INDUCTEE Bob Witowski joins his brother Joseph (1993) and brother-in-law Stave Zarlinski (1984) as an inductee into the Ed Romance Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. His induction has been long overdue, especially considering hid many accomplishments for Kulpmont High School basketball. Bob was a three-year starer for Coach Ed Stavenski’s Wildcats, playing in the old Keystone League. Even though his teams were only 27-27 over his three years, Bob did as much as anyone could to allow them to be successful. The 1958-59 team managed a nice 11-7 regular season record, eventually losing to a great Shamokin team by a 60-58 score in the Keystone League playoffs. Witowski finished his career with 875 points and established himself as the all-time leading scorer, surpassing Joe Hanlon’s 727 from 1949-51. In 1957-58, Bob led all area scorers with a 17.3 point average. As a sophomore, Bob set a new point record for sophomores at Kulpmont, surpassing Kayo Poniatowski’s record from 1936. He also established a new free throw record by making 84 percent of his attempts, besting brother Joe’s 68 percent in 1953. His efforts earned him Associated Press and United Press International All State Honorable Mention following the 58-59 season. Bob also played football for Coach Stavenski as a quarterback, tackle and safety. Following graduation, Bob would play at Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas and played on the Kansas Junior College Champions. He then went on to play at Yankton College on a team good enough to earn a spot in the NAIA National Championship Tournament in Kansas Citry. Bob earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Yankton and a Masters of Science Degree from Iowa State University. Witowski has worked at the University of Northern Iowa, the Iowa Communications Network, Carroll Community School District as an Economics and Government teacher and has also coached basketball and football. As an educator, his areas of study and experience have been diversified to include many facets in research planning, promoting new programs, developing and implementing curriculum materials, coordinating and directing in-service workshops, and designing and analyzing survey questions. Bob is the proud father of three daughters; Susan Hansen, Jill Witowski-DeLio, and Amy Robert. Bob and his wife Sherry make their home in Ames, Iowa.

INDUCTEE In the fall of 1988 when Mike was approached by the Mount Carmel Area administration and the athletic office about the head coaching position with the girls/softball team, he was rather hesitant about the task. After conferring with outgoing coach Bruce Wanzie and longtime, legendary assistant coach Ed “Tay” Taylor, he decided to accept the challenge of guiding the MCA Lady Tornadoes. He began his career in 1989 leading the Tornadoes in the always tough Division I of the Schuylkill League. After that first season, Mike and “Tay” re-established the JV program and 2 years later in 1991 had the team in the District XI playoffs, laying the groundwork to what would become a banner year. The 1992 season would prove to be the finest season in the history of the girl’s Softball program. That team moved to its new field at the high school complex and put up numbers and achievements that would have yet to be matched. It would include the team’s first victory over North Schuylkill and a tense 2-1 win over Pottsville that ended the Tide’s 58 game winning streak. The team posted a 14-2 regular season mark and then recorded 4 victories in the District XI tournament, including a 4-3 semi-final win over former state champion Northern Lehigh and a 4-0 district championship win over perennial power Minersville. Mike would go on to lead the Lady Tornado softball program for 21 years, finally retiring at the conclusion of the 2009 season. He coached over 300 girls during his tenure and traveled to and made many friends against all of the Schuylkill League teams and some new teams in the Heartland Conference. Trocki was named the Schuylkill League Coach of the Year in 1992 and had 4 of his players named First Team League All-Stars. He was also selected by the news media as the region’s Coach of the Year on 2 occasions and had the honor of seeing his 1992 District XI Championship team honored by the Ed Romance Hall of Fame in 2012. He is a 1969 grad of Mount Carmel Area and a 1972 grad of Kutztown State College where he earned a BS degree in Secondary Ed with a concentration in languages. Mike lives in Mount Carmel with his wife Linda. They are the proud parents of three children; Eric, who passed away in July of 2010, Jeff and his wife Nicki, and Stacy, who is married to Greg Fenix. They have 6 grandchildren. Mike always had a simple coaching philosophy no matter what sport he was coaching – to provide leadership and lend stability. He always wanted his teams to practice hard, play hard, and ultimately to have fun. He always told his players to carry the three D’s with them ti every game: Diligence, Dedication, and Determination, something Mike certainly carried in the way he has lived hi life.

