WEST CHESTER, PA - Five West Chester University Golden Rams will represent the induction Class of 2005-06 on Saturday evening, January 21, 2006, as the West Chester University Athletic Hall of Fame celebrates its sixth annual induction dinner.
In true West Chester University kinesiology history, four of the five inductees earned health, physical education and recreation degrees or athletic administration masters degrees during their years at WCU.
In addition, three of the inductees have ties to Delaware County, with two inductees graduating from Upper Darby High School.
The following individuals will be inducted as this years class:
Gail "Gussie" Brown 59
Outstanding Multi-Sport Athlete Prior to Title IX
Hometown Coatesville, PA
High School Coatesville
WCU Degree Health & Physical Education
In the years before Title IX, women athletes had little encouragement to pursue their interest in sports. Gail "Gussie" Brown was one of the few women who rose to athletic prominence despite the lack of school and community support.
A three-sport competitor in high school at Coatesville, Brown served as co-captain of the girls basketball team where she earned varsity letters. She also lettered in both field hockey and swimming during her high school career.
After high school, Brown entered West Chester State Teachers College in the mid-1950s where she played softball and continued to excel in basketball. She served as co-captain of the basketball squad and in 1956 was selected to an all-star team that played in an exhibition contest prior to an NBA game featuring the Philadelphia Warriors (todays Golden State Warriors). Later that same year, Brown played in the World Basketball Tournament where she was chosen as the events MVP. Upon graduation from West Chester, Brown continued to play basketball for the West Chester State Teachers College Alumni Team from 1959-63.
A teacher in the Nether Providence and Penn-Delco school districts, Brown coached a variety of sports including softball, field hockey, basketball, lacrosse and tennis. She also coached softball and basketball at the collegiate level and eventually retired from the Penn-Delco School District in 1990.
Brown has continued her involvement in athletics since her retirement. She has won many local and statewide golf tournaments and has claimed numerous medals in the National Senior Games in a variety of sports.
Golf has become Browns passion, however. Her honors on the links include winning the Delaware State Amateur Championship in 1974 and 1985; the Delaware State Senior title in 1989; the Pennsylvania State Senior crown in 1990; the Central Pennsylvania Amateur Championship in 1997; and three Central Pennsylvania Senior titles in 1996, 2001 and 2002.
Brown has competed in four National USGA Championships, was the runner-up at the Pennsylvania State Senior Tournament in 2001, and at the age of 65 she won the Pennsylvania State Super Senior Golf Championship in 2003 and 2004. At the National Senior Games in the summer of 2005, Brown won the gold medal while competing in a tournament in Pittsburgh. This past fall she claimed the bronze medal at the Florida State Games.
A native of Coatesville, PA, Brown has been inducted into both the Coatesville Area High School (2001) and Sun Valley High School (2002) halls of fame.
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Susan B. Parkinson M 68
Womens Swimming Coach (1968-80)
Hometown Waynesburg, PA
High School Waynesburg
WCU Masters Degree Education
From 1968-80, Susan Parkinson served as the assistant coach and then the head coach of West Chester University womens swimming team. Her program produced multiple undefeated seasons, dominated the Eastern Regional Championships for numerous years, claimed a pair of AIAW National Championship runner-up finishes in 1970 and 1971, and captured the AIAW National title in 1972. She also served as the director of the regional Swimming Championships hosted by West Chester University in 1979.
In addition to coaching, Parkinson taught at West Chester University as an associate professor from 1968 until 1996. She developed and taught a horsemanship course that became an extremely popular elective at the institution.
Parkinsons love of equestrian sports began at the age of four. By the age of 10 she was riding and showing for many other barns. Her career included competition at the Devon Horse Show where she was successful in the show ring with saddle horses. She showed and retired a grand champion, competed and won multiple hunter/jumper competitions, and has been an avid foxhunter for several years.
Parkinsons other athletic exploits include competing in Brians Run and the Marshalton Triathlon, and playing golf in club tournaments.
Parkinsons coaching career prior to taking over the reins at West Chester started at Marple Newtown Senior High School where she produced three winning seasons and several PIAA District Championships.
A native of Waynesburg, PA, and a graduate of Waynesburg High School, Parkinson earned her undergraduate from Penn State University with a degree in health and physical education. She earned her masters degree in education from West Chester University in 1968. She has obtained 40 credits beyond her masters degree from Temple University.
