Inductees

Sam was a graduate of Steelton High School and DickensonCollege. At Dickenson, Sam excelled in football as a running back, setting Records for rushing yard, touchdowns, total points and yards per carry, During World War II he served in the Navy from 1944 to 1946.He enjoyed officiating high school football and basketball and he was honored to be selected as an official on a Big 33 game.
Sam was very active in his church and community.

Max Patkin was best known as the “Clown Prince of Baseball Patkin performed for 51 years in that capacity. After an arm injury curtailed his minor league career he joined the Navy during World War II. He was pitching in a game in Hawaii and Joe DiMaggio hit a home run. In mock anger, Max threw down his glove and followed Joe around the bases and a career was born. He was hired as a coach
by Bill Veeck and the Cleveland Indians. After Veeck sold the Indians in 1949, he began touring the country. As a barnstormer he played minor league stadiums throughout the United States and Canada.While some derided his act as corny, he became a beloved figure in Baseball circles.

About This Inductee:

Born in Ribwik, Czechoslovakia, Elmer William Valo’s name ranks high in major league baseball action. After three years in the minors, the fence-bustin’ outfielder from Palmerton completed 20 years in the majors. He played with nine teams, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Cleveland, New York, Washington, and Minnesota, all-American League clubs, and also performed with Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia in the National League. He had his diamond career launched regionally while playing with the Lehighton Moose. Valo, a lifetime .282 hitter, always found a way to deliver. He was the ultimate contact hitter. He knew how to put the ball in play, striking out just 284 times in almost 6,000 plate appearances during a splendid 20-year major league career. To put that in perspective, Mike Schmidt whiffed 180 times in the 1975 campaign alone. The 5′ 11″, 190 pound, left-handed hitting outfielder compiled six .300 seasons.

He was one of the greatest pinch hitters of all-time, ranking first with 90 hits and 91 walks when he retired in 1961. He played 13 years with the A’s, batting .305 with 1,124 hits, 179 doubles, 68 triples, and 98 stolen bases, in 1,240 games. In 1949, his best overall season, he hit two bases-loaded triples in one game. Defensively,

Valo was the original Harvey Wallbanger. His spectacular crashes into the right field wall at Shibe Park are vividly recalled by his legion of fans. Valo never took his cherished spot on a major league roster for granted. “It was an honor to play the game. Baseball provided for my family and I’ve always been grateful for that,” he said. “To me, it was a thrill to put on the uniform every day.” Valo was a professional in every respect. He is still the perfect role model for his legion of fans. Brooklyn’s Pete Reiser and Valo raised the act of splattering into an outfield fence an art form. Both sacrificed their body to haul in long flies. “We never sat down and compared notes,” Valo said. “But I do know he had his problems and I sure had mine.”

Longtime Valo followers said you could make out his silhouette in Shibe Park’s right field wall until they tore down the tradition-rich yard at 21st and Lehigh. Valo joined Mike Schmidt, Steve Carlton, Jimmy Foxx, Al Simmons, Mickey Cochrane, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Lefty Grove, Eddie Plank, Rube Waddell, Ed Delahanty, Jim Bunning, Eddie Collins, Cy Williams, Jimmie Dykes, Del Ennis, Wally Moses, and Connie Mack in the Philadelphia Baseball Hall of Fame. He died in July of 1998 at the age of 77.

A 1949 graduate of Roxborough (Philadelphia) High School…Played tackle…Received scholarship to Alabama…Chosen All-Southeast Conference and played in 1953 Orange Bowl Game…Drafted by Philadelphia Eagles…1955 MVP…Nine seasons as defensive tackle…1960 World Champions…Selected All-Pro…Played 3 years for Boston Patriots of the AFL…Coached Patriots’ defensive line until 1970…spent 1972 as defensive line coach for the Eagles, then retired from football…Chosen to Greater Philadelphia 40-year (1924-1964) All-Scholastic Football Team…Died June 17, 1975…Memorial Dialysis Center named after him and sponsored by the Eagles Alumni Association at Mercy Catholic Medical Center, Philadelphia.

