SCHOLAR ATHLETE Our scholar athlete for ’86 compiled some terrific statistics, both academically and athletically. Joe ranks Number 1 in his class of 138, with an average of 97.8 in all subjects. He scored 1600 in his college boards, for which he received a letter of Recognition from the P.H.E.A.A. He was a Hugh O’Brien ambassador- and award given in recognition of outstanding scholarship and student leadership of both the National Honor Athletic Society and the National Honor Society. He has been a member of Student Council for 4 years. He was also President of the Key Club, a service organization, for 1985 and 1986. He was no shrinking violet athletically, either. He lettered 3 years for the tornado football team, which he captained the last year. He was voted first team linebacker on the all Susquehanna Valley Conference Team; and was a Big 33 nominee on two different occasions. He also won both the Len Eshmont and the Bobby Pizzoli Awards. He’s a 4-year letter winner in track. He won letters in wrestling as a freshman and sophomore; but a shoulder injury prevented him from wrestling afterwards. High School Principle Rich Beiershmitt called Joe, “A silent leader, a hard worker, and terrific role model.”

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD Frank Sheptock went on from establishing All-Time Defensive records as a linebacker at Mount Carmel Area High School to doing the same thing on the College level at Bloomsburg State College. In his freshman year, Sheppy made the ECAC Honor Roll 3 times enroute to becoming First team All PSAC Linebacker. As a sophomore he began to roll. He made the Honor Roll 5 times and repeated as First Team All PSAC Linebacker. He was also All Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Linebacker, Bloomsburg University Undergraduate Athlete of the Year and Associated Press First Team All American Linebacker. He obliterated every individual defensive record for the Huskies. In a move that reflected how much esteem he was held in by his teammates, HE WAS elected Captain of the team in his sophomore year. Last year, as a junior, he again captained the Bloomsburg Squad, He was named All ECAC Player of the Week four times. At the end of the season he was once again named All Eastern Athletic Conference Fist Team Linebacker and repeated as Associated Press All American First Team Linebacker. As he begins his final year this fall, he has an opportunity to be the School’s first three-time All America. He also has an almost certain opportunity to be drafted by the NFL or USFL at the completion of his college career.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD About three quarters of the way through the current season, Marie Fantanarosa sprained her ankle and was forced to miss several games. At the time, with the Lady Tornadoes needing to win practically every game to qualify for post-season play, their prospects seemed dim. But instead of collapsing, the Team discovered it had more talent than it realized; and began to blossom. Lisa Balichik, particularly, began to assert herself and became a solid force both as scorer and floor leader. Lori Adamcik, began to play a bigger role as rebounder and made her presence felt. Cheryl Darrup got more playing time and as a result was a seasoned player when the playoffs rolled around making contributions not normally expected from a sophomore. Margot Guinan was a solid, stabilizing presence throughout. She ran the offense as point guard, and played consistently fine defense. Lil Cole provided excellent support coming off the bench for both Adamchik and Balitchick. Melissa White had played very well whenever she got the opportunity; and now she was joined by four young players, Kim Little, Shannon Guinan and the Schicchitano twins Mary and Peggy all of whom made important contributions along the way. When Maria returned they were a much better team. And their goal of winning the District Championship became a realistic one.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD On November 23, 1981, Maria Fantanarosa, a very nervous freshman with an already considerable reputation as a basketball player, began her record breaking career. That first night she scored 28 points in a game against Minersville. A little more than 4 years later she broke Tom McMillen’s All-Time Pennsylvania High School Coring record in the same gymnasium in a game against Pottsville, In between she provided as much fun and excitement for area fans as you would consider possible. Despite he individual records, Maria constantly referred to teams goals when questioned. He goal to be the first District Basketball Champion in the School’s History was realized in 1984 in a thrilling 71-71 victory against Middleburg. Thinking back over the four-year career, her play produced many sparkling memories; but none more incandescent or poignant than her effort in a losing cause against Kutztown in her final game. She had always seemed, despite her numerous scoring records, to be an almost reluctant shooter. But in this game, with her team seemingly hopelessly out of the game trailing by 13 points at half time, she lit up the gymnasium. She made 13 of 17 field goal tries in the second half. Practically all of them came while double and triple teamed. With 30 seconds to play and the game lost, coach Debbie Greco substituted for her. It game local fans one more opportunity to applaud and show their appreciation for the thrill she had provided. Soon the opposition fans joined in, and there was minute-long standing ovation in which the entire gym demonstrated their respect for her performance. It was one of those moments that make sports such a special part of American Life. Some of Maria’s accomplishments include becoming the All Time State Leader with 3,823 points, previous record 3,608 by Tom McMillen of the Baltimore Bullets; Finalists; Converse All Stars All American Team in 1984; All Time State Single season scoring record-1,318 points in 1983.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD In describing Eric Miller, you must go beyond the record, evcen though the statistics he compiled are very impressive. But when you talk to people who are involved with him, a common thread winds through the conversation; Hard Work, Discipline, Dedication, Top Physical Condition, Role Model. His coach, Bucky McCollum called him “the most dedicated wrestler I have ever worked with. The perfect model for the rest of the wrestlers on the squad and someone everyone looked up to.” High School Principal Rich Beierschmitt says “a role model for younger kids. Someone who achieves by outworking his competitors.” Of course, hard work can take you only so far if you are not also talented; and he is very talented. This year he established new records at Mount Carmel Area High School for most career victories (85), most victories in a single season (35), most takedowns in a single season (104), and most pins in a single season (16). It is noteworthy that most the new records he established eclipsed records previously set by Bob Sacavage, himself a member of the Hall of Fame. He finished his scholastic career with a record of 85-31-2. But over the last two seasons he was 62-7-1. He recently won the Middle Atlantic Athletic Union 112 pound championship; and finished 3rd in the PIAA Championships. He is also an outstanding student, ranking 11 out of 157 in his class. He is a member of the National Leadership Award. Eric will attend the U.S. Military Academy on an athletic scholarship this fall.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD When Dan Glowatski left Mount Carmel for Delaware Valley College four years ago, he had compiled a solid, if not spectacular, career as a Tornado wideout. He was really getting started, though. Gaining additional size and strength, as well as maturity, in that extra year; he went from very, very good to spectacular. He was a star from the very first game at Delaware Valley. He leaves behind a record which will be difficult to match, He holds eight all-time receiving records for Delaware Valley; Career Yardage….2645; Career Receptions…154; longest scoring reception….78 yards; reception for season…53; single season yardage….867; single game receptions…11. He caught at least one pass in 35 consecutive games. He also led the team as its captain in 1984. He was honored by both the Philadelphia Football Writes and the Maxwell Club during his senior year. He made All Middle Atlantic Conference and All Eastern College Athlete Conference for three years running. His final two years he was selected to both the Pizza Hut Division III All American Team and the Associated Press Little All American Team. He was the obvious choice as the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1984. As dominating a player as he was on the field, however; his greatest exploits were in the classroom. He was names to the NCAA Academic All American Team in recognition of his 3.827 Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale. He received one of twelve Post Graduate Scholarships awarded by the NCAA. He’s a future Hall of Famer for sure; and a young man we’re proud of now.

