Tickets are still available for the PA Sports Hall of Fame inductions for Sunday, April 27. Here's the info from the chapter:
President Bob Gustin announced the 2008 nominees to be inducted into the Capital Area Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame local Chapter Hall of Fame. Festivities for the 41st annual affair begin at 3 pm at the Holiday Inn East in Harrisburg. Ticket information can be obtained by contacting Secretary Bernie Radocha at 717-957-3150.
The following 8 nominees were selected via ballots cast by the 650 members of the chapter. With this class of 2008 the total inductions number 330 and this is the first time a father and daughter (Gosart and Moser) were inducted the same year.
Albert Chambers Jr Baseball- 1979 graduate of Harrisburg HS earning All American honors in both Baseball and Football; named to the Big 33 his senior year. First selection of the '79 baseball amateur draft selected by the Seattle Mariners. Made his Major League debut on June 2, 1983 getting his first Major League hit in his first at bat against the Boston Red Sox and Dennis Eckersley.
Fred Goshart Football, Softball and Basketball coaching - 1965 graduate of Dallas HS excelling in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track. Conference All-Star selected as Big 33 Honorable Mention as a split end. Declining Div 1 and 2 scholarships he enlisted in the US Air Force playing Air Force European football in '68 and '69. Coached and Managed Little League and Teener baseball for 9 years. As Coach of the Girls Fast Pitch Softball team for 9 years won 6 Division championships and participating in 9 different All Star tournaments finished with 46 straight wins and 8 championships. Also an Assistant Girls Basketball Coach at Linglestown Jr High and Central Dauphin HS participating in the '97-'98 undefeated season of 24-0.
Robert Bruce "Gump" May Football Coach - Head Football Coach at Hershey HS for the past 32 years developing talent of many Division 1 2 and 3 players but has provided his biggest contribution as a mentor of the young boys involved in his program. Member of the PA Football Coaches Hall of Fame compiling the following record- League Championships in '78, '90, '96, and 2003; District 3 AA Championship '84; mythical AA State #1 ranking in '790. Original Board member of the PA Scholastic Football Coaches Association (PSFCA). Founder of the PSFCA Kickoff Clinic and its director since 1977. Co-director of the PA Big 33 game from '76-'80. Game manager of the Big 33 from '80 to the present.PSFCA Coach of the Year in '80 and '84. Harrisburg 'Old Timers' Coach of the Year in '79 and '90.
Erica G. Moser Soccer and Basketball - Central Dauphin HS All-around Female Athlete of the Year in 1998; played on 3 Mid-Penn Soccer Championship teams and 1 State finalist team; Set CD school records for goals in a single game (6), in a season (27), and for her career (63). Named to the Patriot News Big 11 team twice and was a MID-Penn All Star each of her 4 years. Scored 32 career goals at Lebanon Valley College ranking her 2nd all time while scoring 10 game winning goals in her career; named MAC Player of the Week twice. As a point guard in Basketball she ranks 4th in career steals with 212, 5th in 3-pointers with 28, 6th in field goal percentage posting a 49.8%,and her 546 total points rank her 17th all time.
Michael Payton Football - A Central Dauphin East grad, he was one of the most decorated quarterbacks in Div 1AA history. In '92 he threw for 3610 yards and 31 td's and won the Walter Payton Player of the Year award which is Div 1AA's equivalent of the Div 1 Heisman after being runner up in '91. Led Marshall to its first ever National title. Earned Southern Conference Player of the Year honors twice. Went on to play professionally in both the Canadian and Arena Football leagues.
Robert F Spangler Sr Golf - Over 6 decades from '56 to 2006 won as Best Overall player in the Junior, Adult and Senior levels in local district and state amateur tournaments. Individual victories include Harrisburg Jaycees champion '56 and 57; named Old-timers Outstanding golfer while in High School in '57;Pa State Jr Champion '58; Colonial Country Club champ '76 '81 and '86; Harrisburg District Sr Champion '92 and '93; Harrisburg Open (scratch div) champion twice once in the '70's and again in '80; qualified as an alternate to US Amateur and US SR Amateur.
A Joseph Cribari nominated for Meritorious Service for involvement in youth Football - since '73 when elected as Commissioner of the Catholic Football Association he has served 35 years (and counting) as the face of the CFA. Head Coach of the '72 Midget Football Div Super Bowl Champs St Catherine Laboure team posting a perfect 9-0 season. Helped to grow the league by doubling from 9 to 18 the number of teams in the CFA. Recognizes CFA players who have received school honors with a scholastic award certificate. Publishes and maintains a website http://www.football-cfa.org providing the league statistics throughout the season.
Jerry Mattis nominated in the Deceased Category Football Track and Field - Received 12 School Letters in 4 sports at Millersburg HS. His record of 50' 6'' set in 1960 still stands at the school A 4 year starter at Mansfield he was an offensive lineman, punter and kicker. Taught school at Northwestern HS in Albion PA and coached Football, as well.
(Disclaimer: I am a voting member of the Capital Area Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame)
