Inductees

Luzerne, Pennsylvania native
A stylish boxer, won 34 of first 39 fights (9 knockouts)
Changing to slugging style, had successful winning streak 16 of 17 fights (4 knockouts)
Had shot at middleweight title in 1954 against “Bobo” Olson
15-round fight went to Olson on judges’ decision
Next 3 years, fought 13 times, winning 7 (including split-decision loss to Sugar Ray Robinson)
Retired in 1957 with impressive record of 65-13-4 (16 knockouts)
Was also a referee and judge
Inducted into PA Sports Hall of Fame in 2007

Professional boxer, began in 1944 and continued through 1957. Had 82 fights, won 65, lost 13, and drew 4. In 1954, lost 15 round decision to Bobo Olson in championship middleweight fight. Fought other greats including Sugar Ray Robinson, Joey Giardello, Kid Gavilan, and Gene Fullmer. Born in Luzerne, Pa., he later became known as “the pride of the coal regions.” Rocky served in the U.S. Marine Corps and fought in the battle for Iwo Jima. While overseas fighting in the war, he earned the boxing title “Champion of all China and Guam.” After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Rocky embarked on a stupendous career as a professional middleweight prize fighter, being awarded Ring Magazine’s honor of “Rookie of the Year.”

Rocky also earned the right to fight for the Middleweight Championship of the World as the number one middleweight contender in 1954. He fought for the Middleweight Title of the World against Carl “Bobo” Olsen. Rocky lost a split decision, knocking Olsen down in the 3rd round, gaining the respect of the entire international boxing community.

Rocky’s career as a professional fighter also included notable battles against “Sugar Ray” Robinson, landing Robinson on the canvas for a controversial 8-count. Many scholars of the sport believed Rocky won by the knockout. This bout, as well as his fight with boxing great Gene Fullmer, are constantly featured on ESPN “Classic Fights of the Century.”

Rocky was inducted into both the New Jersey and Pennsylvania Boxing Halls of Fame and was inducted into the PA Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. He retired with a record of 65-13-4 with 16 knockouts. He proceeded to pursue a career as local tavern owner of Rocky Castellani & Sons in Atlantic City and Galloway Township. In addition, Rocky continued to give back to the AC Community and the boxing world by volunteering his time to the AC & Pleasantville PAL, teaching local youth the basics of his sport, known as the “sweet science,” and sponsoring local softball, baseball and basketball teams.

In his retirement, he served as a judge for the NJ Boxing Commission and enjoyed the time he spent with his loving wife and 10 grandchildren. He died on August 31, 2008.

Dr. Kenneth Diminick is another of the famous sons of the legendary Mt. Carmel coach, Joe “Jazz” Diminick. Playing for his father at Mt. Carmel Area, Ken led the Red Tornadoes to a perfect 24-0 record in 1972 and 1973, his junior and senior seasons. Mt. Carmel defeated Valley View and Dunmore for the Eastern Conference Championship at the end of each season. Ken was a team Co-captain in 1973. In his three-year starting career at Mr. Carmel, Ken scored 29 touchdowns. In 1973, he led the Tornadoes with 925 rushing yards. His career total was 1,454. He caught a total of 29 passes for a three-year total of 647 yards. Ken was also outstanding as a punt and kickoff returner, electrifying the Red Tornado crowds and standing second in Mt. Carmel annals to his brother Gary – with a career total of 947 yards. Ken was equally adept as a defensive back. He received All-State mention in both 1972 and 1973. In his Mr. Carmel career, Ken averaged 10.4 yards each time he touched the ball and totaled 3,048 all-purpose yards. After the 1973 season, he was given both the coveted Mike Terry and Len Eshmont Awards. Ken was named to the 1974 Pennsylvania Big 33 team which defeated Ohio 14-7.

After his graduation, Ken entered Villanova University and played on the 1974, 1975 and 1976 Wildcat football teams. He was a three-year letterman and a starter at running back and kick returner. As a senior, he was Villanova’s leading rusher with a 5.2-yard average. Ken scored the winning touchdown for the Wildcats against his Dad’s Alma Mater, Boston College – the week after BC upset No. 1 Texas. He graduated from Villanova holding the Wildcat single season and career kickoff return records.

Joe Glenn was a professional baseball player for 23 seasons. His major league career spanned nine years - 1932 to 1940 – and included some of the New York Yankees’ most glorious seasons. He joined the Yankees on August 24, 1932 at the age of 23. He made the Yankees 1932 World Series roster and caught for the New York Yankees in 1932, 1933, and 1935 through 1938. He was with the St. Louis Browns in 1939 and the Boston Red Sox in 1940. For the Yankees, he was the back-up to the great Bill Dickey. Joe was the Yankees’ catcher for the last game pitched by Babe Ruth in 1933. On August 24, 1940, he caught the only game the immortal Ted Williams pitched for the Boston Red Sox. Williams pitched in relief that day.

