Inductees

Doc is a Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. He was the men’s basketball coach of his alma mater,
the University of Pittsburgh from 1922 – 1953. At Pitt, he compiled a record of 367-247 (.595). His 1927 team was 27-0 and was retroactively named the national champion by the Helms Athletic Foundation and the
Premo-Porretta Power Roll. His 1929-30 team was Also name national Champion for the 1928-30 by the
Helms Foundation. His 1941 squad made the 1941 Final Four.
As an athlete at Pitt, Carlson was an All-America end in football and lettered in basketball. At Pitt, Doc earned three letters in basketball, two in baseball and four in football.

Henry was a college standout at Lebanon Valley College where he played quarterback and graduated
in 1924. He gained the nickname of “Two Bits” due to his size. Standing 5’5’’ and weighing in at 150 pounds, he was one of the smallest players to ever play in the NFL. Homan played for the Frankford Yello Jackets from 1925 through 1930. Then Yellow Jackets with Homan would go on to win the 1926 NFL Championship. He was elected to the Lebanon Valley College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1976.

Ray Mueller was a Major League Baseball catcher from 1935 to 1944 and 1946 to 1951. Nicknamed “The Iron Man” Mueller was the starting catcher in every game the Cincinnati Reds played (155) – during the wartime 1944 season. Mueller caught a record 233 consecutive games in 1943-1944 and 1946. His 14-year lifetime statistics were a .252 batting average, 56 home runs and 373 RBI, playing for the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Giants.Ray stepped outside the chalk lines and managed minor league baseball and coached in the majors for the New York Giants, Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians.

Bill was born in Wilkinsburg, PA in 1886. He made his major league debut in 1907with the Pittsburgh Pirates, appearing in three games. He reemerged again in 1910 in a more substantial role substantially at third base. He played for the Pirates in 1907, 1910 to 1912, 1918 and 1920. Over this period, he also played for six other major league clubs. In 846 games over 11 seasons he posted a .251 batting average; with 319 runs, 8 home runs and 240 RBIs. Following his playing days McKechnie managed for a year in the minors before taking over the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1922. He managed the Pirates (1922-1926), St. Louis Cardinals (1928-1929), Boston Braves (1930-1937) and Cincinnati Reds (1938-1946). He compiled a record of 1,896 wins and 1,723 losses. His teams won four National League pennants (1925.’28.’39 and ’40). He is the only National League Manager to win pennants with three teams (Pittsburgh, St Louis, and Cincinnati).

Harrisburg-born football player who in 1910 became the first true freshman to start at quarterback for Penn State in a season opener. Held that distinction for 100 years until Rob Bolton started Penn State’s 2010 opener. Miller finished his collegiate career with a record of 21-2-2, including an 8-0 record in 1912.

Arizin did not play basketball at LaSalle College High School, failing to make the team in his only tryout. During his Freshmen year at Villanova, Paul played Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) basketball and the Villanova Head Basketball Coach attended one of his games. The coach approached Arizin and asked if he would like to go to Villanova, Paul replied, ”I already go to Villanova”. The rest is basketball history. Arizin made the team in 1947 and played for three years. In 1950, he was named the collegiate basketball player of the year after leading the nation in scoring with 25.3 points per game, He was selected by the Philadelphia Warriors with their first pick in the 1950 draft, averaged 17.2 points per game and was named the NBA Rookie of the Year. Paul became one of the greatest NBA players of the 1950s, leading the league in scoring during the 1951-52 and 1956- 57 seasons. He sat out the 1952-53 and 1953-54 NBA seasons while serving in the Marines during the Korean War.

Arizin played in a total of 10 NBA All-Star Games (MVP in 1952) and was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1952; 1956 and 1957.

After playing football and being an assistant coach at Duquesne University, Buff Donelli was named the head football coach at Duquesne from 1939-1940, Boston University (1947-1956) and Columbia University (1957-1967). He compiled a career college coaching record of 105-107-2). Buff also had brief stints as a coach in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Rams. Football was not Buff’s only sport as he played and excelled in soccer In the 20s and 30s. He was a member of the United States Men’s National Soccer Team during the 1934 FIFA World Cup.

