Allen-Rogowicz ready to open doors

Oct 05, 2008 (Reading Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- TIV | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The Allen-Rogowicz Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame will induct its 2008 class on Oct. 19 at Pine View Acres, Pottsville.

Edward Clark was a three-sport standout at Nativity (Class of 1966) in football, basketball and baseball, helping lead the Hilltoppers to the PCIAA semifinals in basketball. In 1970 Clark was certified as a baseball umpire, starting a long career as a PIAA official. He was later certified in basketball and football, and eventually worked state championships in both sports. He also officiated college basketball on the Division II and III levels.

Allen David Daubert was team captain of the Pine Grove wrestling team from 1983-85. In 1984 he was the Cardinals' first District 11 and Southeast Region champion and placed at the PIAA Championships at 98 pounds. He went 33-3 as a junior and graduated in 1985 after leading Pine Grove to its first Schuylkill League tournament championship, and winning district and regional titles again. He won a PIAA title at 105 and was named to the Reading Eagle All-Anthracite team twice.

William "Slip" Dunlap attended Reilly Township High School and played basketball with the Branchdale Keystones and baseball with Branch Township. In 1930, he helped found the Branchdale Maroons semipro football team that won a championship in 1932. He was active in the Allen-Rogowicz Chapter, serving on the selection committee. Dunlap died in 2007. Paul Lonergan graduated from Nativity in 1985, where he was a captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams his senior year. In football, he threw for 3,000 career yards and 20 touchdowns; in basketball, he averaged 12 points and 13 rebounds; in baseball he was 8-4 as a pitcher with a 2.65 ERA. Lonergan continued his career at Moravian College and Bloomsburg University, where he played tight end on the football teams. At Bloomsburg, he had 119 career catches and was named to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference first team as a junior and senior and an All-ECAC All-Star in 1989.

Joseph D. Motta Jr. graduated from Pottsville High in 1952, where he played football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a member of the '51 football team that won the Eastern Conference championship and helped lead the Pottsville Legion baseball team to a league title the same year. After a year at Massanutten Military Academy, Motta attened West Chester, where he played football and was a Little All-America nominee. He helped lead the Golden Rams to an upset win over Delaware and scored 19 touchdowns in four seasons. Later, he was a football coach at Monsignor Bonner, Marple-Newtown, Upper Darby and Lower Merion high schools before retiring in 1992.

Paul I. Motta graduated from Pottsville in 1954, where he played football, basketball, track and baseball. After a year at Wyoming Seminary Prep School, Motta went to Lycoming College, where he played football and baseball. As a quarterback, he helped break Juniata's 25-game win streak in 1956. After graduation Motta was an assistant football coach at Monsignor Bonner, where he coached future Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti. He also coached baseball at Upper Darby and later started the program at Delaware County Community College, where he remains after 37 seasons. He also coached the Mid-Atlantic Pride women's baseball team from 1991-94 and the Chester Red Sox in the Delco League.

Neil Ravitz played football, basketball and track at Blue Mountain, where graduated in 1995. He is best known for his play in football, where he was an All-County and All-Anthracite lineman. He also won a league title and was district runner-up in the discus. He won three varsity letters at the U.S. Military Academy, where he helped the Black Knights win three national rushing titles and beat Navy three of four years.

Garry Scheib graduated from Tri-Valley, where he won 11 letters in football, basketball and baseball. He was a two-time allconference running back, rushing for 1,800 yards and 21 touchdowns. He helped lead the Bulldogs to three league championships, batting .400 in his final two seasons, and helped Valley View win a Legion title. Scheib attended Lehigh and won three letters in football and two in track. He was co-captain of the '71 football team and led the Engineers in interceptions and put returns. He was a member of the 400 meter relay that set a school record.

Richard "Dick" Sherry graduated from Schuylkill Haven High in 1952, where he played basketball and earned All-South Schuylkill honors in his junior and senior years. He was awarded a full basketball scholarship to Muhlenberg, where he played for two years. He then graduated from Temple before taking a job at West Reading High. There, he was helped lead the Cowboys to three straight PIAA Class C championships as an assistant coach for two and head coach for one. He won Berks titles in 1971, 1973 and 1975, and District 3 championships in 1961, 1966 and 1975 at West Reading and Wyomissing. The '76 Spartans team reached the state final four. He retired from coaching in 1983 after 25 seasons with 369 victories.

Dr. Stephen Vak graduated from Mahanoy Area in 1964, where he played football, baseball and track. As a member of the football team, he helped lead the Golden Bears to an undefeated season in 1962 and was selected to the All-County team. At Susquehanna University, Vak played football and wrestled. He played semipro football for the Schuylkill Coal Crackers and was a member of the 1971 team that was named national champions by Pro Football Weekly. He led the team in tackles and was named best defensive player and team MVP. Vak is presently an official for high school and college track, college wrestling and high school and college football.

Harold Yeich graduated from Blue Mountain in 1962 where he won 11 varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. In football, he was a four-year starter, playing quarterback, halfback and linebacker, making the All-County team and the Dream Game. He was a three-year starter in basketball, leading the Eagles to the District 11-B final. In baseball, he was a four-year starter in the infield as the Eagles won the South Schuylkill League as a senior. At Lehigh, Yeich was a three-year starter at fullback and co-captain in 1965, winning MVP honors in the 101st Lehigh-Lafayette game and Middle Atlantic Conference first team honors.

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