By: Ray Fisher

Sunday, March 26, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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West Jefferson Hills introduced it was beginning the Hall of Fame program in the course of the 2019-20 college 12 months, however the top notch by no means was acknowledged as a result of covid-19 pandemic.

The district relaunched its program final fall and re-opened the nomination course of.

On March 4, WJHSD inducted the members into the district’s inaugural Hall of Fame lessons.

Thomas Jefferson High School graduates who’ve distinguished themselves within the areas of lecturers, arts or athletics, in addition to employees and neighborhood members, have been eligible for induction in the event that they met established standards. Nominees included former college students, lecturers, employees and neighborhood members “who have made unique and/or lasting contributions” to the district and the West Elizabeth, Jefferson Hills and Pleasant Hills communities.

A complete of 29 TJ graduates and two athletic groups have been inducted. The HOF banquet happened at Georgetown Center. Honorees traveled from as distant as San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, New York City and Florida to attend.

Kelly Langenohl Dzanaj, a 2006 TJ graduate and afternoon drive host on 100.7 The Star, served as grasp of ceremonies.

Here is a have a look at inductees in area of athletics.

Class of 2022-23

Bill Arre (2005)

Arre is the all-time main scorer in TJ boys basketball with profession 1,230 factors and in Lock Haven University males’s basketball with 2,112 factors.

At Lock Haven, Arre, a 6-foot-5 ahead, was a four-time All-PSAC choice and was named PSAC West Freshman of the Year in 2005-06. He additionally was honored as PSAC Player of the Year in 2006-07.

He at the moment is employed as a industrial salesman for South Hills Movers and is an assistant coach within the TJ boys basketball program.

“I am extremely honored and humbled to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Arre stated. “This college district and neighborhood has meant loads to me through the years, and I’ve been extremely blessed to be round so many nice folks.

“Being on the coaching staff for the JV and varsity men’s basketball team has also been rewarding to me. I have had some amazing teammates and coaches throughout the years, and I am forever grateful for that.”

Arre stated the most important influences in his athletic profession have been his father and mom (Bill and Francine).

“They always supported and believed in me, even if there were times that I didn’t believe in myself,” Arre stated. “They instilled in me at a really younger age to work laborious and at all times attempt to be one of the best. There have been numerous hours of working round to follow and video games, and so they by no means complained.

“My success today would not be possible without their love and support. This honor is not only mine but theirs, as well.”

Arre performed professionally for 4 years in Luxembourg with and towards gamers from the world over.

“It was a very high level of competition,” Arre stated. “Just to have the ability to receives a commission and make a dwelling taking part in basketball, it was a dream come true. We performed preseason video games in locations like France and Belgium. It was superb.

“People in towns in Luxembourg grew up following these teams. It’s not that big of a country, so no matter where you go, there were people who know who you are. You were pretty well respected.”

The Hall of Fame induction was a bit bittersweet for Arre as his mother, Francine, died in 2020 from a protracted battle with most cancers.

“She was a graduate of TJ and knew a lot of the families and teachers from TJ,” Arre stated, “so I know how much excitement she would have had for this induction. She was an amazing person.”

Jimbo Cramer (1972)

Cramer was voted one of the best soccer participant at school historical past in 2008. He earned all-state honors as a TJ soccer participant and was the convention Most Valuable Player on offense and protection as a senior in 1971.

He additionally performed Division I soccer, first at Ohio State, then Pitt, the place he was a member of the 1976 nationwide championship group.

After a tryout with the Seattle Seahawks, Cramer went on to educate as a graduate assistant at Pitt and later as an assistant at Brentwood.

Dom DeCicco (2007)

DeCicco is the one TJ soccer participant to cross and run for 1,000 yards in a season. He performed vast receiver, quarterback, security, cornerback and kick/punt returner at TJ and was referred to as probably the most numerous athletes within the state his senior 12 months, passing and speeding for greater than 1,000 yards and likewise returning a kick and punt for a landing. He accounted for two,196 yards and 32 touchdowns as a senior.

DeCicco led the Jaguars to 1 PIAA and two WPIAL championships in soccer and was a four-year letterman in basketball, scoring 1,028 profession factors.