A New York native, Roger graduated from Lafayette College in 1926 where he was an All-American football and basketball player. He received his law degree from Dickinson Law School. While at Dickinson he coached the football team, Robert Duffy was the 20th football coach at Dickinson College and held the position for two seasons from 1927 until 1929. His record there was g-9-1.
During the World War II, Duffy was assigned to the T13th Transport Squadron from September,
1942 until January, 1945, first as Intelligence Officer and then the Executive Officer. After the war, Duffy returned to his law practice in Philadelphia and got involved in politics. He Kept his hand in sports as a director of the College Football Hall of Fame and a trustee of the Pop Warner Conference.

Tom Gola was praised as a great all-around basketball player at LaSalle College High School, leading the Explorers to a Catholic League Championship. Upon graduation he entered the hometown LaSalle University Explorers. Gola started as a freshmen and led the Explorers to the NIT Championship in 1954 and was named Tournament MVP. That same year he was selected National Player of the Year. As a senior Tom helped LaSalle finished as the runner-up in the NCAA Tournament. He averaged 20.9 points and 19.0 rebounds during 115 games and is still the NCAA All-time rebounding leader with 2,201 career rebounds. After a phenomenal college career, Gola turned pro as a territorial draft pick of the Philadelphia Warriors. He teamed with All-pros Paul Arizin and Neil Johnson to lead the Warriors to an NBA Championship In 1956.
Tom was inducted into the La Salle Hall of Athletes in 1961, Big Five Hall of Fame in 1977 and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame In 1976.

Bob played college football at Pennsylvania State University, where he was a two-time All-American. After spending time in the service during World War I, he returned to Penn State, and again earned All-American honors In 1919. In 1920 and 1921, he played end for the Canton Bulldogs of the National Football League. Higgins coached four seasons at West Virginia Wesleyan and three seasons at Washington University of St Louis. He returned to Penn State, this time as an assistant coach before becoming head coach in 1930. He served as head coach for 19 seasons. Leading the Nittany Lions to only the second unbeaten seasons in their history. Bob Higgins was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1954.

Joseph Hill was a graduate of Lebanon High School and Perkiomen School, was a three-year starter at Colgate University where he played on both the offensive and defensive line. In 1952, his senior year, the team was undefeated, untied, unscored upon, and uninvited to the Rose Bowl. Joe played for the East All Stars in the 1933 East-West Shrine Game in San Francisco. That same year he became the head football coach at Wellesley, Mass High School leading the team that had not won a game in two seasons to a 7-2 season. From 1934 to 1936 he was on the Harvard football coaching staff where he coached Joseph Jr. and Jack Kennedy. IN 1937 he was the head freshman football coach at Colgate. The next year returned to Lebanon to practice law. He was also inducted into the Perkiomen School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Lebanon School District Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

Whitey played his entire career for the St Louis Cardinals, 1941 to 1949 at third base. He posted a .286 batting average with 106 home runs and 529 RBIs in 916 games. His best year was 1947, when he posted career highs in average (.310).,home runs (27), RBIs (104) and runs (108). He made the All-Star team five consecutive seasons (1943-1947). In four World Series appearances Whitey hit .253 with one home run and nine RBIs in 23 games. His only home run in the series came off Red Ruffing in the bottom of the ninth breaking a 2-2 tie and gave the Cardinals a win over the Yankees in 1947. Arm problems ended his baseball career in 1949.

Willie Mosconi was a professional pool player from Philadelphia. Between 1941 and 1957, he won the World Straight Pool Championship, an unmatched fifteen times. He and Minnesota Fats had many legendary matchups during their careers.

While attending Whitehall High School he led his team to three straight league title and the Coplay American Legion team to two Pennsylvania crowns. The Phillies signed Curt to a $65,000 bonus (one of the highest ever awarded at that time). Simmons won 17 of 25 decisions during 1950 leading the Phillies to a National League Championship. With the out break of the Korean War, Simmons was called to active duty with only a month remaining in the campaign.
Simmons also missed the 1951 season while in the military. He returned in 1952 to win 14 games, post a stellar 2.82 ERA, and lead the majors with six shutouts. Curt continued to pitch into the late 1950s although for a losing ball club. He was stricken with a sore arm in 1960 and released by the Phillies. Signed as a free agent by the St Louis Cardinal, he began a comeback that culminated in 15 and 18 game winning seasons in 1963 and 1964. He appeared in the 1964 World Series against the Yankees and although losing his only decision compiled a 2.51 ERA. Over twenty years, his record was 193-182. In 569 games pitched and 3,348 innings; Simmons allowed 3,313 hits, recorded 1,697 strikeouts and 1,063 walks.

