The qualified male or female athlete(s) shall be chosen for his/her loyalty to the Alumni Association. This award shall be recognized an alumnus for his/her contributions to the Deaf community and/or sports program twenty (20) years after his/her graduation or departure from the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.
List of honorable biography of Athletic Hall of Fame in based on chronology order for date of the award.
Eugene Stangarone – 1984
- Enrolled on November 1918 & graduated in 1931
- Post-graduated in 1932
- WPSD basketball star
- All-American Deaf Basketball Player in 1931
- ESDAA Basketball Champion in 1932
- Mythical National Champion in 1932
- First alumnus to be inducted into the WPSD Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984
- Received the Alumni Merit Award in 2020
- Worked as an auto repair man for many years
- Died on March 11, 1986
Anthony Crino – 1987
- Enrolled WPSD but left in 1944
- At WPSD
- Soccer
- Basketball Star
- Deaf Clubs
- Basketball Player
- Inducted into the Eastern Athletic Association of the Deaf Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the American Athletic Association of the Deaf Hall of Fame in 1986
- Received the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1987
- Retired in 1993 after 45 years of service at WPSD
- Died on February 16, 2009, aged 85
Michael Dorrell – 1990
- Graduated in 1957
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 4 yrs.
- Basketball – 4 yrs.
- 2 yrs. Captain
- 3-times All Stars at ESSDA
- All American Basketball Player (1956 & 1957)
- Deaflympic
- USA Basketball Team
- Won both gold in 1961 and 1965
- Flag bearer in 1965
- USA Hall of Fame – Athlete in 1983
- USA Basketball Team
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 1990
Joseph Jezerski – 1993
- Born on August 22, 1935 in Weirton, West Virginia
- Attended the West Virginia School for the Deaf
- Graduated in 1955
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 4 yrs.
- Basketball – 4 yrs.
- All Stars at ESDAA
- Loyal to the Alumni Association
- Retired from the Pittsburgh Press/Post-Gazette after 35 years
- Received the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993
- Donated to the Alumni Giving Tree
- Retired as a printer
- Died on February 9, 2018 in Boynton Beach, Florida at the age of 82
Stanley Puzausky – 1993
- Graduated from WPSD in 1933
- At WPSD
- Basketball
- 1 yr. Captain
- ESDAA Basketball Champion in 1932
- Basketball
- Was a basketball player for deaf clubs for many years
- Received the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993
Paul Savanick – 1993
- Enrolled WPSD in 1923 but left in 1933
- At WPSD
- Basketball – 3 yrs.
- ESDAA Basketball Championship in 1932
- Baseball
- Basketball – 3 yrs.
- Played baseball with hearing league for several years
- Was an officer for the Alumni Association for 9 years
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 1993
- Retired as a printer at Mennonite Publishing House
- Died on March 8, 1995 at the age of 83
Jack Antal – 1996
- Graduated in 1961
- At WPSD
- Soccer
- Basketball – 3 yrs.
- 1 yr. Captain
- All American Basketball Player in 1960
- Deaflympic
- Basketball Team, both gold in 1961 and 1969
- Soccer Team, no medal in 1965
- Donated to the Alumni Giving Tree
- Received the USA Hall of Fame – Athlete in 1990
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 1996
Rita Mowl – 1996
- Graduated in 1972
- At WPSD
- Volleyball – 4 yrs.
- Basketball – 4 yrs.
- Field Hockey – 2 yrs.
- Softball – 6 yrs.
- Girls’ Athletic Association – 3 yrs.
- Most Outstanding Athlete in 1970
- At Thiel College
- Volleyball – 3 yrs.
- Basketball – 1 yr.
- Athletic Hall of Fame Women in 1997
- At Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf (PAD)
- Softball
- Volleyball
- Outstanding Athlete in 2017
- Softball for Chicago Club of the Deaf (CCD)
- Bowler – 20 yrs.
- Law Chair for Eastern Women Bowling Association (EWBA) – 1 yr.
- Secretary/Treasurer of American Deaf Women Bowling Association (GLDWBA) – 14 yrs.
