Our History

Author: Rich Pagano

The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 1962 with only three regions or chapters, representing basically the Philadelphia, the Pittsburgh and the Harrisburg Carlisle areas.

The first induction banquet was held in 1963, and the Hall of Fame was incorporated as a non-profit in 1965. That first induction ceremony included some of the greatest athletes ever produced in Pennsylvania. Athletes such as: Chuck Bednarik, Glenn Killinger, Connie Mack, Stan Musial, Arnold Palmer, and Jim Thorpe were a part of that inaugural group.

Paul Boltz, a past president of the Hall of Fame, said, “Five men served as the nucleus of the organization during its first seven years.” Boltz became president in 1969, and under his direction, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame expanded into 28 chapters with a membership of 6,000 covering the four regions of the state.

Charlie Tomasco was on hand when the idea to kick-start the Delaware County Chapter took shape back in 1968. Tomasco, who coached football at Clifton Heights High School for many years, was a vice-principal at Bartram High when he established the Delco Chapter.

“Back then we had to have 50 members to get the chapter started,” remembered Tomasco. “Guys like Fritz Brennan and Harry Duke from Clifton were charter members. We didn’t have the big banquets like we had later. Tomasco, during an interview in 1996, explained the chapter’s growth: “We certainly couldn’t have been as succesful as we have been if it weren’t for all of the people who have been here since day one. People like: Tony Caia, C.D. Donato, Dr. Bill Mackrides, Carmen Liberatore, and Len Paradise are just a few of the long-time Delco Chapter people who helped turn a germ of an idea 28 years ago into the thriving organization it is today.”

“It’s been a labor of love.”

As part of its underlying philosophy as a non-profit Sports Hall of Fame, the organization was setup to perpetuate the memory of athletes, male and female, who have brought lasting fame and recognition to Pennsylvania through their athletic achievements.

Also eligible for the distinctive honor of induction into the Sports Hall of Fame are people who have brought fame and recognition to the state and its chapters through their contributions to sports from a managerial, promotional, or other influential capacity.