Coaches Hall of Fame Inductees

2002
Beth Anders – Graduate of Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School. All-American in both Lacrosse and Field Hockey at Ursinus College in nearby Collegeville. Led Team USA to the Bronze medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Scored 8 of the teams 9 goals to established scoring record that still stands today. Coached Old Dominion to nine NCAA National Championships. She has amassed 400 plus career wins, tops in Division-1 Field Hockey history.

Tom Lasorda – Norristown Native, Major League Baseball Player, Major League Manager for Los Angeles Dodgers for 20 years, won four National League Pennants and two World Series. He was enshrined into National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY in 1997. Managed Gold Medal winning baseball team (Team USA) in 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Hank Stofko – Plymouth-Whitemarsh Head Basketball Coach for 32 years where he has amassed a 583-231 record. His teams have won eight Suburban One League titles and four District 1 crowns, reaching the state championship game on two occasions including winning it in 1963. He has a total of 654 career wins as a High School Coach. This total includes short stints at Warwick, which is now part of Owen J. Roberts School District and Boyertown High.
 
2003
Jim Crawford – The legendary Track & Field Coach from Lansdale/North Penn had teams that posted an incredible 276-7 dual meet record during a tenure that included 22 consecutive Bux-Mont League titles between 1948 until his retirement in 1969. Crawford, who passed away in 1996 at the age of 88, was inducted into the Souderton-North Penn Hall of Fame and had the North Penn High School stadium named after him in 1991.

Mike Pettine – Conshohocken native coached football at Central Bucks West High School where his teams put up staggering numbers over his 32 year career. CB West had a 327-42-4 record including 15 undefeated seasons, 22 Bux-Mont and Suburban One crowns, five District-1 Football crowns and four PIAA Class-AAAA State Football Championships. CB West posted an incredible 106-8 record during the 1990’s including a national record 53 game winning streak.

Dick Shoulberg – A Norristown High School graduate who became a nationally-acclaimed swimming coach at Germantown Academy in Fort Washington where they won 28 Inter-Ac League titles. He has coached 12 Olympic swimmers and eight American record holders. He has also served as the U.S. Olympic advisory coach and was head coach and assistant of the USA Pan-American and U.S. World Championship teams.
 
2004
Fritz Brennan - Brennan came to the area on a football scholarship to La Salle College and never left. After his playing days, he became Lower Merion’s Football Coach from 1953-1969 where his teams accumulated six undefeated seasons. His teams would not lose a game from 1953 into the 1957 season, when Lower Merion set a state record with 37 consecutive wins, only to be stopped by Norristown High in 1957. His final record was 105-33-5 for a .761 winning percentage. He also helped create the Montgomery County All-Star Game and was inducted into both the Big 33 and LaSalle University Hall of Fames. He passed away suddenly in 1988.

Hank DeMito – A graduate of St. Patrick’s High School, he went on to be Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School’s baseball coach for 33 years. His teams have amassed 21 league titles, 2 District-1 titles and the PIAA state title in 1994. They have only had one losing season and the team’s winning percentage during his tenure is an astounding .698 including a 29 game winning streak.

Art Kehoe – An Archbishop Kennedy High school football product. After stops at Milford Prep in Connecticut and Laney Junior College in California, he transferred to Miami University where he played Guard for Howard Schnellenberger’s Hurricanes where they won the Peach Bowl in 1980. He joined the Hurricane’s Coaching staff in 1981 and never looked back. Kehoe has been coaching football at the University of Miami for 24 seasons. His official title is Assistant Head Football Coach His coaching tenure on the Miami offensive line has produced six first-team All-Americans, 14 All-Big East selections, one Outland Trophy and 16 professional players. He has coached in 19 bowl games and has been inducted into the Laney JC Hall of Fame in 2001 and also to the Miami University Hall of Fame in 2002.

Bob Schaefer – Bob grew up in West Hazelton and has been the Cheltanham Girls Basketball coach for 23 years, amassing an incredible record of 554-120, for a .822 winning percentage. His teams have won 18 consecutive Suburban One titles and four District-1 titles. The 1999 team advanced to the state title game before losing. In 2000, they captured the ultimate title, winning the PIAA state title, finishing the year with a 32-1 record. Bob has been tabbed with numerous Coach of the Year honors.

