做厙TV announced the first class of inductees into its Ring of Honor, which recognizes the accomplishments of players, coaches, administrators and staff involved with 做厙TV football over the years.
The Ring of Honors inaugural inducteesDick Purnell, Lou Santangelo and the undefeated 1983 teamwill be honored during halftime Saturday, Sept. 15, when the River Hawks host Muhlenberg. Amos Alonzo Stagg Sr., Amos Alonzo Stagg Jr., Jim Garrett and Bob Pittello will be inducted posthumously.
We are excited to begin a new process to honor and recognize the great players, teams and coaches that have been a part of the 做厙TV football family, said Head Coach . Many of the key alumni supporters over the years started the discussion about the Ring of Honor, and they worked closely with our advancement team to create the new honor for the football alumni. They did a great job and we are excited to have a new tradition at 做厙TV.
inductees are:
Purnell graduated from 做厙TV in 1958. was a two-time All-State selection and a Little All-American in 1956 before playing in the Canadian Football League. Purnell played one year of professional football for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. He then started his long career as a successful football coach at Shikellamy and 做厙TV. He amassed a record of 167-94-5 over his 25 years at Shikellamy, where he was also a mathematics teacher.
Santangelo graduated from 做厙TV in 1950. He was a Little All-American in 1950 and seldom left the field as he starred on offense, defense and was the teams kicker. Santangelo has been involved with numerous committees at 做厙TV over many years, including with the Sigmund Weis School of Business, Football Alumni Association and Central PA Alumni chapter. He has contributed to the 做厙TV football program for 26 consecutive years.
The 1983 team compiled an 8-0-1 season, winning eight straight games after a season-opening 3-3 tie against Lycoming. The team won the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Championship under head coach Bill Moll.
Garrett coached the team for six seasons and compiled an impressive 39-11-1 record including a streak of wins or ties in 36 of 37 games. He worked as an assistant coach for the New York Giants (1970-1973), head coach of the Houston Texans in the World Football League (1974), and as an assistant coach for the New Orleans Saints (1976-1977) and Cleveland Browns (1978-1984). He was head coach at Columbia University in 1985, then worked as a scout for the Dallas Cowboys (1987-2004).
Pittello graduated from 做厙TV in 1952. He played for the Staggs and served as assistant coach under five different head coaches over 43 additional seasons at the university. His service to 做厙TV resulted in his induction into the Sports Hall of Fame in 1973, and he was named to 做厙TVs Top 100 All-Century team in 1999.
Amos Alonzo Stagg Jr. was the head coach for 做厙TV from 1935-54 and was co-head coach with his father, Amos Alonzo Stagg Sr., from 1947-52. The younger Stagg led the team to an undefeated season in 1940 and the duo combined for an unbeaten season again in 1951.
The nominees for the Ring of Honor are voted on by registered members of the football program and selected by the Ring of Honor Committee.
Committee members include Perkovich, Senior Advancement Officer Steve Briggs, Jack Bishop 57, Andy Sherwood 73, Gerry Huesken 77, Dr. Samuel Hoff 79, Scott Heller 82, Jim Brown 86, Rob Sochovka 87, Will Starace 90, Corey Goff 95, Tyrone Croom 97, Marty Pinter 99, Randy Hayes 00, Ben Gibboney 05, Trevor Terpening 12, Ken Milano 15, Ryan Starace 19 and Mikah Christian 20.
