This year, I asked Ted Silary and Amauro Austin to vote for inductees into the Hall. I only voted in cases of ties and amongst people voted on by either Mar and Ted. We completed the voting a week before Mansion defeated Bartram in the Public League Semifinals. I changed the format of voting slightly as you can see. And next year it will be adjusted to give different sports a chance for more inductees. So what was the delay in posting the results? Well let's say..... the Chairman was waiting for the inductees to go in roughly the same times seniors graduated from High School. (Still late.) How about the 4th of July? (Still Late.) Finally, whenever I could get it done. (Well, it worked.)

  In addition to the selections below. I will reveal two "chairman selections." In the future, I will accopmlish the difficult task of creating similar Hall of Fames for the Catholic League and Inter-Ac - thus creating the Philadelphia Scholastic Sports Hall of Fame. And with the help of sponsors, we can have a building soon. And if it is any incentive to the city of Philadelphia you can have this city entity named after you, if you fit the bill. (Unlike how the greedy Eagles sold the naming rights.) And we can have plenty of events, tournaments, banquets etc. for the benefit of the benefit of the Hall. Hopefully, next year we can have a citywide election for the inductees. At least somebody else would get the constant ripping I've received for not selecting people in to the Hall. Without further delay.............

Roderick Coleman (Simon Gratz) Class of 1994
  First Team All-City and 3rd Team All-State as a senior. Coleman later starred at East Carolina. As a four-year letterman and record breaking defensive tackle. Coleman established a team record in sacks while becoming a Butkus award finalist, and an All-Conference USA selection. Coleman is a four-year veteran of the National Football League and is a stalwart for the Oakland Raiders.

Rich Drayton (Central) Class of 1987
  One of the top wide receivers ever produced by the League. Drayton, an exceptional pass catcher was named to the 1980's All-Decade Teams for the Public League and the City. As a junior, he had 600 receiving yards and set the City standard for yards per catch. (25.0 ypr)

Uhuru "Joby" Hamiter (Jules Mastbaum) Class of 1991
  A standout receiver at Mastbaum, Hamiter teamed with Marc Baxter and Barry Williams to lead Mastbaum to its first Public League Championship in Football. In college he switched to the defensive line and found success. He was a standout at Delaware State before taking his talents to the NFL Europe. Hamiter has played in the National Football League with the Eagles and currently is signed to the expansion Houston Texans. Hamiter also excelled in basketball at Mastbaum.

Kevin Ingram (Murrell Dobbins Tech) Class of 1980
  Ingram is regarded by some as the most talented quarterback in the history of the League. Played for legendary coach Bob Smith. Ingram played in college at Villanova and East Carolina, as well as in the Canadian Football League.

Mike Jarmoluk (Frankford) Class of 1940
  One of the greatest linemen ever produced by the Public League. An all-state performer at Frankford High School, he also excelled at basketball. At Temple University, he starred in football, basketball, track and wrestling. He played in the 1945 Blue-Gray All-Star Classic. He was inducted into the Temple University Hall of Fame in 1975. In the NFL, he played for two World Championship teams: the 1946 Chicago Bears and the 1949 Philadelphia Eagles. He played in the NFL for 10 years and was named to the 1954 Pro Bowl. Jarmoluk is considered one of the best football players ever from the Delaware Valley.

Leroy Kelly (Simon Gratz) Class of 1960
  Kelly began his career as a Quarterback at Gratz. He later went on to promience at Morgan State in Baltimore. But in the professional ranks he achieved true stardom. He was six time All-Pro selection and two time NFL rushing titles (1967 &1968). Throughout his NFL career (1964-1973) all with the Cleveland Browns he totaled 90 touchdowns and 12,329 combined yardage including 7,274 yards rushing. Kelly was inducteed into the Football Hall of Fame in 1994.

Irvin "Bo" Roberson (John Bartram) Class of 1952
  One of the top scholar athletes in the history of Philadelphia sports. Roberson also excelled at basketball and track. He was a Silver Medalist in the 1960 Olympics in Rome. After starring at Bartram, he attended Cornell University and played professionally in the AFL with the Miami Dolphins amongst others. He was a consistent wide receiver throughout a stellar professional career. His high school accomplishments included : being named to the 1952 -All Scholastic Team.

Erik Williams (John Bartram) Class of 1986
  From an obscure junior varsity player as an 11th grader at Bartram to being called by John Madden "the best Offensive Lineman in football" by the mid-90's. Williams' career is a tribute to the spirit of the Public League. Four time Pro Bowler and Three time All -Pro. Blocked for Troy Aikman and Emmitt Smith llikely Hall of Famers, and anchored an offensive line that provided the backbone of three Super Bowl Championships in four Years -Only team ever to do that.

Nate "Day-Day" Blackwell (Southern) Class of 1983
  One of the top players in the history of Temple University Basketball, Blackwell began to gain recognition with the Southern Rams. Blackwell was the Markward Club's Public League Player of the Year, given to the league's top senior. Blackwell's playing career at Temple included being named Big 5 MVP in 1987. He was voted All-Big 5 twice. And was a key player on two Owl teams that made the NCAA tournament. After Temple, he played professionally for a short time with the San Antonio Spurs. After spending time at Coppin State as an assistant, he came back to Temple and is considered one of the top Assistants in the college game.

John Chaney (Benjamin Franklin) Class of 1951
  As a player at Benjamin Franklin High in the early 1950's, Chaney led his school to the Public League title game as a senior. He tied the postseason Public League scoring record with 25 points in a semifinal win. Later he went on to be a superstar guard at Bethune-Cookman in Florida. Chaney returned to Philadelphia and gained acclaim as a coach: first at Simon Gratz High School, then at Cheyney University where he won a Division II national championship and finally at Temple University, where he has become a Philadelphia Icon like the Liberty Bell and the Cheesesteak. Chaney was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in the fall of 2001.

Anthony Chennault (Frankford) Class of 1981
  Early 80's Public League star, led his team to the Public League Championship game as a senior. Chennault was an All-City selection as a senior, All-Public and Daily News City Player of the Year. Chennault, a playground legend, from his youth, played at Frankford with such talents as Rico Washington and Ralph Lewis. Chennault was the last player cut by the New Jersey Nets in training camp in '86 and then went on to shine overseas in Europe for over twelve years.

Tony Costner (Overbrook) Class of 1980
  One of the city's most accomplished big men. Costner as a sophomore was a key player on February 21st 1978 when Overbrook ended West Philadelphia's state record 68 game winning streak. Costner was a star player on the last two city title teams in 1979 and 1980. The 1979 team finsihed 34-1 and the 1980 team finished 34-0. Both teams are considered by most experts two of the best teams ever produced by Pennsylvania Schoolboy basketball. He later went on to St. Joseph's University and was that school leading career scorer for quite some. He played professionally in the NBA and later stared overseas.

Faron "Meatball" Hand (Franklin Learning Center) Class of 1992
  One of the most impressive scoring forwards in the history of the "Pub," Hand was named All-Public three years in succession. He was the leading votegetter for the 1992 All-Public Team. Hand led FLC to its only Public League Title in 1992. In the title game, he battled then junior All-American Rasheed Wallace. Hand registered 14 points and 16 rebounds. A standout at Dixie Junior College (Utah) and an All-Big West Performer at Nevada, Hand plays professionally in Europe. Hand totaled 1,622 points in his four-year varisty carreer. His 1992 FLC team finished the year ranked #3 in the Nation by USA TODAY. Nicknamed "Meatball" because of his 6-7 260 pound frame.

Ralph Heyward (Overbrook) Class of 1959
  A highly accomplished high school basketball player. Heyward was the star player on three city championship teams. (57-59. ) He was named an All-American as a senior. Heyward was named Overall City player of the year by the Markward Club. After high school, he attended Kansas and Seattle University. At Seattle, he was a prominent player as well.