Bobby Wine - Currently employed by the Atlanta Braves as a Scout. Bobby was a Major League player for 12 years, 8 with the Phillies and 4 with the Expos. He played over 1100 games and then became a coach with the Phillies for 12 seasons, including the 1980 World Series Champions and 1983 National League Pennant winning club. He moved on to the Braves organization where he was named manager for the final 41 games of the 1985 season. When Bob is home here in Trooper, he volunteers to coach hundreds of youngsters, notably boys and girls connected with Visitation BVM's recreation programs.
 
2005
Jim Algeo - In his 37th season as head football coach at Lansdale Catholic High School, Algeo led the Crusaders to a 14-1 record and the PIAA Class-AA state championship. His teams have recorded a 258-145-15 record during his tenure, including eight league titles, three district-1 crowns and five teams that have reached the Eastern PA finals or semi-finals. Among his many awards include being named PA Class-AA Coach of the year by the AP and the PA Scholastic Football Coaches Association and also the state’s small school coach of the year award. He was also inducted in to the North Penn/Souderton Hall of Fame.

Geno Auriemma – A Bishop Kenrick graduate who coached at Kenrick from 1979-1981. He then served as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Virginia University from 1981-1985. He took over the women’s basketball head coach position at Connecticut in 1985. He inherited a program that had just one winning season in it’s history. His accomplishments have been well documented. During an unparalleled 20-year stint at UConn, his Huskies have a 557-111 record for a .834 winning percentage. They have a national record with 70 straight victories, 13 Big East titles, Ten 30-win seasons, eight final four appearances and five national championships. He has two undefeated seasons. The 1994-95 team went 35-0 and the 2001-02 team went 39-0. He has been selected national coach of the year four times and coached six national players of the year and 10 first-team all-americans. He was also an assistant coach on the 2000 Sydney Olympics Gold Medal winning team.

Al Cantello – A graduate of Norristown High School where he won the state javelin title, Cantello later competing for the U.S. Marines Corps, set a world record in the javelin throw (over 283 feet) that vaulted him to a spot in the 1960 U.S. Olympics in Rome. Sport Magazine selected him for it’s All-Time track & field team. He was the first track and field coach at Methacton High School and in 1967 was named head coach of the U.S. Naval Academy's cross country team, a position he holds today. His teams have won over 75% of their 300 meets. He is also a member of Norristown High School’s Hall of Fame.

Marge Watson – Started out coaching field hockey and basketball at Church Farms School in Chester County. She started the lacrosse program at Ursinus College where she compiled a 199-19 mark during a 25-year career as head coach. She also served as head coach of the U.S. National team coach in 1980 and then served for nine years as an assistant coach on the national team.

Bill Werkiser – He was a top-shelf athlete and also a Norristown High graduate who went on and played basketball at Millersville State College where he set a school scoring record. He spent 40 years as a coach including 15 years with Norristown High school. During that time, the Eagles’ Basketball team had a 291-87 record and won nine Suburban One crowns, a pair of District One titles and twice advanced to the PIAA state title game. Overall they made seven state playoff appearances. While at Norristown High School, he served as the 1974 assistant Football coach and 1965 head baseball coach.. He also served as the men's basketball coach at Delaware Valley College for 11 years.
 
2006
Dan Dougherty – Episcopal Academy basketball coach.  Dougherty is one of the legendary basketball coaches of the area, with a high school career dating back to 1959 at St. Pius X. He also coached at Malvern Prep before jumping to the collegiate level with Villanova. Teaming with heralded head coach Jack Kraft, Dougherty was a key cog in the team that advanced to the National Championship game of the NCAA tournament in 1971. That team barely lost to one of the greatest UCLA teams of all-time. After that year, Dougherty moved to West Point to take over the head coaching job at Army from Bobby Knight. When he left Army in 1975, he handed the reins over to Mike Krzyzewski. After a year at Penncrest, Dougherty landed the head coaching job at Episcopal Academy, where he has been ever since. His overall record at Episcopal is 503-192. He has posted seven undefeated seasons.

