Search Inductees

Lewis Scott enters the Montco Chapter as another member of the Scott family of athletes who dominated many sports in the 1950s and ‘60s. Lewis played defensive back and special teams for the Denver Broncos, was the starting QB for Mesa Junior College as a freshman and sophomore before becoming a starting defensive back for the Oregon Ducks in the 1965 Rose Bowl. While at Upper Merion High, in addition to football, he was Pennsylvania State Champion in the 440 and 880, placing third in the 100 while leading UM to a second-place finish in the State Track and Field Championship. He also finished first in the quarter-mile junior college invitational held at BYU.

Frank “Hank Cisco” Ciaccio is a legendary figure – in the world of boxing and in community service. His varied accomplishments include: being the only Official Ambassador for any municipality in the U.S. (Norristown); throwing a disorderly spectator, Muhammad Ali, out of the ring before a Joe Frazier fight; his professional boxing and refereeing career; serving in the Norristown Police department for 24 years; becoming the first Executive Director of the Montco Safety Program; starting the Norristown Police Athletic League (PAL) Boxing program and leading them to a Pennsylvania State Championship; his local television show, where he has interviewed celebrities like Rudy Giuliani and Willie Nelson, in addition to everyday figures from the community. Early in his boxing career he was trained by the same person who trained Rocky Marciano, he refereed fights in iconic venues featuring boxing legends such as Joe Frazier, Marvin Hagler, Bobby “Boogaloo” Watts, Matthew Saad Muhamad, Willie “The Worm” Monroe and Eugene “Cyclone” Hart. Amid the glitz and notoriety Hank always found a way to give back, constantly championing kids, Norristown and Montgomery County.

Scott certainly has the most television air time of the group of inductees. He spent 24 years as a sportscaster for the Philadelphia region’s highest-rated station, Channel 6 Action News. He was well-known for bringing personalized stories from every imaginable sport and location to the viewers in Philadelphia. After leaving Action News, Palmer joined the Phillies in 2005. He is currently the Phillies Director of Public Affairs but has juggled many other roles through the years including the Phillies Pre-Game Show "Behind the Pinstripes" and helping support the Phillies charitable and youth sports causes. Palmer is in the Philadelphia Broadcast Pioneers Hall of Fame, was Pennsylvania Special Olympics Sportscaster of the Year, won the Champion in the Community award given by Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, and was given a special award from the Philadelphia Section of the PGA. He is a board member of the Friends of Jerry Segal Golf Classic, and provides his time to several other charities, including Michaels Way.

Gene Coder was a Norristown High School legend as a basketball, football and tennis record setter and champion. He led Norristown to its only State Basketball Championship in 1948, as part of a team nicknamed “The Buzz Boys”. Coder led Norristown to that win over Ford City before 8,500 fans at the Palestra. That same year Coder won the PIAA State Tennis Doubles Championship. He also received the Ray Musselman Memorial Football award (MVP) and the Harold Tyler Memorial Basketball Award (MVP). He is a member of the Norristown Hall of Champions.

Chad Levitt played on the St. Louis Rams Super Bowl XXXIV championship team and was also with the Chicago Bears after having played for the Oakland Raiders as a fourth-round draft pick. While at Cheltenham High Levitt was a three-sport star; football, wrestling and track. He was 1st team All-League, All-Academic, and All Montgomery County in football, 1st team All-League in Shot Put and the 4x100 relay. He was a PIAA State Qualifier in wrestling, and was the all-time leading rusher in Cheltenham (1601 yds.). Levitt won the Ben Bell Award as the top male athlete at Cheltenham and went on to star and set records in football for four years at Cornell University. He was a three-time All-Ivy selection 1st team, Ivy League Player of the Year (Asa S. Bushnell Cup), ECAC Div. I-AA Player of the Year (1996), Associated Press All-American and left Cornell with the record for most 100-yard games (24), and the Ivy League record for most rushing attempts (922), plus the career rushing mark of 4,657 yds. He is a member of the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, Cornell Hall of Fame and was the New York Sports Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete of the Year.