Wayne Hightower (Overbrook) Class of 1958
  One of the city's early basketball sensations, Hightower followed Wilt Chamberlain at Overbrook and Kansas. Hightower was a starter on the 1957 and 1958 Public League and City Championships teams. In the 1958 City Title Game he registered 23 points and 18 rebounds, as Overbook finished undefeated at 22-0. At Kansas, he excelled as well earning All-American Honors and performing admirably in the NCAA Tournament. Eventually he was the 5th pick in the NBA Draft. Hightower was a consistent player throughout his NBA career. He was also very influential in the rise to promience of the American Basketball Association (ABA), when he joined the league during the twilight of his career, he gave the upstart league legitimacy in the eyes of the basketball Public.

Wali Jones(Overbrook) Class of 1960
  Played on two Public League and city championship teams in 1958 & 1959. Registered 24 points in the 1959 City Championship a 72-53 triumph. As a sophomore, he teamed with Wayne Hightower and Walt Hazzard on an undefeated 22-0 team at Overbrook. All three became college All-Americans and had successful professional careers. Played collegiately at Villanova. 3 Time All-Big 5 selection. Named Big 5's outstanding player 1963 and 1964. All-Eastern Region NCAA Tournament in 1964. Named 2nd Team All-American by Converse. Starter on 1967 NBA Champion, Philadelphia 76ers, one of the Greatest NBA Teams ever.

Jackie Moore (Overbrook) Class of 1949
  One of the true pioneers in Philadelphia's sports history. Moore was the first prominent African-American athlete in the city. Before the professional franchises became integrated, his dominant play at Overbrook paved the way for other athletes in the city. As a professional he played for the Philadelphia Warriors.

Doug Overton (Murrell Dobbins) Class of 1987
  As a sophomore in 1985, he was a starter on Murrell Dobbins' only Public League Championship team. Later as a senior, he was an All-City performer, and was Daily News Player of the Year. 1987 Overall City Player of the Year by the Markward Club as City's top senior. Overton was a 3 time All-Big 5 selection at LaSalle. He teamed with Lionel Simmons (Southern) and Randy Woods (Franklin) on LaSalle's 1990 nationally ranked 30-2 team that led the Nation in winning percentage. A first round selection in the 1991 draft, he has played in the NBA for ten years with Philadelphia and Washington among the teams he has provided service.

Shawn "Reds" Smith ( Simon Gratz) Class of 1994
  Smith is one of the all-time winners in the history of high school sports. He won three Public League titles (1991, 1993 and 1994). He was a member of the 1991 ESPN National Championship team at Gratz as a freshman. He was the starting point guard on Simon Gratz's 1993, 31-0 undefeated team that was named National Champion by all major publications. (USA TODAY, Parade Magazine, Streets &Smith etc. ) As a sophomore, he registered one of the best underclassmen tournament performances in the history of the Beach Ball Classic. (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina). As a senior was named to the National High School Coaches Association All-Star Game. After, being named All-City by the Daily News and All-Southeastern PA by the Inquirer, he played at LaSalle for two years, becoming a solid college player.

Rico Washington (Franklin) Class of 1983
  A Public League legend at Frankford when as a sophomore he was a starter on a team that made it to the league Championship. As a junior, he outplayed (37 points and 11 rebounds) Billy Thompson, nation's top senior at Camden despite a 85-80 loss in the Pepsi Challenge. Was leading votegetter by the Public League Coaches Association twice. (As a junior at Frankford and a senior at Franklin.) After a solid career at Gloucester Junior College, Washington went on to star at Weber State. He scored 1,196 points in only two years. He averaged 22.1 points and 10.8 rebounds as a senior.

Brandit Copper (William Penn) Class of 1996 Track
  One of the top 110 hurdles in the history of the state, Copper is one of the great triumphs of Coach Tim Hickey's storied Lady Lions track programs. Copper remains the state record holder in the event. Copper teamed with three teammates for the state record in the 4x200 meter relays. After high school, she starred at Alabama becoming one of the top runners in the Southeastern Conference and competed well in the Olympic Trials in 2000.

