For the past 60 years, the Pa Sports Hall of Fame has honored and inducted over 753 incredible men and women who have made a lasting impact in Pennsylvania through extraordinary athletic achievement and contributions. Whether these activities have been achieved on or off the field, we honor them. And through our future virtual museum we will educate and celebrate their achievements for years to come.
PA STATE HALL OF FAME 2023 INDUCTION CEREMONY is Saturday, October 28, 2023
E. Victor "Vic" Seixas Jr.
Deceased
Year Inducted:1972
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Vic graduated from William Penn Charter School where he was a tennis star. He took his racket to North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). He was 63-3 at UNC, won the Southern Conference singles championship in 1948 and the doubles in 1949 and was an All-American. UNC awarded him the
Patterson Medal, the school’s top medal in athletics. He served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps in World War II for three years, which interrupted his tennis career. Vic was ranked in the ”Top Ten” thirteen time in the US between 1942 and 1956. He was ranked No. 4 in the World while he was No. 1 in US ranking. In his career he won 15 Major championships. He won Wimbledon, US Open,
Australian Open and French Open (2x) singles and the US Open twice in doubles. The French Open, Wimbledon (4x) and the US Open (3x) in mixed doubles. Seixas was inducted into the International Hall of Fame, the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame and the Southern Conference Hall of Fame.
Bruce Brubaker
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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Won “World Championship” and set a then world’s record in bait accuracy in Brussels, Belgium, 1958 while a member of the International Casting Federation Team representing the United States. Competed against 119 representatives of 29 countries. Won 54 National Casting Championships in fly, bait, and spinning. Member of “All-American Casting Team” 11 times. Captain of the “All-American Casting Team” 5 times. Is the only caster to have won a National Championship in all 18 accuracy events.
He was presented Sweden’s “National Honor Fishing Medal’ – was only ninth such award in 25 years and the second to an American. Became the first American to ever win a world championship in “Accuracy.”
Stanley Coveleskie
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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Stanley was born July 13, 1890 at Luke Fidler, suburb of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. Started his career with Philadelphia A’s in 1912, playing in five games. Traded to Cleveland in 1916, to Washington in in1925 and New York Yankees in1928. Won 214 games, lost 141 in the Major Leagues. Won 20 or more games in 5 seasons. Won 3 games in the 1920 World Series, pitching for Cleveland against Brooklyn. Started 3 games and completed 3 games in that Series, with a 0.67 ERA. Elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1969.
William "Billy" Cox
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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Started his baseball career with Harrisburg Senators and was signed to his first contract by Lester Bell, then manager of the Harrisburg Senators. His contract was purchased by Pittsburgh in 1941. In 1948 he was traded to Brooklyn. In 1955 was traded by Brooklyn to Baltimore where he completed his career. One of the great All-Time fielding Third Basemen – 11 years in Majors – Lifetime average .262. Was in World Series with Brooklyn for 3 years, and also, with Baltimore 1949, 1952 and 1953.
Lifetime series average of .302 and competed in over 1,000 games in his Major League career.
William "Bullet Bill" Dudley
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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All-American at University of Virginia. All-Time Pittsburgh Steeler
Running back and was All-Pro for several years – Played with Detroit Lions and the Washington Redskins. Selected top pick in the 1942 NFL Draft by Steelers. Though small in stature, 5’10”, 182 pounds, he was leading rusher his rookie year with 696 yards earning him All-League honors.
Elected to the National Football League Hall of Fame in 1966. The book, Greatest 60 Minutes in Football, chronicles the man.
Roy Winfield Engle
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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Played football at Williamsport High School and was selected All-State Center. Also while attending the same High School he was selected All-League Guard in basketball. He attended the University of Pennsylvania where he was center in 1930-32-33 and was All-American mention in 1930 and 1933, selected Center AP All-Eastern All-American Team in 1932, and also Center New York Post All-American Team the same year. In an article of the Franklin Field Illustrated 1954, “Of all the men who have played football at Pennsylvania, Roy Engle must be considered the number one ‘iron man.’ In three seasons he started every one of the 24 games and played 1,423 out of a possible 1,440 minutes. He never left a game because of injuries and never had to call a time out.”
In an article by Ed Pollock in 1963 issue of the Franklin Field Illustrated, he stated that Roy Engle was the greatest center in University of Pennsylvania history.
