Whitehall HOF class is named announced
The Athletic Hall of Fame Committee in the Whitehall-Coplay School District is proud to announce its Athletic Hall of Fame for the Class of 2019.
Five individuals will be honored at the induction ceremony, which will take place on Friday, Jan. 18, at Whitehall High School. The ceremony will be prior to the varsity boys’ basketball game between Bethlehem Catholic and Whitehall, at approximately 6:45 p.m. The varsity game versus Bethlehem Catholic will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m.
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The Hall of Fame Class of 2019 includes: Donald H. Gantz, Tracy (Golly) Becker, Rob Gontkosky, Jerry Radocha and Chad Schwenk.
Donald H. Gantz, Class of 1960, was Whitehall’s first ever District XI Wrestling Champion, winning his title in 1960 in the 168-pound weight class. A dual sport athlete in wrestling and track field, Gantz led his track and field team in scoring in his senior season.
Tracy (Golly) Becker, Class of 1983, still holds the Whitehall record in the javelin with a throw of 127-11. She was also a PIAA qualifier. Golly was also a member of the cheerleading team during her career at Whitehall.
Rob Gontkosky, Class of 1990, stood out on the basketball court and baseball diamond for the Zephyrs. Whitehall’s Male Athlete of the Year in 1990, “Gunner” was a member of three 1st Team EPC all-star teams in his sports. After a successful baseball career at Rider University, Gontkosky was drafted by the New York Mets and pitched in their farm system for two seasons. He joins his father, Bob, into the Whitehall Athletic Hall of Fame.
Jerry Radocha had an outstanding coaching career at Whitehall, leading the boys’ basketball team to seven championships (4 league and 3 District XI), finishing with 193 career wins. The 2004 Morning Call Coach of the Year, his 2003-04 and 2004-05 teams won back to back District XI titles. He coached at Whitehall for 25 seasons.
Chad Schwenk, Class of 1999, was an accomplished three-sport athlete for the Zephyrs, accumulating numerous honors along the way including Morning Call Player of the Year, Big 33 player, and five first team all-league honors in his sports. Whitehall’s Male Athlete of the Year in 1999, Schwenk played quarterback at Rutgers University and Lehigh University and was once Big East and ESPN Player of the Week.
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The hall of fame committee is also soliciting additional nominees to be considered for the hall of fame. A nomination form can be found at the athletic link of the Whitehall-Coplay School District website, www.zephyrathletics.com or by contacting Athletic Director Bob Hartman at Whitehall High School.