Jim Mich  – Former football coach and current athletic director at St. Pius X High School. The fact that the stadium at St. Pius X High is named Coach Mich Stadium just about says it all. Arguably, no coach in the area has meant more to the overall athletic program of a high school than Mich. After graduating from East Stroudsburg College, he was named head football coach at St. Pius X at age 21. For the last 47 years he has been either football coach or athletic director at the school, or both. Last season, he returned from his administrative duties to take over the coaching reins of the football team in mid-season. During his initial 26-year tenure as football coach, Mich’s teams compiled a 158-89-11 record. He won three Suburban Catholic League titles before the school joined the PIAA. Mich was named PIAA District 1 Coach of the Year four times. For eight years he served as an assistant coach at Kutztown University. In 1999 he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Vince Panzano – U.S. Olympic and Ohio State diving coach. One of the most highly respected diving coaches in the world, three-time Olympic coach Panzano is in his 27th season as head diving coach at Ohio State . A product of Upper Merion High, Panzano graduated from Ohio State in 1973, then began his coaching career at the University of Tennessee . He returned to his alma mater in 1978. During his career, Panzano has produced one world champion, one junior world champion, two Olympic medalists, 22 U.S. diving champions, 10 NCAA champions, 45 Big Ten champions and 67 All-Americans. Among the many awards bestowed upon him, Panzano has been honored as NCAA Diving Coach of the Year three times and Big Ten Diving Coach of the Year eight times.

Bob Shoudt – Renowned track and field coach on both the high school and collegiate levels. The well-traveled Shoudt has had success follow him wherever he goes. Starting at Norristown High in 1969, Shoudt’s cross country and track and field legacy includes stops at Ursinus, West Chester University, Villanova, Ursinus again and Springfield (Montco) High. Highlights include a 207-7 record at Norristown High, NCAA Division I Track Coach of the Year at Villanova in 1984, many league Coach of the Year awards at every level and more all-league, all-district, all-state and All-America performers than can be counted. One of Shoudt’s proudest coaching moments came in 1973 when he led Norristown High to the Eastern National Interscholastic Team Championship, the first Pennsylvania school ever to win the title.
 
2007
Phil Martelli – A  native of Delaware County and a graduate of Widener University, Martelli began making his name as a head coach at Bishop Kenrick High. In his seven years guiding the Knights, his accomplishments were so outstanding that he earned consideration as one of Montgomery County’s greatest coaches. Never before or after Martelli has the school ever been considered a consistent basketball power, but he led Kenrick to a school-record six consecutive Catholic League playoff appearances. At St. Joseph’s Martelli quickly developed a reputation as a savvy coach, as well as one of the most colorful personalities in the country. His highlight came in 2004 when he led the Hawks to the No. 1 ranking in the country (27-0 record) and earned NCAA Coach of the Year honors. While his annual accomplishments on Hawk Hill are impressive, it is in the community where Martelli makes the most impact. He is one of the leaders of the Coaches vs. Cancer effort in Philadelphia and is a tireless spokesman for the fund-raising effort.

Brian Thomas – has had baseball in his blood since his high school days at Plymouth Whitemarsh High. A star player, he joined the Army after high school and was a highly decorated veteran in Vietnam. Upon his return, he received an undergraduate degree from Philadelphia University.He began his coaching career at Perkiomen Valley High then became a coach and administrator at the Perkiomen School. In 1990 he became head baseball coach at Ursinus College and began building a successful program. He took Ursinus to its first NCAA Division III tournament in 1999 and is now the winningest baseball coach in school history. He has more than 300 college victories. Thomas’ accomplishments are even more impressive on the Jr. American Legion level, where he has coached teams to the Pennsylvania Jr. Legion Sectional and State playoffs more than 15 times. He holds an unofficial state record of 41 straight Jr. Legion league victories. Thomas was voted to the Pennsylvania American Legion Sports Hall of Fame in 1999 and was inducted into the Perkiomen School Hall of Athletic Honor in 2001.