“Unsung Hero”. Publically -- as a player, coach, leader, innovator, mentor, sponsor and executive -- Bello has a long list of qualifications for this special award. Combine that with the untold stories from those he humbly and quietly helped or supported and it becomes obvious why Bello is considered an “Unsung Hero.” A three sport co-captain all three years at Bridgeport High (football, baseball, basketball) Bello was also MVP in football and basketball, 1st team intercounty basketball and football, and honorable mention All-State in football. He was co-founder of the Bridgeport Softball League and served as its first president and later also served as Norristown Softball president. As coach and president he led the SSS (Triple S) softball and flag football teams to state and national prominence. He grew the flag football team to the largest in the state, winning 14 league championships. His softball teams won over 80 percent of all games as well as 50-plus tournament championships. Bello is in the Bridgeport Hall of Fame and the Honor Roll section of the Montgomery County Coaches Hall of Fame. His business interests, such as Peppers Italian Restaurant, have sponsored many teams and worthwhile causes over the past few decades. They include a state champion women’s “A” softball team as well as scores of basketball, baseball and softball teams. He has donated scoreboards, fences, lighting, a tractor, printers, equipment and countless other items to benefit men’s and women’s teams and youth sports programs.

State Level Event: In 2015, the Montco Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame hosted the statewide induction event.

Finished her high school career at PW as the all-time leading scorer.

College: Philadelphia University (Textile)

National Collegiate Women’s Player of the Year & Kodak All-American – 1994 graduated as leading scorer in school history (Men & Women), led the nation in scoring (26.4 avg.), Rams all-time steals leader & among career leaders in rebounds, assists & 3-point FG’s. Freshman year named NY Collegiate Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, led league in scoring, 1st Team All-Conference & Freshman All-American. Named league’s MVP 3 consecutive years & was ECAC Player of the year twice. Led Ram’s to 3 consecutive post-season tournaments & NCAA Tournament twice. Won multiple tournament MVP awards. First athlete (male or female) to have # retired by Phila. University.

Honors: National Player of the Year, Kodak All-American, multiple league & team MVP awards, Phila. University (Textile)

HoF, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School HoF

Abington High School

Named All-American - 1971
College: Mercer County Community College & Penn State University
Named Jr. College All-American 2 times – 1972 & 1973, Named All-American – 1974 (Penn State)
Professional: North American Soccer League
Tampa Bay Rowdies – 1974 – 1976 Won NASL Championship 1975, US NATIONAL TEAM – 1975-76, Los Angeles Aztecs-1976, Washington Diplomats – 1977 – 1978 Won scoring title, Cleveland Force – 1978-79 (Professional Indoor Soccer), Philadelphia Fever – 1979 – 1980 (Professional Indoor Soccer)
Coaching: Penn State University Assist. Coach – 1977-1979
Lower Moreland Assist. Coach – 1983-1992, Abington High Assist. Coach – 1993
Abington High Head Coach – 1994 – present / PIAA District 1 AAA finalist 1993, 2007, 2012/District 1 Champions
Eastern PA Youth Soccer – 1990’s Olympic Development Coach, Boys Director of Coaching – Coached U-19 boys to US Youth Soccer Region 1 Championship
Honors: 1996 NSCAA youth soccer coach of the year, 1997 Eastern PA Youth Soccer Coach of the Year, 2007 Southeastern PA coaches Assoc. Coach of the Year, 2008 Mercer County College HoF, 1998 Abington HS HoF, 2012 Eastern PA youth soccer excellence in Coaching award, 2013 Southeastern Soccer HoF

Cheltenham High School; Led team to 26-0 & PA State Finals where they lost in triple overtime. High School All-American, All-State, All-Regional
College: University of PA - 3 Ivy League Championships, 3 consecutive NCAA Eastern Region playoff appearances, including 26-0 1970-71 team that lost to Villanova in Regional Final.
Professional: 1973 1st round supplemental draft by San Antonio Spurs but chose coaching.
Coaching: Head Coach - Penn & Rutgers, Assist. Coach – Villanova, Board of Directors Phila. Police Athletic League & Charlottesville Ronald McDonald House
Athletic Director: University of Virgina 2001-present, during his tenure, Virginia has won 8 team NCAA Championships & 13 individual NCAA Championships, has won 56 ACC Championships (more than any other conference school) & led the ACC in League Championships 5 of last 6 years. UV ranks among top Division 1-A public universities in graduation rates. 2006-Headed NCAA Men’s Division 1 Basketball Committee which selects the 65 teams for the NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball
Honors: Cheltenham High School HoF, Black Coaches Assoc. Athletic Administrator of the Year 2003 & 2006, Sports Illustrated list of 101 most influential minorities in sports 2003-2004

