Montco chapter of Pa. Hall of Fame announces newest induction class
The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Montco Chapter is proud to announce and honor a deep, deserving and impactful class of individuals whose accomplishments will be celebrate among friends, teammates, family, fans and admirers Friday, September 30th, 2016 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 First Avenue, King of Prussia.
Being honored are Scott Palmer, Hank Cisco, Bobby Baker, Demer Holleran, Joe Bello, Chad Levitt, Lewis Scott, Tom Lonergan, Sal Bello and Gene Coder.
Collectively they have not only won championships, MVP’s and been inducted into other Hall of Fame bodies, they have spent decades championing worthwhile causes, leading by example, giving back to their communities and youth sports organizations.
While all of these luminaries have been toasted and honored in various ways over the years, this September 30th the inductees will be joining an elite and exclusive PA Sports Hall of Fame Montco Chapter club which includes previously enshrined members Joe Frazier, Billy Cunningham, Mike Richter, Tom Fazio, Kim Gallagher, Gina Buggy, Brad Scioli, Wally Triplett, Jim Williams, Jennie Hall, Craig Littlepage, Ron Livers, Robbie Wine, Tammy Greene, Glenn Fine, Bill Nuttall, Alvin Williams..
They also now belong to a chapter in the same club that includes immortals; Arnold Palmer, Roberto Clemente, Chuck Bednarik, Jim Thorpe, Franco Harris, Stan Musial, Dick Allen, Betsy King, Jimmy Foxx, Steve Van Buren, Red Grange, Cathy Rush, Richie Ashburn, Roger Penske, Willie Mosconi, Connie Mack, Josh Gibson, Tom Brookshier, Tom Gola, Roy Campanella, Robin Roberts, Greasy Neale, Harry Kalas, Pop Warner, Curt Simmons, Tommy McDonald and Christy Mathewson.
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Demer Holleran, possibly the most dominant and decorated Squash player in US history. A member of the US Squash Hall of Fame, she led the Princeton Tigers to the 1989 NCAA Squash title, was a four time College All-American and won the NCAA Women’s individual squash titles in 1986, 1987 and 1989. While at Princeton she also found time to be named All-Ivy League in Field Hockey and Lacrosse as well as Squash. As a professional Demer won six hardball and six softball US Singles titles, 10 national doubles titles, three world doubles titles and one world mixed-double title. She was a US National Squash Champion for 16 straight years in either singles or doubles. As a coach at the University of Pennsylvania for nine years she led the Quakers to an undefeated season and NCAA Squash championship in 2000. Demer also coached the US na- tional team for four years. Demer went on to open and run the Fairmount Athletic Club in Upper Merion, continuing to support the regional sports community.
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Tom Lonergan, a Cheltenham High three-sport standout and La Salle Alum who went on to win virtually every type of title and award as a Women’s Basketball Coach. As coach of Bishop McDevitt High School Girls Basketball from 1984 to 1999, Central Bucks East from 1999 to 2013 and Gwynedd Mercy Academy from 2013 to present Tom accumulated championships and awards while sending players on to D1 schools. Tom was Philadelphia Catholic League Coach of the year six times over 11 years, won four Catholic League Championships, 11 Suburban One Championships, had a 90% winning percentage in Suburban One Conference play, was named the Philadelphia Inquirer Coach of the Year in 1988, ’94 and ’02, and Coach of the Decade for Bucks / Montco ’00, the Montgomery County Coach of the Year in 1986, ’87, ’88, ’91, ’94 & ’97, the Southeastern PA Coach of the Year in 1987 and 1997, Philadelphia Daily News Coach of the Year in 1994 and Suburban One Coach of the Year in 2012.
*** Bobby Baker rose to national prominence as a record shattering Quarterback for the Upper Merion Vikings. Bob was “Mr Fling” to receiver Bobby Thomas “Mr Cling” as they set volumes of state, district and school records. When Bob graduated from Upper Merion he held Pennsylvania State Records for Passing Yardage in a Season (2,728) and Career (5,387), Attempts in a Season (309), Completions in a Game (32), Completions in a Season (193) Completions in a Career (363), Touchdown Passes in a Career (74) and TD passes over two seasons (tie). Fifteen years after graduation he still held those records. He led UM to two Suburban One Titles and also led UM to one of the greatest comebacks in history in the 1972 title game against Abington, a 27-24 victory chronicled in the book “Incredible Football Feats”. Bob went on to play at Florida State and Temple University and to Coach at Temple.
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Joe Bello (Deceased). Joe was an All-League Football Selection 3 years on both offense and defense while at Archbishop Kennedy High School, and was an All–Area selection two years. In his senior year Joe led the league in rushing yards and TD’s, was second in receiving and was named captain of the Montgomery County All-Star game. Joe won back to back championships and was voted to the Norristown Times-Herald All-Century Football team. He went on to play at Delaware Valley University and was named MVP in his junior year. Sadly Joe left us too soon at a very young age.
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Lewis Scott will enter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame’s Montgomery County Chapter as another member of the Scott family of athletes who dominated many sports in the 1950’s and ‘60’s. Lewis played defensive back and special teams for the Denver Broncos, was the starting QB for Mesa Junior College as a Freshman and Sophomore before becoming a starting defensive back for the Oregon Ducks in the 1965 Rose Bowl. While at Upper Merion High, in addition to football, he was Pennsylvania State Champion in the 440 and 880 placing 3rd in the 100 while leading UM to 2nd place finish in the State Track and Field Championship. He also finished first in the quarter mile junior college invitational held at BYU.