Steve Harner – When the sport of wrestling is mentioned, the name of Steve Harner is always the first to enter the discussion. Nobody has combined a passion for the sport, along with success at the high school and national level the way Harner has. For 20 years, from 1985 to 2004, Harner built a powerhouse wrestling program at Norristown High. During that tenure, the Eagles won eight Suburban One championships. They were also Section Champions six times, District Champions three times and Regional Champions three times. While Harner is very proud of the fact that 22 of his Norristown High wrestlers received All-America honors, he is equally proud of his 10 Academic All-America selections. Harner also produced 38 all-state wrestlers at Norristown. Although Harner is all about his team accomplishments, he was named Suburban One Coach of the Year eight times. Another three times he was named District 1 Coach of the Year.
 
2008
Fran Murphy -
twice honored as Football Coach of the Year, led his high school alma mater, Upper Merion, High to 1971 and 1972 Suburban League championships, and piloted the Pennsylvania Big 33 squad to a 21-19 victory over Archie Griffin-led Ohio in 1973. A 35-year Upper Merion faculty member, Murphy led his varsity gridmen to a 96-51-4 record over 15 seasons (a .653 winning percentage). In 1999, two decades after retiring as Upper Merion head coach, he was named Honorary Coach at the Montgomery County All-Star Football Game.

Libby Williams coached with great success in Montgomery County at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School (Girls’ Athletic Director) and Ursinus College following five undefeated field hockey and five undefeated basketball seasons at Upper Darby High. A member of the U.S. Field Hockey Assn. and the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Ms. Williams also served as the Canadian National Lacrosse team’s head coach. At Plymouth-Whitemarsh she coached basketball and led the filed hockey team (61-14-6) to five championships and guided the lacrosse squad (92-13 in 14 years) to eight titles.

James (Skip) Wilson – ranks second only to legendary Connie Mack in number of lifetime victories managed/coached by a Philadelphia professional or college baseball pilot. His Temple Owls posted a total of 1,034 wins, twice advanced to the College World Series in Omaha, and went to 14 NCAA post-season tournaments. Temple’s baseball field, at its Ambler, Montgomery County campus, was officially named in his honor in April, 2007. A Montgomery County resident for nearly three decades, Wilson is a multiple Hall of Fame entrant, including Temple University (1981) and the American Baseball Coaches Assn. (1987). As a reflection of his mentoring, more than 100 of Wilson’s Temple players advanced to professional baseball careers.

Larry Wilson is now in his 31st consecutive school year as head track & field and cross country coach at Montgomery County’s Gwynned Mercy Academy. He has produced individual champions (17 Pennsylvania Division AA titles and 60 District AA crowns), and has led Gwynned Mercy to District and Bicentennial League championships. His 4 X 800 relay team set a state standard by winning the Pennsylvania AA meet five successive years. Wilson’s runners have also captured the 1500 meter event at the Penn Relays. He’s been an assistant at two l international meets, and was head USA coach at the 1981 National Sports Festival.
 
2009

Bios of the 2009 Hall of Fame inductees can be seen on the MCCHOF Banquet Page

Ken Davis
Larry Glueck
Vonnie Gros


Community Coaches Honor Roll Inductees

2003
Ralph 'Skag' Cottman – Norristown native and initial inductee into the Hall of Honor. For 50 years Cottman has focused his energies on youth athletic programs throughout central Montgomery County, coaching boys in baseball from Tee Ball to legion age and girls in baseball, softball, football and basketball. He has been involved in The Times Herald Baseball School as a coach for over four decades, has also served as an official in youth leagues for many years. He was a long-time member of the Montgomery County All-Star Football Game's board of directors.
 
2004
Sullivan 'Heels' Gelet – He is a softball coaching legend in the Norristown area. He has umpired, coached, managed and directed softball teams in Montgomery County since 1954. He led J&L Towing to the ASA of PA Class-C State Softball Championship in 1981. His 1991 Rathbone’s team finished third in both the ASA and NSA Class-C states. Heels Gelet doesn’t just manage softball teams, he molds friendships that endure long after the game is over. Hundreds of games “under the lights” are played each season at Sullivan “Heels” Gelet Softball Park at Weirman Field in Norristown.

