Washington-Greene Hall of Fame announces 2025 class
By The Observer-Reporter
The Washington-Greene Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame has announced its inductees and honorees for its Class of 2025.
The Hall of Fame will induct 12 individuals, two Teams of Yesteryear, three Special Honorees, two Courage Award winners, one Above and Beyond honoree and a Hall of Fame Moment.
The inductees include:
* Elliott Bates – Football, wrestling, track and field, Chartiers-Houston High School and University of Akron.
* Anna Beck Lee – Cross country, track and field, softball, Washington High School and PennWest Clarion.
Brian Bell -Wrestling and football, Chartiers-Houston High School.
* Eugene Briggs – Coach and athlete, basketball, Fort Cherry High School and Chartiers-Houston High School.
* Ricardo “Ticky” Bryant – Athlete of Distinction, wrestling and boxing, Washington High School and University of Kentucky.
* Carlos Gibbs – Cross country, track and field, Waynesburg Central High School, Brevard Junior College and Auburn University.
* Terrence J. Kushner – Youth Services and coach, Clairton High School, Colgate University, West Virginia University, PennWest California and University of Pittsburgh.
Mark Mason – Coach and athlete, baseball, Canon-McMillan High School, Waynesburg University, Washington & Jefferson College, and independent baseball, including the Washington Wild Things.
* Linda Messich – Athletic administrator, coach, meritorious service, Mapletown High School and PennWest California.
* Jess Strom – Coach, women’s basketball, PennWest California.
* Jaci Timko Gabelt – Softball, Chartiers-Houston High School and Robert Morris University.
* Orlando Wiliams (posthumous) – Football, track and field, wrestling, Washington High School, Virginia Tech University and Washington & Jefferson College.
The Teams of Yesteryear are the 1982 Ringgold Rams football team and the 1987-88 Waynesburg University men’s basketball team.
Special Honorees are:
* Dan Altmeyer – Horse Trainer and Driver, Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
* Sue Osleger – Basketball, softball and volleyball official, Donora High School, and PennWest Edinboro.
* Jim Rue – Coach, soccer, Ringgold and Charleroi High Schools, Waynesburg University.
The James C. “Jimmy” Montecalvo and Luke Blanock Memorial Courage Award will go to John Cherup, umpire, Beth-Center High School, and Chris Shaw, Harness racing driver, Hollywood Casino at The Meadows.
The Edward E. “Eddie” Monaco Above and Beyond Award winner is Dean Kenefick, Sr., Youth services, Trinity High School.
The Hall of Fame Moment is Ringgold High School’s Czar Walsh making a desperation, running midcourt shot at the buzzer to force overtime and eventual victory over Erie Prep in a 1995 boys basketball PIAA Class AAA quarterfinal game on the way to the Rams’ state championship.
The Hall of Fame’s 39th induction banquet will be held June 8 at the Hilton Garden Inn, Southpointe.
The public sale of tickets will begin April 1. Tickets for the banquet cost $60. Tables are rounds of ten (10) – table of 10 – with a cost of 600. More information will be provided later on at www.wash-greenesportshall.org the Hall of Fame’s Facebook page. Make check payable to PA SPORTS H.O.F. Wash-Greene Chapter, 1707 S. Eighty Eight Road, Greensboro, PA 15338. Tickets can also be purchased at www.wash-greenesportshall.org
For more information and questions, please contact Linda Messich, treasurer, at 724.998.1150 or messich.linda@segsd.org , BJ Pustovrh, banquet coordinator, at 724.678.4320 bjpustovrh@hotmail.com or Dan Alderson, president, 724.825.9059 or dan.alderson@chartiers-houstonsd.com