TAMAQUA ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME TO INDUCT 6 NEW MEMBERS AND ONE TEAM PRIOR TO FRIDAY’S VARSITY FOOTBALL GAME

The Tamaqua Area High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee will induct six new individuals and one team into its 19th Hall of Fame Class on Friday, September 19, 2014. The induction ceremony will take place prior to the start of the Tamaqua/Schuylkill Haven Varsity football game at the Tamaqua Sports Complex.
Inductees include Kristin Fulton Fritz, Class of 1991; Jeremy Benza, Class of 1999; Travis Pitts, Class of 2008; Lauren Wenzel, Class of 2008; Alex Zubey, Class of 2008; Cody Wisniewski, Class of 2009; and the 1975-76 Tamaqua Boys Basketball Team.
The Tamaqua Area High School Marching Band will perform until approximately 6:40 PM, with presentation of Hall of Fame inductees to follow. The football game will start at 7 PM.
“On this evening, the inductees will receive a plaque with their name, year of graduation, some biographical information along with a photograph of their choice on it,” said Mike Hromyak, Tamaqua Athletic Director and Chairman of the Tamaqua Area Athletic Hall of Fame committee. “The inductees will also have their name prominently displayed on a plaque in the high school – which has all Hall of Fame members name and date of induction on it.”

BELOW ARE BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS YEAR’S INDUCTEES (in no specific order):

JEREMY BENZA (TAMAQUA CLASS OF 1999)

*Jeremy is a member of the class of 1999 and was one of Tamaqua’s all-time best wrestlers. He was also a three year member of the cross country team and a two year member of the baseball team.

*He currently ranks fourth on the Tamaqua all-time wrestling win list with 110 career wins. His junior year he compiled 31 wins and his senior year he finished with 29.

*Jeremy was a two-time Schuylkill League champion and a two-time runner up. He was also a two-time District XI champion and four time District XI medalist. His junior year he was a Regional champion and his senior year he finished fourth at the regionals qualifying him for the PIAA State championship tournament both years.

*Jeremy attended Drexel University and graduated in 2004 with a degree in information science and technology. He is currently attending St. Joseph’s University for a master’s degree in business intelligence.

*He is currently Vice President of business intelligence at JPMorgan Chase.

*He is the son of Michael and Carol Benza and married his wife Kate in 2011. They reside in Warrington, PA and have two children (Daniel, 2, and Riley, 9-months).

KRISTIN FULTON FRITZ (TAMAQUA CLASS OF 1991)

*Member of the class of 1991 where she excelled on the tennis court before the TASD had an organized tennis program.

*She competed individually representing TASD her sophomore through senior years.

*She was a District XI singles champion her sophomore and senior years. District XI runner up as a junior.

*She competed in the PIAA State singles championships all three years.

*Kristin received a Division 1 full tennis scholarship to Old Dominion University where she earned her master’s degree in education.

*She is the daughter of Robert (a Tamaqua Area Athletic Hall of Famer) and Diane Fulton. Her sister, Beth, also attended Tamaqua and excelled in tennis. Kristin is an avid runner and has competed in 5 marathons and several half marathons.

*She resides in Hazleton with her husband Damian Fritz. They have four children (Tyler, 12; Logan, 10; Ava, 7; and Addison, 6).

TRAVIS PITTS (TAMAQUA CLASS OF 2008)

*Travis is a 2008 graduate and was a top athlete on the soccer field and the track.

*On the soccer field he was a four year varsity player finishing with 25 career goals which was good for 10^th on the all-time soccer scoring chart at the time of his graduation. He was named to the 1^st team All Schuylkill League his junior and senior years.

*He recorded a hat-trick in the Schuylkill League playoffs against Upper Dauphin en route to the Schuylkill League championship. He was a member of two Schuylkill League and Division 1 championship teams.

*In the District XI playoffs, he scored two goals and one assist in Tamaqua’s first ever district win, 4-3 in OT vs. Saucon Valley.

