Inductees

Right up to the 1969-70 season, Jimmy Jones was the first sophomore ever to start at quarterback for the University of Southern California. During his three varsity years with the Trojans, Jimmy led his team to a 10-0-1 season, a Rose Bowl win, and a #3 national ranking. Jones, who broke 0.1. Simpson’s offensive record, holds thirteen u.s.e. offensive records, including most touchdown passes. He made the All-PAC team three years in succession, starred in the East-West game, was Southern Cal’s MVP 1971-72, and was a Heisman Trophy candidate. Jimmy’s picture once graced the front cover of Sports Illustrated. Upon graduation, Jones spent seven years in the Canadian Football League, and guided Montreal to the 1974 championship.

Steve Kreider was a key wide receiver of the Cincinnati Bengals from 1979 to 1986. He was a member of the Bengals’ 1981 conference Champions and the 1982 Division Champions. In 1983, top season with the Bengals, Krieder had forty-two pass receptions. Overall, his pro career totals show a record of 2023 yards and nine TD’s. Steve was a College Division All-American and an All-ECAC wide receiver at Lehigh University for 1977 and 1978. He holds the Lehigh all-time record in pass yardage for a single season; 1181 yards in 1977. He also holds the Engineers’ all-time record for most yards in one game-194. During his career, Steve accounted for twenty four touchdowns. In addition to his athletic exploits, Kreider managed to make the finals as a Rhodes Scholar nominee, and has been acting as Chairperson for the United Palsy Telethon.

Hank Kuzma was head basketball coach at Duquesne University during some of its better years, 1947-51. He then started a remarkable career as mentor of the Midland High Cagers where he registered a record of 141-15-3. In one stretch, Kuzma’s Cagers lost only three section games in four years, chalked up three unbeaten seasons, and captured the 1965 Class AAA PIAA Championship, all this with a school enrollment of only 238. Hank was named Coach of the Year four times and had the distinction of being selected to coach and win the first Dapper Dan classic for Pennsylvania. His coaching awards are too numerous to list.

Jack Ramsay’s meteoric coaching career began on the high school level after a brilliant start as a player at Upper Darby High and St. Joseph’s College (now university). Ramsay spent eleven years as basketball coach at his alma mater, St. Joseph’s, where his 234-72 record earned him the top post directing the fortunes of the 76ers. Jack spent the next twenty years in the NBA. Following the 76er’s, 1968-72, Ramsay went to the Buffalo Braves, 1972-76; Portland Trailblazers, 1976-86; Indiana Pacers, 1986-88. His 1977 Trailblazers were NBA champions. Ramsay’s overall NBA figures show 1,647 games coached with 785 wins, both league records.

Lenore Wingard is truly one of the greatest of the United States’ women swimmers. She once held twenty-one American free-style records and a grand total of seven world records. In the 1932 Olympic games, she captured a silver medal for the 400 meters, and a gold medal for the International Relay. Her remarkable swimming feats have been recognized by her induction into the Helms Foundation Hall of Fame, the Maryland State Hall of Fame, the Pittsburgh Hall of Fame, the International Hall of Fame, arid our Commonwealth’s highest sports awards – induction into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Charles Peters was one of those ‘once-in-a-blue-moon’ athletes at Shamokin High School where he was an outstanding four-letter athlete. He was a three-letter football star at Penn State, 1938-39-40, and holds two records that still stand. His 101-yards kick-off return is still on record in the Nittany Lions’ football annals. In addition, Peters’ overall season record of a 52.2 yards average per kick-off is both a Penn State and a national collegiate record. Peters was drafted by the New York Giants.

Walter Tewksbury accepted a friendly challenge from the captain of the University of Pennsylvania track team. “Tewk”, as he was called, won the race through the streets of Philadelphia and a slot on the U. of P. team the rest is history. Dr. Tewksbury went on to capture five Olympic medals: two gold medals for the 200 and 400 meter hurdles; two silver medals for the 60 and 100 meter dashes; and one bronze for the 200 meter hurdles. He was also a two-time national collegiate champion in the 100 and 200 meters. Dr. Tewksbury is well remembered as the Tewksbury Memorial Committee hosts games every year in Tunkhannock, PA.

National Baseball League (13 years) 1923-1935. 286 batting average in 5557 at bats. 1424 games. Cubs, Pirates, Cardinals and Reds of the National Baseball League. Played for Cardinals in 1931 World Series. Defeated Philadelphia Athletics in 7 games. Born in Tremont, PA.