INDUCTEE Al Tuefel was one of those rare three-sport competitors who would contribute greatly to the success of Mount Carmel High School Athletics back in the late 40’s. That was the time when Bonesey Adams, Dave Ficca, Mike Bernot, and Len Wisnewski received most of the publicity. Al, the last of the Tuefel brothers to compete for Mount Carmel, made a name for himself in football, basketball, and track. Sammy played for coach Joe Ambrose as a lineman and linebacker in 1946 and helped the Tornadoes to a fine 7-2-3 record. When Mike Terry took over in 1947, Al was a starter at center and at linebacker, complimented by coach Terry as “one of the best linebackers I ever coached.” Al helped the Tornadoes to a terrific 9-3 record in 1947 and would lead the defense to 7 shutouts and only 58 points given up. That Tornado Eleven opened up the season with a 6-0 win over Erie Academy. The victory was the only win in school history over Erie and was the farthest opponent ever on the Tornado schedule. Following the 1947 season, Sammy was named the “Outstanding Defensive Player” in the region. Al also lettered twice for Coach Tufky Andrulevich’s basketball teams at Mount Carmel in 1947-48. He was an important cog on the 1947 team that would post a 19-4 record – at the time the most wins ever for a Mount Carmel basketball squad. Only 1980 (26), 1995 (21) and 1999 (20) teams had more wins. Sammy excelled on the track for coach Jerry Breslin as a three-year letterman. All three teams were undefeated in dual meets, with the 1947 and 1948 teams capturing the District IV team championship. Sammy would win the 880-yard run and the mile run District IV Championships in 47 and 48. He was also a part of the mile relay team that competed at the prestigious Penn Relays. Following graduation, Sammy enlisted in the Navy where he was a Navy Cook. His tour lasted four years and ended up at the Philadelphia Naval Yard where he met the love of his life Carol Ritchie. He and Carol had 5 children, Bruce, Jim, Ron, Terri, and Tom, all of whom were involved in athletics. Sam volunteered much of his time at the Essington Swim Club. He worked at Westinghouse in Essington for 39 years and also worked as a bus driver for the Interboro School District until retiring in 1989. Today, Sam spends his time cooking and spends summer in Sea Isle, New Jersey.

INDUCTEE Larry Czeponis joins two other Mount Carmel Area football linemen as members of the 35th class of the Ed Romance Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Larry was certainly the biggest with his 6’4” 280 pound frame while playing for the Bison of Bucknell University. Czeponis was a member of the Bison from 1987-90 and worked his way into a starting guard position during his junior and senior seasons. Bucknell football would go 12-9 during Larry’s 2 years as a starter under head coach Lou Maranzano, who succeeded George Landis after his resignation following the 88 season. Larry was part of a very athletic offensive line that was nicknamed the “Beast” based on their style of physical play. Larry chose to attend Bucknell after having interest from schools such as Rutgers, Duke, Lehigh and William and Mary. Larry began his playing career at Mount Carmel Area for Head Coach Joe “Jazz” Diminick as a rare 4 year player at the time. Larry was a three-year starter at offensive tackle and two-year starter at defensive tackle for the Red Tornadoes. Larry served as a co-captain of the 1986 team that would win a wild card slot and defeat the 11-0 Valley View Cougars by a 21-14 score. Big Red would eventually lose in the Eastern Conference Championship game to Gary Brown’s Williamsport Millionaires. That 86 team would be the first Tornado squad to play 13 games in a season. Larry was named to the Reading Eagle All Anthracite team following the season. He was also awarded Honorable Mention Associated Press All State following his junior season. MCA football appeared in 4 playoff games during Larry’s career in 1983, 1984 and 1986, after not having achieved that status since 1972. Larry also participated in track at MCA, qualifying for the District IV championships in both the shot and discus. Following graduation from Bucknell in 1991, Larry served as a graduate assistant football coach at California University of PA from 1991-93. He coached running backs, tight ends, special teams and helped establish the strength and conditioning programs. Czeponis completed his MBA at Cal and eventually took a position with Nationwide Insurance, where he works as a Field Casualty Claims Specialist. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the Business/Economics Department at Luzerne County Community College. He and his wife Ann (Polites) make their home in Mount Carmel and are the proud parents of four children, Larry (Bip), 14, Frances (Yummy), 12, Meryl (Bizzy), 9 and Jelena (Jelly), 6.