- ADWBA Hall of Fame as a leader in 1996
- Athlete Hall of Fame in 1996
- At Indiana School for the Deaf (ISD)
- Established girls softball team in 2005
- Coach only for a year
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 1993
- Retired as a teacher at Whitney Young High School for 14 years and at the Indiana School for the Deaf for 20 years in 2013
Michael Chuto – 1999
- Graduated in 1970
- At WPSD
- Soccer
- Wrestling
- Won twice individual champions in WPSD Wrestling Tournament in 1968 and 1969
- Track/Field
- ESDAA Track Tournament Champions in 1968 & 1969
- Broke 2 records in Shot Put & Discus
- Most Outstanding Athlete in 1968
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 1999
- Retired a painter
David Glenn – 1999
- Graduated in 1973
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 3 yrs.
- Basketball – 3 yrs.
- Track – 4 yrs.
- ESDAA Track Tournament Champion in 1968 & 1969
- Broke 2 WPSD and ESDAA Track records in 880 yards dash & Mile Run
- All-American Track in 1971
- Varsity Letter Club – 3 yrs.
- Most Outstanding Athlete in 1971
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 1999
- Retired as a farmer in 2010 after all his life
Walla (Franer) Harding – 1999
- Graduated in 1967
- At WPSD
- Athlete in all sports including cheerleader
- First Female Most Outstanding Athlete in 1965
- Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf
- Softball for many years
- CAAD Hall of Fame in 1997
- Athlete Hall of Fame in 1999
- Retired as a custodian at Post Office
- Died on November 2016
Harry Lewis – 2002
- Graduated in 1966
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 2 yrs.
- Basketball – 4 yrs.
- Track – 4 yrs.
- Most Outstanding Athlete in 1966
- Flint Association of the Deaf
- Slo-pitch softball
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Golf
- Flag football
- Member since 1968
- Involving all officers except Treasurer
- Member of Great Lakes Deaf Bowling Association (1968-99)
- Member of Central Athletic Association of the Deaf (1968-80)
- Buick recreation
- Fast-pitch softball
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2002
- Retired from General Motors Buick Motor Division for 30 years
Paula Tajc – 2002
- Graduated in 1976
- At WPSD
- Volleyball – 3 yrs.
- Basketball – 3 yrs.
- Softball – 3 yrs.
- Girls’ Athletic Association – 2 yrs.
- Most Outstanding Athlete in 1975
- Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf
- Softball
- Volleyball
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2002
Valentine Wojton – 2002
- Graduated from WPSD in 1976
- Enrolled Gallaudet College and graduated in 1981
- At WPSD
- Athletic Director (2002-2023)
- Assistant Coach & Head Coach in all sports including girls’ sports
- Advisor in many organizations for many years
- Soccer Coach won 6 times National Soccer Team of the Year
- Titles: 2004, 2008, 2016, 2017 and 2018
- National Softball Association of the Deaf (NSAD)
- Commissioner (2002-2006 & 2008-2010)
- Deputy Commissioner (2001)
- Chairperson for the GLDBA Tournament here in Pittsburgh
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2002
- Retired from WPSD in 2023
G. Wesley Dickson – 2005
- Graduated from WPSD in 1948
- Enrolled Gallaudet College and graduated in 1953
- At WPSD
- Soccer
- Basketball
- ESDAA Basketball Champion in 1948
- Worked at WPSD
- Assistant Varsity Boys’ Basketball team
- Junior Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach
- Retired as a teacher in 1982 after 27 years of service
- Board of Trustee Member (1994-2017)
- Retired in 2017 as Board of Trustee Member after a total of 50 years of service to WPSD
- Alumni Association
- President (1960-62)
- Trustees (1965-72)
- Member at Large (1993-96 & 2005-11)
- Served Alumni Association for 18 years
- Died on December 20, 2019 at the age of 90
- WPSD Outstanding Alumni Award of the Year in 1995
- Received the Alumni Merit Award in 2005
- Received the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005
- Received Rev. John G. Brown Service Award in 2020
Wes Hawkins – 2005
- Graduated in 1978
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 4 yrs.
- Basketball – 4 yrs.
- Track/Field – 4 yrs.
- Broke a school track record in 220 yards dash
- Most Outstanding Athlete in 1976 and 1977
- Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach ( 1982-86)
- Jr Varsity Basketball Assistant Coach (1982-86)
- Varsity Track Assistant Coach (1983-88)
- Freshman Soccer Assistant Coach (1984-86)
- Freshman Soccer Coach (1987-88)
- Freshman Basketball Coach (1986-88)
- At Deaflympic
- USA Soccer Team
- WGD regional game – runner up in 1980
- Deaflympic – fifth place in 1985
- USA Soccer Team
- Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf
- Volleyball
- CAAD Volleyball Champions in 1984 & 1985
- Softball
- Volleyball
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2005
Stephen Rute – 2005
- Graduated in 1974
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 4 yrs.
