Centre County Hall of Fame to Induct Inaugural Class

Blair County has one. So does Clinton County. Huntingdon County has one, too.

Now, it’s Centre County’s turn.

Thirteen of the county’s most prominent athletes will be inducted into the first class of the newly formed Centre County Hall of Fame on Sunday at the inaugural Honors Banquet, scheduled to take place at the Ramada State College Hotel and Conference Center.
It will be the newest chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

“This has been a long time coming, and we’re finally glad to get our first class in,” said chapter president Ronald Pifer. “We have had so many great athletes here, and they deserve the recognition. This is a great way to say good things about good people from Centre County.”

Among those being inducted are former major league pitchers Myles Thomas and Monte Ward, grappling personas Thad Turner and Rich Lorenzo and gridiron star Bill Luther.

“Centre County and Penn State have a rich tradition of sports,” said Pifer. “The individuals that will be inducted this weekend make up the inaugural class, but there are so many more athletes, coaches and sports personalities that are deserving of this honor. It will just take time. We can only add so many each year.

‘Thirteen is a lot for an induction ceremony, but we felt we had a great group for the inaugural class, and we wanted our first inductions to be really special. I’m confident we’re going to achieve that.”

According to Pifer, the idea of creating a Centre County Sports Hall of Fame originated about two years ago under the wings of Lloyd Rhoads, Dick Rhoads, John Wetzler and Pifer himself.

“Some of our neighboring counties, like Blair and Clinton, have had halls of fame for several years,” said Pifer. “When we sat down to discuss it, we realized how important it is to shine some light on our great history of sports here in Centre County. That’s how it all got started. We did a lot of talking and a lot of thinking. I think we’re on the right path.”

Pifer said immediately after the group formed, it solicited members of the community to become involved in the project. The numbers grew and grew, and at present time, more than 200 people from across the country jumped on board.

“It was really neat to see how much people wanted to be involved in this project,” said Pifer. “Now, we have to make sure the enthusiasm remains high for the hall of fame.”

Pifer said nominations for inclusion in the inaugural class came after nominees were suggested by the group. He said a vote was then taken and 13 individuals were selected to be inducted.

“It’s a clear and simple process,” said Pifer. “We are a little heavy this year with 13 inductees, but I don’t think we’ll have that many moving forward. Having more than nine or so would just make for a long banquet and ceremony, and that’s not what we want. We want the evening to be enjoyable and memorable.”

More than 300 people are scheduled to attend the ceremony. Tickets for the event are no longer available.

To be included, and after being nominated, nominees must be researched by committee members.

“The leg work is the hardest part,” said Pifer. “Once we have a nominee, we have to get as much information as we can about them and make sure they can attend the banquet. Attendance is required, unless of course, the nominee is deceased.”
Pifer said pre-recorded acceptance speeches by the inductees will be played for attendees of the banquet. Following a meal, the nominees will be called forward for photographs.

Pifer said membership to the hall of fame is available to anyone, and with this membership comes the right to nominate individuals for inclusions, vote on the nominees and vote on nominees to the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

Those interested in membership are encouraged to visit https://centrecountysportshof.org.

Prior to the banquet, the group will host on Saturday its second annual golf tournament fundraiser at Nittany Country Club. Last year, the field of golfers was full and the event raised about $5,000. Pifer said the field may be full again this year.

“We’ve been looking forward to the Oct. 15 date for quite a while now,” Pifer said. “We’re right where we want to be on this project, and we’re excited to move forward. This will be a big day for Centre County sports.’

The inaugural inductees are:

Dave Adams (wrestling)

Joe Hammaker (wrestling)

Joe Humphreys (fishing)

Denny Leathers (baseball)

Rich Lorenzo (wrestling)

Doug McDonald (media/press)

Bruce Parkhill (basketball/soccer)

Thad Turner (wrestling)

Ward Whitehill (baseball)

Bill Luther (football)

Gene Wettstone (gymnastics)

Myles Thomas (baseball)

Monte Ward (baseball)