INDUCTEE Pet is mostly remembered s being one of the most outstanding sandlot athletes to pass through the coal region, competing in baseball, football, and boxing. AS a professional boxer, he compiled a record of 22 wins in 24 bouts. In one fight, he was credited with a 28 second knockout. One local sportswriter at that time described Muldoon as one of the best fighters ever turned out of this area. He possessed a wallop and had footwork to carry him away from danger. He later went on to coach boxing at Kulpmont High School in the early 40’s. As a baseball player, Pet was an outstanding shortstop for the Mount Carmel Jednota Society Team which competed on a statewide basis with teams from as far away as Allentown, Reading, Pottstown and Scranton. He once batted against the great Grover Cleveland Alexander in an exhibition game against the touring House of David team. He is one of the founders of Mount Carmel Little League Baseball. He served as a coach for both the Moose and Out Lady’s teams, leading both to outstanding records. He gave his time as an umpire for a number of years and is probably the leading authority on baseball rules in this area. As a football player, Pet used his speed and quickness as an outstanding pass-catching end with Gerry Breslin proclaiming that he had “the best hands he’d ever seen.” Previously honored as a special honoree, Pet now takes his rightful place as an inductee into the Ed Romance Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame.

INDUCTEE Frank Klassen was a fierce center and linebacker for the Lourdes Regional Red Raiders where he led his team to a fine 15-4-1 record during the 1965 and 1966 seasons. The Raiders captured the Anthracite League Championship in 1966, winning 9 games, which at that time were the most ever for Lourdes Regional team. He capped his brilliant high school career by being named the reams Most Valuable Player and being named to the Associated Press All-State team. Following graduation in 1967, Frank went on to Albright College where he became a starting linebacker. Because he wore #51 and played in the same fiercely angry mood as Dick Butkus, famous Chicago Bears linebacker, Klassen became known as the “Dick Butkus of Small College Football.” He was named Albright’s defensive MVP as a senior and was chosen on the ECAC All East team and the NCAA Small College ALL American Team. The Berks County Touchdown Club voted him their outstanding athlete. He still holds the Albright College record of 40 tackles (that’s right, 40) in one game against Springfield. After graduation he signed to play with the Pottstown Firebirds of the Atlantic Coast Professional Football League, but the franchise folded along with the league. He then refocused his attention, got an MBA degree and is no Vice President of Wometco Food and Vending Services with offices in Nashville, TN.

INDUCTEE Ed Diminick may never have been called the “best” at any sport but he was “always” someone who you wanted on your team. During his high school career, Ed won 10 varsity letters in 4 different sports and was always a total team player who would do anything necessary to help his team be successful. As a football player, Ed was an outstanding defensive back who was compared to the Oakland Raider’s Jack Tatum by one local sportswriter. A tough and devastating hitter, Ed led his team in interceptions and passes broken and still shares the school record for INT’s in one game with 3. On offense Ed touched the football 238 times in his career and averaged 10.2 yds per touch, a number that can be compared with anyone who ever played at MCA. He was named AP HM All-State, Reading Eagle, Patriot News, Susquehanna Valley League ALL-Star and won the Terry Award, Pizzoli Award, Piccoli Award and was selected to play in the Unico and M-S all star football games in 1979. After an outstanding year in track as jumper, Ed turned his attention to baseball as a sophomore and became a three year starter. He was the team leader from his catcher position and was named captain for his senior campaign. As a wrestler Ed compiled a 42-21-1 record as a 3 year starter and co-captain. He was a 2 time silver medalist in District Four and was awarded the 1980 Coaches Outstanding Wrestler Award and D’Angelo Awards as Outstanding Wrestler. Ed was also recognized as the Ed Romance Chapter Scholar-Athlete in 1980. Following graduation, Ed accepted a scholarship to the University of Connecticut where he played for one season before transferring to Penn State. He earned a degree in Petroleum and Gas Engineering n 1984 and followed that with an MBA from the Katz Graduate School of Business and the University of Pittsburg in 1989. He is currently employed by Mcnie Oil and Gas Company of Detroit as a Senior Asset Manager. He is married to the former Elizabeth “Tizzy” Bishop of Bristol, Tenn. And has two sons Bradley, age 5 and Chad, age 4 and resides in Northville, Michigan. Today Ed joins father Jazz and brothers Gary, Ken, Joe and Michael as members of the Ed Romance Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame.

INDUCTEE Al, born and raised in Kulpmont, was the first of what was to become a legendary football family at Kulpmont High. Exceptional play, especially at tackle, became synonymous with “The Barkowski Boys” for a total of 12 years. Al played 4 years at tackle for Coach Mike Terry during an era which saw the Wildcats post a 30-10-1 record, highlighted by the great 1938 team which won the State Championship. In addition to playing 2-way tackle, Al handled kicking chores during his junior and senior seasons while serving as captain his senior season. Al is best remembered for being tough, hard-nosed and aggressive and as one who best enjoyed going nose to nose with his opponents regardless of size. Following graduation in 1941, Al won a scholarship to Villanova where he played for 2 years until the war called him to active duty. In 1946, he returned and earned a starting position on both offense and defense. Although only 5’10” and 180lbs., he had the reputation of being a “watch-charm” guard with fierce competitive desire. Because of his toughness and quickness, he was able to outperform many players of greater proportions. Against Army, he hit the great Doc Blanchard and put him out of action for 3 games. His play earned him the respect of his teammates who voted him captain for his senior season. He has since been inducted into the Villanova Hall of Fame. After graduating from Villanova in 1948, Al became sales managing engineer for the Disston Co. encompassing the entire east coast. He married former Cynthia Kilczewski of Philadelphia and is the father of twin sons, Barry and Brian and a daughter Cynthia, all living in the Feasterville, PA area. Today, the Barkowski’s contribution to area sports-brother Bernie, a hall of fame member who went on to Pitt, brother Ray who went to North Carolina State, and now Al who will today be inducted into the Ed Romance Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame.

SCHOLAR ATHLETE Carol Varano, a senior at Mount Carmel Area High School is this year’s Scholar Athlete recipient and fits perfectly with previous winners of this award. Athletically, Carol has won 10 letters in three different sports at Mount Carmel Area. She has been a four year starter at guard for the Lady Tornado basketball team and served as Co-Captain this past season. She has led the team in assists over the past 2 years as well as being the team’s leading three point threat. She has won the team’s Scholar Athlete Award for three years as well as the Mattucci’s Chef Award. She has just been notified that she will play in the Northumberland County Basketball All-Star contest on April 6th as a member of the South Team. Carol has also lettered for 4 years on the Lady Tornado track team excelling in both the hurdles and jumps and earned 2 letters while running cross country. She has been involved in intramural volleyball and powder puff football, as well as cheerleading during her varsity career. She has been chosen to both the Homecoming and Field Day courts. Most impressive, considering all the time spent on the filed or the court, Carol has managed to rank second academically in her graduating class. She is a member of the Nation Honor Society, National Athletic Honor Society and has been nominated for Nation Honor Society Scholarship. She has been a member of Student Government for the past 3 years, serves as the president of SADD, V.P. of the Interact Club, V.P. of the Spanish Club, Secretary of the Pep Club and serves as a Peer Tutor. She has also been involved with the school news and the establishment of the MCA Homepage. Following graduation, Carol hopes to pursue a degree in child psychology at either Lycoming or Bucknell University. She is the daughter of Virginia and Frank Varano, Mount Carmel.