INDUCTEE Wilkes University football experienced one of its’ most successful eras during the early 90’s and Mount Carmel Area’s Jeff Costello was an integral part of that success. In 1993, along with fellow MCA grads, Bob Delbo and Jake Cole, Casty helped the Colonels to a perfect 10-0 season in 1993 and a Middle Atlantic Conference Championship. The undefeated season was the first since 1968 and only the 5th in Wilkes history. Coach Joe DeMelfi and the Colonels advanced into the National Division III playoffs. The following season in 1994, the Colonels tallied a 9 and 2 record, winning the Eastern Atlantic Conference Southern Division Championship. As a three-year starter at offensive guard, Casty helped pave the way for the Colonels first 1000 yard rusher in Jason Smith. To date, three of the Colonels top ten rushing seasons occurred with Jeff in the offensive line. In 1994, he was a three-time Academic All-MAC performer, as well as, an Academic All American. He graduated in 1995 with Magna Cum Laude accolades and B.S. in Biology. Casty’s football career began at MCA for Coach Jazz Diminick where he started at guard as a sophomore, at center as a junior, and at center and linebacker as a senior and team co-captain. His 1988 Red Tornadoes went 8-3-1, losing only to AAA State Champion Berwick, AA State Champion Bethlehem Catholic and Southern Division Champion Pottsville. It was the first MCA team to qualify for District play. His 1989 team would lose to eventual State Champion Dunmore by a 14-12 score in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Jeff’s play earned him the Reading Eagle All Anthracite “Lineman of the Year” and Honorable Mention All-State Honors. He was given the Joe Grey Award as MCA’s finest lineman and the Kiwanis Club’s Dr. Joseph Greco Scholar Athlete Award. Jeff comes from a long line of Red Tornado stars, with his father Joe and brother Joey, recognized as two of the best linebackers ever to play the position at Mount Carmel Area. Jeff and his wife Kim have three children, Kaedryn, Jack and Jake and make their home in Annville. Jeff is the President of Costello Realty Inc and Black Diamond Energy Consultants Inc.

INDUCTEE Bob Chuprinski becomes the latest Red Tornado football player to be inducted into the Ed Romance Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. Bob was an outstanding offensive lineman during Mount Carmel’s “Golden Era” of football from 1966-1974. During that time, MCA won 91 games, while only losing 10 and posting one tie. They also won 5 Southern Division titles and three Eastern Conference Crowns. “Churper” joins 12 other teammates to achieve the honor. During his time with the Red Tornadoes from 1967-69, MCA would win 33 games, while losing 2 by a total of 16 points. They would win the 68 Southern Division Championship before losing to Blakely 13-0 and would be the dominant team in Eastern Pennsylvania by going 12-0 in 1969. They not only won the Southern Division, but proceeded to defeat Valley View 47-6 to win its first Eastern Conference Championship since 1954. Chuprinski was considered the “doorman” of the 1969 offensive line that paved the way for backs Gary Diminick, Henry Hynoski, and Carm DeFrancesco to run for 3849 yards and 63 touchdowns. They averaged 7.29 yards per carry for the season, 320.7 yards per game and scored 504 points – 42 points per game. The 320 yards per game and 42 points per game are the best ever in the Red Tornadoes 120 year history. Coach Diminick was quoted as saying that “Chuprinski was the best blocking tackle I’ve ever had at Mount Carmel.” Churp also contributed 48 tackles and 3 fumble recoveries to a defense that allowed 89 points in 12 games, mostly after the games were essentially over. Following the season, Bob was named to the Associated Press all state team and was given honorable mention to the UPI all state team and Pennsylvania Big 33. Following graduation, Chuprinski would entertain many offers and chose to attend C.W. Post College in New York on a full athletic scholarship where he played freshman football for Coach Dom Anile and was a team co-captain. Chirp then decided to transfer to Temple University where he would join former teammate Henry Hynoski and the Temple Owls. He would remain on scholarship from 1972-1974 along with future pros Hynoski, Joe Klecko and Nick Mike-Meyer. He graduated in 1975 with a BS in Sociology. He later received a Masters in Public Administration (Health Care) from Penn State in 1985. In 1992, Bob moved to Butte, Montana to pursue a health care administrative position and is currently the CEO of the Flathead Orthopedic Center in Kalispell, Montana. Churpinski and his wife, the former Diane Marcinek of Shamokin, are the proud parents of two children: Patrick, a sophomore at the University of Montana, and Annie, an incoming freshman at the University of Montana.