3 All-Pro game starter. Played for Green Bay, NY Titans, Steelers, Eagles. 23 North Carolina state records. Second nationally in scoring, 1958. AII- American in 1954. Scored 29 points in a 29-26 win over South Carolina. Returned 2 punts for touchdowns vs. Broncos. Olympic USA High Diving Champion. High School All-County, All-Catholic, All-City.

University of Pittsburgh, 1946-1949. 4-year letterman. 2-way All-American guard. “Colliers” Walter Camp Coaches selection. Jock Sutherland’s “Lineman of the Year,” Was on Tom Harmon’s All-Pennsylvania, N EA, AP, UPI First Team All-Star. Drafted by Pitt Steelers, 1950. Captained U.S. Navy Goslings Champions, 1950. Kulpmont (PA) High School fullback 1945 All-State team and PA Eastern Football Conference Champions. Was team Captain and 4-year starter.

Rookie of the Year, Cincinnati, 1969. All-Pro 1974-76-77-78 Philadelphia Eagles. Led Eagles, tackles, 6 years, 234 in 1976. First Team All-American, 1966. Eagles MVP 1974-76-77. Delco Chapter Hall of Fame, 1987. MVP Pecan Bowl, 1968. Shrine Game, 1968 College All-Stars, 1969 Senior Bowl, 1968 Voted top player in Arkansas State History. Beginning in 1976, he started 79 consecutive games for the Eagles.

Winning Basketball Coach. Coached Williamsport and St. Joseph’s High Schools for 29 years, accumulating 527 wins and 183 losses. 2 PCIAA Eastern Championships. 8 PIAA District Championships. Started basketball program at Northeast Area High School. Initiated Scranton Diocesan Basketball Clinic at St. Andrew. Officiated college and pro basketball. Inducted into the West Branch Valley Chapter (Williamsport, PA) in 1977.

10 Major League seasons with Pittsburgh Pirates. Compiled a record of 103 wins and 76 losses. Hero of 1971 World Series with complete game wins in games 3 and 7. Co-winner of the prestigious Pittsburgh Dapper Dan Award, 1968. Member of 1972 All-Star Team. Very active in Muscular Dystrophy Charities, Childrens Hospital, and Big Brothers. Current Pirate announcer. An inductee of the Western Chapter Hall of Fame, 1981.

“City of Philadelphia Hostess” educator, athlete, official, administrator. Member of Frankford High School, 1922, Field Hockey Champions. Turngemeinde Gymnastics Champions, 1930. All-Sports Official, 1930-1945. Manager/Umpire U.S. Field Hockey Association Team (Australia, 1938). National Chairman, USFA Umpire Committee (1935-1940) Gymnastics Judge, Olympics: London, 1948; Helsinki, 1952; Melbourne, 1956; Rome, 1960; Tokyo, 1964. World Championships: Moscow, 1958; Director of President Roosevelt’s Physical Fitness Program, 1941; Kelly Athletic Award. Inductee of the Philadelphia Chapter Hall of Fame.

Quarterback: Giants, Steelers, Hamilton Tiger Cats, Eagles. 1948-49 NFL Champions. At Nevada University, broke 2 NCAA passing records. Average 24.9 per completion still stands. Delco Chapter Hall of Fame, 1974. Head Coach Springfield High School, 25 years. President, Eagles Alumni. Vice President of Eagles Fly For Leukemia.

Football and basketball official. One of founders of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Served as President, Vice President, Director. One of the founders of the Western Chapter of the P.S.H.F. Inducted into the Western Chapter, P.S.H.F. Dapper Dan Service Award. Football Coach of The Year Clinic. Officiated High School and Major College basketball and football, 35 years. President, original member Collegiate Football and Basketball Officials.

Head Football Coach at Gettysburg College and Norwich University, VT. 3-time letter winner at Penn State University. Captain of the 1957 team. Honorable Mention All-American. Member All-East team. Played in North- South Shrine Game. Head football coach at Mechanicsburg High School. Outstanding fullback-linebacker at Coal Twp. High School. All-State selection in 1952.

