Lawrence County Historical Society
SPORTS HALL of FAME / INDUCTEES

Brief History
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A brief history of the Lawrence County Historical Society Sports Hall of Fame. Since 1984.

INDUCTEES
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To honor its sports legends, the Society annually inducts new members into the ranks of the Sports Hall of Fame.

photo of Llindy Lauro wearing cap and yelling
Coach Lindy Lauro

Sports Hall of Fame - a brief history

They set themselves apart from others in the arenas, the hardwood courts, and the playing fields. They won acclaim for running the fastest, jumping the highest, winning championships and otherwise distinguishing themselves in high school, college and at professional levels. To honor its sports legends, the Society annually inducts new members into the ranks of the Sports Hall of Fame.

In the Fall of 1983, Dr. Ellis Hoffman and other members of the Lawrence County Historical Society’s Board of Directors approached New Castle News Managing Editor, Robert Vosburg, with an idea of organizing a committee to research local athletes and preserve their achievements through a formal recognition ceremony. Vosburg organized a committee, established guidelines and went to work. Hoffman focused much of his attention on uncovering the achievements of athletes who were long departed so that they would not be forgotten to the annuals of time.

The first class was inducted in the spring of 1984. This inaugural class included: Dick Allen, Phil Bridenbaugh, Darrell Dess, L. Butler Hennon, Don Hennon, Walter Mangham, Bill McPeak, C.G. “Buzz” Ridle, Chuck Tanner, and Lewis “Hack” Wilson.

Dr. Hoffman passed away in 2002 following a battle with cancer but left behind quite a benevolent legacy and a pride in his community which he helped to change for the better.

Sports Hall of Fame
INDUCTEES

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2025 Inductees

  • Michael Annarella (football)
  • Shaun Asbury (basketball)
  • Larry Brewton (football)
  • Scott Brush (baseball)
  • Pat Cain (football/basketball)
  • Kevin Carmichael (wrestling coach)
  • Jennifer Emery-Garella (volleyball/basketball/softball)
  • James Graham (football/basketball/baseball)
  • Maria Joseph (basketball/softball)
  • Shadra Kendall-Carpenter (volleyball/basketball/track and field)
  • Ronald Keyes (track/football)

HALL of HONOR

  • Dr. Darwin Huey

Ellis Hoffman Team Award

  • 1980 Laurel High School Football Team

High School Athletes of the Year

  • Tori Atkins (Laurel)
  • Jaxon Schoedel (Mohawk)
  • Joseph Roth (Ellwood City)
  • Addy Frye (Neshannock)

2024 Inductees

  • Anthony Ascione (baseball)
  • Doug Bleggi (baseball)
  • Mary Beth Acker Brecker (track, cross-country)
  • Paul Cameron (track, cross-country)
  • Matt DeSalvo (baseball)
  • David Hasson (football)
  • Allan Jackson (football)
  • Ryenn Micaletti (basketball)
  • Toni Wimer Prejsnar (track, cross-country, volleyball)
  • Gary Roth (basketball, baseball)
  • Sarah Shaffer Harrison (softball)

HALL of HONOR

  • Alberta Kelly

Ellis Hoffman Team Award

  • 1981 Wilmington Area School District Baseball Team

High School Athletes of the Year

  • Tori Atkins (student athlete)
  • Grant MacKay (student athlete)
  • Mia Preuhs (student athlete)

2023 Inductees

  • Brenda Rodgers-Briggs
  • Brian Cooper
  • Kevin Covert
  • Matt Deinert
  • Bob Flannery
  • Mark Humphrey
  • Kathy Kendra
  • Alan Pavia
  • Jeff Potter
  • Jaleesa Sams
  • Joyce Walczak-Shannon
  • David Young

HALL of HONOR

  • Anthony “Dooney” Pietrcollo

Ellis Hoffman Team Award

  • 1995-96 Shenango High School Basketball Team

High School Athletes of the Year

  • Emma Callahan
  • Luke McCoy
  • Neleh Nogay
  • Michael Wells

2022 Inductees

  • Vince Circelli
  • David Costa
  • Mike Fay
  • Denny Flora
  • Doug Fusco
  • Kacey Gibson-Laird
  • Cedric Hawkins
  • Gilbert Gootsy Lewis
  • Lance Nimmo
  • Brad Ziegler

HALL of HONOR

  • James Arrow

Ellis Hoffman Team Award

  • 1976 & 1977 Westminster Football Teams

High School Athletes of the Year

2021 – N/A

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
we did not offer a Hall of Fame event. We have pending inductees from 2021 who will be honored at our 2022 Sports Hall of Fame (SHOF).

2020 – N/A

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
the 2020 Hall of Fame induction event was postponed to a later date. And then due to the ongoing pandemic, it was further postponed until 2022.

2019 Inductees  |  NC News photo

  • Steve Dmetruk
  • Ronald Hunt
  • Gilbert Lewis
  • Len Matarazzo
  • Katie McKissick-Sherry
  • Tom Mondell
  • James Popovich
  • Leonard Rich
  • Tammy Sankey
  • Steve Shaffer
  • Yolanda Shakespeare-Savko
  • Cassie Buckwalter Whitfield

HALL of HONOR

  • Mark Schaas

Ellis Hoffman Team Award

  • 1973 New Castle High School Football Team

High School Athletes of the Year

  • Bella Burrelli
  • Tre Charles
  • Katie Hahn
  • Marcus Hooker
  • Sarah Seamans

2018 Inductees

  • Bob Book
  • Jessica Cooper-Smith
  • Denny Flora
  • Larry Graziani (awarded posthumously)
    “It’s not about how you start a game, it’s about how you finish.”
  • John Izzo
  • Inge Jorgensen-Seiler
  • Mark Latsko
  • Lou Perrotta
  • Gary Schooley
  • Brian Shannon

HALL of HONOR

Ellis Hoffman Team Award

  • 1970 New Castle High School Football Team.
    “We valued diversity before we even knew what diversity was.” – Jerry Lauro

Female Athlete of the Year

  • Taylor Petrak

Male Athlete of the Year (3-way tie)\

  • Spencer DeMedal\
  • Marcus Hooker
  • Geno Stone

2017 Inductees

  • Sam Campoli
  • Gary DeGruttola
  • George Mike
  • Dave Salmen
  • Jessica Levine
  • RoxAnn Schofield-Gallagher
  • Michael Maricone
  • Ricky Sumner
  • Stefanie Lombardo-Leonard
  • Sam Flora

HALL of HONOR

  • Harold Taylor

Ellis Hoffman Team Award

  • 1948-49 New Castle High Football Teams

Links to NC News

2016 Inductees

HALL of HONOR

  • Bill Stoner

Ellis Hoffman Team Award

  • 1988-1989 Westminster Football Team

Athletes of the Year

Links to NC News

2015 Inductees

HALL of HONOR

  • Mark Elisco

Ellis Hoffman Team Award

  • 1969-70 Mohawk Basketball Team

Recent Team WPIAL Champs

  • Laurel Spartans Women’s Cross Country Team

Athletes of the Year

Links to NC News

2014 Inductees

HALL of HONOR

Ellis Hoffman Team Award

Lawrence County Athletes of the Year (2012-2013)

Honors

Special Awards

LINKS to NC News

2013 Inductees

HALL of HONOR

Ellis Hoffman Team Award

(New Castle News photo archives)

New Castle News
2013 Student Athletes of the Year

  • Michelle Watson (Shenango HS)
    See News section titled “Others Honored
  • John Sansone (Neshannock HS)
    See News section titled “Others Honored

LINKS to NC News

2011 Inductees

HALL of HONOR
Dr. Ellis Hoffman
(Founder of the Sports Hall of Fame in 1984)