Born in Export, Westmoreland County, PA, October 14, 1909…Began his professional career in 1929 with Jeannette (PA) in the Mid-Atlantic League…Hit .336 setting an all-time league record with 24 triples…Played at Montreal in the International League from 1930 through 1935…Batted over .300, knocking in over 100 RBIs his last two years…Advanced to the New York Giants for the 1936 season…Traded to Brooklyn during 1939…Then to Cincinnati and the Philadelphia Athletics in 1943…Compiled a .282 lifetime major league average, hitting .320 in three World Series with the Giants and Reds (1936-37-40)…In nearly 2,000 times at bat in over 550 games, he struck out only 89 times…Died July 16, 1959 at Greensburg, PA.

A product of New Kensington High School…Outstanding athlete…Enrolled at Villanova in 1934…Helped to establish school’s longest winning streak of 22 straight…Name to College All-Stars…Drafted by Detroit Lions…Shoulder injury launched coaching career with Loyola of Los Angeles in 1940…Naval Gunnery Officer WW II…At DeLone Catholic High School, McSherrystown, PA was recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s premier scholastic coaches…Built 20 game victory skein…Moved to St. Augustine High School, CA…Assistant at Villanova and Harvard…Names head coach at Villanova in 1960…In seven years teams complied an overall record of 35 wins and 30 losses…Beating Wichita State (15-7) in 1961 Sun Bowl and losing to Oregon State (6-0) in the 1962 Liberty Bowl…Since 1967 has traveled far and wide scouting for the NFL combine, BLESTO

Graduated from Roxborough (Philadelphia) High School in 1938. Earned 10 letters as all-around athlete…Chosen outstanding student-athlete…Played football and basketball at LaSalle College…Began coaching Melrose Academy while still at LaSalle…Produced championship teams in football, basketball, and baseball at Collingdale and Marple Newtown High Schools…As basketball referee worked state high school playoff, N.I.T., NCAA championship games and in 1957 was first rookie to be assigned NBA playoffs…Considered one of the country’s experts on officiating…Conducted clinics in most European countries for Defense Department…Served Eastern College Athletic Conference as Supervisor of Basketball and Baseball Officials…Presently Director of Athletics, Health and Physical Education in Marple Newtown School District…Has Doctorate in Education Equivalency…Now Basketball Supervisor for the Atlantic 10 Conference.

Baseball playing with the St. Clair Tigers and a prolific athletic career at Pottsville Catholic High School earned a scholarship to Duke University…Connie Mack and Coach Jack Cooms were his sponsors…Signed with the 1934 Phillies as a catcher, eventually managing the team’s minor league system…Later managed minor league teams for the Chicago White Sox and stayed on as a scout for 12 years…Then scouted Eastern Pennsylvania for another 17 years with the Detroit Tigers…Returned to the Phillies in 1975 as a special assignment scout…Retired in 1979…Among many memories from over 50 years in baseball are: serving as Honorary Pall Bearer for Connie Mack, a Detroit Tigers World Series ring, a Gold Pass for years of service to baseball, and the “good old days” with the St. Clair Tigers.

Acknowledged as the best football player produced in Lackawanna County…Sobriquet, “Special Delivery,” tagged on him by friend “Chic” Feldman, Scranton’s illustrious sports writer…An all-around athlete, offered contract with baseball’s Cleveland Indians…Earned All-American football honors at Pittsburgh…1941 Coca Cola Award twice for outstanding games in wins over Nebraska and Fordham…Voted 7th in 1941 Heisman Trophy race…MVP in All-Pacific title game, Army vs. Navy...1948 All-Pro with Cleveland Browns…Played for Chicago Bears…In 1950 broke all Hamilton Tiger Cats (Canadian) scoring records… Called by Paul Brown, “one of the finest clutch players I ever had.”

“Brute” was a sportswriter for the Post-Gazette and a sports Promoter. He had varied career spanning three decades ending in a career as a sports shop business dealing in trophies, plaques and metal engraving. After serving in World War II, he began his career.

In the Middle Atlantic Baseball League managing a league championship team in Vandergrift in 1948. In the 50’s he managed War Memorial Stadium in Johnstown and the Cincinnati Gardens in Cincinnati. He joined the Post-Gazette in 1960 and was the scholastic sports- writer until 1964. In 1964 he became the public relations director at Parsons College in Iowa.

He returned to Pittsburgh as press agent for the Pittsburgh Pipers in professional Basketball. He was a founding member of the Pennsylvania Sports
Hall of Fame and was a 1983 inductee.