Collegeville Trappe High School (now Perkiomen Valley) -1966-68

Gerry played & was captain of football, basketball & baseball teams. Among leading scorers in football & leading scorer for basketball team, played in Montco’s inaugural football All-Star game- 68, Member of Phila. Little Quakers -1963.
College: St. Joseph’s University –graduated 1972, 3 year starter (OF & Pitcher), All-Middle Atlantic Conference team, MAC Championship NCAA Tournament – his team record of 49-19-2 over 3 years, winning .704% is St. Joe’s record. Received his Masters from Florida International where he was asst. AD and asst. coach. Received the Distinguished Alumni Torch Award in 2001.
Professional: Houston Astros General Manager -1995-04 where he was most successful and longest serving GM in Astros history, winning or placing 2nd in division all but 1 year of his tenure, won 3 straight Central Division titles, 4 in all. Named Sporting News Executive of the Year – 1998 with Astros winning 102 regular season games which is still franchise record while pulling off dramatic trade for Randy Johnson. Gerry resigned as GM after 2004 season but remained with team as Special Advisor through 2005 World Series having lured Roger Clemens out of retirement to pair with free agent Andy Pettite. Served as Sr. VP of baseball operations for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays during their run of success, served as an executive with NY Mets and is currently Sr. Advisor for Baseball Operations for the LA Dodgers, 2005 finalist for Phillies GM job

Honors: St. Joe’s Athletic HoF, St. Joe’s Baseball HoF, Texas Baseball HoF

Cheltenham High School, 3 sport athlete, led basketball team in scoring & assists, averaged over 20 points his senior year, selected All-Conference twice, led Cheltenham to upset victory of eventual PA State Champion Abington High
College: Graduated Harvard University as their All-time leader in assists having started 3 years, selected All-Ivy League, graduating as Ivy League leader in assists, among All-time Ivy League leaders in assists for a season ranking 3rd & 9th, Co-Captain of Harvard Crimson in 1979 – Graduated Magna Cum Laude
Professional: Drafted by the San Antonio Spurs but instead chose to pursue his Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford University, President Bill Clinton nominated Glenn for Inspector General of the United States, confirmed by US Senate in 2000. As Inspector General served under presidents Bush & Obama for 11 years
Honors: Cheltenham High HoF, Philadelphia Jewish Sports HoF

Lansdale (now North Penn) High School

A 1950 graduate and three-sport athlete at Lansdale (now North Penn) High School, Church has won numerous awards for his broadcasting from the state, local schools and area community including Associated Press awards for high school football and basketball play-by-play. Originally hired by WNPV station owner John Skibbe in 1970. Since that time, he has called over 600 games in baseball, basketball and primarily football. In football, he has worked seven PIAA state finals and countless other showcase events.
He is also a member of the Souderton and North Penn Sports Hall of Fames. Central Bucks West Hall of Fame Chairman John Flood said in a letter to WNPV, “The people he’s touched with his sincere interest and knowledge of high school sports will be a lasting legacy to his legendary status.”
Church has been the chairman of the Montgomery County All-Star Football game for 19 years and is on the Board of Directors of the Montgomery County Coaches' Hall of Fame and Triangle Club.

Spring-Ford High School
College: Temple University 4-year starter Lacrosse & Field Hockey
2-time All-American in both sports, led the Owls Lacrosse to 19-0 record & National Championship – 1988
Named Midfielder of the Year 1986 & 1987, NCAA MVP – 1988, Lacrosse Magazine Player of the Year -1988
Professional: US World Cup team – 1989 IFWLA Gold Medal, 1993 2nd leading scorer for US World Cup team that repeated as IFWLA Champions
Coach: University of Maryland – Asst. Coach 1992-93, team won NCAA title 1992, semi-finals 1993
Yale – 14 seasons head coach, 11 of 14 years in top 3 of Ivy League, 2003 Ivy League Title (shared), named 2003 Northeast Regional Coach of Year & USWLA Coach of the Year 1996, Coached 19 ALL-Americans
University of Florida – 2010 to present, 2 NCAA Appearances 2011-12, NCAA Final four 2012, 2 ALC Titles 2011-12, ALC Tournament Champions 2012, WomensLax.com Coach of the Year 2012, IWLCA South Region Coach of The Year 2011, ALC Coach of the Year 2011, IWLCA South Region Coach of the Year 2012
Honors: Inducted into National Lacrosse HoF 2005, Temple HoF 2004, NCAA Women’s Lacrosse 25th anniversary team- 2006, Southeastern PA Lacrosse HoF 2007, Beth Allen Lifetime Achievement Award 1997

Upper Merion High School
“Scotty” was a 4 sport athlete at UPHS playing football, basketball, volleyball & track serving as captain on all teams his junior & senior years.
College: Morgan State College (University now) – 4 years Football elected team captain both junior & senior years
Professional: Boston/New England Patriots – signed as free agent defensive back playing 4 years with Patriots
Honors: Who’s who in American Colleges & Universities

