Shining stars: Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame officials announced the newest class last week. Inductees include enny McLaughlin, a Kensington native and 1946 North Catholic High School graduate. SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA
Fox Chase native Rich Gannon is among 15 people who will be part of the 12th class of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame.
Gannon grew up on Central Avenue and attended St. Cecilia Elementary School. He was a star quarterback in football at St. Joseph’s Prep and Delaware.
Gannon went on to play in the NFL from 1987 to 2004. He played for the Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs and Oakland Raiders. He was selected to play in four Pro Bowl games, all with the Raiders. He was the NFL Most Valuable Players in 2002, when he led the Raiders to Super Bowl XXXVII.
Today, he is an analyst for CBS and co-hosts a show on Sirius XM.
Hall of Fame officials announced the newest class last week during a news conference at the Society Hill Sheraton. Phillies public address announcer Dan Baker served as emcee.
The other honorees will be:
• Benny McLaughlin, a Kensington native and 1946 North Catholic High School graduate who starred in soccer at Lighthouse Boys Club. He was an All-American soccer player at Temple and played in the 1948 Olympics. He was a member of the 1950 United States team that qualified for the World Cup, but could not play because he had to work and was planning his wedding. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1977. McLaughlin, who died in 2012, was represented at the news conference by sons Bernie, Brian and Andy and his lifelong friend Walter Bahr, a teammate on the Olympic and World Cup teams and former soccer coach at Frankford High School, Temple and Penn State.
• Billy Markward, a Spanish-American War veteran who coached basketball at Roman Catholic High School from 1900–41. He led Roman to 17 league championships. The Rev. Joseph Bongard, president of Roman, spoke on Markward’s behalf. Among those in attendance was Joe Driscoll, a longtime Oxford Circle resident who played on Markward’s final team. Also there were former Roman coaches Speedy Morris, who is in the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame, and Chris McNesby, who coached Roman to the PIAA Class AAAA championship in March.
• Rick MacLeish, who played 12 seasons for the Flyers and was a member of the Stanley Cup championship teams in 1974 and ’75. He recorded 13 goals and nine assists in the 1974 playoffs, including the only goal in Game 6 of the finals, as the Flyers beat the Boston Bruins to capture their first Cup.
• Lou Nolan, a Southwest Philadelphia native and West Catholic High School graduate who has served as the Flyers public address announcer since 1972. He was also the hockey announcer for the winter Olympics in Salt Lake City in 2002.
• Garry Maddox, a Vietnam War veteran and centerfielder with the Phillies from 1975–86 who won eight Gold Gloves. Maddox played on the 1980 team that won the World Series. That year, he had the game-winning RBI double as the Phillies beat the Houston Astros in extra innings in the fifth and final game of the National League Championship Series.
• Dick Vermeil, who coached football at UCLA and with the Eagles, St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs. He coached the Eagles to Super Bowl XV and won Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams. Vermeil was represented by his son, David. The former coach was on a fly fishing trip with, among others, legendary basketball coach Bobby Knight.
• Cindy Timchal, a Havertown native who has coached women’s lacrosse at Northwestern, Maryland and Navy. She led Maryland to eight NCAA titles.
• Walt Hazzard, who played basketball at Overbrook High School. He went on to start for three years at guard for UCLA, helping the Bruins to the 1964 NCAA title. That same year, he won a gold medal as a member of the U.S. Olympic team.
• Tim Brown, who was a halfback and kick and punt returner for the Eagles from 1960–67. He played for the 1960 team that won the NFL championship.
• Bob Montgomery, a former lightweight boxing champion.
• Karen Shelton, who played on four national champion field hockey teams from 1976–79 at West Chester. She also played on the national team, competing in two Olympics. She is the longtime coach at the University of North Carolina.
• Sam Thompson, an outfielder for the Phillies from 1889–98.
• Dick Williams, a singles and doubles tennis champion at Harvard. He played on five U.S. Davis Cup teams. He won the doubles championship at Wimbledon in 1920 and a gold medal in mixed doubles at the 1924 Olympics.
• Dave Zinkoff, colorful public address announcer for the Phillies, Temple, the Philadelphia Warriors and 76ers. His microphone was retired by the Sixers in 1986.
The induction ceremony will take place on Nov. 12.
The Hall of Fame is based at Spike’s, a trophy and awards shop at 2701 Grant Ave. The public is invited to view the gallery Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For information, visit Phillyhall.org ••
Shining stars: Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame officials announced the newest class last week. Inductees include Fox Chase native Rich Gannon. SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA
Shining stars: Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame officials announced the newest class last week. Inductees include Sam Thompson (pictured), an outfielder for the Phillies from 1889–98. SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA
