Class of 2000

 

Donald E. Bishop

He was a three-letter winner in football, track and volleyball. He was a running back and scored nine touchdowns during his senior year. He was selected as high school All-State and All-American in 1952. The volleyball team won district championships during his junior and senior years. He was an active member of the Booster Club and was one of the original founders of the club. He was a football official for 35 years. He also managed and umpired Little League baseball for 25 summers, and managed the American Legion team for several summers. He won batting championships – hitting .418 in the Jefferson County League in the 1960’s, while playing for the Rossiter Miners.

 

Dave Cessna

He is a 1962 graduate of PAHS and lettered in football, tennis and track and field. He was the leading rusher and scorer on the 1961 football team. He went to IUP and was a Pennsylvania State Conference selection in 1965 and was named to the NCAA All East team and the recipient of the Reginald R. Peck award for outstanding senior athlete. He was later named as the 1960’s IUP fullback of the decade. After graduation from IUP, he served as a captain in the US Army in Vietnam from 1967 to 1971. He received the Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster for meritorious achievement and service while in Vietnam.

 

Jerry Clark

He was a three-year letterman in track and football. On the track, he qualified for the state meet in the 440 dash. He played offense and defensive end on the football field. He was All District in 1963 and 1964, as well as All Skyline Conference selection both seasons. During his senior season, he made the United Press International honorable mention high school team and was named to the Associated Press 3rd team all state team. He was the Joseph Harrick award winner in 1964. He was also a three-year starter at shortstop for the Punxsutawney American Legion team, which was a state finalist in 1964. After he graduated in 1965, he attended IUP and was a three-year starter on the baseball team and was captain during his senior season. He also played defensive back for the IUP football team. He was chosen as the outstanding male athlete at IUP in 1969 and was also selected as a member of the IUP All-Decade team for the 1960’s.

 

Russell “Red” Grube

Red is a posthumous inductee. He is a 1930 graduate of PAHS and participated in football, basketball, baseball and track during high school. He was known as “Mr. Basketball” in the late 1920’s as he scored 417 points in his three seasons as a starter – almost 25% of the teams’ points over that period of time and a record 55-12 and a 20-2 record during his senior season.

 

Alan Nichol

He was a three-year letter winner in football and track. He totaled 172 points for the 1978 track squad by participating in the 400 and 800 relays, and 400 dash. He was co-captain of the undefeated 1977 football squad. He was a first team Cen Pac conference selection, a Big 33 nominee and was named Honorable Mention to the Associated Press All State team. At the time of his graduation in 1977, he was only the 6th student-athlete in school history to earn Zeedick Cup honors for three consecutive years.  Alan started 25 college football games at IUP and was a Co-captain for the 1981 squad.  After his induction to the Hall, Alan returned to Punxsutawney and was the Head Football Coach for 10 years which included a District 9 Championship in 2009 and the third undefeated, untied regular season in school history in 2010, along with an 18-game regular season winning streak.

 

Ray “Windy” Oliver

He graduated in 1931 from PAHS and lettered in football, basketball and track and field. He threw javelin and discus in track. He was captain of the 1931 football squad and was an All Star selection at tackle and was the punter for the team during his senior year.   He served in World War II as a Marine and was the recipient of the Purple Heart.

 

Jackie Cassebaum Spittal

She is a 1983 graduate of PAHS and is the second female to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. She lettered in Cross Country and Track and Field. She was also the captain of the cheerleaders. In Cross Country she placed 13th at the PIAA championships. In track she set the school record in the 1600 meter run. After high school Jackie attended Slippery Rock University where she ran for the Rockets. She earned All American honors in Cross Country, placing 12th at the NCAA championships. She is currently employed as a teacher in the Elizabethtown High School and is the track coach.

 

Mike “Yaz” Yasolsky

He was a three-year letter winner in football and track before graduating in 1984. In football, “Yaz” won the Joseph Harrick MVP Award. He was All Cen Pac first team selection during both his junior and won both the shot put and discus during his junior and senior years. He was named a National High School All American and received a scholarship for track and field to Louisiana State University.