He went on to a four-year profession as a robust security at Pitt. In 2009, he was named to the All-Big East group.

He was signed by the NFL’s Chicago Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2011 and likewise performed for Tampa Bay and Minnesota.

“I’m very honored be inducted,” DeCicco stated. “The college has had a protracted historical past of success in lecturers, arts and sports activities. Ever since I can bear in mind, TJ has been the gold normal for sustained success in all sports activities.

“There have been many great teams to come through TJ and, obviously, with that comes many great individuals in their respected sports. To be recognized as one at a school like TJ is pretty special.”

DeCicco had excessive reward for 2 foremost influences on his athletic profession: his dad, Dom, head coach of the TJ boys basketball program, and Bill Cherpak, TJ’s athletic director and head soccer coach.

“My dad has been there every step of the way for me throughout my life,” DeCicco stated. “I used to be a hard-headed child that was obsessive about sports activities and being one of the best. I used to be laborious on myself once I failed and his response was at all times, ‘Work harder.’

“We spent countless nights practicing at baseball parks, basketball courts and football fields, just the two of us. The work ethic he instilled in me from a young age is why I had the success I had.”

Cherpak is the all-time winningest coach in TJ soccer historical past. He is thought belovedly as “Cherp” to the TJ athletes and pupil physique.

“I’ve had a lot of coaches at every level that made an impact on my life but none to the level of Cherp,” DeCicco stated. “He was the one one that had increased expectations for myself than I did. Whenever I assumed I couldn’t push myself any tougher, he taught me it was doable.

“He didn’t care who you were or what your status was on the team; everyone was equally held accountable. It was always about the team and what’s best for the team. To be able to be coached by the best football coach in that state’s history is rare and something I don’t take for granted. He is one of my biggest mentors and closest friends to this day and I am forever grateful to him.”

DeCicco, a 2007 TJ graduate, is employed as an space scout for the San Francisco 49ers.

Leo Giel (1994)

Giel starred in soccer, wrestling and hockey. He positioned fourth twice on the PIAA wrestling championships. He was lauded as a male athlete of the 12 months at Rider in 1998-99 after inserting sixth on the NCAA wrestling event to cap a 34-2 season and a 111-35 profession report.

Giel was 7-7 in three journeys to nationals in his profession. As a junior, Giel beat two wrestlers who have been nationwide champions and positioned third on the prestigious Midlands Tournament. Following his faculty profession, he was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Rider.

John Harchar (1973)

Harchar was a PIAA champion within the discus and shot put in 1973 and was a three-year starter in soccer. He was a two-time all-state choice and was chosen to compete within the Big 33 Classic. He additionally was a varsity letterman in boys basketball.

John Zeiler (2001)

Zeiler led the TJ hockey group to a few Pennsylvania and Penguin Cup championships as a participant. In 2022, he guided the Jaguars to their first Penguins Cup title since 2000 in his first 12 months because the group’s head coach.

His junior coaching was with Sioux City of the USHL and with the Pittsburgh Hornets AAA program. Prior to the NHL, he performed faculty hockey at St. Lawrence.

In 2007, Zeiler signed with the L.A. Kings and made his NHL debut on Feb. 17, 2007 towards the Anaheim Ducks. Five days later, he scored his first NHL objective towards the Vancouver Canucks.

After 5 seasons throughout the Kings group, Zeiler left to signal overseas within the German DEL with Augsburger Panther.

2001 TJ women volleyball group

Competing in Class 2A, the 2001 group captured TJ’s first WPIAL women volleyball championship.

Class of 2019-20

Richard Costanzo (2004)

A two-time All-American in boys soccer, Costanzo scored a school-record 124 objectives in three years and led TJ to the PIAA Class 2A boys title in 2002.

He at the moment is head coach of the lads’s soccer program at George Mason. Costanzo joined the Patriots in 2022 after 5 seasons as an assistant at Pitt. He additionally spent three years as an assistant at Army from 2014-17.

