Jallen, Popson, Orlando named to 2024 class of Pa. Sports Hall of Fame

WILKES-BARRE — Several athletes familiar to Luzerne County sports fans are among the Class of 2024 Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

The organization announced its 2024 class this week, which includes Stephanie Jallen, Paralympian; David Popson, basketball; and Bo Orlando, football.

The Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame’s 2024 Induction Ceremony and Dinner will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at The Drexelbrook Event Center in Delaware County.

For the past 60 years, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame has honored and inducted more than 753 remarkable individuals who have left an indelible mark on Pennsylvania through extraordinary athletic achievements and contributions, both on and off the field.

The other 2024 inductees are:

• Mike Mussina, baseball.

• Carol Semple Thompson, golf.

• Andre Reed, football.

• Jay Wright, basketball.

• Ray Didinger, sportswriter.

• Bruce Parkhill, basketball.

• Mike Guman, football.

Deceased Inductees:

• Jim Braxton, football.

• Jacob Daubert, baseball.

• Ticket availability will be announced soon.

About the 2024 inductees:

Stephanie Jallen

• Two time U.S. Paralympic Ski Team member.

• Represented the U.S. in the Paralympic Games:

— Sochi, Russia (2014) Bronze Medalist in Super G and Bronze Medalist in Super Combined events.

— Pyeongchang, South Korea (2018) 5th place Downhill/Super G/Super Combined Giant Slalom/Slalom); and 8th place in Downhill.

• Voted “Best of U.S. Awards” (2014) Warner Theater, Washington DC. Voted “Best Female Athlete of the Paralympic Famer” and “Best Moment of the Games.”

• World Cup accomplishments: 2 Gold, 9 Silver, 5 Bronze (7 International USA).

• Competed and trained in 13 different countries worldwide.

• 13n U.S. National Championships (2017-16-15-14-12) multiple events.

• Ranked 2nd in the world (2015-16) finishing second behind France’s Marie Bochet.

• World Championships (2015); Bronze Medalist (Giant Slalom), (3x 4th, 1x 5th).

• Named to U.S. Paralympic Ski Team, 2011-2012, at age 15.

• Inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame (2014).

Sponsoring Chapter: Luzerne County

Bo Orlando

• Drafted by the Houston Oilers in the sixth round in 1989, and playing through the 1994 season, Orlando recorded 7 interceptions returning two for touchdowns. In 1995, Bo played for the San Diego Chargers, became the second leading tackler behind Junior Seau.

• Acquired by the Cincinnati Bengals for the 1996-97 seasons. He led the team in tackles with 119 in 1996. In 998, Bo finished his professional career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Career Tackles -301 / Career Interceptions -10)

• At West Virginia University, completed his career with 173 tackles, 5 interceptions, and co-captained the 1988 team to an undefeated season. He was named NEA/World Book All-American, HM Associated Press All-American, and First Team AP All-East.

• Played in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame garnering 13 tackles in a 34-21 loss for the National Championship.

• WVU recognized him as their 1988 Gladiator Award and Ideal Mountaineer Award recipient.

• He was named to the 1980-89 All-Time Team and is an inaugural member of the Mountaineers Legends Society in 2016.

• Inducted into the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame (2012).

• At Berwick High School, he quarterbacked his team to a 13-0 finish, and a USA Today National High School Football Championship in 1983. He garnered PA Big 33 and First Team All-State honors. He was an All-Conference Selection and Berwick Team MVP for consecutive years.

• He is currently the Athletic Director at Berwick Area School District.

Sponsoring Chapter: Bernie Romanoski

David Popson

• Drafted in 4th round by Detroit Pistons (88th overall pick).

• In 1987-92 career played for Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks, and Europe.

• University of North Carolina (1983-87) with a four-year record of 115-22. Teammate of Michael Jordon (83-84). UNC Basketball (1983) was ranked No. 1 in country finishing (28-3). Twice undefeated in ACC play. Coached by Dean Smith all four years. 1983-84 ACC Champion (Sweet 16) (14-0). 1984-85 ACC • Co-Champion Elite 8 1985-86. Great Alaska Shootout Champion (Sweet 16). 1986-87 ACC Champion Elite 8 (14-0).

• UNC Statistics — FG 52%, FT 75.5%, 100 assists, 41 steals, 55 blocks, 760 points. Position — Power Forward. Played 134 games in 4 years. Won the Foy Robertson Award and Herb and Pauline Wall Memorial Awards for 1986-87 at UNC.

• USA Today Newspaper Boys Basketball First Team All-American in 1983.

• Parade Magazine High School Boys Basketball All-American in 1983.

• First Team McDonald’s All-American. Played All-Star Game in Atlanta, GA in 1983.

• Starting member of the PA All-Stars Dapper Dan Roundball Classic is 1983. Played in U.S. Sports Festival Championship Game (East Team) in 1983.

• Four-year starter at Bishop O’Reilly High School. Ranked 19th all-time in Pennsylvania for scoring with 2,654 points. First Team All-State in 1980 and 1983.