- Broke season goals, 16 in 1971
- Basketball – 4 yrs.
- Track – 3 yrs.
- Broke 3 WPSD records in 220 yards dash, 4×220 Relay and 330 yards Intermediate Hurdle
- Softball – 2 yrs.
- Soccer – 4 yrs.
- At Gallaudet College
- Soccer (1975-78)
- 3 times Most Valuable Player (1976-78)
- Indoor/outdoor track (1975)
- Football (1979)
- Soccer (1975-78)
- USA Team
- Soccer (1980 & 1985)
- Regional Game – runner up
- Deaflympic – fifth place
- Soccer (1980 & 1985)
- Played softball for many deaf clubs
- Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf
- Volleyball (1984-85)
- Won CAAD Volleyball Champions in 1984 & 1985
- Volleyball (1984-85)
- Ohio Deaf Golf Association
- Secretary/Treasurer (2005-13)
- Secretary (2015-21)
- Vice President (2022)
- President (2023-25)
- Chairman of MDGA/MDLGA Tournament (2014)
- Serves Alumni Association for 19 yrs.
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2005
- Teaching Assistant in ASL Lab at the Columbus State Community College in Ohio
Dale Ford – 2008
- Graduated in 1969
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 3 yrs.
- Basketball – 3 yrs.
- Track – 3 yrs.
- First Most Outstanding Athlete in 1965
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2008
- Donated to the Alumni Giving Tree
- Retired as a Coordinator of after-school program at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf
Karen Park – 2008
- Graduated in 1973
- At WPSD
- Field Hockey – 1 yr.
- Volleyball – 3 yrs.
- Basketball – 3 yrs.
- Softball – 3 yrs.
- Soccer – 1 yr.
- Girls’ Athletic Association – 2 yrs.
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2008
Barbara (Barnacastle) Cline – 2014
- Graduated in 1977
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 3 yrs.
- Volleyball – 4 yrs.
- Basketball – 4 yrs.
- Tennis – 2 yrs.
- Softball – 1 yr.
- Girls’ Athletic Association – 3 yrs.
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2014
- Retired as a Post Office worker
Robert Cline – 2014
- Graduated in 1980
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 3 yrs.
- Basketball – 3 yrs.
- Track – 3 yrs.
- Broke 3 records in 100, 440 yards dash, and one mile relay
- Most Outstanding Athlete in 1979
- Deaflympic
- USA Track in 1981
- Won gold medal in 4×400 Relay
- No medal for 200 meter
- USA Track in 1981
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2014
- Retired as a NGR Energy at the power plant for 38 years
Randy Prezioso – 2014
- Graduated in 1975
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 3 yrs.
- Basketball – 3 yrs.
- Track – 4 yrs.
- Broke one school track record in 100 yards dash
- Softball – 2 yrs.
- Most Outstanding Athlete in 1975
- USDGA
- Financial Officer of Winter Deaflympic (1993-2005)
- Treasurer of USDGA (1998-2007)
- Logistics Officer for two World Deaf Golf Championships
- Sweden – 2003
- Canada – 2006
- Donated to the Alumni Giving Tree
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2014
- Retired as a register at Gallaudet University for 30 years
Daniel Sheppeck – 2014
- Graduated in 1990
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 4 yrs.
- Soccer Player of the Year in 1990
- Basketball -4 yrs.
- Track – 4 yrs.
- Broke one record in 330 Intermediate Hurdle
- USA Team
- Soccer (1993)
- Deaflympics – eighth place
- Soccer (1993)
- Donated to the Alumni Giving Tree
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2014
- Works as a mail handler
Richard Siar – 2014
- Graduated in 1969
- Graduated in 1969
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 4 yrs.
- Basketball – 4 yrs.
- Track – 4 yrs.
- Broke 2 school track records in 880 yards dash and mile run
- ESDAA Track Tournament Champions in 1968 & 1969
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2014
- Retired as a Post Office worker
Jerry Bush – 2017
- Graduated in 1969
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 4 yrs.
- Basketball – 4 yrs.
- Track – 4 yrs.