Nellie Fox
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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Started his career with Philadelphia A’s in 1947 under the leadership of the late Connie Mack and was traded to Chicago White Sox in 1950. In 1964 was traded to Houston where he finished his career in 1965. He coached the Washington Senators for several years. Played 19 years in the Majors, playing in 2.367 games.
Lifetime batting average of .288, compiling 2663 hits and was considered one of the All-Time great second basemen.
Joe Fulks
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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The first superstar of professional basketball – led the Philadelphia Warriors to Basketball Association of America (now NBA) championship in first year of league 1947-47 – voted to 25th Anniversary NBA team as one of the ten greatest players in the league since its inception, exclusive of present active players – established an all-time record of 1611 points in his first pro season, counting regular season and playoffs – was league’s leading scorer for regular season with 1389 points – a leading point maker throughout his career – had the greatest variety of shots in the games’ history – recognized as the first great jump shooter and emulated by players in college and pro ranks – in 1949 he set a pro record of 63 points against Indianapolis which was not broken until 1959, five years after the adoption of the 24 second rule – made the All-NBA team three times and second team once – twice chosen the league’s Most Valuable Player by the Philadelphia Sportswriters – one of the top rebounders and one of the most aggressive players – played at Murray State College and had a brilliant basketball career in the Marine Corps during World War II.
Cal Hubbard
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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Geneva College Fullback, Green Bay Packers – New York Giants All-Pro Tackle 1931-32-33-34. Umpired in Major Leagues and eventually became Supervisor of American League Umpires. On the gridiron, Cal Hubbard pioneered the linebacker position and was one of the most intimidating players in the National Football League.
Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. Named to NFL’s 50th Anniversary Team” in 1969 and NFL’s” Two-way Team” in 1994. Also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
George Senesky
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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An All-Pennsylvania State High School selection while playing for Mahanoy City; an All-American and Helms Foundation selection while playing for St. Joseph’s College and a star professional with the Philadelphia Warriors, which he joined in their first season 1946-47. Played a leading part in helping the team win the Championship of the Basketball Association of America (now NBA) in its inaugural year – Active player for Warriors for nine seasons, helping them win several Eastern Division titles. Assistant Coach for two years, while still playing – Head Coach in 1955-56, and in his first campaign piloted the Warriors to another league title.
In his senior year at St. Joseph’s, he led the nation’s major college scorers with a record 515 points and was voted “Athlete of the Year” by the Philadelphia Sportswriters Association.
William "Bucky" Walters
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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Was born April 19, 1909 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Started his professional baseball career with the Boston Red Sox in 1934 and was traded to the Phillies in 1935. In 1938 he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds where he played until 1948 when he retired to manage. Was a manager in 1948 and 1949 with the Reds. Pitched 3.104 2/3’s innings – gave up 2,990 hits, had 1,107 strike-outs and issued 1,121 bases on balls. In 1939 and 1940 pitched for Cincinnati Reds in World Series, In 1939 lost two games and pitched 11 innings, giving up 13 hits, 1 base on balls and had 6 strike-outs. In 1940 won 2 games, losing none with ERA 1.50. Started and completed both games giving up only 8 hits, 6 bases on balls and 6 strike-outs for both games. One of the games was a shut-out.
Played in Major Leagues for 16 years – won 198 lost 160 – ERA 3.30.
Lewis "Hack" Wilson
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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Was born April 26, 1900 in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania. Started his career in 1923 with New York Giants – 1934 traded to Philadelphia Phillies. Played in two World Series – 1924 with New York Giants and in 1929 with Chicago Cubs. Had batting average for the Series in 1929 of .471. Holds National League Home-run record with 56 in 1930 and R.B.I. both leagues with 190 in 1929 – 1930 which was All-time record.
Was in Majors for 12 years – with 1,062 R.B.I.’s, 244 Home Runs. Second highest paid in Majors at his time $70,000 – next to Babe Ruth in top pay.
Joseph Zacko
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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One of the State’s leading live bird shoot competitors with numerous records unequaled. Former Scout of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox with numerous finds to his record; received National and International recognition including State, Senate, and International Rotary for his philanthropy in sports and personal contributions in making sports programs possible to all age groups and both Professional and Amateur Teams.
Up Pottsville way, this gentleman, 74 years young, is referred to by most people as the “Patriarch of Anthracite Sport,,” Those in the National Football League call him the “Fox,” but anyway you cut it, Joe Zacko is one of the greatest sport’s philanthropists in the Commonwealth.
