Multi-talented, Glenn played four separate positions on both offense and defense and by his sophomore year he was on the starting team – and that’s where he stayed. In his four years at Penn State, Glenn was selected to nine teams as an All-American, winning him the Maxwell Award in 1964. Then it was professional football – Glenn went with the Baltimore Colts as an offensive tackle and played that spot for ten years – two of those years, 1969 and 1977, in the Super Bowl. Retired from professional sports, Glenn lives in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania with his lovely wife, Sandra and their two children, Kevin and Cami.

In the modern realm of football, players have become specialized. In only the rarest of occasions will one player compete on the field in multiple positions on the professional level. Travel back just over a half of a century and you will find a completely different story. Many players were recognized for their abilities and their flexibility to play several different positions. One of the finest examples of these players was Rostraver Township's Bert Rechichar the son of Paul and Mary Tomecsko Rechichar born July 16, 1930. Bert would go on to be a three-time pro bowl defensive back and kicker for the Browns, Colts, Steelers and New York Titans.
The youngest of 10 siblings, Rechichar's athletic prowess led him to become one of the original inductees into the Mon Valley Sports Hall of Fame alongside Stan Musial in 1951, just three years after he graduated from Rostraver High School. Jim Weir, Bert's high school coach called him a “great ball carrier.” Rechichar also played defensive back and kicked for the Leopards.
After graduating in 1948, Bert attended the University of Tennessee where he would continue to demonstrate his accelerated athleticism. During his tenure with the Volunteers, Rechichar served as a team captain and helped to lead the team to a national championship in 1951. He set a collegiate record by returning a punt 100 yards in a game against Washington & Lee in 1950 and still holds the record for average yards per punt return with 14.7 per attempt. Bert’s athletic achievements were not limited to the turf. He also played centerfield and helped the Volunteers to the College World Series in 1951. Though he would spend time in the Cleveland Indians minor league system (1952-1953) he did not spend much time on the diamond. He was selected in the 1952 NFL draft as the Cleveland Browns first round pick, 10th overall.
Rechichar intercepted six passes during his rookie campaign and helped the Browns reach the NFL championship where they would fall to the Detroit Lions, 17-7. His time in Cleveland did not last long as the following season Rechichar was sent to the Baltimore Colts in the largest trade in NFL history at the time, swapping 15 players in all. It was there that he would truly begin to show his ability on a professional level. As the team kicker, Rechichar led the team in scoring in 1953 and 1955. As a defensive back, he led the team in interceptions in 1955 and 1956. He returned more punts than any other player on the Colts in 1955 and 1957 and also punted more balls than anyone in 1956. His versatility led him to five Pro Bowl selections where he would be honored as the most valuable player during the 1957 campaign. During that game Rechichar connected on four field goals from 41, 42, 44, and 52 yards. Rechichar was one of two Mon Valley area athletes to play in the pro bowl and earn MVP honors within a span of five years, the other being Dan Towler of Donora in 1952. “Rechichar was the first hero of the Baltimore Colts. There’s no question about that,” recalls Frank DeFord, a well-known sportswriter.
His most spectacular feat came in the 1953 season in a game against the Chicago Bears. With time running out in the first half, Rechichar booted an NFL record 56-yard field goal. Not only was the kick a record, it was also Rechichar’s first in the NFL. The kick stood as a record until 1970 when Tom Dempsey managed a 63 yarder. “I didn’t know how far the kick was because I was heading for the dressing room. I had to go to the bathroom, but just ran back on the field. It was luck but I knew it was good as soon as I hit it.” Not bad for a man born blind in his left eye.
In 1958 and 1959, the Colts would win back-to-back championships, though by this time Rechichar was serving in a lesser role. The following season Bert was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers but only played in six games. He then played two games with the New York Titans in 1961 before hanging up his cleats for good. Throughout his career Bert had a reputation as a hard-nosed, hard hitting, and highly skilled player.
Immediately following his football career, Rechichar served as a coach for a semipro football team in Knoxville and ran a bar at the same time. He eventually returned to Belle Vernon and served as the road master of the township until the mid-90s. Afterward he began driving a school bus for the Belle Vernon Area School District. He is married to Martha DeBusk and has three children, Barbara Gail, Bert, and Donald.
Mr. Recichar died on July 19, 2019.

Competitive athlete since the age of twelve. Made both wrestling and football varsities in high school as a freshman. District heavyweight wrestling champion and advanced to State semi-finals during junior year.
South Penn Conference football scoring leader and All-State honorable Mention. Played varsity football at North Carolina State as a Freshmen. Selected on All-Marine team at Paris Island E.S.C. Shot -put and 220 yard
sprint champion at Navy Prep. Starting full-back at University of Pittsburgh. Leading rusher with Philadelphia Eagles in 1952 and Baltimore Colts in 1953

All-Pro seven years; NFL Rookie of the Year in 1956; playedin 4 NFL Championship Games while with the Baltimore Colts, While with the Colts; he scored 113 touchdowns, had 1,069 carries for a 4.84 average per carry, had 363 receptions for 6,039 yards. Outstanding back at Penn State 1952-1956, scoring 25 touchdowns. Inducted int Pro-Football Hall of Fame.

Football: Charlie was a football standout at Lafayette College (1921-1924) and was named an end on the final Walter Camp All-American team in 1924.
was inducted in to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1980. In1925-26 he starred for the Pottsville Maroons of the NFL, leading the league in scoring in 1925 with 74 points. In 1925 the Maroons played a game against college football’s best team Notre Dame. The hard fought contest got down to the end and Berry a field goal to defeat the fighting Irish 9-7.

Baseball: He started his major league career with ten games for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1925, but did not return to baseball until his football career ended. He played minor league ball in 1926-27; got called up to the Boston Red Sox (1928-32), Chicago White Sox (1932-33) and again with the Athletics (1934-36). His career stats were; batting .267, 23 home runs and 256 runs batted in 709 major league games. He became coach on Connie Mack’s staff from 1936 – 1940. During this five- year period, he was also the head football coach at Grove City College in Western Pennsylvania.

Officiating: Following his playing and coaching days, he became an Umpire in the American League from 1942 – 1962. He officiated in five World Series 1946,1950,1954, 1958,1962) and three All-Star Games (1944, 1948, 1956) He became a supervisor and returned to the field in 1970 for the American League Championship Series during an umpire’s strike.
At this same time, he was a head linesman in the NFL for 24 seasons, officiating 12 championship games including the renowned “Sudden Death” NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants in 1958.He is the only man to officiate the World Series, the NFL Championship Game and the College All-Star Game in the same year.

Note: Not as hard as you might imagine because in those days baseball ended in September and football started in October.