Longtime local sports figure wants to create a Somerset County Sports Hall of Fame

Dave Mapes is looking to create a long overdue Somerset County Sports Hall of Fame. However, the Somerset Area High School alum and author needs the help of people across the county to kickstart the project.

"I want to facilitate and see if there is any interest," said Mapes, who has been a long-time contributor to Somerset County sports. "All of the surrounding counties have something, and we don't."

Somerset County currently has a baseball hall of fame, but this new group would honor athletes, coaches and contributors across the county in a variety of sports.

Mapes will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Somerset Area Junior High cafeteria for anyone interested in attending and possibly helping this move forward. Interested individuals from any school district in Somerset County are invited to attend.

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"I reached out to other counties to find out their criteria for hall of fame members," Mapes said. "I want the people who show up on Thursday to have an idea of the criteria. When we get together again in two weeks on July 25, then we can further discuss names, if there is any interest."

Mapes discussed the idea of a Somerset County Sports Hall of Fame with former Shanksville-Stonycreek Athletic Director Hank Sembower. He also believes a Somerset County Sports Hall of Fame is necessary.

"We are two guys in our 70s trying to start this up," Mapes said. "There are a lot of people who have done things that should recognized. I have a blank spreadsheet for potential names. We are looking for common names and names some people might not know. While there isn't a lot of people who went on to play in the pros, we have athletes that went on to college and had success, and coaches and athletes who have had great high school careers as well."

If unable to attend but interested, reach out to Dave Mapes at 814-701-1350 or email dmapes40@yahoo.com .

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Longtime local sports figure wants to create a Somerset County Sports Hall of Fame