Gaile (Smith) Rockey 79; M 96
Field Hockey & Lacrosse
Hometown Drexel Hill, PA
High School Upper Darby
WCU Degree Health & Physical Education
WCU Masters Degree Athletic Administration
When Gaile Rockey roamed the athletic fields for the West Chester University womens lacrosse and field hockey teams in the latter half of the 1970s, championships seemed to follow.
Three times Rockey saw her seasons end with an AIAW Division I National Field Hockey Championship, while in 1979 she guided her team to the USWILCA National Womens lacrosse title. Her outstanding ability and decorum on the field earned her a roster spot on the United States Field Hockey Team from 1978-80 and the Beth Allen Sportsmanship Award in 1979. She also competed in the first two Olympic Sports Festivals in 1978 and 1979.
During her field hockey career at West Chester, Rockey compiled 107 points on 48 goals and 11 assists. She holds the all-time mark for career goals and is tied for first place all-time in career points. In 1978 she set the WCU single-season goal scoring record with 28.
Beyond all of the championships and statistics, Rockeys blood flows purple and gold.
The current resident of Thailand flew halfway around the world on relatively short notice to be present for her induction into the West Chester University Athletic Hall of Fame. It is a distance unlikely to be matched, and a dedication to her Golden Ram roots that speaks volumes.
She returned to Thailand in 2001, after four years in the states, to teach middle school physical education and coach at the International School Bangkok. She previously taught and coached high school at the institution from 1992-97.
Rockeys coaching and teaching career took her to Swarthmore College from 1985-92 where she served as the head coach for field hockey and lacrosse, and was an instructor in physical education.
She has taught and coached at Friends Central in Philadelphia, Mainland Regional and Oakcrest high schools in New Jersey, and she served as the first girls lacrosse coach at Ocean City High School in South Jersey from 1999-2001. In just her third year with the program, her squad won its division with an unbeaten record and just missed the state playoffs.
A 1979 graduate of West Chester with a degree in health and physical education, Rockey earned her masters degree in athletic administration from WCU in 1996.
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Marty Stern 59
Track & Field Competitor & Head Coach
Hometown Upper Darby, PA
High School Upper Darby
WCU Degree Health & Physical Education
Marty Sterns career never strayed far from his Delaware County (PA) roots, but the longtime Villanova University head track and field coach saw his student-athletes carry his expert teachings around the world.
A 1959 graduate of West Chester State Teachers College with a degree in health, physical education and recreation, Stern spent 11 years (1983-94) as the head track and field coach at Villanova University building an unparalleled resume. The numbers are staggering 145 All-Americans, 21 NCAA Division I Individual Champions, 22 Big East Individual Conference titles, 21 Individual Penn Relay Championships, 12 NCAA Final Four Team finishes and five NCAA Division I Team Championships.
His athletes recorded a dozen world records and eight American marks, while four of his former athletes won world championships. He produced seven Olympians, eight athletes who won national academic honors, and a pair of Rhodes Scholars.
A 1954 graduate of Upper Darby High School, Stern has been a teacher, coach, motivational speaker, private athletic consultant and lecturer. He served in the United States Air Force where he was a 400-meter track champion.
Halls of fame are no stranger to Stern. He has been inducted seven times, including the Dr. Russell L. Sturzebecker Hall of Fame in November which honors alumni from the kinesiology program.
He has been enshrined in the halls of fame at Upper Darby High School, Villanova University, and Central Bucks High School, as well as the Delaware County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and the Philadelphia Jewish Hall of Fame.
A three-sport athlete at West Chester during his undergraduate years, Stern earned eight varsity letters while competing in the sports of cross country, track and field, and wrestling. His athletes affectionately refer to him as "Uncle" Marty.
Ray Wilson 57
All-American Soccer Player
Hometown Philadelphia
High School Girard College High School
WCU Degree Education
Ray Wilsons career at West Chester State Teachers College featured four years of outstanding soccer that would leave a lasting impression among his Golden Ram teammates. So much so that he has received more supporting letters for his inclusion into the West Chester University Athletic Hall of Fame than any other individual since the shrines inception.
A terrific dribbler and passer, Wilson boasted tremendous all-around skill and a relentless hustle that helped his Golden Ram club succeed. His outstanding play earned him a pair of All-American Intercollegiate Soccer Team honors in 1955 and 1956 when he was honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America for his stellar junior and senior seasons. He was voted as the team captain in 1956.