Remarkable career at Kennewick (Washington) High School…All-State football selection, basketball (3 years), track (3 years), baseball (2 years), wrestling (2 years)…Continued at Washington University playing football, baseball, and wrestling…Was two-way tackle and center…All-West Coast…Played in East-West, Hula Boal, All-American and College All-Star games…Drafter second by Philadelphia Eagles in 1963…Purchased by Pittsburgh Steelers in 1964…Played 13 years…196 consecutive games…Never missed a game during entire football career spanning 24 years…Noted for game durability and quality of play…Played on 2 Super Bowl winners…Served as team representative…Super Star competitor in 1975…All AFC
…Partner in insurance business.

Native of Groton, Connecticut…A Scranton resident since 1922…Graduated from Dunmore High School in 1939…All-Scholastic football career…Played center and captained Penn State University’s 1942 team…Selected Second Team All-East…Served in Air Force…Played with New York Giants (1946-1947) as center and defensive halfback…Started NFL officiating career in 1951…Retired after 1981 season…Memorable games officiated were the 1958 “sudden death” between the Giants and the Baltimore Colts, and Super Bowls IV, VII, XI…Now a retired and licensed architect…serves as consultant to leading architects in Northeast Pennsylvania… Owns garden center business.

An All-State high school basketball and baseball player at Pottstown High School during the 1952 and 1953 seasons, Captained the high school team which won 48 straight baseball games and which later was inducted into the National Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Was the catcher on Pottstown’s American Legion State Championship team in 1954. While playing both sports at Duquesne University, held the national basketball foul shooting record hitting 63 in a row. After signing a baseball contract, played on two World series winners during an 18 year major league career, St. Louis Cardinals (1967) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1971).
Joins two other high school teammates as PSHF Inductees, his brother, Richard, and Howie Bedell. Quite a compliment to their coach, Edward Y. Good, one of Pottstown’s revered educators.

A remarkable athlete who has never missed a game during his high school, college, service, and pro football careers…A 3-year starter at Missouri…MVP as a sophomore and junior…Played in Orange, Blue Bonnet, and Southwest Challenge Bowls…Honor student…All-pro nine times with Pittsburgh Steelers…As linebacker leads or shares Steeler career high for interceptions…Made 1963 All-NFL Rookie team…1970 team MVP…Player representative…Defensive captain…Won 1973 Whizzer White Humanitarian award…Leads team in continuous service…Super star team competitor…Made NFL Fat East tour of military bases in 1968…Active in charities…Real estate investment counselor.

Affectionately referred to as “Mr. Midget Football, USA”…Founder-President of Pop Warner Little Scholars, Inc. ..Began as a 4-team league in Philadelphia 55 years ago and now encompasses approximately 250,000 boys and girls across the United States and in Mexico…Born in Shenandoah, PA in 1902…Played varsity tackle at Frankford (Philadelphia) High School, Gettysburg, and Swarthmore Colleges…Attended Harvard Law School…worked for Wall Street brokerage firm when in 1929, with help from the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, formed the Junior Football Conference…In 1934, renamed conference in honor of Temple University’s legendary football coach, Glen Scobey “Pop” Warner…American Football Coaches’ Association elected Joe the first non-college coach ever to receive the Amos Alonzo Stagg Award…As far back as its inception, Joe used midget football as a means of teaching character and the value of an education…Author Jim Michener described the program as “organized juvenile sports at its best”…Many accolades have and will follow.

About This Inductee:

• All-American Basketball Team, 1944
• All-Ivy League Team, 1942, 44 & 47
• University of Pennsylvania All Time Great
• 1st Round draft choice, Philadelphia ‘Warriors’
• All-Pennsylvania State Scholastic Team while at Luzerne H.S., 1940 & 1941
• Most Valuable Player Eastern Pro League, 1962
• Collegiate and Professional Basketball Official, 1963-73
• Inducted into PA Sports Hall of Fame in 1982

During his high school basketball career at Luzerne High School in Luzerne, Pennsylvania, Crossin averaged 24 points per game, and led all Pennsylvania high school players in scoring in 1941. He played basketball at the University of Pennsylvania in the 1942–43 and 1943–44 seasons before serving in World War II with the United States Navy for two years.

Crossin returned to Penn for the 1946–47 season. He earned his nickname from the sound that the chain-link nets made when his shots dropped through.

After the end of his college career, Crossin was selected with the 6th pick in the inaugural 1947 BAA draft by the Philadelphia Warriors. In three seasons with the team, Crossin averaged 4.7 points and 1.5 assists per game.