Charles ‘Mr. Mac' McPherson – Mr. Mac was as a longtime St. Patrick’s CYO and youth sports organizer. He coached St. Pat’s for 22 years and was also the defensive backfield coach at Bishop Kenrick for 2 years. He rose to become commissioner of Region 21 CYO and was a member if the archdiocese athletic board for 11 years. He was one of the organizers of American Legion Baseball in this area. He coached teams from Knee-Hi through Junior American Legion, including Chicco Beverage and Phil Melnick's Esso in the Civic League. His Gilbert's Clothing Store team won the city championship in 1950. One of the baseball fields in Elmwood Park was named in his honor after he died.

Sal Melito – Sal has coached and managed for 38 years. His accomplishments include compiling more than 600 victories and 11 league titles as manager of Gus's Diner and Presidential Caterers American Legion baseball team. He was inducted into the American Legion Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

Willie Richet – Willie is a captain in the Norristown Police Department‚ He has been involved in the Police Athletic League (PAL) for more than 30 years, starting in the basketball program, then graduated to the position of executive director of PAL. Was cited as the Police Officer of the Year in 1982 by the American Federation of Police. he also was honored with the Outstanding Law Enforcement Award in 1992. He started running basketball programs with youth from Norristown and the surrounding areas. He has also coached adult teams in the Norristown Civic and Church Leagues for many years.

Charles Romanowski - He founded and coached the Souderton His Nibs semi-pro football team of the Big Six Conference in 1946. He was the founder of the Souderton Midget Football program in the 60's, where he also coached for 20 years. Romanowski went on to bring the Souderton Warriors into the Perkiomen Valley Twilight League in the late 1940s and managed them for more than 30 years. He has been inducted into the American Legion Sports Hall of Fame and the Summit Chapter Sports Hall of Fame. He also has a field in Telford named in his honor.

Nick ‘Chief' Rotundo – The Chief is synonymous with Bridgeport working every level of youth sports in the borough for more then 50 years, also serving as Bridgeport's Director of Recreation for 20 years. He was the founding member of the Bridgeport Hall of Fame. He was a long time Special Education teacher as well as a Scout master, Softball Director and Sports Coordinator. He has received numerous awards from the Distinguished Service Award of Special Education to Community Service Awards to Educator of the Year Award from Penn State University to the Valley Forge Optimist Club for Park & Recreational Service to Bridgeport.
 
2005
Sal Bello – He has built an unchallenged reputation as a supporter of sports in Bridgeport. He has served as a generous team sponsor in addition to coaching and built a dynasty in both softball and flag football for Triple S Sports Club in Bridgeport. His softball coaching career spanned 25 years and included 1200 wins. He has 17 Bridgeport Softball Championships. In flag football, he has amassed 140 total victories and 14 Championships over a 20 year span.

John 'Bing' Miller – Bing Miller was the founder and driving force behind many faceted Visitation B.V.M. CYO programs. He started his coaching career in 1956 and has coached football, baseball, basketball and track. He also served as Director of CYO Athletics, Region 21 for four years.

Victor Negron – Began his coaching career in the Plymouth Little League Baseball over 44 years ago where he continues today as a volunteer and umpire. He was part of the coaching staff of three state championships for Plymouth Little League. He was also very active in the Plymouth Junior ABA Basketball program.

2006
Al Cianciulli – Al Cianciulli  has been involved in the Norristown Athletic Association (NAA) for over 45 years as a coach and player-agent. He also has held titles as American Legion President, CYO Region 21 Commissioner and American Legion District Director. His popularity in sports has transcended into politics as he has been involved for the last few years and has run for Norristown Borough councilman.

Pete VardakasVardakas was involved in Plymouth Township sports for over 40 years. he has served as a referee, coach and administrator for the Plymouth ABA Youth Basketball Program and was president from 1985-2002. he also has been a coach and president in the Plymouth Little League for many years while coaching baseball at Epiphany of Our Lord School in Plymouth Meeting for 10 years.

Pat Walsh – Pat Walsh was a former Norristown High School standout athlete, has been a leader for girls' sports at St. Patrick's School in Norristown for many years in basketball and volleyball. She also coached the Little Lassie field hockey program in Norristown.
 

