Class of 2018 Announced
Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame Banquet Set for June 15, 2018
The Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame will hold its 25th annual banquet at the St Spyridon Hellenic Center, 1205 Grand Blvd Monessen, PA on Friday, June 15, at 5:30 p.m. This year, six new inductees will be welcomed into the mythical Mon Valley Sports Hall of Fame conceived by news men Floyd France and John Bunardzya. With the Class of 2018 the total number of inductees is now 248. The original Mon Valley Sports Writers Hall of Fame started in 1951 with the selection of Stan Musial and Bert Rechichar.
The Class of 2018 is comprised of Vinnie Graham, Ernest “Roger” Hotz, Jamont Kinds, Dan LaCarte, Jamie Reader and the deceased John Konek. General Chairman of the Sports Hall of Fame, Steve Russell, called the selections “the youngest class of inductees but also recognizing the Mon Valley greats of the golden sports era.”
The MMVASHOF selection committee includes Chairman Brian Herman, Carl Crawley, Jr, Dale Hamer, Tom Jenkins, Bill Kubin, Randy Marino, Stan Milchovich, Steve Russell, Bill Hughes and Dennis Stitch.
The Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame is one of 28 chapters of The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame made up of four geographical regions. Organized with its induction class in 1963, the state ceremonial dinner rotates between four regions. The Mid Mon Valley chapter has inducted 22 members into the State Hall of Fame. They include: Stan Musial, Bert Rechichar, Jim Russell, Arnold Galiffa, Dan Towler, John Potsklan, Sever J. Toretti, H.C. Carlson, Lou “Bimbo” Cecconi, Armand Niccolai, Bap Manzini, Ken Griffey, Fred Cox, Ron Necciai, Myron Pottios, Bill Malinchak, Sam Havrilak, Dale Hamer, Eric Crabtree, Craig Fayak, Fred Mazurek and this past year Robert “Red” Worrell.
The Mid Mon Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to welcome these 2018 Mon Valley sports standouts:
Vinnie Graham: Belle Vernon Area’s all-time leading basketball point-maker Vinnie Graham, with 2,429 ranks 4th in the WPIAL all-time list and ranks 33rd all-time in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a 1995 BVA graduate. On the state’s list Graham is listed among such notables as Kobe Bryant (2,883) and Wilt Chamberlain (2,252). Graham went on to play three seasons at California University of Pennsylvania and was PSAC West Rookie of the Year as a freshman.
Ernest “Roger” Hotz: A 1955 graduate of California High School, Hotz culminated his basketball scholastic career named an All-Mon Valley Section 5-A first team with 19.3 points per game average. At California University of Pennsylvania, he established a career scoring record at that time with 1,747 points to eclipse the previous mark of 1,317 held by Dick Majernik. Hotz continued to play semi-professional competition after his college graduation in 1959.
Jamont Kinds: A 1995 Ringgold High School graduate, Jamont shined on the gridiron, hardwood and track fields. Named a Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 as a senior, he threw for 1,294 passing yards, was part of Ringgold basketball state championship in 1995, and as a junior won the triple jump meet at the Baldwin Invitational. At Syracuse University as a defensive back, Kinds was part of the team winning three Big East titles. Jamont went on to play semiprofessionally with the Pittsburgh Colts and Arena Football with the Johnstown River Hawks.
Dan LaCarte: A 1999 Charleroi High School graduate, Dan was a three-sport player excelling as a tight end and outside linebacker and named First Team All-State by the Associated Press. At the University of Pittsburgh Dan distinguished himself as a three-year left offensive guard letterman who played in four Bowl games and was named to the All-Big East Academic team three times. He had tryouts with the Bills and Falcons.
Jamie Reader: A 1993 Monessen High School graduate, Jamie was a two-sport star in football and basketball. He went on to Akron University as a four-year running back. His professional career landed Reader as the only local gridder to play in the NFL, NFL Europe and the XLF. Reader is Monessen’s ninth NFL athlete to be inducted into the MMVASHOF.
John Konek: A 1950 California High School graduate, Konek was chosen as the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph’s High School Football Player of the Year in western Pennsylvania and a high school All American. Konek led the Trojans as a halfback to the WPIAL Class A football championship with an 11-0-0 record in 1949. Konek went on to star at the University of Kansas on a full scholarship and received All Conference recognition as a D Back. Konek also played third base for the Phillies and Pirate farm teams Burlington-Graham and Terre Haute in 1954. Mr. Konek passed away in 2009.
Chairman of the Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame, Dennis Stitch, believes “this class represents the long, powerful, stellar sports tradition reflective of the Mon Valley. The athletes’ commitment, desire and dedication are a reflection of the excellence displayed in their careers.”
Along with the Hall of Fame inductees, eighteen senior scholar athletes from the local Mon Valley high schools will also be honored. Those high schools include Belle Vernon Area, Bentworth, Brownsville, California, Charleroi, Elizabeth Forward, Monessen, Ringgold, and Yough.
Tickets are $45 and seating is limited. To reserve tickets or request program book sponsorship contact Steve Russell, Hall of Fame General Chairman, at 724-258-3823 or email to stephenrussell1106@comcast.net
The Sports Hall of Fame displays can be viewed in the lobby at Bentleyville’s Best Western Garden Inn.