Costanzo performed at Penn State (2004-05), the place he was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year and was chosen as a freshman All-American. He transferred to Maryland (2006-08) and, as a senior, captained the 2008 squad to the NCAA Division I nationwide title and ACC championship.

Costanzo performed professionally with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Rochester Rhinos and Minnesota Thunder of the USSL.

He was a member of the U18 National Team in 2004 and Olympic Development Program from 2002-05.

“I am truly honored to be inducted considering all the great athletes that have come through WJHSD,” Costanzo stated. “I loved my time taking part in at TJ and all of the lifelong relationships I’ve developed alongside the way in which.

“I want to thank my coach, Doc Kulish, for the incredible experience at TJ, for leading us to the state championship, and for the relationship we have developed over the years.”

Costanzo stated his mother and father, Rich and Renee, had a serious influence on his taking part in profession.

“They always supported my ambitions and went above and beyond to help me reach my goals,” Costanzo stated. “They have been there for me via all of the ups and downs. I’m eternally grateful to them.

Costanzo, inducted into the Heinz History Hall of Fame in 2012, was chosen to talk to the Hall of Fame viewers on behalf of the athletics inductees.

“The ceremony was really nice and professionally done,” Costanzo stated.

Kelli Miller Dimidjian (1989)

Dimidjian ranks third in profession scoring in TJ women basketball with 1,290 factors, and along with her twin sister Karri was named to play within the first Girls Roundball All-Star Classic in 1989.

She additionally helped lead the ladies basketball and softball groups two part championships.

Dr. William Edmonds (1981)

Edmonds is vice chairman for enrollment administration at Edinboro University. He was a starter at defensive finish/tight finish on TJ’s first WPIAL championship soccer group in 1980. He additionally competed on the boys basketball group.

Mike Kopinski

Kopinski was a district trainer and coach. He taught for 35 years and was monitor and area coach and cross nation coach for 25 years. Kopinski coached eight particular person state champions and his groups gained 68 consecutive twin meets.

Karri Miller Lockhart (1989)

Lockhart is the all-time chief in profession scoring in TJ women basketball with 1,357 factors, and along with her twin sister Kelli was named to play within the first Girls Roundball All-Star Classic in 1989.

She additionally helped lead the ladies basketball and softball group win two part championships.

Baptiste ‘Bap’ Manzini

Manzini was inducted posthumously. He taught and was coach of the TJ soccer program for 16 years and by no means had a shedding season. He was coach of the Jaguars’ first WPIAL championship soccer group in 1980, profitable the title in his remaining sport at TJ.

Manzini attended Saint Vincent College, the place he was an all-state middle. He later performed in three seasons within the NFL from 1944-48 with the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions.

When his taking part in profession ended, he coached highschool soccer for 30 years on the former Belmar High and at TJ. His profession report was 203-74-8.

Dr. Mark Onaitis (1989)

Onaitis graduated as TJ’s valedictorian in 1989 and now’s chief of thoracic surgical procedure on the UC San Diego College of Medicine. He was a beginning quarterback within the TJ soccer program and likewise a starter, alongside along with his twin brother Matt, on the boys basketball group.

In his junior 12 months, the TJ hoopsters racked up among the best seasons at school historical past. The Jaguars superior to the WPIAL championship sport and completed as a WPIAL runner-up.

Matt Onaitis (1989)

Onaitis is chief monetary officer at Mainstay Medical Holdings PLC. He was a starter on the TJ boys basketball group as a senior alongside along with his twin brother Mark.

Marla Puryear (1989)

Puryear was a six-time WPIAL particular person champion in monitor and area and gained PIAA women 100- and 200-meter occasions in 1986, 1988 and 1989. She was inducted posthumously.

1980 TJ soccer group

The 1980 group gained TJ’s first WPIAL soccer championship at school historical past and completed with a 12-1 report.

The Jaguars had a deep group of proficient gamers that season, and group leaders included this likes Darnell Stone, Pedro Bowman, Kevin Russell, Chuck Pukansky, Bob Garchak, Gary Natter, Billy Edmonds and Bill McCormick.

Jeff Nelson, public relations coordinator for WJHSD, contributed to this story.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson