6 W.Pa. athletic greats part of PA Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022

A dozen athletic greats comprise the Class of 2022 for the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, and half of the class was nominated by state-affiliated chapters located in the Western Region.

PA Sports Hall of Fame State Executive Director Dale Hamer, a Murrysville resident, former NFL official and a 2012 hall inductee, announced Tuesday that Laila Brock (Washington/Greene Chapter), Jim Cunningham (Fayette County), Al Jacks (Robert “Tick” Cloherty Western Chapter), Dick LeBeau (Western), Bobby Del Greco (Western), and Marty Schottenheimer (Washington/Greene County) will be enshrined Oct. 29 at the DoubleTree Hotel in Reading.

Brock

The Wash High and Penn State graduate won a combined six sprint/relay PIAA gold medals representing the Prexies in 1995 and 1996. The combination of winning gold in four races in 1996 had never been accomplished by a female sprinter in the 23 years of the PIAA championships.

She was a relay runner for the Nittany Lions and served as a team captain.

Brock has remained involved in sports since graduating from Penn State and serves as vice president of sponsorship, sales and operations for Pitt Sports Marketing through JMI Sports.

Cunningham

The Connellsville grad earned nine letters in football, basketball, swimming and track and field and was a football honorable mention all-state selection as a senior (1956).

He was part of the “Three C’s” backfield at Pitt with Fred Cox (Monongehela High) and Bob Clemens (Munhall High). He was a UPI honorable mention All-American as a senior (1960).

Cunningham was drafted in 1961 by the Redskins (NFL) and New York Titans (AFL).

Jacks

The Peabody graduate quarterbacked the 1953 Dragons to an undefeated season and the Pittsburgh City League championship. He was named 1953 City League MVP.

He started at quarterback at Penn State in 1957 and 1958 before beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant at PSU in 1959.

Jacks also coached at Slippery Rock and Clarion. In 18 seasons at Clarion, his teams went a combined 128-44-5 with four PSAC West titles and three overall PSAC titles.

LeBeau

A halfback and cornerback on the 1957 Ohio State national title team. He scored two rushing TDs to help beat arch-rival Michigan.

Drafted by Cleveland and cut, he spent 14 seasons in Detroit at defensive back and recorded 62 interceptions (10th all-time) – four returned for touchdowns – and nine fumble recoveries. He was a three-time Pro Bowl pick.

As an NFL assistant, he helped Cincinnati reach two Super Bowls in 11 seasons and helped guide the Steelers to four Super Bowl appearances with victories in Super Bowl XL ad XLIII.

LeBeau was inducted in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton in 2010.

Del Greco

The Pittsburgh native played for the Pirates from 1952-1956.

In all, De Greco played 17 seasons and also suited up for the Cardinals, Cubs, Yankees, Phillies and Philadelphia Athletics.

He was part of American League-pennant winning Yankees teams in 1957 and 1958.

His career batting totals include 95 doubles, 11 triples and 43 home runs.

Del Greco was a highly praised defensive outfielder.

Schottenheimer

The Fort Cherry grad played football (all-state first team in 1960) and basketball (1960-61 Class AA state champs).

He was a 1964 second-team All-American at Pitt and played in the 1965 College All-Star Game against the Cleveland Browns.

Schottenheimer, who played professionally with Buffalo and Boston (now New England), began his pro coaching career with the Browns in 1980 and served as head coach for the Browns (1984-1988) and Kansas City (1989-1998).

He also coached in Washington and San Diego and won AFC Coach of the Year (1986, 2004) and NFL Coach of the Year (2004).

In 21 seasons as a head coach, Schottenheimer led his teams to the playoffs 13 times.