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Inductees

For the past 60 years, the Pa Sports Hall of Fame has honored and inducted over 753 incredible men and women who have made a lasting impact in Pennsylvania through extraordinary athletic achievement and contributions. Whether these activities have been achieved on or off the field, we honor them. And through our future virtual museum we will educate and celebrate their achievements for years to come.

William Henry "Lonestar" Dietz

Deceased

Year Inducted:1997

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Born of proud Sioux heritage, an offensive and defensive tackle on the great Carlisle team of 1911. Played 60 minutes of every game at Carlisle 1909-1912. Coached Washington State Agr. College to a 14-0 win over national power Brown University in the first Rose Bowl Game Jan. 1, 1916. Assistant to Pop Warner at Stanford and two Rose Bowl wins in 1925 and 1927. A consultant to Knute Rockne and many other famous coaches. Damom Runyan called him the “Coaches Coach.” Named Head Football Coach at Albright College, replacing Biggie Munn in 1937. Led Albright to first undefeated team in 53 years. His lifetime record was 183-73-16.

Sport:Football
Sponsoring Chapter:Berks County

Jordan Olivar

Deceased

Year Inducted:1997

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National Coach of the Year 1960 in leading Yale University to a 9-0 season. Coached Yale to two Ivy League Championships in 1956 and 1960. Shared the Lambert Trophy in 1956. Acknowledged creator of offense that was the forerunner of NFL pro-style passing offense. Overall record at Yale was 61-32-6. Honorable mention as player at Villanova and later coached them to a 33-20 record. Brought Loyola University (CA) to national ranking in 1949-51. Member of the Villanova, Loyola, and Helms Foundation Halls of Fame.

Sport:Football Coach
Sponsoring Chapter:Delaware County

Gary Diminick

Living

Year Inducted:1997

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Graduate of Notre Dame 1974. Three-year letterman as running back and punt returner. Held Notre Dame kick return record. Mr. Carmel High School graduate 1970. Honor Student 8th of 247. Greatest running back in school’s history. Highest scorer 473 points, most touchdowns in a season 38, then a state record. All-American Scholastic Magazine, Sunkist Growers, Scholastic Coach Magazine, and Sr. Scholastic Magazine. First team All-State, AP and UP, Big 33. Greatest sprinter in school’s history. Held school’s long jump record and stadium long jump record along with Barney Ewell of Lancaster at 22’ 6” until broken by his brother Mike in 1985.

Sport:Football
Sponsoring Chapter:Ed Romance

Charles G. Gangaware

Deceased

Year Inducted:1997

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PA American Legion Athletic Program for 40 years. PA Director, 1965-1985. National baseball chairman 1985-1991. Vice President Phillies Baseball Federation 1965-1985. Director Pittsburgh Pirates Foundation 1965-1983. Director PA Special Olympics for 6 years. Charter member PA Sports Hall of Fame. Executive director-treasurer 1968-1983. Organized Capital Area Chapter – President for 5 years. Harrisburg recreation board for 10 years. Major league scout for 10 years.

Sport:Athletic Director
Sponsoring Chapter:Capital Area

Thomas M Herr

Living

Year Inducted:1997

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Starting 2nd Baseman 3 World Series, 1982, 1985, and 1987 with St. Louis Cardinals 1981-88. National League All-Star Team 1985. Player of the Year 1989. Played with Minnesota, N. Y. Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies 1989-91. 100 RBI’s 1987. One of top 11 National League hitters 1989. Outstanding four-sport Athlete in High School (Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track). Held single game basketball scoring record of 41 points for 20 years.

Sport:Baseball
Sponsoring Chapter:Susquehanna Valley

Billy "Whiteshoes" Johnson

Living

Year Inducted:1997

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Played scholastically at Upper Chichester High 1966-70. All-Delaware County 1969. Widener University 1971-1975. Little All-American 1974-75. Starred for Houston Oilers. Named to NFL all-time team as punt returner 1994. Pro-Bowl 1975-77-83. Come-back Player of the Year and all NFL by Sporting News. Named All-NFL by associated press 1977-78. Currently with Atlanta Falcons front office.

Sport:Football
Sponsoring Chapter:Capital Area

Thomas W. "Mickey" Minnich

Living

Year Inducted:1997

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Staunch supporter of Education and Sports. Graduate Gettysburg College, Masters from Shippensburg University. Certification in secondary education from Western Maryland. Served as Assistant Principal, acting superintendent, and head football coach for two #1 ranked teams in state. In 1985 Mikey became executive director of the Big 33 Football Classic, which has generated over 1 million dollars in scholarships under his direction. He was a coordinator of summer recreation programs for the city of Harrisburg. He was a football coach for 16 years compiling a record of 77-8-3. Served as track and field coach with a record of 29-1. Outstanding Young Man of Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce Award 1969. Selected Coach of the Year 5 times.

Sport:Administrator
Sponsoring Chapter:West Shore

Mike "Mike" Munchak

Living

Year Inducted:1997

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Assistant Coach of Houston Oilers. Twelve seasons as All-Pro offensive guard with the Houston Oilers. Nine Pro Bowl Games. All-NFL team for 9 seasons starting in 1985. Named to the NFL’s Team of the Decade for 1980’s. Member of Oilers anniversary dream team in 1989. Had jersey retired by Oilers in 1994. Honors graduate from Penn State in 1982. All-American guard at Penn State. MVP in Olympia Gold Bowl Game. AP All-Star in High School at Scranton Central. Member of Eastern Conference Championship team in Senior season. Received 72 scholarship offers and was an Adidas All-American.

Sport:Football
Sponsoring Chapter:Northeastern

Bernie S. Sabol

Living

Year Inducted:1997

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Outstanding linebacker and guard at Coal Twp. High School. Named 1st team all-state (1959) High School. Named All-American and played in Big 33 Game. Participated in Gator Bowl and Liberty Bowl games. All-East Squad while earning 3 letters under coach Rip Engle. Assistant coach at Allegheny College and later head coach at Mansfield University 1969-1977. Currently associate athletic director at Mansfield University.

Sport:Football
Sponsoring Chapter:Delaware County

Michael "Mickey" Shuler

Living

Year Inducted:1997

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Played in NFL 14 years. New York Jets 1978-89, Philadelphia Eagles 1990-91. NFL All-Pro 1987, 1988. NFL regular season statistics: 462 receptions, 5100 yards, 37 TDs. Played in 8 playoff games. Penn State 1974-78. 1977-78 2nd Team All-American, 1st Team All-East. Played in Sugar, Gator, Fiesta, Hula, and Japan Bowls. East Pennsboro High School: 1st Team All-State 1973-74. Played for PA Big 33 in win over Ohio.

Sport:Football
Sponsoring Chapter:Capital Area

Richard Tracewski

Living

Year Inducted:1997

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Active in professional baseball for 42 years. Played with Tom Lasorda and worked for Sparky Anderson. Retired as first base coach with Detroit after 1995 season. Played at all levels of pro ball from Class A to major leagues. Played shortstop, with Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers. Participated in four World Series. Member of the Detroit coaching staff in 1984.

Sport:Baseball
Sponsoring Chapter:Ed Romance

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