INDUCTEE George “Nubber” Delcamp was an all around athlete who was one of the Mount Carmel Area’s best. But his greatest contributions were not as a player; they came as a result of his interest in sports and the way he communicated that interest to young people. He played baseball and football for Mount Carmel Athletic High from 1902 through 1905. He was a crack quarterback and pitcher. Later he played as a sandlot player with both the Old Mount Carmel Athletic Association and the West End AC. He was a pioneer runner, too. He frequently competed in marathons, which made him special for that time. “Nubber” returned to Coach the Tornado football squad from 1915 through 1922. During that period his teams won 39 games, lost 12 and tied 11. After his retirement as Coach of the Tornadoes he remained on as trainer for a number of years, so that he could keep in contact with the squad. In 1947 he was one of the group of men responsible for the formation of the Mount Carmel Little League. He coached the Star Lane Sox from the formation of the League in 1947 up until the time of his death in 1962. His teams were known for their knowledge of the fundamentals of the game. He as a patient, thoughtful instructor who played more emphasis on knowing the game than in winning. He had a profound effect on many youngsters in that 15 year period.

INDUCTEE Dr. Jim McHale was a mainstay of one of the finest teams ever to represent Mount Carrmel Catholic High School. The 1946 squad, which he captained, lost only one game…a 6-0 loss to McSherrystown Catholic in which the winning touchdown was scored on a trick play. He letteed for four years with the Rams as a two-way tackle. After graduation he enrolled at Villanova University. He transferred after one year and moved to the University of Scranton. During the three years he lettered at Scranton, he was a dominant force both offensively and defensively. He made Little All American during his final year at Scarnton. After graduation he attended Buckenll University form where he received an M.S. in Chemistry. He then began medical school at Georgetown University….receiving his M.D. from there in 1957. He went on to become a general surgeon and then a thoracic surgeon, obtaining these specialties while serving in the U.S. Navy for 16 years. He was in private practice in Gaithersburg, Maryland when he died in 1980 f a brain tumor following a 10 month illness. He left a wife and five children.

INDUCTEE Back in the days when educators would frown on pool shooting as a sign o “of a misspent youth”…and shooters themselves were not recognized as the great athletes they are, Paul Kotch was head and shoulders above everybody else. But as if to prove that a good pool shooter could also be interested in education, Paul Kotch was an honor graduate of Mount Carmel High Schoool and went on to earn a Degree at Bloomsburg State College. Between 1948 and 1955 there were a number of excellent pool shooters in the Mount Carmel Area. There were enough to form a league which drew hundreds of spectators to each match. When word would get out that Paul Kotch would be shooting Johnny Patrick the match-sites would be overflowing…it was difficult for a 13-year old to sneak in to watch without being chased.

INDUCTEE Felix “Soldier King” Zahar of Atlas was the son of a soft coal miner, born in Wheeling, West Virginia. His family moved to Atlas while he was a young boy and he grew up there. AS soon as he was old enough, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. His natural size and strength did not go unnoticed, and he was recruited as a boxer. He took to boxing easily, and became All Army Lightweight champion. After his discharge he returned to this area…then decided to pursue boxing as a career. Taking bouts wherever he found them, he compiled a record of 160 wins against only 5 losses. He rose to become one of the top contenders for the light-heavyweight championship of the world. He fought most of the big names in boxing that day. Some of the more notable were; Jack Delaney, Harry Greb, Young Stribling, Mike McTigue and others. After hanging up the gloves he came home to Mount Carmel for retirement. He died there at the age of 76.