He died at the age of 57 on January 10, 1981.

All-Southern Conference, Universrty ‘Of North Carolina, 1945 – 49; Three Sports, Shippensburg H. S.; Chicago Bears, 1949; Teacher, Coach & Athletic Director, Hickorv H. S., N. C., 1951 & 52; Assistant Coach West Chester state College, 1953 – 65; Professor and Head Football Coach, 1965-72, wirtih 52 – 15 record: Tangerine Bowl, 1966 & 67; Lambert CuP, 1967; Pennsylvania Conference Champions, 1966, 69 & 71; President, Pennsylvania Conference Foatlball Association, 2 years.

World’s Junior Billiards Champion 1933, 34, 35 & 36; Armed Services Champion, 1944; Billiards Room Proprietors Association Tournament Champion, 1965; New York State Open; National Invitational (ABC-TV), 1966, 1st Place; Long Beach and Burbank Tournaments; 2nd Place, first year of U. S. Open; Johnson City World’s All-Around Champion and World’s Billiard Champion 1968; US Open, US Master’s Champion and All-Japan Award, 1969; U. S. Open Champion 1974.

1928 Blue Ridge League; 1929 – 30, Harrisburg Senators; Sold to Philadelphia ‘A’s, 1930, 1931, Jersey City of International League; 1932, Sacramento of Pacific Coast League: Bought by Yankees in 1933; sent to Newark of International League; 1934 & 35, pitched for Yankees; traded at end of 1935 to Washington Senators where he played 1936 thru 1939; Best year in majors with Washington Senators in 1936 with 18 wins against 10 losses and 2 shutouts.

Leading receiver, 1978 Super Bowl; 8th All-time Denver Bronco Receiver Records; Starting wide-receiver Denver Broncos 1975-79; started in 50 consecutive professional games; played in 67 consecutive games with world football league leading receiver with 54 receptions for 948 yards; All-Atlantic Conference at Wake Forest; Pennsylvania All-State and Big ’33’ starter, 1965. College Track – Wake Forest Untverstcv: Captain 1969; School records (Still Stand Today), 100 yard dash – 9.6, 220 yard dash – 21.4, 60 yard dash – 6.3, 60 yard low hurdles – 7.2, Most points in a meet – 211;4, Most points in a season, 440 relay – 42.2, 2 – time Decathalon Champion.

Career Record of 659 wins against 65 losses at Annville-Cleona H. S.; Four State Championships; qualified teams in 15 of past 19 years for State Championships; teams won 73. District, Conference and Relay Championships; undefeated in 9 straight seasons, winning 87 consecutive meets; coached 7 individual gold medalists; one of. Pennsylvania’s most respected thinclad coaches, 1953-1981.

Coached wrestling at high school, College and club level for 20 years. As high school coach. he had 7 District. 5 Regional and 1 state champion. As college coach he won 41 Pennsylvania State Championships and coached 14 National Champions; member Olympic Team in Munich and Montreal; Team Leade;r of the U. S. World Team in 1974 and 1975; Team Leader in Russia in 1973; Selected National Coach of The Year 1961, 1962 and 1965.

Derry township High ace in football, basketball and track… member of famed Duquesne University “Iron Dukes” from 1937 – 41, in two NIT’s and NCAA Regional Final . . . pro baseball with Knoxville (Southern Association) . . . Detroit’s world pro basketball champs (1941 – 42) . . . several all- star honors … named to Duquesne U. and Westmoreland County Sports Halls of Fame.

All-State 1959 and 1961; Led West Reading H.S. to 3 State Titles; Parade Magazine All-American; Broke Wilt Chamberlain’s State Scoring Record (98 games- 3,174 points); played 4 years at University of Cincinnati; drafted by Cincinnati Royals in NBA; shoulder injury precluded pro career: Springfield Basketball Hall of Fame.

Pennsylvania’s greatest-ever Olympic Champion; listed in Guinness Book of Records’ … most AAU National titles … ’27; ’45; ’46; ’49; ’50; ’51; ’52 National All- Around Championships; Olympic Champion ’48; ’52; Designated #1 on first USA Team to Score in World Olympics; Affiliated with Philadelphia Turngemeinde; 1945 USA Champion Broad Jump; 1946 Middle Atlantic Most Outstanding Athlete; President’s Trophy; National Gymnastic Hall of Fame, 1974.