Inductees

1981 NBA “Coach of the Year” while reaching the NBA Playoff with the Indiana Pacers. Led LA Lakers to 1980 NBA Championship. 1977 NBA assistant coach with Champion Trailblazers. 1974 Milwaukee Bucks assistant coach. 1966-‘74 St. Joseph University Head Basketball Coach and Athletic Director.1965, Philadelphia College of Textiles Head Basketball and Baseball Coach. 1958, St James High School head Basketball and Track coach. 1974 Eastern College “Coach of the Year”

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.

Captain of the Philadelphia Warriors that won the Basketball Association of America (B.A.A.) Championship in 1948-’47. The BAA became the NBA a few years later. Leading scorer at Wilmington in the American League in 1944. Captain of the 1941-’42 Temple University squad gaining All-American honors in 1941-42. A;; Scholastic in 1936 at Overbrook High School, Temple Hall of Fame in 1973.

Won National Weightlifting Championship 10 consecutive years 1936-’45. World Champion in Paris 1937 and Philadelphia 1947. Olympic competitor and administrator from 1936 Berlin to 1984 Los Angeles. Served as Chief Referee at the Good Will Games in Moscow in 1986. Recognized as Weightlifting Good Will Ambassador to the world.

Career coaching record 274-96 at Lewistown, Beaver Falls, and Bentleyville. Five Conference Championships; teams had winning streaks of 31 and 22 games. Earned 11 letters at Waynesburg College 1928 –’32. Team played some of best teams in the nation and beat beat Penn State 7-6. Inducted into Pennsylvania Scholastic Coaches Hall of Fame.

Played in the N.I.T. at W.& J. before going to the University of Pittsburgh where he was a Letterman of Distinction. An All-American, leading scorer and captain in 1946. Played professionally in the American Basketball League in 1946. Starting center in first East-West Game at Madison Square Gardens and scored winning field goal. Naval Surgical Unit in the Korean conflict.

Jake Nevin was the athletic trainer for Villanova University athletic teams for over 50 years until his death in 1985. Nevin, then using a wheelchair and suffering from Lou Gehrig’s disease, inspired the 1985 Villanova Wildcats basketball team during their run to the NCAA Championship in 1985. Villanova renamed the Villanova Field House in honor of Nevin. Villanova also retired basketball jersey number1 for Nevin

(October 6, 1898 – March 16, 1984) was an American track and field athlete. He won collegiate championships in the two-mile race in 1921 and 1922, finished fourth in the 1924 Summer Olympics in the 5,000 meter race and competed in the 1928 Olympics in the 10,000 meters.

NCAA champion, two-mile run (1921) 1924 Olympics (5,000 meters) and 1928 Olympics (10,000 meters)
Spalding's All-American Athletic Team, Cross-Country (1921)
USA indoor champion, two-mile run (1922)

Al played football at Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, PA and Villanova University. A Linebacker, he was taken in the 3rd round of the AFL draft and traded to the NY Jets. He played for the AFL NY Jets from 1965 to 1969 and then the NFL NY Jets from 1970 to 1974. He was a member of the Jets’ 1968 World Championship team and an American League All-Star in 1968. In his 10- year Pro-Football career he played in 120 games.

Bill is considered by many to be Lehigh’s first basketball star. Although his career was shortened by his military service In World War II, Binder certainly established himself as one of Lehigh’s all-time greats. He set school, season and career records by averaging 16.7 points per game. Captain of the
1942 and 1943 squads, Binder began playing basketball at Lehigh in 1939 He was inducted into the Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994.

Joe Diminick graduated from Kulpmon High School and Boston College in 1950. His career as an educator, coach and PIAA Official spanned 55 years. He is best known as the head football coach at Mount Carmel Area from 1962-1992, where he compiled 267 victories making him the winningest coach in Pennsylvania at the time. His Mt. Carmel teams had five perfect seasons, 3 Eastern Conference titles, 5 Eastern Conference Southern Division Championship and three Susquehanna Valley League Championships. He also coached; basketball, track and field, and baseball.

John Gurski was a graduate of Coal Township High School and the Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania. John began his coaching career at Minersville High School with a record of 47-13-2 in 6 seasons. He moved up to the Wilson High School Bulldogs and went 151-44-4 in 19 seasons. His overall coaching record was 198-51-6. Beside being a respected football coach, John was also an assistant principal at Wilson High. The football stadium at Wilson High School was named “John Gurski Stadium” in honor of their long-time successful coach.

