Jun 17, 2016 4 min read

BELLE VERNON – There were plenty of smiles, laughter and stories shared Friday night at the 23rd Mid Mon Valley All-Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet at the Willow Room.

Eight inductees were added to the hall of fame and 18 senior scholar-athletes, including 10 from the Observer-Reporter’s coverage area, were honored.

The inductees were Dr. John Ballein (football), Bobby Burns (football, basketball and track), Jim Edwards (football and wrestling), Keith Bassi (football), Joseph Fedorchik (gymnastics), Ken Kulak (football, basketball, baseball), Dave Papak (football and basketball) and Wilbert “Barney” Wolfe (baseball).

The local scholar-athletes selected by the schools were Ty Mitchell and Heather Chester of Bentworth; Casey Zajicek and Destiny Gudel of California; Michael Kondratik and Kyra Watkins of Charleroi; Zachary Baker and Shelby Minardi of Moneesen and Ringgold’s Doug Gudenburr and Katherine Minardi.

Master of ceremonies was Doug Lee, the President of Waynesburg University.

“I am honored to be here,” he said. “This is a special evening.”

Ballein, a multi-sport athlete at Bentworth in the 1970s who went on to play football at IUP and coach at Virginia Tech, was the first inductee honored.

“I am truly humbled, blessed and honored to be inducted.” he said.

Bassi, who was an all-WPIAL fullback at Ringgold and played on two Ivy league championship teams as middle guard at Yale, said he was surprised to be inducted.

“Before I talk to you, I want you to know how overwhelmed and thankful I am to be here,” he said. “I never thought that I would be inducted.”

Burns credited his success at Monessen at California State College to his hometown.

“I am a product of the community,” he said of moving to Monessen in the sixth grade. “To the great people of the Mon Valley, thank you. This is the greatest night of my life.”

Edwards was a honorable mention all-state football player and WPIAL wrestling champion at Charleroi who went on to play football at Indiana State.

“I have never been an ‘I’ guy, where it was about me,” he said. “I am thrilled by this.”

Fedorchik, Jr., a 1966 Bellmar High School graduate, died March 28th and was represented by family friend Joanne Giannini.

“He was like a brother and our families were very close,” she said. “He is proud of this.”

Kulak, of California, died April 26th and was represented by his son, Ken II, and he spoke from the heart.

“I will not get sad, and this is a celebration for us,” he said of his family. “On behalf of my mother, sister, my late sister, and our late father, I thank everyone who was in on this decision.”

Papak, a Brigadier General, who played high school ball at Mon Valley Catholic, followed and was greeted by a standing ovation from the sold out crowd of 400 at the Willow Room.

“Thank you, and what a night,” he said. “This is one of the highest honors that I have ever received.”

Before finishing, Papak turned his attention to his father, who turned 100 two weeks ago and was in attendance.

“Thank you dad, for never missing a game,” he said. “Happy birthday and Happy Father’s Day.”

Wolfe was represented by his great-nephew Scott Wolfe.

“On behalf of our family, I am honored to accept this” he said of his uncle. “This is great for the family and great for him.”

Bill Kubin was awarded the 2016 Appreciation Award, given to a hall of fame committee member for his contributions.

Also recognized was the Belle Vernon wrestling team that won the school’s first WPIAL team title.

Five local athletes were honored for WPIAL championships: Belle Vernon sophomore wrestler Zach Hartman (132 pounds) and senior wrestler Derek Verkleeren (152), Monessen senior Raymond Sitton (110-meter high hurdles), Monessen senior Audre’y Bolton (100 dash), and Brownsville senior Maris Seto (high jump).