*On the track, he was a four year letter winner where he competed in the 100, 200 and the 4×100 meter relay team. Over his four years, he compiled over 30 victories on the track, finishing his junior and senior years as Schuylkill League champion in the 100 M and 200 M.

*His senior year, he qualified for the PIAA state championships in both the 100 and 200 where is was a District XI silver medalist and bronze medalist, respectively. At states, he finished with a PIAA medial in the 100 finishing 6^th with a time of 11.05.

*After graduation, he attended Delaware Valley College where he majored in agronomy and environmental sciences. This is where he also continued his track career. He competed at DVC in both the 100 and 200 M dashes. He had a storied track career at DVC where he recorded over 50 victories; was a 4 time Middle Atlantic Conference athlete of the year (2 indoor and 2 outdoor). He was a two-time All-American in the 100 M. He set five school records in sprinting events.

*Presently he lives in Lewes, Delaware where he is employed for Lawns Unlimited as the Agronomist and Turfgrass Facilities Manager.

LAUREN WENZEL (TAMAQUA CLASS OF 2008)

*Lauren was a four-year member of both the track and field and basketball programs and a two-year member of the cross-country team.

*Her track career included a 6th place medal at the PIAA State Championship meet, a three-time Schuylkill League Champion, and a two-time District 11 champion in the 400 M…including a school-record setting time in her sophomore year (58.54) – a school record that still exists.

*She was a member of the District 11 gold medal 1600 meter relay team that set a school record time of 4:06:58, which also still exists.

*Lauren also holds the record for most team points scored in a season and was named 2006 Times News Track Athlete of the Year. The girls track team was undefeated all four of her high school years (32-0 in dual meets) and won four straight league championships.

*She was also a member of four basketball teams that qualified for the District XI Playoffs.

*She continued her academic and athletic career at Saint Joseph’s University, where she was a four-year member of the indoor and outdoor track team and a three-time Atlantic 10 championship qualifier. *Lauren graduated in 2012 from Saint Joseph’s with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing.

*She currently resides in Pittsburgh where she is working at one of Pittsburgh’s premier marketing communications agencies, Gatesman+Dave, as an Assistant PR Account Executive.

CODY WISNIEWSKI (TAMAQUA CLASS OF 2009)

*As a member of the Class of 2009, Cody excelled as one of the best soccer players in our school history and a four year member of the tennis team.

*Cody finished with 78 goals in his career. He finished ranking 2nd all time in goals and remains 2nd all time. He was a varsity player for four years and he led the team in scoring his junior and senior years. He was 1^st team All-Schuylkill League in 2007 and 2008.

*He ranks 3rd all time in goals in a season with 27 as a senior and also tied for 4th all time for goals in a season with 24 as a junior. He was named to the PSCA All-State team.

*Cody has 11 career playoff goals (Schuylkill League and/or District XI Playoffs).

*He was a member of teams that went a combined 64-21-3 overall and 44-6-2 in the Schuylkill League; including the 2007 team which combined for the school record for most goals scored (91) and least goals against (17). His teams also made the Schuylkill League Playoffs all 4 years, including winning the Schuylkill League Championship his sophomore, junior and senior years. The only three Tamaqua Schuylkill League Championships in school history.

*His teams also had 2 district playoff wins, including Tamaqua’s first ever.

*Cody had 5 career hat tricks and an impressive 21 games with 2 or more goals.

*He was a NSCAA academic -soccer All America.

*Cody graduated from University of Pittsburgh with a degree in biology and currently works as a lab technician at PPG in Pittsburgh.

*He is the son of Rob and Francine Wisniewski and Cody resides in Pittsburgh, PA.

ALEX ZUBEY (TAMAQUA CLASS OF 2008)

*Alex is a 2008 graduate and excelled in cross country and in the track and field program all four years.