Student Athletes
Jake Dando
Evan Miller
Carly Senko

LINKS to NC News
Inductee Profiles
Ceremony Coverage
Photos

2009 Inductees

HALL of HONOR
Leonard S. Rich

LINKS to NC News
Inductee Profiles

2008 Inductees

HALL of HONOR
Lew Grell

2006 Inductees

Student Athletes
Bobby Burkes
Jenn Emery

Hall of Honor
Mickey Michalojko

LINKS to NC News
Hall of Fame Dinner

2005 Inductees

  • Ed Bogdon
  • Joe Dougherty
  • Emmett Gillaspie
  • Carl Jameson
  • Terry Carrigan
  • Chuck Houk
  • Sam Nan
  • Lenny Payne
  • Richard Rausch
  • Lou Santangelo
  • Dave Spears
  • Sandy Stodolsky
  • Philip “Pudgy” Tony

Hall of Honor
Richard Houlette

2004 Inductees

  • Todd Alexander
  • Vince Fiacco
  • Sam Gealy
  • Chuck Gibbons
  • Bob Mitcheltree
  • Tom Parau
  • Bob Post
  • Albert “Monk” Rainey
  • John Roussos
  • Butch Walker
  • Phil “BooBoo” Williams

Hall of Honor
New Wilmington Rotary Club

2003 Inductees

  • Al Bucci
  • Larry Carr
  • Dante DeFalco
  • Jim “Buster” Fuqua
  • Ed Maslyk
  • John Munnell
  • Don Nogay, Sr.
  • Bob Skaneski
  • Bob Timmerman
  • Dave Williams

Hall of Honor
Adam Grell

2002 Inductees

  • Dr. Edwin Assid
  • Herky Baltimore
  • Pam Beatty
  • Fred Brogan
  • Dick Fishburn
  • Jesse Gunn
  • Herb Kirk
  • Frank Makarevich
  • Gene Nicholson
  • Vic Nocera
  • Herm Serginese
  • Gary Weime

Hall of Honor
Bill Anderson

2001 Inductees

  • Norman Bishara
  • Paris Cangey
  •  Homer Gray
  •  John Carik
  •  Dom Covelli
  •  Anthony Guiliano
  •  Julie Hamilton Skipper
  •  Jesse Moss
  •  Bob Senko
  •  Reynold Stoner
  •  Kim Travers Panella
  •  Bob Veltre

Hall of Honor
Keith Price

2000 Inductees

  • Henry Koszela
  • Stuart McMunn
  • Joe Quest
  • Corey Eggelston
  • Luann Grybowski
  • Greg Jones
  • Anne Malkowiak
  • Terry Verrelli
  • Arthur Zarone Jr.
  • Dale Zeh

Hall of Honor
Marino Parascenzo

1999 Inductees

  • Harvey Harman
  • Harold Mathieson
  • Jasper Williams
  • John Teplica
  • Wes Bennett
  • Herb Hribar
  • Beth Natale Stanley
  • Jim Payne
  • Rob Pontius
  • Don Reed

Hall of Honor
Jim Fee

1998 Inductees

  • Charles C.W. Bennett
  • Alec Fox
  • J.R. Rick
  • Dan Aloi
  • Bob Buzzard
  • John DeGruttola
  • Joe Houck
  • Joe Jackman
  • Rebecca Myers
  • Donald Schaly
  • Terry Vrabel

Hall of Honor
Pete “Figo” Carvella

1997 Inductees

  • Carl “Rizzo” Mantz
  • DeOrmond “Tuss” McLaughry
  • Jim Riley
  • Charles Abramski
  • Kenn Andrews
  • Dale Brown
  • Jane Fassinger
  • Edward “Cash” Koszela
  • George Miles
  • Charles Travers

Hall of Honor
American Legion Post 343

1996 Inductees

  • Jimmie Dime
  • Joseph Hartman
  • Walter Kominic
  • Joe Allegro
  • Rich Kunselman
  • Jawcie Vrabel
  • Ron Plano
  • Don Ross
  • Terry Watters
  • Lou Skurcenski

Hall of Honor
George Crunkleton, Sr.