Herbert J. "Herb" Pennock
Deceased
Year Inducted:1971
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Herb was born February 10, 1884, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. Was signed by Philadelphia A’s in 1912 - 1915 was traded to Boston Red Sox – 1923 Red Sox traded him to New York Yankees. Finished his career in 1934 with the Boston Red Sox. Won 240 games and lost 162 in his career – had a total of 22 years in the Major Leagues. Pitched in over 600 games – in 1923 and 1926 won 2 games for the New York Yankees in World Series play and in 1927 won 1 game. Never lost a game in World Series play and won 5, competing in 5 World Series. He is the only pitcher with 100% in World Series play. Ranked second with saves in World Series play with 3. Had a lifetime ERA 3.61 and World Series ERA 1.95.
Was inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in 1948 and finished his career as General Manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Jushua "Josh" Gibson
Deceased
Year Inducted:1970
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Gibson played for the Homestead Grays from 1930 to 1931, moved to the Pittsburgh Crawfords from1932 to 1936, and returned to the Grays from 1937 to 1939 and 1942 to 1946. Internationally he played a year in the Dominican League and two years in the Mexican League.
Josh was the first manager of the Santurce Crabbers, a historic Franchise in the Puerto Rico League.
Gibson never played in the major leagues because of the unwritten “gentlemen’s agreement” that prevented non-white players from playing. He stood 6 foot-1 and weighed 210 pounds at the peak of his career. Baseball historians consider Gibson to be among the very best power hitters and power catchers in baseball history. In 1972, he became the second Negro League player to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Harry Greb
Deceased
Year Inducted:1970
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“The Pittsburgh Windmill” as he is known in the trade was widely regarded by many boxing historians as one of the best pound- for-pound boxers of all time. He was the American heavyweight champion from 1922 to1923 and world middleweight champion from 1923 to 1926. He fought a record 298 times in his 13 year career. He fought against the best opposition the talent rich 1910s and 1920s could provide him, including light heavyweights and even heavyweights. Greb, had a very aggressive, fast moving style of fighting and would bury an opponent with a blizzard of punches. At the time of this writing, Greb was considered one of the best fighters of all time, 9th by BoxRec, and was named the 7thgreatest fighter of all time by Ring Magazine,
Francis "Reds" Bagnell
Deceased
Year Inducted:1970
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Francis better known as Red because of his red hair and freckles. He was the water boy at Penn from the age of 12 until he became a student in 1945. Before entering Penn, Red was a two-sports letter Winner at West Catholic High School and led his school to Catholic League football championship in 1944 and 1945. He was named the outstanding Football player in Philadelphia in 1945. Red also became an All-American football player and team captain his senior season in college and became only the fifth player in school history to win nine letters. He was a starting guard on the basketball team, an out-fielder on the baseball team. He was an All-American tailback at the University of Pennsylvania graduating in 1951. He won the Maxwell Trophy and was runner up
for the Heisman. After graduation, Red served four years as a naval officer. Returning to Philadelphia he became a broker and very Active in community affairs. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977.
Henry P. "Henie" Benkert
Deceased
Year Inducted:1970
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Henie was a Consensus All- American at Rutgers In 1924 when he led the East in scoring with 100 points. Also 2nd Team All-American in Lacrosse in 1925. He ran for 2,124 yards during his career at Rutgers. He played in the NFL for three different teams from 1925 -1929.
Lloyd Blinco
Deceased
Year Inducted:1970
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Blinco began his hockey career with the Cresent Athletic Club in Brooklyn. NY. He spent the next six years with the Hershey Bears. He was the team’s star player and captain, and then Become part of the managerial team running the then year-old Hershey Bears. He quickly became general manager of the Hershey Bears and the Arena, a position he held until 1968.
In 1963 another title was added to his position. Blinco became the general manager of Hershey Park.
Thomas Jefferson "Tom" Brookshier
Deceased
Year Inducted:1970
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Tom was a star defensive back who helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to the 1960 National Football
League Championship. He joined the Eagles in1953 out of the University of Colorado. In training camp, he made an impression on coach Joe Trimble by knocking out the Eagles receiver their, #1 draft pick. Tom intercepted 8 passes that season and was a key contributer to the Eagles defense. Chuck Bednarik said that Brookshier was one of the toughest defensive backs of our era. He was selected All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl in 1959 and 1960. Playing seven seasons and intercepting 20 passes, his No. 40 jersey was retired. His playing career, interrupted by two-years in the Air Force, ended After he broke his leg in a game against the Bears in 1961. He began his broadcasting career with WCAU in Philadelphia and later teamed with Pat Summerall as CBS’s No.1 professional football broadcasting duo, working three Super Bowls together.