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Frank “Hank Cisco” Ciaccio. It is difficult to say what Hank is more famous for; being the only Official Ambassador for any municipality in the US, throwing Muhammed Ali out of the ring before a Joe Frazier fight, his professional boxing and refereeing career, serving in the Norristown Police department for 24 years, becoming the first Executive Director of the Moncto Safety Program, starting the Norristown Police Athletic League (PAL) Boxing program and leading them to a Pennsylvania State Championship, his TV show carried by Comcast and Verizon where he has interviewed everyone from Rudy Giuliani to Willie Nelson, or just the guy who seems to be everywhere, supporting every good cause and helping those in need. Early in his boxing career he was trained by the same person who trained Rocky Marciano, he refereed fights in iconic venues featuring boxing legends such as Joe Frazier, Marvin Hagler, Bobby “Boogaloo” Watts, Matthew Saad Muhamed, Willie “The Worm” Monroe and Eugene “Cyclone” Hart. Amid the glitz and notoriety Hank always found a way to give back, constantly championing kids, Norristown and Montgomery County.
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Scott Palmer may just be the most well-known of this distinguished group. Scott spent 24 years delivering first-hand accounts of the joy, heartache, wins, tragedies and parades we Philadelphia sports fans experienced. As Sportscaster for the Philadelphia’s regions highest rated TV News Station; Channel 6 Action News, Scott brought us personalized stories from every imaginable sport from every imaginable location using his style of simply talking to the folks and being himself. After leaving Action News, Scott joined the Phillies in 2005. Scott is currently the Phillies Director of Public Affairs but has juggled many other roles through the years including the Phillies Pre-Game Show “Behind The Pinstripes” and helping support the Phillies charitable and youth sports causes. Scott is in the Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame, was Pennsylvania Special Olympics Sportscaster of the Year, won the Champion in the Community award given by Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, and was given a special award from the Philadelphia Section of the PGA. Scott is a board member of the Friends of Jerry Segal Golf Classic, and provides his time to several other charities, including the Variety Club.
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Gene Coder (Deceased). Gene was a Norristown High School legend as a Basketball, Football and Tennis record setter and champion. He led Norristown to its only State Basketball Championship ever, in 1948 (The Buzz Boys). Gene led Norristown to that win over Ford City before 8,500 fans at the Palestra. That same year Gene won the PIAA State Tennis Doubles Championship. He also won the Ray Musselman Memorial Football award (MVP) and the Harold Tyler Memorial Basketball Award (MVP). He is a member of the Norristown Hall of Champions.
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Chad Levitt played on the St. Louis Rams Super Bowl XXXIV Championship Team and was also with the Chicago Bears after having played for the Oakland Raiders as a fourth round draft pick. While at Cheltenham High School Chad was a three sport star; football, wrestling and track. He was 1st team All-League, All-Academic, and All Montgomery County in football, 1st team All-League in Shot Put and the 4x100 relay. Chad was a PIAA State Qualifier in wrestling, and was the alltime leading rusher in Cheltenham (1601 yds.). He won the Ben Bell Award as the top male athlete at Cheltenham. Chad went on to star and set records in football for 4 years at Cornell University. A 3 time All Ivy selection 1st team, Ivy League player of the year (Asa S. Bushnell Cup), EVAC Div. I-AA Player of the Year (1996), Associated Press All-American and left Cornell with the record for most 100 yard games (24), and the Ivy League record for most rushing attempts (922), career rushing mark of 4,657 yds. He is a member of the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, Cornell Hall of Fame and was the New York Sports Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete of the Year.
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Sal Bello Sr., “Unsung Hero”. Publically, as a player, coach, leader, innovator, mentor, sponsor and executive Sal is almost overqualified for this award. Combine that with the untold stories from those he humbly and quietly helped or supported behind the scenes should make the community as roud of him as the HoF BoD is. A three sport co-captain all three years at Bridgeport High (Football, Baseball, Basketball) Sal was also MVP in football and basketball, 1st team intercounty basketball and football, and honorable mention All-State in football. He was co-founder of the Bridgeport Softball League and served as its first President and later also served as Norristown Softball President. As coach and President he led the SSS (Triple S) Softball and Flag Football teams to State and National prominence. He grew the Flag Football team to the largest in the state winning 14 league championships. His softball teams won over 80% of all games as well as 50+ tournament championships. He is in the Bridgeport Hall of Fame and Montco Coaches HoF. He and his business interests such as Peppers Italian Restaurant have sponsored many teams and worthwhile causes over the past few decades. A State Champion women’s “A” softball team as well as scores of basketball, baseball, Legion and softball teams. He has donated scoreboards, fences, lighting, a tractor, printers, equipment and countless other items to benefit communities, men’s and women’s teams and youth sports programs. And this is just some of what is known… stories of many other types of quiet contributions and support continue to pour in. A true pillar.
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Tickets to the Montgomery County Chapter of Pennsylvania’s Sports Hall of Fame September 30th Induction Celebration Banquet are available at $70 each ($700 for a 10-person table) from the HoF website; http://www.montcosportshof.org/2016inductionceremony. html Sponsorships, Ads and Tables can also be purchased from the website or from Chapter president David Ritting at 476 Brookwood Rd., Wayne, PA 19087; phone 610 256-0300. Issue checks or money orders to PSHoF - Montco Chapter.