The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Montco Chapter is proud to announce and honor a deep, deserving and impactful class of individuals whose accomplishments will be celebrated among friends, teammates, family, fans and admirers Friday October 26th, 2018 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort, 1160 First Avenue King of Prussia.

We congratulate those being honored this year; Jack Connelly… Emil Boures… Dave McWilliams… Carmen Falcone… Dorn Taylor… Chris Lubanski… Miki DeBaise… Greg Green…Dean Lent… Collectively they have won not only won multiple championships, MVP’s, and been inducted into other Hall of Fame bodies, they have spent decades championing worthwhile causes, leading by example, giving back to their communities and youth sports organizations.

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While all of these luminaries have been toasted and honored in various ways over the years, this October 26th the inductees will be joining an elite and exclusive PA Sports Hall of Fame Montco Chapter club which includes previously enshrined members such as Joe Frazier, Billy Cunningham, Mike Richter, Tom Fazio, Kim Gallagher, Gina Buggy, Brad Scioli, Wally Triplett, Jim Williams, Jennie Hall, Craig Littlepage, Ron Livers, Robbie Wine, Tammy Greene, Glenn Fine, Bill Nuttall, Alvin Williams, Hank Cisco, Scott Palmer…. They also now belong to a chapter in the same club that includes immortals; Arnold Palmer, Roberto Clemente, Chuck Bednarik, Jim Thorpe, Franco Harris, Stan Musial, Dick Allen, Betsy King, Jimmy Foxx, Steve Van Buren, Red Grange, Cathy Rush, Richie Ashburn, Roger Penske, Willie Mosconi, Connie Mack, Josh Gibson, Tom Brookshier, Tom Gola, Roy Campanella, Robin Roberts, Greasy Neale, Harry Kalas, Pop Warner, Curt Simmons, Tommy McDonald, Joe Paterno, and Christy Mathewson.

Jack Connelly, Golf. Jack was the 32nd President of the Professional Golfers Association of America who began his golf career as a caddy in South Jersey. A US Army veteran, upon returning from Vietnam Jack obtained his PGA membership and joined the PGA tour. He joined Huntingdon Valley C.C. in 1973 and became Head Professional in 1975 until retiring in 2010. Jack has distinguished himself as a player, winning four Philadelphia Section Player of the Year Awards, and was elected to the Philadelphia PGA Playing Legends in 1990. After being elected he served two years each as Secretary and Vice President and became President of the Association in 2000. His greatest responsibility as president came after the horrific attacks on 9/11 when he and the Board of Directors made the decision to postpone the Ryder Cup matches for one year because of security concerns for the high profile athletes on the Ryder Cup teams. Just two weeks after the 9/11 attack Jack represented the PGA of America at a “Tribute to America” on September 25th at the Valerio Open in San Antonio, Texas. At that tribute the Ryder Cup players committed $520 thousand and the PGA joined with an additional $500 thousand making a total 1.2 million dollars donation to the United Way. Jack was honored by the Philadelphia Golf Association with the organization’s highest award, the “Arnold Palmer Lifetime Service Award” in 2010. Jack was inducted into the Philadelphia PGA Section Hall of Fame in 2000, the PGA of American Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Inaugural Hall of Fame at Deptford High School, in New Jersey in 2007. In 2015 he was honored as a PGA Legend at the PGA Annual Meeting in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Also being inducted is the late Carmen Falcone, who grew up in Bridgeport and raised his family in Norristown.  He was president of 1945 graduating class and captain of Bridgeport High championship football team. Quarterback of the undefeated 1947 University of Pennsylvania football team under the leadership of legendary Hall of Fame Coach George Munger. College career coincided with the glory years of Penn football, one of the strongest elevens in the country at that time, where he was joined in the backfield by College Hall of Famers Skip Minisi and Reds Bagnell. Co-captained the 1948 team with NFL Hall of Famer, Chuck Bednarik. Starred in two North-South All-Star games. Played the decisive roll throwing two touchdowns and named MVP in the 1948 Blue-Grey game. Attained Honorable Mention All-American status in that same year. Drafted by the NFL New York Giants.

Tickets to the Montgomery County Chapter of Pennsylvania’s Sports Hall of Fame October 26th Induction Celebration Banquet are available at $80 each from Chapter President David Ritting at 476 Brookwood Rd., Wayne, PA 19087; phone 610 256-0300. Tickets, Tables and Ads are also available on the Montco Sports Hall of Fame Website: http://www.montcosportshof.org/2017inductionceremony.html Issue checks or money orders to PSHoF – Montco Chapter.

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