Sports History
First Class
By Anne Madarasz

It includes a King, a queen of woman's basketball, a No. 1 ranked football team, the winningest coach in state basketball history, a perfect wrestler, and 11 other deserving members. It is the inaugural Hall of Fame class of the WPIAL.

This past year, the WPIAL celebrated its 100th anniversary. The commemoration culminates with a June 22 banquet to induct this first class. With nominations submitted by its member schools, the selection committee considered inductions in five categories-athletes, coaches, teams, contest officials and contributors.

It includes seven athletes: "The King," Arnold Palmer. A two-time WPIAL and PIAA champion golfer, he revolutionized the sport of golf. The queen of women's basketball, Suzie McConnell-Serio, who won a PIAA championship at Seton LaSalle before earning All-American status at Penn State, winning Olympic gold, coaching Oakland Catholic to numerous championships, and playing and coaching in the WNBA. Jennifer Flynn, a Baldwin standout and 12-time letter winner in volleyball, basketball, and softball with seven WPIAL team championships. Parade All-American Bill Fralic, one of the best linemen in WPIAL history and an accomplished wrestler, who went on to Pitt and the NFL. Dick Hoak, a three-sport standout at Jeannette-all-state in football, and all-section in basketball, who later played for Penn State and the Steelers, where he also coached. Cary Kolat, who was a perfect 137-0 while wrestling at Jefferson-Morgan. He added four PIAA titles and two NCAA championships at Loch Haven and an Olympic berth. And Sean Shapert, who led Moon to a WPIAL soccer championship in 1983, earning All-American honors and setting a national record for career goals with 213.

Four coaches and two teams were recognized, including Pat Campbell, swimming coach at Bethel Park and his 1996 boys swim team. Campbell won 11 WPIAL titles and six PIAA championships; his 1996 team had six All-Americans. Pete Antimarino, Gateway's football coach with three WPIAL titles and two co-championships; Don Graham, whose 801 wins at North Catholic rank him as tops in state basketball; and Dave Nichols, the standout basketball and baseball coach at Monaca. The top ranked North Hills 1987 football team completes the team category.

Two officials were named-Norm Crawford, a track official who has been the head starter at PIAA track meets for 20 years and a two time Olympic starter; and Jim Horner. Horner officiated 25 WPIAL individual wrestling tournaments and eight PIAA contests. One contributor was selected, Charles "Ace" Heberling, for his 21 years of leadership as executive director of the WPIAL.

Anne Madarasz is the Director of the Western PA Sports Museum, which will house the WPIAL Hall of Fame recognition plaque.