1998 Hall of Fame - Mount Carmel Area Public Library

INDUCTEE According to his coach, Jazz Diminick, Bob Hamernick was “the quickest off the ball of anybody I ever coached.” When you think of all the great backs Jazz coached during his 30-year legendary career that is quite a statement, but Jazz makes this statement with little doubt in his voice. He started the parade of great “pony backs” at Mount Carmel. He stood out as runner, pass receiver and kick returner and was part of a team that was one of the most exciting ever to play for the Tornadoes. The 1966 squad featured Bobby, Greg Doviak and Dabby Niglio and they scored points in bunches. That team defeated Carlisle at the Silver Bowl in a shootout that many Mt. Carmel fans still call the greatest game ever played in the Silver Bowl. When he graduated in 1967, Hamernick was in the top 10 in practically every offensive category. He was Co-Captain of that squad and was an All State Honorable Mention…back in the days when there was only 1 All State Team; and most of the spots were occupied by players at the big schools who were supported by big newspapers. He was also a solid track man as a sprinter and pole vaulter. He was District IV Champion in the pole vault in 1966. Bob started as a running back for C.W. Post College on Long Island. He had a solid career there and won several post season honors.

SCHOLAR ATHLETE Jed Gonzalo has been able to balance his schedule of academic courses while earning 6 varsity letters in three different sports. As Co-Captain and senior leader from his point guard position, Gonzalo has led the Tornado basketball team into District IV playoffs for the second consecutive year. He has led the team in assists and steals over the past two seasons. His career totals in assists and steals ranks him in the top five all-time in both categories. Last spring, in his first year of track, Gonzalo worked his way onto the 4×400 meter relay team which went on to win the Schuylkill League Championship and establish a new school record in the event. Jed also lettered in baseball as a sophomore. Academically, Jed ranks second in his class with a 98.5 average and is a member of the National Honor Society. As a sophomore, Jed was the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership representative from MCA, and as a junior was a recipient of the School Board Merit Award. This year, he has qualified for both the 700 and 1300 club for SAT excellence and has been named Rotary Student of the month for September and Ed Romance Athlete of the month for December. He is also president of the Student Government. Last summer, Jed organized and led a group of seven basketball players in sanding and refinishing the basketball playing surface. Gonzalo has been offered academic scholarships from Wilkes University and the University of Scranton and will chose one to begin his career in the study of medicine. Jed is the son of Rose and Jose Gonzalo, Shady Acres.