INDUCTEE Ron was an all State Football player in 1963-1964 as an End and a Punter for the Tornadoes. But he was more than just a football player: he was also an All State nominee in basketball and finished second in the State in the discus throw two years in succession. He still holds the Mount Camel High School Stadium record for the discus throw. While at Mount Carmel he was captain of the basketball team, co captain of the track team and winner of the Babe Ruth Award which in those days symbolized the school’s Outstanding Athlete. “Washie” was recruited at West Point, where he played one year before transferring to Bucknell. He had tryouts with both the Giants and Browns as a Punter in 1971 and 72. He has been just as successful in the business world as on the field of play. He presently heads the Ron Lewis Automotive Group, a Western Pennsylvania organization which represents six automobile dealerships and employs more than 200 people. He is married to the former Barbara Moratelli of Mount Carmel. The couple has two daughters, Gwen a Junior at Bucknell and Romi, a seventh grade student.

SCHOLAR ATHLETE Mark Vottero is the latest in the proud line of athletes whose excellence academically equaled their outstanding contributions on the athletic fields. Mark maintains an 89 average in the difficult academic course curriculum while setting records in track, football, and basketball for the Mt. Carmel Area Red Tornadoes. He is undefeated in Dual Meets in all three of his specialties: 100 Meters, 200 Meters and 400 Meters. He has also won the 200 Meters in Districts the past two years, and the 100 and 400 last year. He finished 5th in the State Meet in the 200 Meter as a Sophomore; and moved up a notch last year to advance to the semifinals in all three events. In his final year of state competition he is bigger and stronger, and will almost certainly be among the finalist n all three events. He has lettered 4 years for the Tornado Basketball Team; playing his best in the big games. He has been the teams Defensive Player of the Year the past two years, usually drawing the assignment of guarding the opponent’s toughest scorer.

INDUCTEE “Pud” McCarthy was one of Mt. Carmel Catholic’s first great football players. He was a four-year starter and was utilized first by coach John Pachuta and later by coach Ray Green as both a lineman and a battering ram fullback. He captained the team his senior year; the first sign of the leadership qualities which were to surface again later. In 1940 he entered the civilian conservation corps, at that time a useful outlet for youngsters who had no immediate job opportunities or college plans. World War II intervened, and in 1943 he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He served in the Army till 1947, and after his discharge got the idea that college and football might be an enjoyable combination. He entered the University of Miami in 1949 and immediately reported to coach Andy Gustafson; but a service-connected disability left him unable to compete successful at that level and he reluctantly gave up the game. He continued as a student at Miami, and in 1952 graduated from the University of Miami Law School. After completing the Bar Exam he accepted a position as a contract negotiator for the Navy Department. He worked in that position at the Pentagon until his death from cancer in 1974.

INDUCTEE Jim Bach graduated from Mount Carmel Catholic High School in 1963. While in high school, Jim played varsity baseball and football. Bach played both ways for the “Rams” as center, tackle, defensive end, middle guard and linebacker. During his three years as a varsity player, the “Rams” posted twenty-five wins and only five losses. In his senior year the “Rams” were nine and one and voted Northumberland County’s best high school team. Jim played for the late coach Bob Oravitz who rated him as “the best schoolboy center in the state”. Jim’s post-season honors included being named to the All-Catholic, All-Anthracite, All-State and Pennsylvania Big 33 teams. In his playing days Jim was known as “mobile, agile and hostile”. He continued the tradition of the Bach brothers (George, Joe, John and Frank) who played for the “Rams” in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Jim credits his success to his coach, teammates and family. Jim’s approach to the game was good, old-fashioned, hard-nosed, coal region football. After his senior football season, Jim was recruited by many Division I schools, including Penn State, Oklahoma, Notre Dame, Miami, Nebraska, Southern Cal, Texas, Pitt, Michigan, Michigan State, Colorado, West Virginia, Alabama, West Point and Ohio State. Jim attended the University of Colorado on a full football scholarship. He also played football in the U.S. Army and was names “Player of the Year” after the 1966 season. Jim’s most memorable and rewarding football experience was playing in the Pennsylvania Big 33 Classic in Hershey, Pa. After graduating from college, Jim attended Samford University Law School and today is a prominent attorney with a general practice in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.

INDUCTEE Ed “Secky” Dallabrida was a flashy football and basketball star at Kulpmont High School during the period 1930 to 1934. After completing his high school career for the Wildcats he played for a local semi-pro team known as the Anthracite Maroons. “Secky” was a stylist, known for his classic running form and his speed. He never seemed to get enough of the sports participation and competition. If there was a football or basketball game available “Secky” seemed to be bale to find it. After his competitive days ended he took up bowling and golf and became one of the area’s best at those sports. He also became a PIAA Basketball Official and was well known throughout the anthracite region as a knowledgeable and competent official. He died in 1986 at the age of 70.