Bethlehem High School 1957 State Champions
College: East Stroudsburg – 4 year starter, helped team win NAIA National Championship – 1962, Shelly also was a Champion Tennis Player winning many local tournaments
Professional: Philadelphia Adams – various administrator roles
Coaching: A fixture in Delaware Valley soccer for over 50 years- coaching Springfield HS 1965-67, Plymouth Whitemarsh HS(boys), Notre Dame HS(girls), Venice HS(FL)(girls) 2005-2009 & 2013 Spring-Ford HS(girls) who were PIAA Finalists
40 + Years at Montgomery County Community College - head coach of men’s team -1968-76 winning league championships each year from 1970-76 while also serving as teacher, Athletic Director & coach of multiple sports. Started Montco Indoor league 1974-84 & Eastern PA Youth Soccer Assoc. camp program where he was coach of several Olympic development programs & head coach of US Youth Soccer Region 1 -1992-95
LaSalle University – Head Coach 1977-79 winning ECAC Championship in 1977
Villanova – Head Coach women’s team -1992-96, winning 3 Big East Championship appearences
Honors: S.E.P.A. Soccer HoF 2011, Lehigh Valley Soccer HoF 2012, East Stroudsburg University HoF

Germantown Academy High School
2-time Interac League MVP, All-City, ALL-State, ALL-American, leading Male scorer in GA history
College: Villanova University 1993-97, lead team to 4 post-season appearances, All-Big East, All-American
Professional: Portland Trail Blazers 2nd round pick (47th overall pick)-1997, All-Rookie team - Toronto Raptors 1998-2006
Coaching: Director of Player Development for Toronto Raptors 2010-13

Academy of the New Church High School
Football 1978-80 - 3 year lettermen (defensive end), Honorable mention All Penn Jersey Conference 78, 1st Team All Penn Jersey 1979 & 80, Football Coaches Award 80, Montco All Star Football selection 1981, named Tri-Captain, currently the only football player in ANC history to have his number retired.
Wrestling – Sam Croft Cup Winner for most falls 1980-81, All Penn Jersey Unlimited Weight Class 1980-81,
All Area Wrestling 2nd team 1980-81, ANC’s MVP 1981, lettered in baseball 1980 & 81, most improved Jr. Athlete 1980, Stanley F. Ebert Award winner (top athlete) 1980-81
College: Temple University – Consensus All-American 1985 as offensive guard, NCAA Power Lifting Champion
Professional: 1st round draft pick, 9th overall, by Pittsburgh Steelers, 5 year starter with Steelers & 2 with Cleveland Browns
Honors: Temple University HoF

Bishop McDevitt High School
An outstanding coach at Bishop McDevitt High who’s influence went far beyond coaching. He was instrumental in setting up indoor track in Eastern PA, initially as co-founder and then as 1st Executive Secretary of the Track & Field Coaches Association of Greater Philadelphia. He was Athletic Director at McDevitt, Assistant Track Coach at the University of PA and an administrator at Lehigh University who’s influence strongly lead to the acceptance of girls’ championships in the Philadelphia Catholic League where he served as the league’s 1st meet director for the championship. Jim also was the technical director behind many meets including the Philadelphia Catholic League, the Philly Coaches League and the Penn Relays.

Methacton High School
Football All-Area Wide Receiver & Defensive Back, Baseball All Area Shortstop
College:
· Two time All-American at Oklahoma State as catcher
· 3 appearances in the College World Series, finishing 2nd in 1981, Set Oklahoma State record for most HR in a season.
Professional:
· Drafted 1st round Houston Astros (8th overall) 1983, 9-year playing career includes Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, NY Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Atlanta Braves, Montreal Expos & NY Mets
Coaching:
· His coaching career includes the Miami Miracle (91), Milwaukee Brewers (93-96) MLB,
· Oklahoma State Assistant Coach 97-04 includes 1 College World Series appearance, Big 12 tourney Championship, 5 NCAA Regionals
· 9 years Penn State Head Coach 2005-13, 1 All-American, 24 All Big 10 Selections, Team record conference wins in a season, 25 student-athletes competed professionally
Honors: Oklahoma State Hall of Fame 1993. Sporting News 1982 Player of the Year.

