Pioneer Hall of Fame Celebrates 40 years, seeks 2014 nominations

Former basketball head coach Jerry Conboy (left) celebrates with alumni athletes Paul Temcio (center) and Larry Anderson.

The Point
Winter 2014

Point Park University's Pioneer Athletic Hall of Fame celebrated the 40th anniversary of its inaugural class during the 2013 Hall of Fame induction ceremony held Sept. 28, 2013 in Lawrence Hall.

The Pioneer Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2013 welcomed another strong class of four inductees to bring to 49 the number of individuals who have been enshrined as the best student-athletes in Point Park history. The Class of 2013 included Joe Emanuele (Baseball, 1971-73), Alisa Favero-Lucarelli (Women's Basketball, 1988-93), Bryan Neal (Baseball, 1994-97) and Chivas Whipple (Men's Basketball, 2005-08).

The year 2013 marked 40 years since the Hall of Fame Class of 1973 was inducted as the very-first honorees in the illustrious group of Pioneer greats.

A Strong Start

There were eight inductees in the Hall of Fame Class of 1973, and many of them were on hand Sept. 28 at the 2013 Induction Ceremony. The inaugural class was recognized for its significant place in Point Park athletics history, and their accomplishments were revisited with a reading of their biographical sketches.

Among the Hall of Fame Class of 1973 were Tyrone Anderson (Men's Basketball, 1963-65), Dr. Marvin Buncher (Dean of Students), Frank Gustine (Baseball Coach, 1968-74), Ed Josefoski (Men's Basketball, 1967-71), Jim Masserio (Men's Golf, 1969-71), Dan Moriarty (Men's Cross Country, 1969-72), Joe Ogrodnik (Baseball, 1968-71) and Paul Temcio (Men's Basketball, 1964-66).

The Hall of Fame certainly got off to a great start with its inaugural induction in 1973. Although Point Park was a little more than a decade old at the time, those eight inductees were, and still represent, some of the best ever to play for the Pioneers.

Enshrined in the Student Center

But after the initial Class of 1973, Point Park did not hold another Hall of Fame induction until the year 2000. That left the Class of 1973 in unique territory, one that had lost a bit of its place in history when the modern-day Hall of Fame came about at the turn of the millennium.

With the 2000 induction came Hall of Famers such as men's basketball coaching legend Jerry Conboy and all-time leading hoops scorer Bobby Franklin. As the years passed, more Pioneer all-timers were enshrined such as baseball greats Lou Abel and Harry Westwood in 2003 and women's basketball all-time leading scorer Melissa Charles-Kubiscek in 2009.

But it all started 40 years ago with the Class of 1973. And on the 40th anniversary of their induction, those honorees were given their proper place at the forefront of the Hall of Fame. They and the other inductees are enshrined in the Hall of Fame display area on the second floor of the Student Center for all to see and admire.

Nominate an Alumni Athlete

As 2014 begins, the Hall of Fame has initiated its annual search for a new group of potential inductees to add to the list. Nominations can be made by anyone in the general public and should be submitted by Feb. 15, 2014 for consideration in the Hall of Fame Class of 2014.

The Hall of Fame Committee makes its selections in the spring with the induction ceremony held in the fall of every year. Read more about how to make your nomination.

Text and photos by Kevin Taylor, director of athletics communications
The Point is a magazine for alumni and friends of Point Park University