Desmond DaCosta (Overbrook) Class of 1980 Track
  One of the top track & field athletes ever produced from the East Coast. DaCosta was one of the most highly regarded schoolboy high jumpers in history. Also, considered a stud in the long jump. He was a star during a period in which Overbrook High School was a track powerhouse nationally. Was named the Most Outstanding High School male athlete at the Penn Relays in 1980.

Howie Freiling (Northeast) Class of 1984 Baseball
  First team All-City three straight years. He homered 3 times in his first varsity game against Olney. Regarded as one of the top power hitters in the history of City Baseball and the Public League. Played professionally and is now a manager in the Mets' farm system.

Allen Laws (West Philadelphia) Class of 1983 Track
   Star performer for Speedboy relay teams that lit up the Penn Relays.

Jeff Leonard (Overbrook) Class of 1973 Baseball
  A Phillie scout saw Jeff Leonard strikeout three times against George Riley of Southern. (Who made the Major Leagues, as well.) He wasn't impressed. On another day, a Dodgers scout saw Leonard and took a chance on him. Four years later, he was in the Major Leagues. Leonard was a two-time Major League All-Star (1987 &1989). He played for the Dodgers,Giants, and Mariners amonsgt others in a 13 year MLB career. With the Giants in '87, he was named Most Valuable Player of National League Championship Series despite the Giants losing the series 4-3 to the St. Louis Cardinals. Leonard hit 4 homers in that series' four first games. A respected slugger, he twice finished in the top 10 in roundtrippers in the National League.

Doug Connelly (West Philadelphia) Basketball
  Coach on three City championship teams and six Public League championship teams. Connelly contriubuted greatly to a West Philly basketball tradition that has produced 18 Public League Titles. Connelly had a carrer record of 307-98. And won 18 playoff games.

Charlie Hicks (Germantown ) Football
  A trailblazing coach and one of the area's top football minds. As a rookie coach, Hicks ' 1982 Germantown team took home the Public League Championship after an outstanding undefeated season.Hicks was the first African-American Coach to win the Public League Football Championship. Hicks team's won 4 Division Championships. He is preceded to the Hall of Fame by two of his players, Lance Johnstone and Spencer Whetts.

Mark "Max" Levin (Overbrook ) Basketball
  The winning coach in the last two city championship games. His career totals at Overbrook is 306-145 including a 20-11 mark in the Public League Playoffs. Levin was Overbrook's coach on February 21st 1978, when Overbrook snapped West Philadelphia's 68 game state record winning streak. Levin served the Public League as the President of the Public League Coaches Association. He also coached football at Overbrook in the early 70's.

Tom Mullineaux (Frankford) Football
  One of the winningiest coaches in Public League History. Mullineaux coached two of the Public League's best teams ever, the 1996 and 1997 Pioneer teams that won back to back League Championships led by legendary half-back Eddie Gaskins. Mullineaux 's teams have been noted for their superior defensive play.

Worthington "Odie" Surrick (Frankford) Football
  Coach at Frankford for 21 years. Surrick had a career record of 128-61-8. And a winning percentage of .677. Established a winning tradition at school which was followed in later years by Al Angelo and Tom Mullineaux. Despite success never won a playoff game. 0-6-1 playoff record.

Chairman's Selections

Javer Dillard (Germantown) Class of 1995
  One of the great receivers in Public League History. Dillard set a Germantown record with 666 yards in the 1994 season. All-City receiver and one of the great players of an impressive era in Public League Football (1992-1997).

Ronald "Flip" Murray (Strawberry Mansion) Class of 1997
  One of the Public League's All-Time Crowd Favorites. Flip achieved Division II Player of the Year in 2002 at Shaw University and was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the Second Round of the NBA Draft.

William "Sonny" Hill (Old Northeast) Class of 1953
  Connected to the most corporate sponsors in the world, would have been a smart selection so that I can get the Hall built. Oh well, sorry Mr. Hill, "Flip" got drafted and he attends more "Pub" games than you.