Pittston High School-All-State in football
University of Georgia-halfback
All-American, won Sugar Bowl
1946 won Maxwell and Walter Camp Trophies as college football’s MVP
Signed four-year professional contract with Chicago Cardinals
All Pro with Cardinals, 1947 led them to World Title his first season
1959 inducted into Pro Football’s Hall of Fame
Inducted into PA Sports Hall of Fame in 1968

Charles Louis Trippi (born December 14, 1921) played professionally for the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL) from 1947 to 1955. Although primarily a running back, his versatility allowed him to fill a multitude of roles over his career, including quarterback, defensive back, punter, and return specialist. A "quintuple-threat", Trippi was adept at running, catching, passing, punting, and defense.

Trippi attended the University of Georgia, where he played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1942 to 1946, with an interlude in 1944 while serving in the military during World War II. As a sophomore, he guided Georgia to victory in the 1943 Rose Bowl and was named the game's most valuable player. As a senior in 1946, he won the Maxwell Award as the nation's most outstanding college football player, was named the Southeastern Conference's player of the year, and earned unanimous first-team All-America recognition.

Drafted first overall by the Cardinals as a "future pick" in the 1945 NFL Draft, Trippi was also pursued by the New York Yankees of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) as well as multiple professional baseball teams. He ultimately signed a record $100,000 contract with the Cardinals. As a rookie, Trippi led Chicago's "Million Dollar Backfield" to victory in the 1947 NFL Championship Game. By the time he retired he had compiled the most yards of total offense by a player in NFL history. Trippi was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the PA Sports Hall of Fame in 1968.

Trippi is the oldest living member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the oldest living first overall NFL draft pick, and one of the oldest living former American football players. He and his wife, Nell, reside in Hazleton. They have two children, Lt. Gregory Saul, USN, and Mrs. Janet Curilla.

(March 16, 1906 – July 22, 1982) Lloyd nicknamed “Little Poison,” was a big-league center fielder. His small stature at 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) and 132 pounds (68 kg) made him one of the smallest players of his era. Along with his brother, Paul Waner, he anchored the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield throughout the 1920s and 1930s. After brief stints with four other teams (Braves, Reds, Phillies, Dodgers) late in his career, Waner retired as a Pirate. Waner finished with a batting average over .300 in ten seasons. He earned a selection to the All-Star game in 1938. Lloyd with 2,459 hits and Paul Waner with 3,152 hits set the record for career hits by brothers in major league baseball. Lloyd was elected into the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1967. He worked as a scout for the Pirates and the Baltimore Orioles after retiring as a player.

Ferdinand Henry John (Fritzie) Zivcich (Zivic) was an American boxer of Croatian descent who held the World Welterweight Championship from October 4, 1040 until July 29, 1941. As a young man, he followed the example of his four elder brothers who boxed and became known as the “Fighting Zivics”. He lost to Billy Conn, 1939 World Light-Heavyweight Champion, before 5,163 In a ten-round split decision at the Duquesne Gardens in Pittsburgh. In January 1939, Zivic defeated Jackie Burke, former Utah Intermountain and Pacific Southwest Welter-Weight title holder in 1939 and avenged a loss to former Junior Welterweight Champ Johnny Judick with a sixth round knockout. He defeated another Pittsburgh boxer, Sammy Angott in an elimination match to determine who would face Henry Armstrong for the World Welterweight Title noted above. Fritzie received a $3,200 Purse for his win, his biggest ever.

(February 24, 1892 – August 7, 1973) Will was a big-league starting pitcher who played most of his career for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1912-24). A four-time winner of 20 games in the early 1920s, he was the first National League left-hander to win 200 games. In 1916 he set a team record, still unbroken, with a 1.87 earned run average. He won at least 17 games each year from 1917 through 1924, peaking with seasons of 24, 22 and 23 wins from 1920 to 1922, and led the league in starts and complete games twice each, and in wins, innings and shutouts once each. He worked quickly in his starts, often not getting the signal from his catcher until he had already begun his windup. He established NL records for left-handers – second only to Eddie Plank among all southpaws – for career wins (216), innings pitched (3466⅓) and games started (405); all were broken within several years by Eppa Rixey. His career earned run average of 2.89 is also the lowest of any left-hander with at least 3000 innings in the NL. He still holds the Pirates franchise records for career victories (202) and complete games (263); he also set club records, since broken, for innings (3,201), strikeouts (1,191), and games pitched (469). Cooper, who batted right-handed, was also a fine fielder and hitter. Fellow teammate Pie Traynor recalled that Cooper would often bat in the #8 slot when he was starting; in 1924, he batted .346 in 104 at bats. He had a career .239 average with 6 home runs and 106 RBI.

