Inductees

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.

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.