FAYETTE COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame inducts its 2024 class

Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame inducts its 2024 class on June 21, 2024 at Pleasant Valley Golf Club in Connellsville, PA. Inductees From left are (front) Tom Sankovich (1982 Connellsville baseball team); Jeff Spinetti; Jennifer Surlas; Ashley (Foley) Weishaar; and Connie Kostelnik, representing her late husband, Tom; (back) George Von Benko; Bill Thomas (representing Willie Bryant); Jack Smarslak; Ray Smitley (Penn State Fayette baseball); Fran Novak; and Stu McLee.

Sports Line Interview with Jim Wardman talking about Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame inductee the late Tom Kostelnik

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Sports Line Interview with Stu McLee

https://soundcloud.com/user-94071533/gvb-with-stu-mclee-6-8-2024

Sports Line Interview with Ray Smitley on 2004 Penn State Baseball team and Ray Parson on the late Willie Bryant!

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Sports Line Interview with 2024 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Ashley Foley Weishaar

https://soundcloud.com/user-94071533/gvb-with-ashley-foley-weishaar-5-25-2024

Sports Line Interview with 2024 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Jack Smarslak

https://soundcloud.com/user-94071533/gvb-with-jack-smarslak-5-18-2024

Sports Line Interview with 2024 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Jeff Spinetti

https://soundcloud.com/user-94071533/gvb-with-jeff-spinetti-5-11-2024

Sports Line Interview with 2024 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Jen Surlas

https://soundcloud.com/user-94071533/gvb-with-jennifer-surlas-5-11-2024

Sports Line Interview with 2024 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Fran Novak

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Sports Line Interview with 2024 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee George Von Benko

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Sports Line interview with Tom Sankovich about the induction of his 1982 Connellsville
High School WPIAL Championship baseball squad.

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Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Announces 15th Class

The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce the 2024 class of inductees.

The class consisting of 9 individuals and two teams will be enshrined at a Hall of Fame Golf outing/Luncheon/Social starting at 9 am. on June 21, 2024 at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Connellsville, PA

The inductees will be recognized through the Uniontown Herald Standard Newspaper, George Von Benko's Sports Line Talk Show on WMBS Radio, the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame web page and the new Hall of Fame facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Nonprofit-organization/Fayette-County-Sports-Hall-of-Fame-106342634880603/.

Leading the way for the 2024 class is the top vote getter in voting by the Hall of Fame membership former Uniontown Red Raider WPIAL and PIAA wrestling champion Jeff Spinetti.

Also selected: Former Connellsville track and basketball and Mount St. Mary's track standout Ashley Foley Weishaar and former Uniontown High School WPIAL and PIAA high jump champ Stu McLee.

Former South Union football, basketball and track and Pitt football player Fran Novak and former Laurel Highlands High School baseball, basketball and soccer and West Virginia baseball stalwart Jack Smarslak were also elected to the 2024 class.

Also tabbed for induction are former Geibel High School and George Mason basketball standout Jen Surlas, and selected for Special Recognition is Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame co-founder and longtime radio broadcaster and sportswriter George Von Benko a graduate of Laurel Highlands.

Two deceased inductees are in the 2024 class including former Uniontown and Penn State basketball player Willie Bryant. Also in the deceased category former Brownsville High School and Notre Dame football standout Tom Kostelnik.

Two teams are being enshrined the 1982 Connellsville WPIAL Champion baseball team and the 2004 Penn State Fayette Campus Region 20 Juco baseball champs.

The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame golf outing is slated for 9 am Friday June 21, 2024 at Pleasant Valley Country Club, the Hall of Fame Luncheon will follow the golf outing. Golfers can register by phoning Katie Propes at (724) 415-2211 or emailing kpropes@occluss.com.

Luncheon tickets are also on sale.

For more information please contact George Von Benko at (724) 880-4548 .

Stringer Inducted Into Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame

Legendary women's basketball Coach C. Vivian Stringer a native of Edenborn, PA and a Fayette County Sports Hall of Famer was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame at a banquet in Allentown, PA on October 28, 2023. Unfortunately due to a medical emergency Stringer was unable to attend the event. She was repesented by her brother Tim Stoner and son Justin Stringer. Photo caption: Tim Stoner (L) brother of C. Vivian Stringer and Justin Stinger (R) son of C. Vivian Stringer pose after her induction into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame with her Induction Certificate and medallion.

Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Inducts 2023

Class The 2023 class was inducted on Friday June 16, 2023 at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Connellsville, PA. A golf outing with 104 golfers preceded the Hall of Fame Luncheon attended by 275. Nine individual indutees and two teams were enshrined in the 2023 class.

