Shaler Area Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2013

Shaler Area High School October 5, 2013

Athletes-Coaches-Officials Contributors-Teams

Mission Statement To recognize those individuals who have brought prestige and pride to the Shaler Area School district athletic program and to the community either as a player, coach, administrator, or supporter

Selection Committee Don Bender, Retired Teacher-Coach Amy Bodenlos, Administrative Assistant Marna Bodnar, Community Member James DiNucci, 2001 Hall of Fame Inductee Richard T. Dixon, 2001 Hall of Fame Inductee Susan Fisher, Community Member David Fortun, 2007 Hall of Fame Inductee/Retired Teacher-Coach Lynn Handza, Community Member Robert Hinds, Community Member Paul Holzshu, Athletic Director Joseph Laslovic, Community Member Carol Martin, 2008 Hall of Fame Inductee/Retired Teacher-Coach Melissa McConville, Teacher Nellie Phillips, Student Representative Timothy Royall, High School Principal David Shutter, Community Member William Suit, 2009 Hall of Fame Inductee Mark Weidner, Community Member

PROGRAM Welcome ------------------------------- Dave Fortun Committee Member

Invocation -------------------------- James Giel, Jr. School Board President

Dinner Master of Ceremonies ------------------ David Shutter

Presentations Inductees

Presenter

Pam Prahl -------------------------------------- Judy (Smolski) Deer Mandy (Bodnor) Leas ----------------------- Ruth Bodnor John Kuzemchak ------------------------------ John Kuzemchak Sr. Wayne Schuckert ----------------------------- Jerry Matulevic 1999 Shaler Area Baseball Team ---------- Jerry Matulevic

Pam Prahl Girls Head Soccer Coach/Teacher Shaler

Pam began the girls soccer program at Shaler Area in 1980 and is one of the true pioneers of girls soccer in Western Pennsylvania. Her record as a head coach is an outstanding 208 wins, 92 loses, and 23 ties. Pam’s coaching ability along with her work ethic and energy has encouraged many young women to play soccer in high school, college, and beyond. In addition, many of her former players have become coaches as a result of her influence. One of Pam’s proudest accomplishments occurred during her last year coaching high school soccer when teams coached by 4 of her former players were all competing in the WPIAL playoffs.

Mandy (Bodnor) Leas Basketball/Softball/Volleyball

Mandy played varsity basketball, softball, and volleyball at Shaler Area, earning 7 varsity letters. Mandy was an integral player on the 1994 Section Champion Lady Titans Basketball Team. In 1995, she received the Coaches Award and was named a WPIAL Section3 All-Star. In Softball, Mandy was named team MVP and was also the recipient of the Thomas Osso Award. Mandy’s athletic accomplishments continued at Penn State Behrend where she pitched and played first base on the softball team. She was named the team’s 1997 Rookie of the Year and helped to lead her team the following season to the AMC Conference Championship where she was named AMC Conference MVP. Mandy was voted Female Athlete of the Year in 2001, and her greatest accomplishment was being inducted into Penn State Behrend’s Hall of Fame in October of 2011.

John Kuzemchak Baseball/Football/Hockey

John earned an amazing 10 Shaler Area Varsity letters in football, hockey, and baseball. On the ice, this two time all-star was the hockey team’s leading scorer for 3 consecutive seasons, once scoring 7 goals in a game. John also excelled on the baseball diamond. He played an integral role on three Section Championship teams and was the leading hitter on the 1981 WPIAL Championship Team. John is the current Shaler Area leader with 77 career RBIs and is tied for the single season RBI record with 35. His other honors include being a three time All Section player, winning the Thomas Osso Award in 1983, being selected to the Pittsburgh Press’ Fabulous 14 team, and being named American Legion Baseball’s MVP. John’s outstanding baseball career continued at West Virginia where he earned a scholarship. As a Mountaineer, John was a 3 year letter winner who compiled 123 hits, 18 homeruns, and 96 RBIs. He played on 2 Atlantic 10 championship teams and competed twice in the NCAA Regional Playoffs. John was also a co-captain his senior year and was named the Atlantic 10 player of the Week numerous times.