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT Nearly 55 years after he began an era in local music that remains unmatched today, Paul Semicek is still earning accolades for his inspiration and dedication to making music relevant to so many local students. Today’s recognition comes from a very unlikely source – the Ed Romance Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. He is being recognized for bringing so much attention to the Mount Carmel Area School District and this section of Pennsylvania. A native of Mount Carmel, Paul’s career began at age 13 playing the trumpet in pick-up bands and orchestras. His tremendous talent earned him a scholarship to Susquehanna University. He was drafted into the army, where he spent two years touring Europe with the U.S. Army 3rd Armored Division Band, which was George Patton’s Division. After his military service and graduation from Susquehanna, Paul began teaching at Mount Carmel High School in 1958. Bringing the drum corps style to his marching band (the first in the country to do so), he would change the name of the band to the “Mounties.” In 1964, the Mounties became the first American band to play at a Canadian Football League game. In 1963 Semicek began the “Festival of Stars” drum corps show. It attracted top drum corps to the area and brought along a host of famous musical guests to perform with the Mounties. They included Gene Krupa, trumpeter Maynard Ferguson, Tonight Show band leader “Doc” Severinsen, Tommy Newsome, Ed Shaughnessey, and others including Miss America and Miss Pennsylvania. In 1976, Semicek moved on to Danville, where the Festival would continue. Combined, both bands would appear at over 110 NFL games, the Prekaness in Maryland, and at the final career game of international soccer star, Pele and the Chicago Bear’s legend Brian Piccolo. His bands also made appearances at major league baseball games, including the Phillies, Pirates, Yankees and Orioles. For all of his accomplishments, in 2011, he was honored with his induction into the Pennsylvania Drum Corps Associates Hall of Fame. Some have estimated that, in his career, Paul’s bands performed for more than 1 million spectators. Ed Romance, the founder of the local hall of fame once said: “Paul Semicek is an outstanding individual, a person who excels in creating musical extravaganzas with young people. He is a man with dedication and desire that matches or exceeds the best sposrts coaches in the entire region.” Paul continues to write and arrange music from his home in Kulpmont. He is the father of three daughters; Lynne Zsido, Leslie Savage, and Lisa Jaschick.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT Christina Perles will become the 10th name on the list of Lady Tornado Basketball players who have surpassed the 1000-point plateau. Her journey to the mark was different than most as she played her first three seasons for the Lourdes Regional Red Raiders. While there, Christina totaled 979 points in helping the Red Raiders to three consecutive District IV Single A Championships. Before the start of the 2012 school year, Perles transferred to Mount Carmel Area where she surpassed the 1000-point mark in fer first game for the Tornadoes, scoring 22 points in MCA’s 65-40 victory over Sunbury Christian. She has led the Tornadoes in scoring during the 2012-13 season on the way to a fine 19-3 regular season record. The girls also nabbed their third consecutive Heartland Division II Championship and the top seed in District IV play. Christina’s monster 21-point game led the Tornadoes to a 66-43 victory over Southern for its third consecutive District Title. Perles also accomplished the rare fete of winning District Championships at two different schools. She has averaged 17 points per game and is shooting close to 80% from the free-throw line. Her career total of more than 1400 points ranks 5th all-time on MCA’s list. Her play on the court led her to being named the Chapter’s Athlete of the Month for December. Christina was also selected as the 2012-13 Pre-Season Player of the Year by the Daily Item and received the Black Diamond Discovery Award as a freshman. Christina is the daughter of Deb and Rick Perles of Kulpmont and is planning to continue her playing career at a four-year college.