Pro football 1935-1942. 2-way 60 minute man, Shenandoah Presidents, PA Professional Football League. Reading Keys, Baltimore Bluebirds, Patterson (NJ) Panthers. Signed contract with Phila. Eagles. Pro basketball with the Mahanoy County (PA) Miners, Schuylkill Haven (PA) Coolerators. Line Coach Western Maryland and George Washington Universities. Scholar Athlete at Western Maryland. Named to All-Maryland Football Team, 1931-32-33. On college All-Opponent Teams, 1931-32-33. Co-capt. senior year at Western Maryland. Honorable Mention and All-American, Western Maryland. First team center on the All-Maryland College Basketball Team, 1933. Outstanding Coaches Award, Montgomery County (MD). Coaches Association, 1958. Inducted into the Western Maryland College Sports Hall of Fame as one of eleven Charter Members, 1978. Inducted in the Jerry Wolman Chapter, P.S.H.F., 1982. Inducted into the Pottsville Area High School All-Sports Hall of Fame, 1986. Inducted into the Allen-Rogowicz Chapter, P.S.H.F., 1988.

Inducted into the Oregon State Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. An assistant coach under Jack Ramsey of the Portland Trailblazers of the NBA. Played for the Trailblazers from 1976-1981. Was a member of Trailblazers 1977 NBA Champions defeating the Phila. 76ers in 6 games. Honored by Sporting News with cover photo and 4-page story in 1978. Played for Old Dominion University where he was co-capt. and MVP for 3 years. Was on many AII-Star, AII- State and All-America teams. Dave was co-capt. of Middletown High School’s 1964-65 undefeated basketball team. Team won Class B, District 3 and PA State Championahip in 1965-66 while he was co-capt. Dave’s High School, Old Dominion, and Trailblazer uniforms have been retired from service. He retired as an active player from the Trailblazers in 1981. Dave worked as Director of Community Relations for the Trailblazers until 1986.

About This Inductee:

• Kingston, Pennsylvania native
• Basketball Coach Perry Joint High School-2 seasons
• West Pittston High School-7 seasons, won 2 league championships
• Coughlin High School-3 seasons won public school city championship
• LCCC-nearly 3 decades, won 9 season championships, 6 post season titles ten-holiday tournament championships, won 459 games and lost only 202
• Wilkes University-2 seasons/Coach of the Year-13 times
• Overall record of 651 wins and 308 losses
• January 2007 LCCC renamed their gym the James T. Atherton Gymnasium
•1990 inducted into Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame
• Inducted into PA Sports Hall of Fame in 2007

1990
Jim Atherton is Director of Athletics and basketball coach at Luzerne County Community College. As a high school and college coach, his teams have won 524 games. During his 20 year career at Luzerne, his teams have won seven conference championships five post-season tournaments and eight holiday tournaments. Luzerne, while playing at four different sites, was unbeaten in 55 consecutive home games. He has been selected twelve times as basketball coach of the year by various media. Atherton was featured in the Wilkes University Quarterly (1977) as one of its outstanding alumni. He coached basketball two years at Wilkes and was the recipient both years of the prestigious Schoenfeld Award presented by the C.B.O.A. basketball officials to the team and coach which best-exemplified integrity and sportsmanship. Atherton began his coaching career at Perry Joint High School, New Bloomfield. During his two years on the Perry staff, they won one conference title. As a coach at West Pittston High School for seven years his 59-60 team won the first championship in the history of the school. West Pittston again repeated as conference champion going undefeated in league play and winning 22 consecutive games in 1965. During his three years as basketball coach at Coughlin High School, his teams won one public city championship and never had a losing season. Jim has served two terms as President of the Eastern Pennsylvania Community College Conference and has been Director of basketball camps at the Catholic Youth Center, Wilkes-Barre, the Jewish Community Center, Wilkes-Barre and Camp Saint Andrew, Tunkhannock. He also has given basketball clinics in South America and was guest lecturer at the Federal University of Brazil. He is married to the former Patricia Rosenbaum. They are the parents of five children, daughters Debbie, Lynn and Trish and sons Jim Jr. and Mark.

