Sports
- Last Updated on Thursday, 01 August 2013 04:51
Five outstanding alumni players and the current athletic director will be inducted into the Belle Vernon Area Football Hall of Fame this year. Activities honoring the Class of 2013 selections will take place August 30 at James Weir Stadium as part of the varsity football team’s opening game against Uniontown.
The inductees represent teams dating back to the 1960s, and they include Rich Planey, Doug Indof, Greg Shearson, Shaun Baker and Josh Cramer. This year’s special inductee is BVA Athletic Director Jesse Cramer, a familiar name in local athletics and Josh Cramer’s father.
This represents the 14th year that the small group responsible for the BVA Football Hall of Fame will honor outstanding alumni football players, coaches and others who have made significant contributions to the program. They represent predecessor schools to today’s merged BVA School District.
BVA Football Hall of Fame committee members Darrin Belsick, Bill Blick, John Zunic, Stephen Russell, Joe Grata, Jack Fayak, Jeff Antal and Aaron Krepps are already working on next year’s group.
Inductees are profiled in a special booklet that will be sold at the game; their names will be displayed on a press box banner for the entire season. Plaques will be presented at halftime and a “mixer” will follow at Redd Dawgs in Rostraver.
Congratulations to this year's BVA Football Hall of Fame inductees:
 Rich Planey
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Rich Planey (Class of 1968) – After being knocked out in a game against Brownsville, the two-year starting quarterback for Coach Jimmy Russell’s team returned to throw a 50-yard touchdown pass for a 20-19 win. Following his senior season, Rich was honored as an All- WPIAL performer and also received the conference outstanding leadership award.
 Doug Indorf
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Doug Indof (Class of 1978) - A Richard O. Dolfi Scholar Athlete Award recipient, quarterback and defensive end, he led Coach Jeff Petrucci’s 1977 team to a 6-4 record that laid the groundwork for three straight Big 10 championships. After his senior season, Doug was named to the 1977 Big Ten All-Conference Offensive Team and was also a three sport athlete playing football, baseball, and basketball.
 Greg Shearson
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Greg Shearson (Class of 1983) - Also a Dolfi Award recipient and senior co-captain, he was a two-year starter at offensive guard and anchored a strong offensive line. On defense, he was an all-around, playing tackle, end, nose guard and long snapper. A three-year letterman and member of the 1980 Big-9 Conference championship team, Greg earned a spot on the 1982 Big 9 All-Conference Offensive Team during his senior season.
 Shaun Baker
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Shaun Baker (Class of 1996) - He burst onto the scene on Coach Gary Dongilli’s first BVA team, racking up 342 yards rushing and six touchdowns in three games before an ACL injury. As a senior, his play at defensive tackle helped lead the Leps to a WPIAL title. Shaun, a three-year letterman, was named to the All Keystone Conference Defensive Team following the successful 1995 season.
 Josh Cramer
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Josh Cramer (Class of 2001) – He was a 14-year-old freshman when Dongilli approached him before the first game and said, “You are my quarterback tonight.” It marked the start of four record-setting years, including a 99-yard pass to BVA Coach Aaron Krepps in a 2000 game. The four-year letterman and captain was an All-Conference selection in 98-99-00 and led the team to four conference titles (97-00).
 Jesse Cramer
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Jesse Cramer - Part of BVA’s athletic fabric since the early 1980s, he has coached football, wrestling, track and even basketball over the years, presides over preservation of (former Bellmar) Brewer Stadium and has been athletic director since 2004.
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