Mike Jarmoluk graduated from Frankford High School in Philadelphia where he was an All-State performer in football and All-Scholastic in Basketball, leading the city in scoring. He went to Temple University, starring in wrestling, track, basketball and football (selected for the Blue-Grey All-Star Game as a senior). Mike was drafted in the 7th round of the 1945 NFL draft and played for the Chicago Bears., Boston Yanks, New York Bulldogs and the Philadelphia Eagles as defensive tackle and middle guard in his 10-year pro career. Jarmoluk went to one Pro-Bowl during his 10- year career.

After finishing his service in World War II with the 14th Armored Division in Europe in 1945, Lapata began his professional baseball career in the minor leagues with the Terre Haute Phillies in Class B. The Phillies discovered Stan when he emerged as a star in the sandlots of Detroit, Michigan. He did well in his first season at Terre Haute; posting a .292 batting average with a .540 slugging percentage and 9 home runs in 67 games. After a successful 1947 season, Stan was promoted to the Class A Utica Blue Sox and in 1948 to Class AAA Toronto Maple Leafs. Late in the 1948 season Lapata finally got his call to the big leagues. Despite only 2 hits in 15 at bats, he went into 1949 as the Phillies starting catcher. A position that was pre-eminently his for the next 11 seasons, with stages of great power at the plate offset by injuries. Following a brief stint with the Milwaukee Braves, Stan Lopata retired.His career covered 13 seasons; appearing in 853 games, batted .254 with 116 home runs and 379 RBIs.

Mahaffey was signed as an amateur free agent by the Philadelphia Phillies. After 4 ½ years in the Phillies’ farm system, he received his MLB call-up in mid-season 1960. He finished the 1960 season with a 7-3 record and a 2.31 ERA in 14 games and came in third in the 1960 Rookie of the Year Balloting He finished his second big-league season with a record of 11-19 and a 4.10 ERA. He finished the next three seasons at 44-37 and was traded to the St Louis Cardinals in 1965 and the New York Mets in 1967. He finished with a lifetime record of 59 wins and 64 losses, with a 4.17 ERA.

After a collegiate boxing career, Billy Soose became a professional boxer in 1938. That same year he met Charley Burley and lost a unanimous decision. In 1940, he defeated two future middleweight champions in Ken Overlin and Tony Zale. He began 1941 by defeating future heavyweight and lightweight challenger Tami Mauriello and then, in May of that year, beat old foe Overlin for Overlin’s middleweight title. He never defended the title and retired in 1942 after losing a bout to Jimmy Bivins.
He is a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Soose was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009

Jerry Yeagley was an NCAA Champion in soccer as a player, winning the national championship with West Chester in 1961. After earning a Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1963, Yeagley went to Indiana University as a physical education instructor and men’s soccer coach. The team had been a club program since 1947, but Yeagley’s goal was to develop it into a varsity program. The program gained varsity status and the full support of the University in 1973, Yeagley’s teams quickly became a national power. Indiana reached the NCAA final in just its fourth season in 1976. Through his 31-year career, Jerry’s teams made 28 NCAA tournament appearances, 16 College Cup appearances and 12 appearances in the final, while winning 10 Big Ten championships and 6 National Championships. After his retirement in 2003, Indiana named their soccer field “Jerry Yeagley Field”.

This Scranton area native achieved stardom as a basketball player and coach in a career that spanned 40 years. After 4 standout seasons at Keystone Junior College and the University of Scranton, Red played for the Boston Celrics and Toronto Huskies of the BAA (forerunner to today’s NBA). Red, who is recognized as one of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s finest athletes, returned to the Scranton area in the late 40’s and starred as a player and coach for the Scranton Minors and Wilkes Barre Barons of the Eastern Basketball League. From 1955 to 1977 Red coached at Elk Lake High School where he attained a 404-13 7 record and 2 State Championships. Northeastern Chapter Inductee.

A Philadelphia Sports Legend. Affectionately known as “The Zink’ and’ ‘The Voice of the 76ers” his career dates back to 1932. He did the play by play of the first Sugar Bowl Game, Tulane vs. Temple; was the original Liberty Bowl sportscaster; toured with the Globetrotters from 1950 to 1963; was the Public Address Announcer for the Phillies and A’s; called championship boxing and wrestling matches; announced Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement and games; led reunions of old Army buddies in Alaska. Recipient of many awards for athletic fund raisers. Received mail simply addressed to Zink, Philadelphia, PA. Had private Papal audiences. A Temple University Hall of Famer and Philadelphia Chapter Inductee.