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT Eric Joraskie has certainly done more than his share in bringing national recognition to the Mount Carmel Area School District and community. Eric recently became the 42nd player in MCA history to be named First Team All State by the Associated Press. He also becomes only the seventh player in history to be a two-time First Team All State selection. Joraskie burst onto the scene as a sophomore for Coach Carmen DeFrancesco as a defensive tackle and dominated the position for the next three years. He amassed a total of 184 tackles, including 59 for loss during his career. He was also credited with 18 QB sacks for 124 yards lost, placing him 7th on the all-time list. He would also register 30 quarterback hurries as the dominate defensive player that he was. Eric also showed his versatility this past season as he also lined up at tight end and full back for the Red Tornadoes. He helped his team into the District IV playoffs in all three of his seasons, winning the gold medal in 2011 and the silver in 2012. Joraskie was also named the Joe Grey Award winner as the “Outstanding Lineman” for the Tornadoes in each of his three seasons. He has also been named the Chapter’s Athlete of the Month for August. He was selected to the Pennsylvania Big 33 Team and will play in the game in June of 2013. After weighing a number of Division I offers from schools such as Pittsburgh, Syracuse and Maryland, Eric has signed a letter of intent to attend and play for the Northwestern University Wildcats.

RUSS AND JO ANN CESARI SCHOLARSHIP “Ivy Leaguer!” That term simply describes this year’s Cesari Scholarship winner. Tyler has the look, the athletic ability, and most importantly, the academic wherewithal to attend an Ivy League School. He has earned an athletic scholarship to Columbia University in New York City and will enroll in the fall. Tyler has been a three-year letterman for Coach Carm and the Red Tornadoes of Mount Carmel Area. He has started at tight end for two seasons and has been very productive as one in four catches has resulted in a touchdown. His terrific blocking also enabled the Tornadoes to run for more than 200 yards per game and score 38 rushing touchdowns. Only 8 Tornado teams have ever rushed for more TD’s. He also contributed 72 tackles – 17 for loss – from his defensive end position. Tyler has been an integral part of the Tornadoes having appeared in the District IV playoffs for three consecutive seasons; winning the Championship in 2011 and finishing as the runner-up in 2012. He was selected a co-captain by his teammates for the 2012 season. Tyler was named to the Heartland Conference and Sunbury Daily Item all star teams following the 2012 season. He was also the recipient of the Joseph F. Greco Scholar Athlete Award presented by the Greco Family. Tyler was recruited by Coach Pete Mangurian to play outside linebacker for the Lions. He also received walk-on offers from Richmond, Delaware and Lafayette. Kwiatkowski has also been a three-year member of John Lazicki’s basketball team at MCA and has served as a captain for two years. He helped the Tornadoes to a fine 14-10 record and a spot in District IV play for the first time in 3 years. He also throws the discus and javelin for the Tornado track and field contingent. Tyler is a member of the National Honor Society and the prestigious 700 club. He is currently ranked 4th in his class and is a member of the Interact Club, Spanish Club, Future Teachers of America and the Chemistry Club. In his spare time, he has volunteered for Relay for Life, Nate’s Mates, and the Special Olympics. He is also a member of Our Lady’s Parish in Mount Carmel and has been an Altar Server for 10 years. Tyler is the son of Kevin and Cheryl Kwiatkowski of Mount Carmel.