“Duffy” Daugherty was a football player and coach born In Emeigh, Pennsylvania. He gained notoriety as the Head Football Coach at Michigan State University and his team’s legendary battles with Woody Hayes and Ohio State University. His record at MSU was 109-69 and his 1965 and 1966 teams won National Championships.. Following retirement in 1972, “Duffy” became a humorist, Trailblazer and reconteur touring the country’s charitable events and football Clinics.

A graduate of Harrisburg’s John Harris High School, Bob was known for his ball handling skills than h scoring. He went to Seton Hall on a baseball scholarship, but after coach John “Honey” Russell saw him practice once. His behind the back passes appeared to him to be as easy as the conventional dribble.
Known as the “Harrisburg Houdini”, He led Seton Hall to 43 consecutive victories from 1939 into 1941. His spectacular skills helped attract the largest crowd in basketball history at the time, 18,403 to and NIT quarter final against Rhode Island. Bob was an All-American guard in 1941 and 1942. Davies joined the Navy during World War II and led the Great Lakes Training Station to a 34-3 record before going overseas.
After the war, he joined the Rochester Royals and played with them through the 1954-55 season. Davies helped lead the Royals to an NBL title and was named MVP of the NBL. He was named to the All-NBA
first team four straight years. Bob was one of ten players named to the NBA 25th Anniversary Team In 1971.

Attended Villanova where he was an honorable mention Basketball All-American.
James became the Athletic Director at LaSalle in 1930. Over his35- year tenure at LaSalle, he developed nine varsity sports and help organize crew, making LaSalle on of the first Catholic
colleges to do so. Outside of LaSalle James was a football official for 2 years.

Pops graduated from Lafayette College in 1895. He was a member of the faculty at Albright College and head coach of all major sports, he remained there for 21 years turning out some great athletes. He became the General Secretary of the Lebanon Y.M.C.A.. He remained there through 1941, although devoting much of his time to his baseball scouting duties. He then devoted all his time to baseball, scouting and directing tryout camps under the sponsorship of the St. Louis Cardinals. This kept him in close personal contact with college and high school coaches and players.

One of family of 10 children of Irish Immigrants he was tall and athletic for his age he learned to row in the Schuylkill River. He began working as a brick layer and while excelling in basketball and football he kept his eye on Rowing. He became one of the best rowers in the country, achieving victories in several competitions.
He enlisted in the US Army in WW I, becoming a lieutenant. In 1919 Jack created his own construction company, again while keeping an eye on prestigious rowing competitions. But his registration was refused because he was considered A ”manual worker”. Already a six-time champion in the United States, he stepped up his efforts to prepare for the Olympic events in Antwerp. At Anthwerp, his main rival was Britian’s Jack Beresford and they achieved the two best times in the quarter-final series. They each won their semi-final and faced off in a duel to win the title. The final proved to be memorable, a battle worthy of Homer Beresford firmly takes an early lead until Kelly caught him at 100m from the line and kept a second ahead of him at the finish. At Paris, Kelly and Costello returned to the Olympic stage qualifying for the double sculls final where they proved far superior to their opponents. John B. Kelly’s achievement has never been repeated in the Olympic Games. Four years later Kelly and his cousin Costello returned to the Olympic stage and out-rowed the competition for another gold. Thus Kelly became the first three-time Olympian rowing champion.

Andy was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1978. His family moved to Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He attended Dickenson College and played three years of Baseball. After graduation he taught mathematics and coached football (a game he never played because he thought he was too small). He moved to Pittsburgh and there caught the eye of “Pop” Warner, the coach at the University of Pittsburgh.
He began his head coaching career as interim head coach at Stanford In 1922 on behalf of Warner who could not contractually move until 1924. He became head coach at Washington & Jefferson College in 1926 -1930. In 1930 he moved to Colgate where he remained for the next 18 years. His teams were outstanding as Kerr built on Warner’s double wing. Their remarkable record included the famous "unbeaten, untied, unscored upon and uninvited” 1932 team which was 9-0 with a points total of 264-0 and not considered good enough for the Rose Bowl. He left Colgate in 1946 because of a mandatory retirement age rule but Coached on at Lebanon Valley College until 1950.