Upper Merion High School
· Football 1st team Main Line Times 62, All-State 63, 1st player in Upper Merion history to pass for 1000 yards in a season, Basketball- All Philadelphia 1st team 63, Main Line Times 2nd Team 62, Section 2 scoring champion 22 PPG, first Upper Merion player to score 1000 pts. (1029), Baseball- All Phila. 1st Team 63, Sub 2 batting champion 63 (.511 ave), Eastern PA All-Star vs. US All-Stars 64.
College:
· Kutztown College Basketball 65, 66 1st Team All PA State College, scored 1111 pts., 17th at KSC, Baseball- 1st Team PA College 66, career batting ave (.514), PA conference champs.
Professional /Coaching:
· Drafted Washington Senators (10th rd) in 65, Drafted 20th pick Oakland A’s 66 (supplemental draft), 66 played for Burlington A’s (BA .324 SA .368), 67 Leesburg A’s (BA .264 SA .338), 68 Burlington A’s (BA .275 SA .375).
· Coached 1991 PACC champs (OJR), 1997 District 3 champs Daniel Boone.
Honors: Upper Merion Wall of Fame, Upper Merion Athlete of the Decade, Kutztown Hall of Fame

Plymouth Whitemarsh High
· 3 Sport varsity athlete, Field hockey, Basketball, Lacrosse– co-captain of Field Hockey & Lacrosse
· 1st Team All Suburban – Field Hockey, Basketball & Lacrosse
· MVP Field Hockey & Basketball
College:
· Ursinus College 1981 Captain Hockey/Lacrosse
· All American Field Hockey and Lacrosse, 1981
· Four year starter Field Hockey and Lacrosse Ursinus College
Olympics:
· 1984 Olympic Field Hockey Team - Bronze Medal
· 1982 World Cup Team
· 1981-1984 US Field Hockey Team
· 1980-1981 US Lacrosse squad.
Coaching:
· Head Coach Field Hockey, Episcopal Academy – 1986 to present, 10 Inter Ac Championships
· 1 PAISAA State Championship, record 359-83, 1 runner up
Honors: Ursinus College Hall of Fame, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School Hall of Fame, 1995 Women’s Sports Foundation “Coach of the Year.”

· Suburban 1 Championships 1961 and 1962,
· District 1 Championship, PIAA Eastern Regional Championship and the PIAA State Finals in 1962.
· All-State in 1961 and 1962.
· All-American basketball selection in 1962.
· District 1 champion in the discus in 1961.
College/Professional:
· Attended Temple University, led Temple in scoring and rebounding 3 times - only player in school history (13 rebounds and 17 points per. game), 3 time All-East center, 3 time All Big 5 selection, drafted by the Chicago Bulls 1966.
· Member of the USA Pan American Team (Gold Medal) 1967, USA Team World University Games 1967 and 1969, AAU All-American Basketball Team 1967. Played in the Italian Basketball League 1967-1973 in 1970 his team won the European Championship and was selected MVP.
Honors: Big 5 Hall of Fame – 1983, Temple University Hall - 1983, Norristown Area High School Hall of Champions – 1998

College:
· University of North Carolina – averaged 24.8 points & 15.4 rebounds
· All-ACC - 3 years, All-ACC Tournament – 2 years
· ACC - Player of the year
· ACC – Academic All Conference
Professional: Player
· NBA - Rookie of the Year – (1966)
· 3x All NBA first team –(1969-71), All NBA second team (1972)
· 4x NBA All-Star
· NBA Champion as both player & coach - Played on 76’ers 1967 Championship team, considered by many as the best team in NBA history
· ABA –Led Carolina Cougars to ABA Eastern Division Championship
· Named ABA player of the year (MVP) – 1972-73
· ABA All-Star (1973)
Coach/Owner/Broadcaster:
· 1977 named 76’ers head coach
· Reached 200, 300 & 400 win milestone faster than any coach in NBA history with 76’ers
· Reached NBA finals 3 times (1979-80, 1981-82, 1982-83)
· NBA Championship – 1983
· Part owner of Miami Heat Franchise
· NBA broadcaster for nationally TV
Honors: Naismith Memorial (NBA) Hall of Fame, Elected to NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team

Lansdale Catholic
Accomplishments & Honors:
· Widely acclaimed as America’s greatest living Golf Course Architect
· Has most credits among living on Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses & Golfweeks collection of America’s best
· Won the Golf Digest poll for Best Modern Day Golf Course Architect which was discontinued after Tom won it 3 times in a row
· Became only the 2nd course architect to receive the highest recognition awarded by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America – The Old Tom Morris Award in 1995
· Chosen to rework America’s most famous golf course, Augusta National prior to 2002 Masters Tournament as well as other world renowned courses such as WingedFoot, Pine Valley the iconic Irish masterpiece Watervile and more
· Won the Golf Digest “Best New Course” award 3 times for Wade Hampton , Black Diamond Ranch & Country Club & Shadow Creek Golf Club
· Designed Centennial Nine at Philadelphia Country Club
· Worked with his uncle, George Fazio, to design and build Waynesborough, Kimberton and Moselem Springs
· Founded the Tom Fazio Charity Foundation to support various children’s causes throughout the nation