The Yankees nicknamed Joe “Gabber.” He kept his big-league teammates on their toes through his entire career with his constant bench chatter. Joe played in 248 games and had a lifetime batting average of .252. He hit five home runs and drove in 89 runs. His most productive season was probably 1939 with the Browns when he hit .273 and drove in 29 runs. Joe batted and threw right-handed. He was 5-11 and weighed 175 pounds.

Retired U.S. Army Four-Star General George Joulwan has had an outstanding athletic and military career. His 36 years of service included four as the NATO Supreme Allied Commander, serving in this critical world stage position from 1993 to 1997. He established the first-ever strategic policy in U.S. engagement in Africa and orchestrated programs that greatly enhanced and stabilized the total military situation involving Easter Europe and Russia. He was the first Supreme Commander to have commanded at every level from platoon through corps.

General Joulwan was born in Pottsville on November 16, 1939. Raised in the Schuylkill County seat, he became a standout for the strong Pottsville Crimson Tide football team. He was a first-team All-State selection in 1956, playing center on offense and linebacker on defense. He was also named to the first Pennsylvania Big 33 team. Also a basketball star, he received All-State mention in 1957. Appointed to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, George became a star for Army as well. Again, playing center and linebacker, he was honored with West Point’s Thomas Hammond award as his team’s Outstanding Lineman, as well as being All-America honorable mention. He played in the North-South Shrine All-Star game after his senior season.

Leo R. Koceski, a native of Canonsburg, was an outstanding running back at the University of Michigan, after two All-WPIAL football seasons at Canonsburg High School in 1945 and 1946, also known as the "Canonsburg Comet."

Koceski scored 19 touchdowns in 1946, his senior season at Canonsburg and was a sprinter and long jumper in track. He selected Michigan from approximately 40 college offers and was a varsity halfback in his sophomore year when the Wolverines won the national championship in 1948 under famed head coach Fritz Crisler.

In Koceski’s junior and senior seasons, Michigan was co-champion with Ohio State in 1949 and Big 10 and Rose Bowl champion in 1950, when the Wolverines defeated Ohio State 9-3 in a heavy snowstorm in Columbus to clinch the title. Michigan then beat California 14-6 in the 1951 Rose Bowl.

Koceski, who did not play high school baseball because Canonsburg did not have a team, played the outfield on two Big 10 championship teams at Michigan and was elected captain in 1951. He received the university’s Big 10 award as an outstanding athlete and scholar.

He resides in Dearborn Heights, MI. and was employed as a sales representative for Wilsonart Co. He is married and has three sons.

Fordham University’s “Seven Blocks of Granite” of 1936 are part of the lore of college football. In those times, the Rams, coached by “Sleepy” Jim Crowley of “Four Horsemen” fame, were a national power. Phil Marion of Eddystone, Delaware County, was a star guard on those teams, playing opposite another legend, Vince Lombardi. Frank Leahy was a Fordham assistant. Phil was 5-8 and 185, stocky and tough. The Fordham forward wall was nearly impregnable.

Following his college career, Phil Maron entered coaching. He had been an All-Scholastic fullback at tiny Eddystone High School, competing against opponents with much larger enrollments. After stints as an assistant, he became the Head Coach at Ridley Township in 1943, holding that position for 30 years, until ill health forced his retirement after the 1972 season. His Green Raider teams won eleven league titles and were undefeated in seven seasons. Phil’s overall record at Ridley was 222 wins, only 58 defeats, and 16 ties. His best team may have been the 1958 squad which won all ten games and was rated one of the top elevens in Pennsylvania. Ridley won 23 straight games, beginning in 1963 and extending into the 1966 season.

Phil Martelli created a basketball legend in Philadelphia. His 2004 St. Joseph Hawks were 27-0 in the regular season and reached Number One ranking in both major polls for the first time in school history. The Hawks were then accorded a Number One seed in the NCAA tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight where they suffered a narrow loss to Oklahoma State. His outstanding guard, Jameer Nelson from nearby Chester, was named unanimous first team All-American and National Player of the Year. Phil himself was the consensus National Coach of the Year. He also won his fourth Atlantic Ten coaching award. The former Widener University basketball captain led the Hawks to ten conference regular season titles, four NCAA tournaments, and four appearances in the NIT. Phil’s overall record in twelve seasons at St. Joseph’s was 240-139.

Graduating from Widener in 1976, Phil assisted at Widener and spent seven years as head coach at Bishop Kenrick High School. He became an Assistant at St. Joseph’s University in the Fall of 1985. In his decade as an assistant, the Hawks made the NCAA tournament in 1986 and the NIT in 1993 and 1995. On July 20, 1995, he was named the 14th Hawk Head Coach. In his first season, the Hawks reached the NIT championship game.