- ESDAA Track Tournament Champion in 1968 & 1969
- Entered Bethany College and graduated in 1972
- Played soccer for 2 years at Bethany
- Professional Career
- Hired a dormitory counselor at Maryland School for the Deaf (January 1973-2006)
- Basketball Head Coach (194-94) & (98-99)
- Won 3 ESDAA Basketball Tournament in 1987, 1993 & 1999
- National Basketball Champion in 1992 and 1993
- Retired as Dorm Counselor/ Supervisor/Athletic Director at the Maryland School for the Deaf in 2006 after 34 years
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2017
- Died on May 26, 2023 at the age of 74
Lydna (Pelton) Tasselli – 2017
- Graduated in 1976
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 3 yrs.
- Volleyball – 3 yrs.
- Basketball – 3 yrs.
- Softball – 3 yrs.
- Most Outstanding Athlete in 1974
- Donated to the Alumni Giving Tree
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2017
- Work as a produce worker at food store
Charles Fisher – 2020
- Graduated in 1956
- At WPSD
- Soccer – 4 yrs.
- Basketball – 4 yrs.
- Freshman Soccer Coach
- Freshman Basketball Coach
- Freshman Track Coach
- Played basketball for Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf (PAD) for many years
- Always comes to any event, sports, and Alumni Reunion because he loves WPSD
- Followed Dad’s step to play sports at WPSD by his sons, Alan, Bobby, and Harry
- Followed Dad’s step to play sports at WPSD by her granddaughters, Hannah and Danielle
- Retired as a printer for Pittsburgh Post for 33 years
- Retired as part-time Media Aide at WPSD for 30 years in 1998
- Received the Athletic Hall of Fame Award in 2020
- Died on January 1, 2022 at the age of 84
Janice (Mogus) Gwizdak – 2020
- Graduated in 1968
- At WPSD
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Softball
- Pittsburgh Association of the Deaf
- Softball
- CAAD Hall of Fame in 1997
- Ohio Deaf Golf Association
- Won 6-times ODGA Women Championship
- ODGA Hall of Fame in 2011
- Retired as a billing/distributer in 2010 after 40 years
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2020
Christie Homell – 2023
- Graduated in 1994
- At WPSD
- Played volleyball 4 yrs
- Basketball 4 yrs.
- Softball 1 yr.
- Track 3 yrs.
- Volleyball Captain (1991-94)
- Basketball Captain (1992-94)
- Won CSSD Basketball Champion in 1991
- Works at WPSD
- Varsity Volleyball Coach (2007-19) 13 years
- Won ESDAA Volleyball Championships three in a row (2016-18)
- Honored as Volleyball Coach of the Year in 2016
- ASL Teacher at the Children’s Choice in WPSD
Joseph Michiline – 2023
- Graduated in 1967
- At WPSD
- Played soccer for 2 yrs.
- Soccer Captain (1966-67)
- Basketball 4 yrs.
- Basketball Captain
- Track 4 yrs.
- Track Captain
- Broke WPSD track record on Pole Vault
- Most Outstanding Athlete in 1967
- Played soccer for 2 yrs.
- As USA Team
- USA Track Team in 1969, 1975 & 1981
- Won gold medal on pole vault & broke record (4.00 meters = 13’ 1 ¼”) at the World Games for the Deaf in 1969
- Silver medal in long jump at Pan American Games in 1975
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2023
Allen Talbert – 2023
- Graduated in 1972
- At WPSD
- Soccer 4 yrs.
- Basketball 5 yrs.
- Captain (1969-70 & 1971-72)
- Track 4 yrs.
- Broke school record in 2-miles Relay
- At Gallaudet College
- Played soccer
- Gallaudet Soccer Team made the best school record in a season; 8-2-1 in 1976
- Played soccer
- As USA Team
- Soccer and made its first international victory in history in 1980
- After graduation
- Soccer Coach with first new coed team at Boston School for the in Randolph, Massachusetts for two years
- Soccer Coach at Austine School for the Deaf in Vermont for a year
- Assistant Coach with softball and volleyball at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf (MSSD) in Washington, DC for 2 and 4 years, respectively
- Retired as a coordinator of Transition Program at MSSD in 2014 for 29 years of service
- Donated to the Alumni Giving Tree
- Received the Athlete Hall of Fame in 2023
Provided by Stephen Rute, WPSD Class of 1974 who spend his time for the research on alumni awards. This would not have been possible without his support in our WPSD Alumni Association.