2007
Rod Johnson
A graduate of Spring-Ford High School in 1975, Johnson is still listed as one of the school’s greatest three-sport athletes. He made his mark in baseball, becoming a Hall of Famer at Temple University and playing for in the Cincinatti Reds farm system, where he was named Minor League Rookie of the Year in 1979 and advanced to the Triple A level. He immediately became involved in coaching youth sports, first as the manager of the Spring City Red Sox team from 1983 to 1992. During that span he won five league titles. He then went on to coach the Paoli American Legion squad, inheriting a team that went 1-21 the previous year and quickly building it into a powerhouse.  His success at the American Legion level brought him notoriety throughout the region and in 2002 he was named assistant baseball coach at Villanova University, a post he still holds today.

Earl MercadanteIn the many years of storied history of Plymouth Township Little League, there have been a number of giants who helped create the legacy. Earle Mercadante is another example of consistent excellence. He gave more than 35 years of uninterrupted service for Plymouth Little League as president, vice president, manager, umpire and chairman on the Executive Board. During that tenure, Plymouth Little League developed a reputation as one of the shining examples of a community-run youth sports organization in the state. He has authored a number of handbooks for Little League managers.

Frank "Doc" Bishop A heralded athlete at Norristown High, Frank Bishop went on to become a star baseball player at Temple University. Although he went on to dental school after his undergraduate days and established a successful dental practice in East Norriton Township, Bishop never lost his thirst for the game of baseball. He took over the East Norriton Junior Legion program and his been its coach for more than 30 years. He has had a number of successes over the years but his greatest accolades come from the help he is always willing to give young baseball players of any age or from any area.

Tony "Chic" Chiccino It has been more than 20 years since the unexpected death of Tony Chiccino at age 51, yet there is still an absolute reverence whenever his name is mentioned in the Bridgeport area. Chiccino first got noticed as a star athlete at Bridgeport High – such a star that the legendary Coach Bear Bryant, then at Kentucky, found his way to the tiny school and recruited the bruising fullback. After college and a stint in the military, Chiccino returned to Bridgeport, where he began a career of service to the community. Although a noted football coach at Bridgeport, Upper Merion and Phoenixville High (the school’s greatest team, 12-0 in 1978), it was in the community where he really shined. He started Bridgeport’s famous Alabama Booster Club, pledging allegiance to Bear Bryant. He even got the coach to speak at the Holy Name breakfast in 1978. Each summer he ran the community rec programs during the day and the Bridgeport Softball League at night. He served as president from 1960 to 1985. Today, his legacy lives on in Bridgeport, as thousands of athletes play on the Anthony J. Chiccino Memorial Fields.
 
2008
Anthony Cianciulli
along with his close friend Al Bertucci, brought Perkiomen Valley Twilight League baseball back to Norristown after a long layoff. In 1980 they founded the Norristown A’s. For 28 years from 1980 to 2007 Cianciulli was the owner of the A’s and saw the franchise become one of the perennial powerhouses in Perkiomen Valley Twilight League history. During the 28 years the A’s made it to the final’s an amazing 19 times and won 12 titles. He also served as a Norristown councilman for nearly 10 years and it was during that time that he oversaw the improvements to old Latshaw Field in Norristown, adding lights, improving the overall facility and turning it into the Red McCarthy Complex at Latshaw Field, a facility that is used by many and leagues from the area. He also oversaw the fundraising for the improvements, including a cablethon, that kept the burden of finances from falling on taxpayers.

Albert Bertucci Al Bertucci sadly passed away in March of 2004, but he left behind a unbelievable legacy of winning. Bertucci was founder, owner and general manager of one of the great softball powerhouses ever to grace Montgomery County. From 1965 to 1989 Bertucci owned the Al’s Cold Cut softball team that won an impressive 13 Norristown Civic League titles, eight Conshohocken Softball League titles and seven Bridgeport slow pitch titles. Throughout the years in league and playoffs the team had a remarkable 84 percent winning percentage. Al’s Cold Cuts also won the Pennsylvania Class A state championship in both 1984 and 1986. Despite his almost nightly involvement with softball and baseball, Bertucci found time to serve on Norristown Borough Council from 1980 to 1984 and was a very active member of Plymouth Country Club.