Wayne Schuckert Baseball

Wayne was the most dominant pitcher in the state during the 1979 and 1980 seasons. This two year letter winner led the 1979 Shaler American Legion Baseball Team to a state championship and followed that by leading the 1980 Shaler Titan Baseball Team to both a WPIAL Championship and a PIAA Championship. Wayne was named WPIAL and PIAA Pitcher of the Year in 1980, a season in which he pitched over 88 innings, giving up only 48 hits while striking out a school record 128 batters. His overall record that year was 11-2. Wayne had many scholarship offers to play major college baseball, but he instead chose to turn pro after being drafted by the Chicago White Sox’s in the 9th round. Wayne reached the Double A level for the White Sox’s.

1999 SA Boys Baseball Team

The 1999 Shaler Titan Baseball Team is the 2nd best baseball team in Shaler Area history, runner-up to only the 1980 WPIAL and PIAA Championship Team. The 1999 team, with its motto “win or strike out swinging,” had an overall record of 23-5 and won the WPIAL Championship by defeating Ringold 6-3. The team then marched through the PIAA playoffs, losing a 4-3 thriller to Chambersburg in the PIAA Championship Game. Several players from this special team earned All-State recognition, and many received college scholarships. The 1999 Titan Baseball Team’s head coach was Jerry Matulevic and his assistants were Tom Gralewski, Bob Hinds, and Harris Price. Players include Dan Troppman, Randy Vulakovich, Tony Simile, Bob Roos, Nick Kissel, Ben Yeckel, Dan Schwartzbauer, Jimmy Long, Paul McGrath, Ray Kosinski, Craig Pelat, A.J. Lardin, Ryan Skasik, Tom Gapsky, Derek Piekarski, Matt Nowaczynski, and Rocky D’Angelo and missing from picture scorekeeper Midge Almendarez.

Athletic Hall of Fame

Class of 2011 Donald Bender Karen(Hosek)Kreuzer Taylor Letters Frank Merigliano 2006 SA Softball Team

Class of 2010 Nicholas Christy Yuri Dememtris Leo Elter Joseph Miller Michael Moran Milo Orsini Howard Ruppert

Class 2007 Michael Bacasa Dave Fortun Thomas-Whitey-Gralewski

Michael Handza Richard LaFerriere Kevin Nellis Kraig Nellis 47/48 Shaler Football Team

2004 SA Softball Team Curtis Hetz Hannah Joyce Doug Maggio Clarence Metzger William Suit

Class 2008 1945 Etna Basketball Team Scott Alexander Sam Bair Dan Kite Carol Martin Glenn Meyer Harris Price

Continued

Robert Bestwick Gene Biles Lauren Colaizzi Henzler Clifford “Lefty” Fair Keith Nellis Paul Schweiger Gary M. Siriano 77-78-79 Boys Swim Team

Class of 2006 Colleen Geyer Troy Letters John Kuzniewski Rich Massucci ’41 Millvale Football Team

Class of 2009

Class 2003

Class of 2005 Alan Alt Ralph DeStefano Alan Gray David Longwell Clarence “Ben” Martin Tricia Miller Jason Rakers

Class of 2004 Scott Bronowicz Dr. Richard Brown Earl Ceh Donald Geyer Robert Siar, Jr. Matt Stennett Jeff Trew James Wirth 80 SA Girls Basketball Team

Class 2002 Mary Bukovac Julie Deer Keenan Leo “Ducky” Elter Forrest Ford Jan Kepple Robert Kopnisky Jerry Matulevic Michael McDermott Kenneth Nellis 80 SA Baseball Team

Class 2001 James DiNucci Richard T. Dixon Arthur Howe Kenneth Karcher Joseph Kopnisky James Laslevic Louis Martig Beverly Miller Markwith Edwin Peery Robert Sia

Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2012 Ray Ballantine Amy Bielski Hoffield Steven Francis Brenda Larrimer Miller Nick Nelson Robert “Popeye” Stout 1979/80 SA Boys Soccer Team

Special Thanks to: Mark Connelly for writing the biographies Custodial and Maintenance staff Student athletics who volunteered their time to be here Nellie Phillips who is this year’s student representative