*In cross country he was a member of three District XI championship teams. He was a Schuylkill League and District XI champion as a senior. He was a two-time PIAA State medal winner finishing 20^th in both his junior and senior years. In his senior year, he was named the Times News Cross Country Athlete of the Year.

*In track, he is still the school record holder in the 800M (1:55.06); 1600M (4:17.21) and the 3200M (9:29.17). He also holds the Schuylkill League and District XI record in the 1600.

*He is a 3-time League champion in 800, 1600 and 4×400 relay; 4-time District XI champion in the 4×800 relay his junior year and in 800, 1600 and 3200 his senior year; He is a 3-time PIAA State medal winner placing 8^th in the 1600 his junior year and 3^rd in both the 800 and 1600 his senior year. He earned the Times News Track Athlete of the Year his senior year.

*Following graduation, Alex attended the Air Force academy and he also continued his track and field career. In 2012, he led his indoor and outdoor track teams to its first Mountain West Conference championships. He was named to the 1^st Team All-MWC. He also won the Arne Arneson Coaches’ Award for dedication.

*Alex finished his collegiate career with personal bests of 3:45.7 in the 1500m, 1:50.2 in the 800m, and 4:04.5 in the mile.

*Alex is the son of the late Jerry Zubey, who was a long-time volunteer cross country and track and field coach at Tamaqua and Helene Zubey.

*Currently, Alex is a First Lieutenant in the U. S. Air Force, serving as an Acquisitions Officer in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

1975 - 1976 Tamaqua Boys Basketball Team — 1975 – 1976 Tamaqua Boys Basketball Team

THE TAMAQUA 1975-76 SCHUYLKILL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

*This boys’ basketball team is one of only two Schuylkill League championship teams in our school’s long basketball history.

*The 1975-76 Raiders won the school’s first title with a 66-57 win over Blue Mountain in the championship game.

*The Raiders ended up 19-3 this year and were under the guidance of head coach Frank Zlock.

*Team members included:

Vince Keip, John Felsoci, the late Randy Smith, Mike Miorelli, Terry Houtz, Brian Hartz, Ricky Christ, Robert Clemson, Gary Breiner, the late Dan Miorelli, and the late Jim Depew.

Click HERE to view another photo.

BELOW IS THE HISTORY OF THE TAMAQUA AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

The following is additional information regarding who has already been inducted into the Tamaqua Area High School Athletic Hall of Fame:

The first TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on October 18, 1996 prior to the Panther Valley game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

H. RODEN WELKER – Graduating Class of 1922
ELI “PINKEY” PURNELL – Graduating Class of 1922
DR. JOSEPH PICHACOLAS – Graduating Class of 1929
HARRY FETTERMAN – Graduating Class of 1943
RICHARD “DICK” JONES – Graduating Class of 1943
WALTER LIGENZA – Nesquehoning High School – Graduating Class of 1957
BILL YELSH – Graduating Class of 1959
GEORGE BARRON – Graduating Class of 1963
KAREN WESTON ROTTET – Graduating Class of 1964
CINDY MILLER – Graduating Class of 1980

The second TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 26, 1997 prior to the Blue Mountain game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

BOB HARTMAN – Graduate of Selinsgrove, PA High School, Sole coach for Tamaqua Athletic Teams from 1925-1930
JOE RHUBRIGHT – Graduating Class of 1930
SAM PAGANO – Mt. Union Public Schools – Graduating Class of 1932
JOE CUTCAVAGE – Graduating Class of 1934
RICK JONES – Graduating Class of 1974
TRICIA PLASKO ROCCHINO – Graduating Class of 1988

The third TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 25, 1998 prior to the Mahanoy Area game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