Frank Zoltowski a true son of Conshohocken, has served the community on two different levels. In 1965 he signed on as the assistant coach for the Saint Matthews varsity boys CYO basketball team. Halfway through the year he assumed the head coach role and held it, along with athletic director duties, for the next 30 years. During that tenure he won seven division titles and three region titles with the boys, while often helping coach girls’ teams. Even since his semi-retirement in 1995, he has stayed active with the CYO program.  Zoltowski also managed teams in the Conshohocken Babe Ruth baseball League, as well as volunteering as a coach and scorekeeper in the Sutcliff Park summer basketball league.  But his greatest love has been the Fellowship House, where he has been employed for 40 years. Zoltowski never recognized the time clock, spending countless hours helping with kickball, basketball, volleyball and – his greatest love – the Albert C. Donofrio high school basketball tournament.


2009

Bios of the 2009 Honor Roll inductees can be seen on the MCCHOF Banquet Page.

Vince Souto
Mike Creciun
Hank Cisco
Rich Lachenmayer


Lifetime Achievement Award

2005
Joe Brown - Joe Brown's coaching career in football and basketball at the old St. Pat's and Bishop Kenrick appears pedestrian at first glance, his behind-the-scenes work in shaping young lives was extraordinary. A 1928 graduate of Norristown High, where he played football, basketball and baseball, Brown ran Joe Brown's Bar on Swede Street in Norristown. The thriving business enabled him to devote much of his free time to his coaching pursuits, His coaching career, which spanned from 1943 to 1955 at St. Pat's and 1956-64 at Kenrick was always hamstrung by the lack of resources at his disposal. To his credit he still amassed a 152-71 record as Kenrick's basketball coach, even taking them to the 1960 PCIAA Class-A state title game. He also won 127 basketball games at St. Pat's and an additional 30 plus football games as their coach.

2007
Jim Randolph – He is one of the truly beloved gentleman of sports in Montgomery County. He was a star athlete and native of Norristown. Randolph excelled in football and baseball at Shaw University in North Carolina. He returned to his roots after playing in the Baltimore Orioles minor league organization and with the U.S. Navy Special Services team. 
He then began a distinguished career as a teacher, coach and administrator at Montgomery County Community College (Montco). It was at Montco that Randolph took a fledging baseball program and built it into a powerhouse. His teams won a total of 206 games and in 1980 and 1981, he led the Mustangs to back-to-back Pennsylvania Community College championships. He then spent a few years coaching golf at Montco. He then moved from the playing fields to an office and became the Director of Athletics at Montco. Aside from his duties on campus, Randolph always found time to assist with community activities and area fundraisers. His work with the Times Herald Baseball School, Lions club, Big Brothers and Big Sisters Association and the Senior Activities Center throughout the area are among his many civic endeavors.

2008
Tom Lasorda - Popular Norristown native and distinguished member of baseball’s National Hall of Fame, Tommy Lasorda, was installed in the Coaches Hall’s initial class in November, 2002 at Westover Country Club. Lasorda will return to our county to receive another special salute. From time to time, but not necessarily annually, the Coaches Hall of Fame presents its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. In this Olympic year, with his baseball team’s stunning gold medal victory over Cuba in 2002 still burning as one of the greatest Olympic triumphs, Tom Lasorda has been selected as the 2008 recipient. Lasorda’s managerial achievements with the Los Angeles Dodgers are well-known. But capping his remarkable achievements that propelled him toward Cooperstown was the exceptional feat which was frequently recalled and documented during this recent 2008 Summer Olympic festival. Montgomery County’s Lasorda had already been enshrined in baseball’s Hall of Fame when he coached the United States Baseball Team to the 2002 Olympics Baseball championship. Culminating the team’s march to the Gold was the exciting upset over heavily favored Cuba in the finale. 

2009

Bio of the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient can be seen on the MCCHOF Banquet Page.

Bob Levy

 


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