2007
Jim Atherton began coaching at Perry Joint High School in 1956 when he was appointed one of that school’s co-head coaches. One year later, he was named head coach and in the process, claimed his first championship. He moved on to West Pittston High School where he served seven seasons. The highlights of his young coaching career came in 1960 when his team won the league championship, the first in the school’s history. He would win one more title before accepting the head coaching position at Coughlin High School in 1965. In just three seasons, Jim turned the Crusader basketball team from losers to winners and along the way won the public school city championship. In 1968 Jim turned his attentions to a new community college that had recently graduated its first class and was in need of a coach and a director of athletics. Luzerne County Community College would be home to “Gentleman Jim” Atherton for nearly the next three decades. His Minutemen (now the Trailblazers) would win nine regular season championships, six post-season titles, and ten-holiday tournament championships. As the Community College moved from its facilities in Downtown Wilkes-Barre to its permanent site in Nanticoke, the basketball team was without a gym to call its own. Despite that little inconvenience, Jim’s teams mounted a 55 home game winning streak that would find them playing their “home” games at the Kingston Armory, the Catholic Youth Center, Bishop Hoban High School and finally at LCCC. Jim’s tenure at LCCC was interrupted for two seasons, 1981-1983, as he returned to his alma mater, Wilkes University, to coach the Colonels. During that time his teams finished second in the N.E. Division of the MAC Conference. Coach Atherton amassed an overall record of 651 wins and 308 losses. While at LCCC, he watched his teams win 459 games and lose only 202. During his career, he was selected Coach of the Year by various groups 13 times. He was twice featured in the Wilkes Alumni Magazine as one of its outstanding graduates. The Wyoming Valley Basketball Coaches have recognized him by naming the Outstanding Division II Player award in his honor. He served two terms as President of the Eastern Pennsylvania Community College Conference as well as serving on the organization’s Standards and Ethics Committee. He was also chairman of the State Basketball Committee. Atherton served as Director of Basketball Camps for the following organizations: Camp St. Andrew, the Jewish Community Center, and the Catholic Youth Center. In addition to directing camps, he has lectured at many throughout the country and was a guest lecturer at the Federal University in Brazil, South America, where he conducted a two-week clinic. Jim retired from LCCC in 1997. On January 20, 2007, LCCC held a ceremony renaming their gymnasium in Jim’s honor. Jim and his wife, Patti, have been married 48 years and are now parents of six, Debbie, Jim Jr., Trish, Lynn, Mark and the late Michael Atherton. They also have 12 grandchildren. Jim was inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall Of Fame in 1990. “Gentleman Jim” was inducted to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.

He died December 10, 2010.

William (Bill) Amos of Washington was an outstanding fullback for Washington & Jefferson College football teams of the 1920s and received All-America mention in 1926 and 1927 when he served as captain of the Presidents. He is considered to be one of the best college football players in Washington & Jefferson College history. He had previously played on an Army team in World War I and at Kiski Prep School in Saltsburg. He also played in the East-West Shrine game for two years.

After graduation, he served as coach and head coach at W&J after his college coach Andy Kerr left to go to Colgate University.

Amos left W&J to become head football coach at Grove City College but returned to Washington in 1937 as head football and basketball coach at Washington High School. He gave up those duties several years later but remained as a teacher until his retirement in 1966 while serving as home and school visitor.

Amos was one of the founders of the Pony Baseball program in 1951 and served as national vice president and secretary in addition to being active for many years in all local youth baseball programs. He also served as director of the local Punt, Pass & Kick contest.

After retiring from teaching, he was public relations director for Pankopf Ford Inc. Amos has been active in numerous community projects and served 12 years on the Washington City Council and as director of accounts and finance.

He died in 1987 at the age of 88.

Wrestled at Washington & Jefferson College and started the wrestling program at Washington High School.

American League Umpire (1968 -1983; 4 American League Championships, 2 World Series – Oakland vs NY Mets 1973 and Pittsburgh vs, Baltimore in 1979. All-Star Game in 1970 and 1975. Minor League 1956 -1967 after Bill McGovern’s umpire school in 1955. Navy veteran in Korean conflict.

At temple University; MVP American Bowl, set a career rushing record and a Maxwell Club “Player of the Week” recognition. Nationally ranked running Back, All-American mention, All-East 1973-’74. All-Opponent Team; Pittsburgh, Boston College, West Virginia, Delaware and Villanova. Mt. Carmel High school; All-State and Big 33 game.

A relief pitcher for 16 ½ seasons with Boston Red Sox, Yankees and Phillies. Notching 238 saves, compiling a 99-77 record and 2.88 ERA. In 899 games worked 1,390 innings while striking out 873 and walking 481. 1977 “Cy Young Award” and 1972 “Fireman of the Year” Owns 5 World Series Rings.