2023 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame inductees are (from left) Dave Davison, Rick Hauger, Gilbert Floyd, Jocelyn Chandler, West Turner, Rich Giachetti (accepting for his father, Richie Giachetti), Dick Albani (accepting for the 1954 Masontown Little League team), Mandy Hartman (accepting for the 2010 Frazier volleyball team), Vince Petno, Reggie McLee (accepting for the late Ernie Davis) and Vince Nesser.

George Von Benko Sports Line Interview with Frazier High School volleyball coach Mandy Hartman on the induction of her 2010 WPIAL Championship team into the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame.

https://soundcloud.com/user-94071533/hartman?si=35a797e857f64f059ad265d5e5b1c396&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing George Von Benko Sportsline Interview with Reggie McLee on his late uncle Ernie Davis and his induction into the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame. https://soundcloud.com/user-94071533/mclee?si=b66e7a6ea5d74b29943c9b9b9dc56c77&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing George Von Benko Sports Line interview with former Uniontown basketball standout Jocelyn Chandler on her induction into 2023 class of the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame. https://soundcloud.com/user-94071533/chandler?si=5df69125485c4952ba47d42ce66717a0&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

George Von Benko Sports Line Interview with Joe Hatalla on 2023 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Inductees 1954 Masontown Little League Champions

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Nesser Honored By WPIAL

Jim Nesser accepts Heritage Award at WPIAL Hall of Fame banquet on behalf of his late father Fayette County Sports Hall of Famer Lash Nesser.

George Von Benko Sportsline Interview with 2023 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Vince Petno

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George Von Benko Sportsline Interview with 2023 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Gilbert Floyd

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George Von Benko Sportsline Interview with 2023 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Inductee Vince Nesser

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Here is George Von Benko Sports Line Interview with 2023 Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame inductee West Turner.

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Here is George Von Benko Sports Line Interview with Rick Giachetti talking about his late father Rich Giachetti who will be inducted into the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame June 16.

https://soundcloud.com/user-94071533/gvb-with-rick-giachetti?in=user-94071533/sets/gvb-interviews-5-13-2023 Here is George Von Benko Sports Line interview with Coach Rick Hauger who will be inducted into the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame on June 16.

https://soundcloud.com/user-94071533/gvb-with-rick-hauger?in=user-94071533/sets/gvb-interviews-5-13-2023

Into the Hall Article

Into the Hall: Dave Davison

Into the Hall: Rich Giachetti

George Von Benko Sportsline Interview with Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame 2023 Inductee Dave Davison

https://soundcloud.com/user-94071533/gvb-with-dave-davison

Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame
Announces 14th Class

The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce the 2023 class of inductees.

The class consisting of nine individuals and two teams will be enshrined at a Hall of Fame Golf outing/Luncheon/Social starting at 9 am. on June 16, 2023 at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Connellsville, PA

Leading the way for the 2023 class is the top vote getter in voting by the Hall of Fame membership Laurel Highlands head basketball coach Rick Hauger..

Also selected: Former St. John's High School and Saint Vincent College basketball standout Vince Nesser and former Albert Gallatin and Washington and Jefferson football player Gilbert Floyd.

Former Brownsville graduate and professional bowler Dave Davison and former Uniontown High School and Duquesne University women's basketball standout Jocelyn Chandler were also elected to the 2023 class.

Also tabbed for induction are former South Union High School and Citadel football player Vince Petno, former Connellsville High School and WVU football stalwart West Turner.

Two deceased inductees are in the 2023 class including former Syracuse Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis. Also in the deceased category former North Union High School graduate and famed boxing trainer Rich Giachetti.

Also being enshrined are two teams the 1954 Masontown Little League All Stars who captured the Pennsylvania Little League crown and finished third in the Little League World Series and the 2010 Frazier girls WPIAL volleyball champions.

The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame golf outing is slated for 9 am Friday June 16, 2023 at Pleasant Valley Country Club, the Hall of Fame Luncheon will follow the golf outing. Golfers and those seeking luncheon tickets can register by phoning Katie Propes at (724) 415-2211 or emailing kpropes@occluss.com
For more information please contact George Von Benko at (724) 880-4548

Cunningham Inducted Into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame

(L-R) Ted Nypaver, Beth Corcoran representing Bob Hlodan, Mike Bradley representing Pat Bradley, Carl Carbonara, Pete Logan representing 2001 Brownsville Basketball Team, Marissa Dugan, Robin (Guerriere) Amend, Miles Cohen representing Les Cohen, Kaitlynn Johnson, Dan Andria and John Unice. Missing from photo Wilbert Scott.

Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame 2022 Golf Outing and Induction Luncheon Tickets

Reservations are now open for our annual golf outing/induction luncheon on Friday, June 17. Please respond ASAP and no later than June 1 as we anticipate an early sell-out for this event!

The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce its 2022 class of inductees.

The class consists of 11 individuals and one team and will be enshrined at the Hall of Fame Golf outing/Luncheon/Social starting at 9 am. on June 17, 2021 at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Connellsville, PA

The inductees will be recognized through the Uniontown Herald Standard Newspaper,
George Von Benko's Sports Line Talk Show on WMBS Radio, the Hall of Fame web page: www.fayettecountysportshalloffame.com, and the new Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Facebook page.

Leading the way for the 2022 class is the top vote getter as voted by the Hall of Fame membership is Uniontown High School and Washington & Jefferson College basketball standout and high school and college coaching legend John Unice.

Also selected: Uniontown High School wrestling and football stalwart Carl Carbonara,and Albert Gallatin and Indiana University of Pennsylvania women's softball player Marissa Dugan.

Uniontown High School and Clarion All American swimmer Kaitlyn Johnson and Geibel High School and Saint Francis University women's basketball standout Robin (Guerriere) Amend were also elected to the 2022 class.

Also tabbed for induction are South Union High School graduate Ted Nypaver who was a Hall of Fame high school football coach, Fairchance Georges and Albert Gallatin basketball coach Dan Andria, and Connellsville High School, Indiana University and CFL football standout Wilbert Scott.

Three deceased inductees are in the 2022 class including Saint John's High School basketball star Pat Bradley.

In addition in the deceased category includes Uniontown and Pitt basketball standout Les Cohen and Albert Gallatin and Middle Tennessee State running back Bob Hlodan.

The team being enshrined is the 2001 WPIAL 3A basketball champion Brownsville Falcons.

The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame golf outing is slated for 9 am Friday June 17, 2022 at Pleasant Valley Country Club. The Hall of Fame Luncheon/Social Induction Ceremony will follow the golf outing. Golfers can register by phoning Katie Propes at (724) 415-2211 or emailing kpropes@occluss.com
For more information please contact George Von Benko at (724) 880-4548

Fayette County Sports Hall of Famer James "Lash" Nesser was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on October 30,2021. Nesser who passed away in 1988 coached at Uniontown St. John HS and Uniontown HS, he was represented by his daughter Kathie Pasquarella at the dinner at The Sheraton Station Square in Pittsburgh, PA.

Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Co-founder George Von Benko with Kathie Pasquarella prior
to the Pennsylvania State Hall of Fame banquet October 30,2021.

The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame inducted its 12th class at a Hall of Fame Golf outing/Luncheon/Social on June 25, 2021 at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Connellsville, PA. On a beautiful day 103 golfers played in the event and an additional 80 attended the luncheon/social.

The class consisting of 13 individuals was enshrined including: former Geibel High School and Gannon University women's basketball standout Shelley Bortz.

Also enshrined: Former Laurel Highlands High School and Pitt track and cross country stalwart Jason Bodnar, and former Brownsville and James Madison women's basketball player Krystal Brooks.

Former Uniontown High School and Kentucky golfer Lauren George Clemmer and former Uniontown track standout Terence Jackson were also elected to the 2020/2021 class.

Also honored were former Dunbar High School graduate Ross Kershey who was a Hall of Fame basketball and track coach at Coatesville High School, former Connellsville and Edinboro University wrestler Jarrod King, and former Frazier High School, New Mexico State and University of Buffalo football standout Chad Salisbury

Five deceased inductees are in the 2020/2021 class including former German Township High School football and basketball coach Adam Donnelly.

Also in the deceased category former German Township and Pitt football player and track star Dr.Ted (Konetsky) Kell, former Laurel Highlands soccer coach Fran Lemansky, former Masontown and Albert Gallatin football coach John Lozar and Uniontown football and basketball standout Wilfred Minor.

The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame also honored some WPIAL and PIAA champions from area high school's.

2019-20 Fall Season: Gionna Quarzo, Brownsville, WPIAL Class 2A Girls Cross Country champion

2019-20 Winter Season: Laurel Highlands, WPIAL Class 5A Boys Basketball champions

2019-20 Winter Season: Maria Mrosko, Laurel Highlands, WPIAL Class 2A Swimming (100 butterfly) champion

2019-2020 Winter Season: Laurel Highlands (Maria Mrosko and Ella Ciez), WPIAL Class 2A Swimming (200 Medley Relay) champions

2020-21 Fall Season: Jolena Quarzo, Brownsville, WPIAL Class 2A Girls Cross Country champion

2020-21 Spring Season: Jolena Quarzo, Brownsville, WPIAL and PIAA Class 2A Track & Field (3,200 run) champion

2020/2021 Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at next year's banquet, June 18, 2022 at Penn State Fayette Campus.