John Pergine’s recognition as an outstanding athlete began at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School in suburban Philadelphia. He was a three-sport star for the P-W Colonials. As a junior in 1963, he starred on the PIAA State Class A basketball championship team that defeated Norwin for the title. He was a key starter on the 1964 P-W team that reached the State title game, losing to Uniontown. John was a first team All-Starter both years. On the gridiron, John was a star quarterback and line backer and was named to the third All-State team as quarterback. His P-W teams won three straight Suburban One titles. He played in the great 1964 Big 33 Pennsylvania victory over the Texas All-Stars. At Notre Dame, he saw action as a sophomore linebacker in 1965, then became a starter on the 1966 Fighting Irish National Champions. He was the second leading tackler, including seven for a loss. He received All-American recognition.

John then played for seven seasons at linebacker in the National Football League, starring for both the Los Angeles Rams and the Washington Redskins. In 1975, his touchdown catch on a fake field goal put the Redskins into the NFL playoff. This was Joe Theismann’s first NFL TD pass.

A fifty-year coach, Jim Phelan is revered at Mount St. Mary’s University in tiny Emmitsburg, Maryland. Head coach for 49 years, Jim won 830 games and lost only 508, directing his team in more than 1,330 games. When he retired after the 2002-2003 season, Jim ranked third in all-time victories by a Division I coach. He led the Mount to a Division II National Championship in 1962. He made 16 trips to the NCAA Division II tournament, including five Final Four appearances. Jim directed nineteen 20-win seasons and had only ten losing campaigns. His best season was 28-3. His team received invitations to the NCAA “Big Dance” in 1995 and 1999, and an NIT bid in 1997. Jim also served Mount St. Mary’s for 22 years as Athletic Director, along with his basketball duties. He helped lay the groundwork for the school’s move to Division I in 1988. Once this was done, Jim returned to full-time service with his basketball squad. His graduation rate for his players exceeded ninety percent. Jim’s personal honors included NCAA Coach on the Year in 1962 and NCAA Division II Coach of the Year in 1981.

Myron, a native of Van Voorhis, lettered in football, basketball, track, and baseball at Charleroi High School. He graduated in 1957. As a two-way performer in football as fullback and linebacker, he earned All-State and All-American honors. In his senior season, he led the Cougars, coached by James “Rab” Currie, to the WPIAL Class AA championship against Jeannette. Charleroi lost a heartbreaking 16-13 score on a field goal by Jim Burzio with four seconds remaining in the game.

He played college football at the University of Notre Dame, performing as a linebacker, center and guard from 1958-1960 under the guidance of head coaches Terry Brennan and Joe Kuharich. Earning a reputation as a bruising tackler, Myron captained the Fighting Irish in 1960 and was named to several college All-American teams. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management at Notre Dame and graduated in 1961.

Myron began a long and successful 13-year career in the National Football League beginning with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1961. He played for the Steelers through 1965 and ensuingly was a standout for the Los Angeles Rams from 1966-70 and the Washington Redskins from 1971-73. The 6'2", 225-pound linebacker was known for his fierce tackling. He won All-Pro honors and was selected to play in the Pro Bowl three times. He also played in Super Bowl VII with the Redskins. He built a reputation as one of pro footballs better middle linebackers. Pottios suffered two broken arms and a dislocated shoulder during his five years with the Steelers. Owner Dan Rooney of the Steelers saw Pottios as beginning the great linebacker tradition and he was succeeded by Jack Ham and Jack Lambert.
Following his playing career, Myron coached the Philadelphia Bell in the World Football League.

He is involved in numerous community activities, including Caring for Kids, Little League Football, benefit golf tournaments, the Taste of the NFL charity event to provide food for the needy, and numerous other fundraisers. Myron is a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame along with the Charleroi Hall of Fame.
Living in Lake Forest, California, Myron was the owner of a metal distributing business which he has since sold. He and his wife Doreen are the parents of two children.

Lou Sorrentino was a three-sport athlete at both Sharon Hill High School and Lebanon Valley. He starred in football, basketball, and baseball. At Sharon Hill he was All-Delaware County in all three sports. Receiving a scholarship to Lebanon Valley, he went on to win twelve inter-collegiate varsity letters. On the gridiron, he won second team Little All-American honors and was selected to play in the Blue-Gray game where he was MVP for the Blue Team.

In basketball, Lou was part of one of the most amazing stories in NCAA Basketball Tournament history. He and his Lebanon Valley Dutchmen Teammates startled the hoops world in 1953 when the squad from the tiny school in Annville reached the Sweet Sixteen after a stunning win over Fordham at Philadelphia’s Palestra. Lou scored 30 points on the Surprised Rams. Louisiana State with Bob Pettit finally eliminated the game Dutchmen who had no starter over six foot one.

He was drafted into the army graduation and could not follow up his Signing with the Baltimore Orioles. Playing at Fort Meade, Maryland, Lou was the All-Eastern Service quarterback in 1955.