JACK REESE – Graduating Class of 1927
CURT STEIGERWALT – Graduating Class of 1947
TONY FREDICINE – Graduating Class of 1959
DANIEL TRUSKEY – Graduating Class of 1969
MIKE MIORELLI – Graduating Class of 1976
1977-78 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GIRLS’ BASKETBALL TEAM
Team Members Include: Karen Weston Rottet, Head Coach, Dennis Kormonick, Asst. Coach, Lisa Baddick-Knoblauch, Donna Zimmerman-Stevenson, Julie Warcholak-Pitts, Carla Yanoshik-Zimmerman, Karen Jones-Mason, Karen Major, Karen Deininger, Kim Haldeman-Stidham, Cindy Miller, Barb Koch-Feege, Christine Mateyak-Titus, Betsy Boyer-Paisley, Lynne Titus, Wendy Truskey, Kathy Young, Jane Boyer-Reagan, and Beth Delay.

The fourth TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 10, 1999 prior to the Minersville game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

E. DARE HEYDRICH – Graduating Class of 1929 (Deceased)
BOB HARTWIG – Graduating Class of 1939
BILL EISLEY – Graduating Class of 1957
PAUL JAMES – Graduating Class of 1975
DAVE KEICH – Graduating Class of 1983
ED TITUS – Graduating Class of 1984
THE 1962 CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAM (Eastern Conference – 10-0-1),
Coaches: Dick Jones (Head Coach), Harry Fetterman, Walt Ligenza, Sam Pagano.
Team Members include: Paul Ansbach, Joe Baddick, Dave Barron, George Barron, Tom Brockel, Pat Davison, Bob Derr, Bob Fagan, Dennis Ryan, Bob Flail, Paul Gimbel, Don Guy, Ron Griffiths, Bill Henry, Bill Hinkel, Tom Jones, Dennis Kalish, Bruce Keich, Bill Klotz, Dr. Norm Lindenmuth, Dr. Ed Lyba, Don Mikruk, Mike Mikruk, Pat Morgans, Bill Petticrew, Bill Rodgers, Marc Rovner, Bill Semko, Mike Sotak, Gene Titus, Bob Werley, Dave Whetstone, Bill Wishousky, Bob Breiner, Jim Hosler, Carl Kupres.

The fifth TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 22, 2000 prior to the Mahanoy Area game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

CLARENCE J. “PEG” KOCH – Graduating Class of 1922 (Deceased)
WENDELL A. WELSH – Graduating Class of 1928 (Deceased)
CHARLES BAER – Graduating Class of 1950
GLENN BEHR – Graduating Class of 1971
GARTH LAKITSKY – Graduating Class of 1986
DENISE (STAHLER) HOPE – Graduating Class of 1987
THE 1927 UNDEFEATED FOOTBALL TEAM
Two living members: Dr. Joseph Pichacolas, Mr. Joseph Rhubright

The sixth TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 14, 2001 prior to the Shenandoah Valley game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

BOB BARNISKY – Graduating Class of 1958
LAFAY HOPE – Graduating Class of 1961
GEORGE KRELL – Graduating Class of 1966
WAYNE SCHICKRAM – Graduating Class of 1978
LYNNE TITUS – Graduating Class of 1978
JIM HOPE – Graduating Class of 1991

The seventh TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 20, 2002 prior to the Mahanoy Area game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

BILL SEMKO – Graduating Class of 1963
EDWARD HROMYAK – Graduating Class of 1973
TODD MCLAUGHLIN – Graduating Class of 1983
JOHN APPICELLO – Graduating Class of 1984
CARLA KEMMERER-DAVIS – Graduating Class of 1988
JOE LIGENZA – Graduating Class of 1995

The eighth TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 12, 2003 prior to the Shenandoah Valley game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

DR. GORDON D. WEAVER – Graduating Class of 1928
GEORGE TEPO – Graduating Class of 1939
PERRY BREINER – Graduating Class of 1976
WENDY TRUSKEY – Graduating Class of 1978
LORI LAWSON – Graduating Class of 1988
1982-83 BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

The ninth TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 24, 2004 prior to the Mahanoy Area game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