2020/2021 Class First Row (L-R) Jill Craft John representing Dr. Ted Kell, Lauren George Clemmer, John Lozar representing John Lozar, Arlene Lemansky representing Fran Lemansky, Jason Bodnar
2nd Row (L-R) Jarrod King, Terence Jackson, Krystal Brooks, Gene Huey representing Wilfred Minor, Shelley Bortz, Chad Salisbury

Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame co founder George Von Benko presents Hall of Fame plaque to Lauren George Clemmer

Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame co founder George Von Benko presents Hall of Fame plaque to Terence Jackson

Rob Burchianti at the Herald Standard is doing a series of articles on the Hall of Fame and this year’s inductees.
Read the articles here.

After a pause in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce a 2020/2021 class of inductees.

The class consisting of 13 individuals will be enshrined through the Uniontown Herald Standard Newspaper, George Von Benko's Sports Line Talk Show on WMBS Radio, the Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame web page and the new Hall of Fame facebook page.

Inductees and representatives will also be recognized at a Hall of Fame Golf outing/Luncheon/Social starting at 9 a.m. on June 25, 2021 at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Connellsville, PA.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, there will be no banquet this year. 2020/2021 inductees will be honored at next year's banquet, June 18, 2022 at Penn State Fayette Campus.

Leading the way for the 2020/2021 class is the top vote getter in voting by the Hall of Fame membership former Geibel High School and Gannon University women's basketball standout Shelley Bortz.

Also selected: Former Laurel Highlands High School and Pitt track and cross country stalwart Jason Bodnar, and former Brownsville and James Madison women's basketball player Krystal Brooks.

Former Uniontown High School and Kentucky golfer Lauren George Clemmer and former Uniontown track standout Terence Jackson were also elected to the 2020/2021 class.

Also tabbed for induction are former Dunbar High School graduate Ross Kershey who was a Hall of Fame basketball and track coach at Coatesville High School, former Connellsville and Edinboro University wrestler Jarrod King, and former Frazier High School, New Mexico State and University of Buffalo football standout Chad Salisbury

Five deceased inductees are in the 2020/2021 class including former German Township High School football and basketball coach Adam Donnelly.

Also in the deceased category former German Township and Pitt football player and track star Dr.Ted (Konetsky) Kell was elected.

Also being enshrined are former Laurel Highlands soccer coach Fran Lemansky, former Masontown and Albert Gallatin football coach John Lozar and Uniontown football and basketball standout Wilfred Minor.

The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame golf outing is slated for 9 a.m. Friday June 25, 2021 at Pleasant Valley Country Clubs. Golfers can register by phoning Katie Propes at (724) 415-2211 or emailing kpropes@occluss.com
For more information please contact George Von Benko at (724) 880-4548.

The global Covid 19 pandemic has prompted some Western Pennsylvania sports traditions to cancel events. The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame has canceled its 2020 Announcement Social slated for early May and its Golf outing and banquet scheduled for the weekend of June 19th and 20th.

Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board Chris Cluss announced the decision.

“After discussion with some board members, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Fayette County Hall of Fame Program”, Cluss stated. “In 2021 we will carry forward the 2020 slate of nominees to be considered for 2021 Induction. Good luck – please stay safe and healthy!”

“We're pushing the 2020 class into 2021,” said George Von Benko co-founder and E xecutive Chair of the Hall of Fame.

“There were many, many reasons for that. First of all, I didn't think people were going to be really comfortable with getting together in a group that size for the banquet. Even our committee couldn't get together for the same reason. We have so many people, (Board Chair) Cluss and I felt it was not a good idea at that point for us to get together in a room and go through all of this.”

Next year's banquet is scheduled for Saturday June 19, at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, with the golf outing on Friday June 18.

Fayette County Sports Hall Of Famer Ron Sepic Inducted Into the PA Sports Hall of Fame

Fayette County Sports Hall Of Famer Ron Sepic one of the greatest basketball and football players to come out of Uniontown High School was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame on Oct. 5.

Sepic was part of a 2019 Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame class that included: Living: Steve Cesari (wrestling), Fran Dunphy (basketball coach), J. Caryn Kadavy (figure skating), Suzie McConnell Serio (basketball coach), George Novak (football coach), Lionel Simmons (basketball), Mark Stepnoski (football), Andy Talley (football), Ricky Watters (football); Deceased: Chuck Daly (basketball), Dennis Green (football coach), Andrew Musser (broadcaster).

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