Richard Totten "Dick" Button
Deceased
Year Inducted:1970
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Just two days before the men’s figure skating free skate in the Moritz 1948 Olympic Winter Games. Dick Buttons successfully landed a double axel in practice. Forty- eight hours later with the bright lights shining, the eighteen-year-old Button was not about to back down; he became the first skater to land a double axel in competition, propelling him to become the first American man to win a gold medal in figure skating singles.
Four years later, at the Oslo 1952 Olympics Winter Games Button took things one rotation further – as he became the Skater to land a triple jump in competition. The judges, Unanimously, voted him the gold medal.
In addition to Olympic gold, he took home five consecutive Gold medals from the World Championship.
Paul Costello
Deceased
Year Inducted:1970
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Paul Costello was an American Triple Olympic Gold medal winning in rowing. He was the first rower to win a gold medal in the same event, double sculls at three consecutive Olympics. He also won numerous national tiles in the single and double sculls in the 1920s. Costello won the double sculls face with his cousin John B. Kelly, also known as Jack, at the 1920 Olympics at Anttwerp, Belgium and the 1924 Olympics in Paris. France. He repeated his winning ways at the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands with new partner Charles McIlvaine. Historically Costello has been overshadowed by Kelly who was also a triple Olympic gold medalist. Member United States Rowing Hall of Fame, double sculls.
James Harold “Sleepy Jim” Crowley
Deceased
Year Inducted:1970
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Crowley’s early fame came as a one-fourth of the University of Notre Dame’s legendary “Four Horsemen” backfield where he played halfback from 1922 – 1924. After a brief period as a professional football player, he turned to coaching. He served as the head coach at Michigan State College from 1929 to 1932. Fordham University from 1933 to 1941 and at the North Carolina Pre-Flight School in 1942 compiling a career college coaching record of 86-23-11 He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966.
Elroy Face
Living
Year Inducted:1970
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Elroy Face was born on February 20, 1928 and was a big-league relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1955-1968). A pioneer of modern relief pitching, he was the archetype of what came to be known as the closer, and the National League's greatest reliever until the late 1960s, setting numerous league records during his career. Face was a six-time All Star. He used the “forkball,” one the rarest pitches in baseball. The forkball is known for its severe downward break as it approaches the plate. Because of the torque involved with snapping off a forkball, it can be one of the more taxing pitches to throw.
Face was the first major leaguer to save 20 games more than once, leading the league three times and finishing second three times. In 1959 he set the still-standing major league record for winning percentage (.947), and single-season wins in relief, with 18 wins against only one loss. He held the NL record for career games pitched (846) from 1967 until 1986, and the league record for career saves (193) from 1962 until 1982. Face still holds the NL record for career wins in relief (96), and he held the league mark for career innings pitched in relief (1,211⅓) until 1983. On his retirement, he ranked third in major league history in pitching appearances, behind only Hoyt Wilhelm and Cy Young, and second in saves behind Wilhelm. Nicknamed "The Baron," because of his command performances, “Little Elroy,” 5’8,” holds the Pirates franchise records for career games (802) and saves (188). During his baseball career, Face, in keeping with a family tradition extending back two generations, worked as a carpenter during the off-season. Following his retirement, this became his full-time occupation, and beginning in 1979, Face served as the carpentry foreman at Mayview State Hospital until his retirement in 1990.
George "Lefty" James
Deceased
Year Inducted:1970
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After a long tenure as an assistant football coach James was named head coach and compiled a 14-year record at Cornell of 66-58-2 with four of his teams figuring in unofficial Ivy Titles. Cornell topped the circuit in 1948, ’49, ’53 and ’54. From 1948 through 1951 his Big Red teams won 29 of 36 games with an 8-1 mark in both 1948 and 1949. Other highlights were three straight triumphs over Princeton and a 20-7 Victory over Michigan, Big Ten champions and a Rose Bowl winner the year before. Coach James was a graduate of Bucknell University and was Inducted into the Bisons’ Hall of Fame as a football player.
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