By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore graduate Sam Incavido was one of 10 inductees into the Northeast Chapter Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame class of 2017.

The 35th annual Induction Ceremonial took place last month (October 8) at the University of Scranton DeNaples Center.

Incavido was inducted for golf.

The other inductees included Justin Collins for track and field, B.J. Gallis for football, Walt Matechak for baseball and as an official, Jack Munley for baseball. Gail Parry as a field hockey coach, Heidi Peoples for cross country/marathon, Dave Rebar for football. Jim Coles for the media award and Father Cyril Edwards for the service award.

John Davies served as toastmaster. Bob Walsh is chapter president. Jerry Valonis is vice president. Judy Igoe Carr is secretary. Tom “Doc” Dougherty is treasurer. Walsh provided the welcome. Alice Foley provided the benediction.

And this is the class of 2017:

Incavido, as halfback at Dunmore High School, was named to the Lions Dream team. He was honored on the Scrantonian All Scholastic team. He was awarded a full scholarship to Eastern Kentucky University where he was a four-year special team’s punter.

As a teacher and coach at Dunmore, Incavido established the school’s golf team, coaching from 1965 to 1997. In 1965, he was responsible for the formation of the Lackawanna Golf League’s Southern Division. He served as president fod several years.

During his years as the golf coach, his teams won over 200 matches and were PIAA District II champions in 1975-76.

Matechak was a two-sport athlete at Scott High School. He lettered in baseball and basketball. He threw a no hitter against Clarks Summit-Abington. He was a four-year starting pitcher for the University of Scranton. He held Mountain League records for most shutouts in a season with five and most strikeouts in a nine inning game with 22. He had a 36-year PIAA officiating career.

Munley was a two sport athlete in basketball and baseball. He was an All Star pitcher for the Scranton Red Sox of the ACBL. He was a two-time Regional All Star at Lackawanna Junior College and pitched a no hitter for James Madison where he was inducted into its Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers before his career ended due to injury.

Parry won a District 12 title as coach of field hockey for Lackawanna Trail in 1975. She was Trail’s first softball coach. As Abington field hockey coach, her teams won four District 2 AAA titles. She was a Regional Director and coach for Keystone State Field Hockey games from its inception in 1981 through 2001.

Collins was a three time District II champion in the long jump, two time champion in the triple jump and three time all star at Western Wayne High School. He was a three time PIAA state medalist. He was a 1,000 point scored in basketball. He was a four time NCAA Division II Track and Field All American in the long jump at Kutztown University.

B.J. Gallis was a three sport athlete at North Pocono. As starting quarterback of the football team, he led the team to a 12-0 record. He was a three year starter at strong safety for Lafayette. He was named Patriot League defensive player of year. He played three years in the Canadian Football League and was selected to the league’s 25th anniversary team.

Peoples was a three time state qualifier in track at a Riverside High School. At Moravian, she was a three time cross country All American. She is a four time winner of the Steamtown Marathon. She has been a running coach since 2002 at both Marywood and the University of Scranton.

Rebar was a 1991 BIG 33 First Team defensive tackle, Associated Press first team all state defensive lineman, defensive player of the year and all state defensive tackle. He received the 1991 Hookey Reap Award as the top lineman in the region. He received a full scholarship to Syracuse University where he played on three Bowl championship

WNEP-TV Sports anchor Jim Coles won this year’s media award.

teams. He was Riverside head football coach from 2002 to 2005 and is now head football coach of his alma mater, Mid Valley High School.

Jim Coles worked in radio at WBQW and WILK during the 1980s. He joined WNEP-TV in 1989 and was named sports director in 1999. He covered Mike Munchak’s pro football induction ceremony in 1997, his favorite moment as a reporter.

Father Edwards serves as a catechist and chaplain at Holy Cross High School in Dunmore. He played modified softball and coached softball at Bishop O’Hara and Holy Cross. He helped coach numerous league and district title teams, including a 2001 state title, under XE McAndrew. He currently is head junior high coach at Holy Cross. This year his team won the division III title. He is currently pastor at Mary, Mother of God parish in North Scranton. He has been an integral part of the Holy Rosary Biddy Basketball program in North Scranton for many years.