Prior to his collegiate career, Wilson was introduced to the game of soccer at Girard College High School in Philadelphia. His leadership at the high school level eventually earned him a captains role.
After graduating from West Chester in 1957, Wilson was selected as an alternate for the United States Olympic Team in 1960 and played professionally for the Cricket Club League in Philadelphia. Born in 1935, Wilson passed away in 2004.
Bill Vansant Award
Each year during the Hall of Fame induction ceremony, the Bill Vansant Award is presented to an individual who demonstrates the spirit, service and integrity of Bill Vansant, and his commitment to Golden Ram Athletics.
The 2005-06 winner is Lew Peck who has volunteered his services to Golden Ram Athletics as treasurer of the Golden Ram Football Club. He has served in that role for approximately two decades.
Vansant, who passed away unexpectedly in early September, chose Peck as this years recipient.
Addy Kelly Award
In addition to the Bill Vansant Award, the Addy Kelly Award is presented to an individual who exhibits the outstanding support, loyalty, commitment and dedication of Addy Kelly, and her commitment to West Chester University Womens Athletics. This years recipient is West Chester University head womens basketball coach Deirdre Kane.
Now in her 19th season at WCU, Kane has compiled the most victories in school history. She needs just six more to reach 300 for her WCU career.
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Kelly, who was so instrumental in womens athletics at West Chester University, and to the West Chester community as a whole, also passed away this summer.
"Culmination of a Vision"
"This is a culmination of a shared vision by many individuals connected with our athletic heritage," West Chester University director of athletics Dr. Edward Matejkovic stated after the initial induction - the Class of 2000-01 - took place on October 1, 2000. The vision was meant to be lasting.
"One of my primary goals when I accepted the athletic directors position was to create a hall of fame encompassing all of West Chester Universitys athletics. It is something most schools have. It is something we absolutely need."
Golden Ram Country had never been bereft of halls of fame. On the contrary, there were five hall of fame organizations in existence that operated independently. The oldest and most prominent was certainly the West Chester University Football Hall of Fame administered by the W. Glenn Killinger Football Scholarship Foundation.
Each May, the Killinger Foundation inducts outstanding former Golden Ram players and coaches into the WCU Football Hall of Fame at its annual banquet. The heavily attended event draws Golden Ram football players from a wide array of generations. There are over 100 inductees in the WCU Football Hall of Fame.
Former football players earn passage into the West Chester University Athletic Hall of Fame through the Killinger Foundations annual event. William Capone 71, Frank Girardi 61, Warren Mays 75, Michael Mokriski 65 and Gerald Toney were inducted by the Killinger Foundation last May. The quintet will also be officially acknowledged as members of the WCU Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday night.
The Emil Messikomer Hall of Fame has inducted over 50 former mens basketball players at its annual event in the early spring.
Like the Killinger Hall of Fame, former mens hardwood players earn their way into the WCU Athletic Hall of Fame through the Messikomer Foundations annual induction ceremony. Eric Worley 98 was inducted last spring.
With the advent of the WCU Athletic Hall of Fame in October of 2000, the West Chester University Baseball Hall of Fame, WCU Womens Athletic Hall of Fame and the WCU Wrestling Hall of Fame officially ceased independent operation. All members of these three halls of fame were welcomed as part of the initial class on October 1, 2000.
This years event will be held at the Holiday Inn West Chester in West Chester, PA, on Saturday evening, January 21, beginning with a social hour at 6 p.m. and the induction ceremony at 7 p.m. On Saturday afternoon, the inductees will be recognized at halftime of the West Chester-Mansfield mens basketball game.
The Hall of Fame Doubleheader will tip-off at 1 p.m. for the women, followed by the mens game at 3 p.m.
One of the road blocks often tossed in the path of a University-wide WCU Athletic Hall of Fame has been the territorial grip on specific sports by the hall of fame organizations. The perceived fear has been a University-wide athletic hall of fame would eliminate a long-established tradition that has worked so well. This was simply not the case as the road blocks were run down by fantastic events the first fouryears.
"It is important to understand," Matejkovic explained, "that we are not superceding the current halls of fame, nor is there a desire to take over control of the administrative duties of these organizations. As long as they are active, they will continue to operate status quo."
