Sports
- Last Updated on Monday, 01 April 2013 00:13
The Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame will hold its 20th annual banquet at The Willow Room in Rostraver Township on Friday, June 21, at 5:30 p.m. This year, seven new inductees will be welcomed into the mythical Sports Hall of Fame conceived by newspapermen Floyd France and John Bunardzya.
This brings the total number of inductees to 212. The original Mon Valley Sports Writers Hall of Fame started in 1951 with the selection of Stan Musial and Bert Rechichar. The class of 2013 includes the following: Brian Miller Bowman, Michael Bright, Gary Cramer, William Lee, Ron Paglia, Larry Papini and the late Bernie Floriani.
The MMVASHOF selection committee includes Chairman Brian Herman, Carl Crawley Jr, Dale Hamer, Tom Jenkins, Bill Kubin, Randy Marino, Stan Milchovich, Steve Russell, and Bill Hughes.
The Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame is one of 28 chapters of The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame made up of four geographical regions. Organized with its induction class in 1963, the state ceremonial dinner rotates between the four regions. The Mid Mon Valley chapter has inducted 17 members into the state Hall of Fame.
The Mid Mon Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame is pleased to welcome these Valley sports standouts:
 Brian Miller Bowman:
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Brian Miller Bowman: A 1991 Ringgold graduate, Bowman was a most gifted athlete in both football and basketball. At Penn State, he was a three-year starting defensive back for Coach Joe Paterno. Bowman made all-conference in high school football and basketball. He compiled an impressive record, rushing for 960 yards and adding 569 yards in receptions and returns as the senior feature back in Coach Joe Ravasio’s offense. Bowman was an all-state defensive back whose credentials led him to an invitation to the 1991 Big 33 game. His basketball skills earned him third-team all-state mention and selection to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Roundball Classic all-star game. He graduated as the third leading scorer in Ringgold basketball history with 1,337 points.
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Michael Bright: A basketball star at Monessen High School and Bucknell University, Michael C. Bright is today the chief executive officer of the Newark (NJ) YMCA. Bright was the co-captain on Monessen’s 1988 Class A PIAA championship team. He is remembered for his “alley-oop dunks” from all around the court, delivering monster slams on opposing teams and hitting long-range three pointers when needed. Bright is Bucknell’s third all-time scorer with 1,670 points and also remains the career steals leader with 286. He earned the prestigious Christy Mathewson award as the top senior athlete in his 1993 class and was elected to the Bucknell Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.
 Garry Cramer
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Gary Cramer: A 1966 Belle Vernon Area High School graduate, Cramer was a versatile jack-of-all-trades who played tailback, safety, kicker and punter. A bread and butter player, Cramer brought the crowd to its feet on October 15, 1965 as BVA upset a distinguished Charleroi team16-14. A three-year letter winner, Cramer, the leading scorer in the conference his senior season, earned all-conference, all-WPIAL and honorable mention all-state honors. Cramer took his football skills to the University of Pittsburgh where he lettered three-years. A tailback at Pitt, Cramer was described as one of Pitt’s “steadiest and best backfield performers” during his era. Ohio State’s Woody Hayes made a strong plea for Cramer’s services before he chose Pitt.
 Bill Lee
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Bill Lee: A three-sport athlete at Charleroi High where he graduated in 1963, Bill played football, baseball and ran track. Playing backup quarterback to the legendary Stan Kemp, Bill also played linebacker or defensive end. Stepping in for Kemp due to injuries, he finished his senior year with 7 touchdown passes. Bill received honorable mention Big 6 Conference. At Cal State, Bill became starting quarterback from the end of 1963 into 1966. During his senior season, Lee passed for 367 yards, then a school record, in a 27-20 home victory over Lock Haven. The performance earned him PSAC Player of the Week honors. Lee brought stability to Cal’s program and was an exceptional passer. Lee went on to a 28-year PIAA football official’s career.
 Ron Paglia
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Ron Paglia: With almost six decades of journalism writing, Ron has become the encyclopedia of Mon Valley athletes and premier sports teams. Even today, in his Valley Oldies column, Ron chronicles the achievements of Mon Valley notables. As a young man, mentored by the best in sports-writing, Ron went on to become the sports editor of The Valley Independent and eventually its city editor. A 1957 graduate of California Community High School, Ron was instrumental in reviving the Mon Valley Sports Hall of Fame, tracing the origins and compiling the roster of inductees since 1951. Ron’s literary contribution to all things Mon Valley make him a valley treasure of the written word.
 Larry Papini
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Larry Papini: Signed to a Boston Red Sox minor league contract by legendary Pittsburgh native scout “Socko” McCarey in the 1950s, Papini showed great baseball prowess at California Community High School, at Cal State and on the Mon valley sandlots. A gifted three-sport athlete at California High in football, basketball and baseball, Larry would teach and coach at California High School for 41 years.
 Bernie Floriani
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Bernie Floriani: A standout basketball player at West Newton High School, the late Mr. Floriani became the school’s all-time leading scorer and rebounder. Selected to the all-state first team, he played in the Dapper Dan Roundball Classic. At California State College, Floriani was a two-time Associated Press All-State and All-NAIA District 18 selection, as well as the PSAC-West MVP in 1970. Floriani was elected to the California University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.
Along with the Hall of Fame inductees, eighteen senior scholar athletes from the local Mon Valley high schools will also be honored. Those high schools include Belle Vernon Area, Bentworth, Brownsville, California, Charleroi, Elizabeth Forward, Monessen, Ringgold, and Yough.
Tickets are $40 and seating is limited. To reserve tickets contact Steve Russell, Hall of Fame General Chairman, at 724-258-3823 or email at stephenrussell1106@comcast.net . Mid Mon Valley Sports Hall of Fame memorabilia can be viewed at the Hall of Fame museum at the Bentleyville Best Western Garden Inn (724-239-4321). The Sports Hall of Fame web site is http://www.monvalleysportshalloffame.com/
Along with the Hall of Fame inductees, eighteen senior scholar athletes from the local Mon Valley high schools will also be honored. Those high schools include Belle Vernon Area, Bentworth, Brownsville, California, Charleroi, Elizabeth Forward, Monessen, Ringgold, and Yough.
Tickets are $40 and seating is limited. To reserve tickets contact Steve Russell, Hall of Fame General Chairman, at 724-258-3823 or email at stephenrussell1106@comcast.net . Mid Mon Valley Sports Hall of Fame memorabilia can be viewed at the Hall of Fame museum at the Bentleyville Best Western Garden Inn (724-239-4321). The Sports Hall of Fame web site is http://www.monvalleysportshalloffame.com/
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