This story originally appeared in The Centre County Gazette
The Centre County Sports Hall of Fame is set to host the 2024 Centre County Hall of Fame Day Celebration on from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20,
The event will take place at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center.
The event will see the Centre County Sports Hall of Fame induct its seventh class. All five Centre County-based public high schools will be represented, along with Penn State sports personalities.
Representing Bellefonte Area High School are Amanda Hamilton, Denny DeWitt and Joseph Kresovich.
Hamilton was a star softball player for Bellefonte winning First Team All-State honors in 2001. She also left Bellefonte with 12 varsity letters. Hamilton continued her career at Bloomsburg University, setting multiple school records.
DeWitt played running back for Bellefonte before playing at North Carolina State. He later transferred back to Centre County to join the Nittany Lions baseball team as a centerfielder. The left-hander became an NCAA All-American.
Kresovich was a stellar baseball player as well but was even more impressive on the gridiron. The running back was recruited by Lee Corso to play at the University of Maryland.
Kari Lucas Leah and Katrina Greer are the Penns Valley inductees.
Leah was a 16 varsity letter earner for Penns Valley, shining especially on the softball field. She helped lead the Rams to the PIAA state championship game and was named First Team All-State for her efforts. After defeating leukemia, Leah went on to play for Penn State.
Moving to the basketball court, Greer also made First Team All-State her senior year for the Rams. She continued her career at Clarion University, setting multiple school and conference records in scoring.
From State College Area High, Greg Focht and Matt Suhey will be inducted.
Focht is a member of the Pennsylvania Special Olympics Hall of Fame. The golfer competed in the Athens, Greece World Games in 2004. Focht is also a global ambassador for the Special Olympics.
Suhey, who received the most votes of anyone for inductee nominations, was a four-year starter for Penn State and a three-time All-State running back at State College Area High School. The running back played for the Chicago Bears for ten years winning a Superbowl in 1986.
Suhey was a part of the electric backfield with Walter Payton. He played in 148 career games scoring 20 touchdowns in that span.
From Bald Eagle Area High, Skip Pighetti will join the 2024 class. Pighetti held a 69-5-3 career record in wrestling that included an undefeated senior season and a PIAA state championship.
Bud O’Brien will represent Philipsburg Osceola Senior High School. O’Brien is being nominated for the work he did as a player, announcer, coach and fundraiser.
The final two inductees represent Penn State. Jim Martin is being inducted for his wrestling career at Penn State. Martin was a four-time All-American and holds the all-time wins record amongst Nittany Lions.
Steve Jones has been the voice of Penn State football and basketball for almost 30 years. He also has called State College Spikes games since they began in 2006.
Visit the Centre County Sports Hall of Fame website to purchase tickets for the induction ceremony.
