Class of 1997

Stephen Gomola

While he was a student at PAHS from 1947-1951, Mr. Gomola lettered three times in football, twice in track and field and once in baseball. All District in football during the 1949 and 1950 seasons, he also attained All State status in football in 1950 and a district shot put title in 1949. Mr. Gomola went to the University of Notre Dame on a full scholarship before transferring to the University of Detroit and earning two letters in football and All Missouri Valley in 1956.

Jack Hart

Hired in 1960, Coach Hart guided the Chucks to a 68-28-4 mark. Among his accomplishments was a 28-2 run over three seasons, beginning in 1963. He was named to the Keystone West Sportswriters’ Hall of Fame and PA Coaches Hall of Fame.

Jack LaMarca

Coach LaMarca served as an assistant football coach as well as the high school trainer. Reviving the sport of wrestling, he served as head coach until he retired from the sport in 1983. Athletes under his charge have attained several distinctions in wrestling; 12 individual District IX champions in track and field; 13 District IX team titles, 233 individuals as District IX champions and 23 PIAA State Medallists.

Daniel Lee Mitchell

Beaten only once in 44 starts in duel meet competition, Mr. Mitchell began his cross-country career as a freshman. He earned a trip to the state championship his first year making him the first PAHS athlete to compete in a state championship four times. Earning high point honors for three seasons, he was also named MVP his junior and senior years. Mr. Mitchell was recognized as a high school All American his senior year.

John “Sarge” Mizerock

An outstanding athlete in three high school sports, Mr. Mizerock was offered college scholarships in all three. He chose to enter the major league amateur draft directly out of high school where he eventually played for the Houston Astros and then the Atlanta Braves. While in high school, “Sarge” lettered three years in football and basketball and two seasons in baseball. He held the state record for assists in high school basketball and a school record 30-yard field goal in football. Not only was he able to put up very impressive statistics in high school athletics, but he has also continued to make his mark in professional baseball as a manager of the Kansas City Royals. Mr. Mizerock was named Manager-of-the-Year honors for three seasons.

Gordon “Skeeter” Oliver

Mr. Oliver was a student at PAHS from 1951-1954. He lettered in football, basketball, track and volleyball during his career. Named to the Zeedick Cup twice and earning four letters his senior year, he also played American Legion Baseball for three years. While at the University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Oliver played varsity football for three seasons and was a member of the Lambert Trophy winning Panthers team in the 1955 Sugar Bowl and the 1956 Gator Bowl.

Joseph Steiner

A member of Chuck Daly’s basketball teams from the years 1954-1957, Mr. Steiner lettered in each of three seasons in basketball. He accepted a scholarship to play basketball at Bucknell University where he set several scoring records and eventually earned Bucknell Athletic Hall of Fame status. Mr. Steiner holds the record for the highest points-per-game average at Bucknell, for a single season.