DENNIS PASTUCHA – Graduating Class of 1972
BILL MILOT – Graduating Class of 1973
STEVE PRICE – Graduating Class of 1975
TOM SCHEITRUM – Graduating Class of 1986
1958-59 BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

The tenth TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 16, 2005 prior to the Shenandoah Valley game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

ED KEMZURA – Graduating Class of 1929 (Deceased)
JEROME ANDRUKITIS ANDREWS – Graduating Class of 1939
TONY MORFY – Graduating Class of 1941 (Deceased)
HUB BECKER – Graduating Class of 1945
FRANK IKE – Graduating Class of 1957
LISA WILLING – Graduating Class of 1982
CHRISTA (ZIMMERMAN) ANDERSON – Graduating Class of 1994

The 11th TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 22, 2006 prior to the Mahanoy Area game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

BOB LUSKY – Graduating Class of 1957
JOHN GOZJACK – Graduating Class of 1958
JOE SEIGENFUSE – Graduating Class of 1980
MISSIE CHINCHAR O’NEAL – Graduating Class of 1989
VANCE WELKER – Graduating Class of 1989
MISSY LONGHI AMERSHEK – Graduating Class of 1992
NOEL POWELL – Graduating Class of 2000

The 12th TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 14, 2007 prior to the Shenandoah Valley game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

DR. DAVID B. EVANS – Graduating Class of 1956
ROBERT FULTON – Head Boys Basketball Coach (1978-1982)
BILL PLASKO – Graduating Class of 1981
KENNETH J. DUNKELBERGER JR. – Graduating Class of 1991
GEOFF KRUCZEK – Graduating Class of 1993
ADAM KNOBLAUCH – Graduating Class of 2001
1956-57 BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

The 13th TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 19, 2008 prior to the Mahanoy Area game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

WILLIAM “ABBIE” ABROMITIS – Graduating Class of 1943
PAUL DODSON – Head Wrestling Coach (1969-1974)
DAN DEEBLE – Graduating Class of 1970
TOM BUTTERWORTH – Graduating Class of 1987
ANDY BREINER – Graduating Class of 2000
2001 and 2002 4 x 800 METER STATE CHAMPIONSHIP RELAY TEAMS
2003 BASEBALL TEAM

The 14th TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 18, 2009 prior to the Shenandoah Valley game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

Billy McHale, Contributor
Phil Houm, Track and Field Coach (1980-2003)
Rochelle Evanousky, Head Swimming/Diving Coach (1991-92; 1994-2000)
James Barron, Class of 1971
Larry Lishman, Class of 1971
Kristine Lyn Fegley Rudy, Class of 1986
Alex Zukus, Class of 2004

The 15th TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 24, 2010 prior to the Mahanoy Area game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

Howard Walker, Member of the class of 1923
Sidney McMichael, Class of 1929
Jim Freed, Coach from 1968-1984
Eric Zerbe, Wrestling Coach for 15 years
Wayne Truskey, Class of 1967
Trevor Steigerwalt, Class of 1991
Joelle Evanousky LeMasters, Class of 2000
Matthew Benza, Class of 2001

The 16th TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 16, 2011 prior to the Shenandoah Valley game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

Durbin L. Wagner, Class of 1955
Pat Davison, Class of 1965
Lorri Maff, Class of 1979
Dan Smith, Class of 1981
Kyle Spotts, Class of 2003
Derrik Keich, Class of 2006
Joe Plasko, Contributor, Class of 1979

The 17th TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 21, 2012 prior to the Mahanoy Area game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.

Larry Lech, Class of 1978 (Coach)
Joe Urenovitch, Class of 1982
Tara Rottet-Blackburn, Class of 1988
Erika Barron, Class of 2007
Isaac Dunkelberger, Class of 2007
Alexa Griffiths, Class of 2007
Amanda Sandlin Schoonover, Class of 2007

The 18th TAHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on September 13, 2013 prior to the Shenandoah Valley game. The following individuals were inducted on that evening.