INDUCTEE Frank Miriello was one of Kulpmont High School’s finest all-around athletes during the mid-sixties. He was not only a three-sport star; but his leadership ability was apparent even then, because he was co-captain of the Wildcats football, basketball and baseball teams as a senior. He played for East Stroudsburg from 64 thru 66. He started all three years at strong safety for East Stroudsburg. They were Conference Champions in two of those three years. As a senior in 66 he was co-captain and an All Conference strong safety. He was honored by the National Sports Foundation as one of the Nations Outstanding Scholar-Athletes after his senior year. He began his coaching career at Shamokin High School in 1967 remaining three until he became a head coach at Southern Columbia High School in 1971. He coached at the collegiate level from 1978 through 1985. He coached at various times at Washington & lee, Hampden-Sydney and VMI. He left college coaching in 1987 to become head football and lacrosse coach at Mercerburg Academy, one of the nation’s foremost prep schools.

INDUCTEE In this area of the coal region, along with great high school athletes, there was always a fine semi-pro circuit and certain men dominate all types of sports. Even though they worked 5 to 6 days in the mines, they were not too tired to get out after work or on weekends to compete. Such a person was Ed who was always in demand especially in baseball where he played on many area teams, covering center field where his speed was best used. Ed Hennessey played both football and baseball at the top level of the spot in the 1920’s. After a successful career at Mt. Carmel Township High School, Hennessey attended Mt. St. Mary’s College on a football scholarship. He was an instant success at the Mount; but as often happens he found the need to help support his family more important then college and left before graduation. He continued to play football as a semi-pro with the Ashland entry in a local semi-pro league. He played with the Mt. Carmel Professionals, and on October 16, 1924 was part of a local All Star Team which played against the American League All Stars, which featured Lou Gehrig, Al Shacht, Tom Zachary and others. He remained in football as the trainer for the Mt. Carmel Township Golden Bears after completing his own competitive career. He dies in March 1966 at the age of 64.

INDUCTEE Sam Scicchitano was a “tough as nails” running back for Mt. Carmel Township Golden Bears from 1929 to 1933. During that period he rushed the ball long enough and often enough to place him among the Township’s All-Time Leaders in every conceivable rushing category. He is listed among the top ten in scoring, single-game scoring, season scoring, career scoring and holds records for both longest run and longest punt return. “Tiger Sam” as he was known, for his speed, durability and most of all his toughness. And after his high school career he competed as a pro and semi-pro with both the Atlas Wolverines and the Kulpmont All Stars. Sam was also a pretty fair country baseball player for the Atlas Yankees; and competed as an amateur boxer for a number of years. After his career as a player ended he got involved as trainer of the Mt. Carmel Township team. He served in that capacity for 10 years. In 1944 he took over as head coach of the Township Football Squad and held that job during the war years. Sam stays actively interested in sports to this day; he has 9 grandchildren who competed in various varsity sports for the Mt. Carmel Red Tornadoes. He very seldom misses a football practice during football season.

INDUCTEE Johnny Stank was an outstanding quarterback for the Tornadoes from 1931 through 1933. He led the fine teams which also included fellow Hall-of-Fame Inductees Pete Avizienis and Tom Vershinski (Vernon). Stank was an outstanding drop-kicker, a phase of the kicking game no longer used, in which the kicker would kick field goals and extra points by dropping the ball in front of his foot and kicking it through the uprights as it bounced off the ground. He was a particularly fine baseball player, and had a tryout with the St. Louis Cardinals; but a knee injury sustained in a high school football game prevented his signing. Soon after, he was drafted into the Armed Forces and the four year interlude effectively put at end to his dreams of a major league baseball career. It didn’t keep him from playing on a Semi-Pro basis however. He continued to play with organized teams from Mt. Carmel to Berwick. Stank soon took up bowling as a serious pursuit; and he became one of the areas finest bowlers. At that time bowling was in its heyday and organized leagues sprang up throughout the coal regions. John Stank was named the “Bowler of the Year” three successive years and in some years averaged 250 per game. Twice he bowled 299, just one shy of the perfect game which is so rare an achievement for bowlers. Were he alive today, he could no doubt make his living as a Professional Bowler. He also developed a passion for golf, and was instrumental in getting many youngsters interested in the game. He approached golf with the same enthusiasm he approached all other sports and soon became a good player. John Stank died in 1988 at the age of 75. His life was dedicated entirely to sports.

INDUCTEE Charles Sacavage was a terrific football and track competitor at Mt. Carmel High School and Gettysburg College; but it was a wrestler where he gained most prominence. He was the District IV Long Jump Champion and once scored two touchdowns in less than two minutes, testimony to his performance in those sports. But as a wrestler, he had no parallel. He was involved in wrestling continuously from 1934 to 1989 either as a wrestler, coach or official. He was undefeated throughout his career at Mt. Carmel; and then went on to become a Three-Time Middle Atlantic Champion at Gettysburg. After completing his college career he turned to teaching and coaching. He coached at Lansdowne and Wiconisco High Schools throughout 1947. At Wiconisco he was head coach in football, basketball and baseball. He returned to Mt. Carmel in 1948 as an assistant to Mike Terry. From 1952 through 1964 he was head wrestling coach at his alma mater. From 1940 through 1990 Sacavage was licensed PIAA Wrestling Official and was one of the founding members of the Keystone Chapter of Wrestling Officials. His three sons: Charles Jr., Bob and Greg competed with outstanding success as both football players and wrestlers at Mount Carmel. He joins his sons Bob as a member of the Hall of Fame. Bob, a State Champion, was inducted in 1983.