1995 Inductees

  • Ron Alexander
  • Norb Borowicz
  • John Cabas
  • Lyle Fox
  • Chuck Landolfi
  • Lorri Johnson
  • Leonard Friedman
  • Robert “Linc” Lowe
  • Walter Raskowski

Hall of Honor
Steve Tarnoci

1994 Inductees

  • Chuck Davis
  • Ron Lape
  • Kathy Travers
  • Steve Sherbak
  • Allen Cuffie
  • Rose Mooney Pagley
  • Maureen Paladino
  • Gene Beaumont
  • Wilber “Pat” Patterson
  • Earl “Muff” Sallie
Hall of Honor Joseph Pazak

1993 Inductees

  • Tom Carey
  • George Crunkleton, Jr.
  • Chuck Fiorante
  • Ed James
  • Dave May
  • Bob Miles
  • George Strehler
  • John Jenkins
  • Fred Palmer
  • Charles “Tippy” Richards

Hall of Honor
Thomas “Bear” Mangino

1992 Inductees

  • Sandy Burry
  • Bill Columbus
  • Harold Davis
  • Tim Glass
  • Allan Joseph
  • John Loccisano
  • Dallas Mumford
  • Rob Ross
  • Frank “Jewie” Coen
  • Tom Harper
  • Bill Spellman
  • John Uram
  • Francis Wainio

Hall of Honor
Edward A. DeCarbo
Bud Wardman

1991 Inductees

  • George “Pop” Adams
  • Coy “Craine” Allen
  • John Fontanella
  • John “Rags” Gennock
  • William Horner
  • Henry Pezuolo
  • Larry Pugh
  • Emmett Rocco
  • Socs Roussos
  • Alex Shellogg
  • Dan Spanish
  • Danny Toy

Hall of Honor
R.J. “Denny” Schill

1990 Inductees

Hall of Honor
Sam Flora, Sr.

1989 Inductees

  • Don Black
  • Chet Boak
  • Frank Bongivengo
  • Tom Brzoza
  • Thad Bukowski
  • Miz Dart
  • Mike DeCarbo
  • Nick DeCarbo
  • E. Linwood Dilks
  • Joedy Gardner
  • Rick Razzano
  • Mike Roussos
  • John Samsa
  • Fran Webster

Hall of Honor
Harry McCloskey
Edward Skaneski

1988 Inductees

  • Bob Bleggi
  • Mike Covelli
  • Austin Cowmeadow
  • Millie Donaldson
  • Mike Drespling
  • Charles French
  • Ron Galbreath
  • Leonard Johnson
  • Bill Klee
  • Tom MacMurdo
  • Harry “Kaiser” Toscano

Hall of Honor
Joseph Cooper

1987 Inductees

  • Ron Allen
  • Joe Embroski
  • Charles “Horse” Gillium
  • Melwood “Buzz” Guy
  • Tommy Leach
  • Paul McCullough
  • Richard Panella
  • Ralph Paolone
  • Tony Razzano
  • Lester “Bus” Reiber
  • Howard H. Reynolds
  • Al Tate
  • Warren Sallade
  • Don “Bucky” Tate

Hall of Honor
J. Arthur Mittler
Joseph “Jokie” Travers

1986 Inductees

  • Ben Ciccone
  • Ralph “Scotter” Day
  • Andy Lasky
  • Lindy Lauro
  • Bobby Lee
  • Paul Minner
  • Robert Moorhouse
  • Frankie Moran
  • Paul Reider
  • Fred Shaffer
  • Grover Washabaugh
  • Fred Wimer

Hall of Honor
Jack Gerson

1985 Inductees

Hall of Honor
n/a

1984 Inductees

Hall of Honor
n/a

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