The Killinger and Messikomer foundations do such a terrific job and provide an invaluable service to West Chester University," Matejkovic continued. "We certainly do not want to change that."
Both the West Chester University Football and Basketball halls of fame continue to run under their present charters with their own induction banquets. All future inductees will also be welcomed into the WCU Athletic Hall of Fame.
The WCU Womens Hall of Fame had been dormant for nearly five years, last hosting an induction dinner in 1995. The Baseball Hall of Fame held intermittent induction ceremonies during the 1990s. Both began operation in 1988. Wrestling was discontinued as a varsity program at WCU in the late 1980s.
The WCU Athletic Hall of Fame literally and physically takes its lead from the Killinger Foundation. Located in the foyer of Hollinger Field House, the WCU Football Hall of Fame has dominated the scenery in the entrance area for years. The WCU Athletic Hall of Fame is presently being displayed in this same area with a more permanent location still being finalized.
"We have an opportunity to do something exciting and lasting for Golden Ram athletics," Matejkovic said after the first induction ceremony. His words were proven by the response from the initial inductees.
The purpose of the WCU Athletic Hall of Fame is to recognize athletes, coaches and/or administrators who have made outstanding contributions to the intercollegiate athletics program at West Chester. Former athletes, coaches and administrators who meet the criteria may be nominated by active members of the Rams Athletic Association.
For an athlete to be eligible, he or she must have attended WCU for at least two years, participated in the athletic program for at least two years, and graduated 10 or more years ago from WCU.
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The athlete should have either demonstrated superior athletic performance and contributed to the success of the athletic program, or be a former athlete who has distinguished him or herself in the field of athletics after graduation.
Finally, the athlete must be a positive role model and demonstrate worthy citizenship.
Former coaches and administrators may also be nominated for the Hall of Fame, but only five years after they have completed their service at WCU. Current athletic staff members are not eligible (However, guidelines in place in the Killinger and Messikomer halls of fame will take precedence).
Qualified candidates must have demonstrated superior competence and professionalism in making contributions to the intercollegiate athletics program while at the University. Also, the eligible recipients must be of worthy citizenship and be a positive role model.
In order for a candidate to be considered for the Hall of Fame, nominations must be on file by the initial selection committee meeting in June of each year. Although there will be some flexibility as the process matures through its infancy, the committee meets each year to review old applications and new nominations.
Completed forms should be accompanied by a current resume augmenting the nominees achievements in athletics, the profession and civic activities. Nominations will be accepted on a continual basis.
In order to be inducted into the WCU Athletic Hall of Fame, candidates must be present at the ceremony. If the inductee is deceased, a member of the family must be in attendance at the ceremonies.
A nomination form may be obtained by contacting Di Camillo via e-mail at tdicamillo@wcupa.edu. A form in MS Word will be e-mailed. You may also request the form be faxed or mailed by simply calling the sports information office (610-436-3316). Those interested in receiving a nomination form should leave a fax number or a mailing address.
Wondering how inductees are selected? All current nominations will be examined by present members of the selection committee. At least nine members of the 16-member committee (8 female, 8 male members) must be in attendance for decisions to be made.
The committee goes through a voting process in order to choose the inductees. Members include representatives from the Hall of Fame, athletic administrators, RAA Executive Committee representatives, current head coaches, the sports information director, one person from the office of alumni and special events, and two former members of WCU athletics or faculty with distinguished service to WCU Athletics.
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Addy Kelly Award
Each year the Addy Kelly Award is presented to an individual who exhibits the outstanding
support, loyalty, commitment and dedication
of Addy Kelly, and her commitment to
West Chester University Womens Athletics.
1995 Addy Kelly
2000-01 Valerie Walchak
2001-02 Sue Lubking
2002-03 The Honorable Elinor Z. Taylor
2003-04 Vonnie Gros
2004-05 Mildred "Mimi" Greenwood
2005-06 Deirdre Kane
Bill Vansant Award
Each year the Bill Vansant Award is
presented to an individual who demonstrates
the spirit, service and integrity of Bill Vansant,
and his commitment to Golden Ram Athletics.
2001-02 Bill Vansant
2002-03 Ted McCue
2003-04 Dickie Greenwood
2004-05 Geoff Ruth
2005-06 Lew Peck