Shamokin H.S. Basketball, Baseball, Football, ‘ 32~ 36; Penn State, Basketball, ’37~41; Penn State’s “Outstanding Athlete”, ’41; All American, ’41; North Carolina Pre-Flight Basketball, , 42~43; Norfolk Naval Air Station Basketball, , 44~4 5; Shamokin Starlane, Nation’s. #1 Team, Undefeated (22 games) beat NY. Rens twice, ’45~46; St. Louis Bombers BAA, ’46~47; Wilkes-Barre Barons Perennial League Champs, ’47~52;· Sunbury Mercuries – Player – Coach, ’52~53; Susquehanna Ll, Basketball Coach, Golf Coach, ’58~70; Phila. Area – competed against Temple (Iirn Usilton, Harry Litwack), Penn (Lon jourdet), Sphas (Eddie Gottlieb), Warriors

Lettered in four sports at South Philadelphia High School Baseball, Football, Gymnastics and Basketball. Participated on four championship teams. Signed with Philadelphia Athletics at age 18. Led Eastern League in runs batted in – 1939. Played with Athletics 1939, 40,41, and 45, third base and shortstop. Known to have one of the strongest arms in the American League for an infielder. Joined Navy January 1942 to August 1945. U.S.S. Boston and South Pacific. Played in Army Navy World Series and also toured South Pacific with Major Leaguers. Played in two Little World Series with Louisville and St. Paul against Montreal and Jackie Robinson 1946 – (1949). Also on St. Paul Pennant Team 1948 for Walter Alston in American Association. Managed Elmira in Eastern League for the Dodgers. Coached St. Josephs College Baseball team. Elected to South Phila. High School Hall of Fame and Delaware County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Referred to as the’ ‘Dean of Delaware Valley Sportscasters.” A veteran of 41 years behind the ‘mike’. Started at WCAU Announced … Phillies for twelve years, 76ers ten years, Eagles fourteen years. On the college level … Penn football twelve years, Temple football and Big’ 5′ basketball. Called a few Penn State football games this year. Hosted a variety of sports programs through the years. Also’ broke in’ some of today’s nationally-known sportscasters. Currently at WIP Radio with his Bit! Campbell Show. Philadelphia Chapter Inductee.

Art McNally, Supervisor of Officials for the National Football League, is a native of Philadelphia and a graduate of Temple University, McNally was a teacher and coach in the Philadelphia School District until his appointment as the NFL’s assistant supervisor of Officials in 1968. He became head of the NFL’s officiating department in 1973. While a teacher and a coach in Philadelphia, McNally officiated at football, baseball and basketball games for 22 years. The last nine of those years he was an NFL referee. As NFL Supervisor of Officials, McNally heads a department of five that coordinates and directs a staff of 107 officials. He is responsible for scouting, screening, hiring and grading of the seven crews that work each NFL game. A Philadelphia Chapter Inductee.

Graduated Ford City (PA) High School, 1935, where he played basketball and began his officiating career at the high school level. “Red” was named in 1951 as the’ ‘Best Referee in the United States.” He has had an illustrious career as a basketball official at all levels, amateur, collegiate, professional. He ranks among the leaders with six NCAA championship finals. His first collegiate assignments were in the ECAC and he worked 12 Dixie Classics, NIT, Big Ten, NAIA, ACC and the AU finals. Coaches have praised him for his’ ‘honesty, integrity and complete knowledge of the game.” Inductions include: Western Chapter of Pa. Hall of Fame, 1971. Pittsburgh Hall ofFame, 1979. Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., 1986. Indiana Tri County Association, 1986. Retired as an official in 1973 and still resides in Ford City.

Cathy Rush established herself as a leader in women’s sports while coaching at Immaculata College in Pennsylvania. Under her guidance, Immaculata won the first AIAW National Championship in Basketball in 1972 and the following national championships in 1973 and 1974. Considered the “john Wooden” of women’s basketball, Cathy Rush and Immaculata were the forces that brought women’s basketball from the back yards of America to television screens across the country. Those amazing teams from a tiny college focused national attention for the first time on the quality and excitement of the women’s game. She compiled a 91 winning record … 149 wins, 15 losses; coached U.S. teams; member of Olympic Committee, received numerous Coach of the Year Awards; Founder of Women’ s Athletic Service, Inc; TV commentator; Philadelphia Chapter Inductee.