Sponsoring Chapter: Luzerne County

Mike Mussina

• Posted a 270-153 record with a 3.0 ERA in 18 years as a Major League pitcher with the Baltimore Orioles (1991-00 and New York Yankees (2002-08).

• Mike was a five-time All-Star and won 7 Gold Gloves.

• A top 25 finisher in AL MVP race 3 times, top 10 finish in Cy Young vote nine times and top 5 six times.

• Appeared in nine post seasons (two with Baltimore and seven in New York).

• Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame in 2019.

• A three sports star at Montoursville High school and W. B. Valley Hall of Fame Inductee.

Sponsoring Chapter: West Branch Valley

Carol Semple Thompson

• One of the best U.S. Amateur Women Golfer’s in Pennsylvania history for past 50 years.

• Received First Lady of Golf Award in 2003.

• World of Golf Hall of Fame “Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.

• U.S. Senior Amateur Champion in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002.

• 1973 U.S. Women’s Amateur Champion.

• 1974 British Ladies Amateur Champion.

Sponsoring Chapter: Western/Robert “Tick” Cloherty

Andre Reed

• In 1981, Andre Reed led Allentown Dieroff High School to a football Championship in the East Penn Conference.

• Went to Kutztown University where he was moved to wide receiver and set school records with 142 receptions for 2,020 yards and 14 touchdowns.

• In 1985, drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 4th round and played for 16 seasons, playing in four Super Bowls. Reed was instrumental in Buffalo’s historical comeback playoff win over Houston after being down 35-3 during the 3rd quarter, catching three touchdown passes. He also caught eight passes for 152 yards in the Bills 52-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XXVII.

• Reed ranks 15th in all-time NFL history in touchdown receptions with 87 and 9th in post-season receptions with 85 as of 2022.

• He exceeded 1,000 yards receiving four times in a 16- year career and rushed for 500 yards and a touchdown on 75 carries.

• He was placed on the Bills Wall of Fame in 2014 and the NFL Hall of fame in 2014.

Sponsoring Chapter: Lehigh Valley

Jay Wright

• Head Coach at Villanova University from 2001-2022 leading the Wildcats to 6 Big East Championships and 16 NCAA appearances in 21 seasons.

• Villanova reached the Final Four in 2009,2016, 2018, 2022 and won National Championships in 2016 and 2018.

• Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2021.

• Previously served as Head Coach at Hofstra University (1994-2001) leading them to the NCAA Tournament in 2000 and 2001.

• Began his coaching career as an Assistant at Drexel (1987-1992), Villanova (1992-1994), and UNLV.

Sponsoring Chapter: Lou Cappiella

Ray Didinger

• Covered the NFL for the Philadelphia Bulletin and Daily News and was a pro football analyst for NBC Sports Philadelphia for 25 years.

• Radio broadcaster for 94WIP Philadelphia 1988 – 2022.

• Has won six Emmy Awards for his work as a writer and producer for NFL Films.

• Keystone Press Award winner, 6-time; Associated Press Column Writing, 3-times.

• He was named Pennsylvania Sportswriter of the Year 5-times.

• Named to the Writer’s Honor Roll in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.

Sponsoring Chapter: Delaware County

Bruce Parkhill

• Two-time Division 1 All-American and three times District Champion in the Javelin throw at Lock Haven University, All-East Soccer goalie, An All-Conference and All-District player in Basketball.

• After stints as an assistant at Virginia, Notre Dame and William & Mary, he was named the head coach at William & Mary in 1977.

• Penn State Head Basketball Coach 1983-1995. Coached Nittany Lions to five 20-plus win seasons, Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year 1990.

Sponsoring Chapter: West Branch Valley

Mike Guman

• Star running back at Bethlehem Catholic High School. a 1,000 points scorer in basketball and an outstanding pitcher in baseball that turned down an offer from the Texas Rangers.

• Star running back at Penn State University 1976-1979.

• Played in the Gator Bowl and Sugar Bowl for the National Championship in 1979 All East pitcher for the Nittany Lions.

• He is well remembered by college football fans for being on the receiving end of a goal line hit by linebacker Barry Krauss in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 1979. (The game is ranked “The Greatest Bowl Game Ever” by ESPN in 2002) determining the NCAA National Football Champion. The hit was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated the following week. ESPN.com selected the play as #6 on their list of “100 Moments That Define College Football.”

• #6 round pick by the Los Angeles Rams and played 9 seasons with the Rams.

• His statistics with the Rams were: 324 Rushes for 1,266 yards and 11 touchdowns plus 151 Receptions for 1,433 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Sponsoring Chapter: Lehigh Valley

Jim Braxton (deceased)

• Football, basketball, and track at Dunbar and Connellsville High School (Dunbar closed).

• At West Virginia University 1968-1970, he had 1,462 yards rushing and 906 Yards receiving. Garnered All-American honors as a Senior.

• Played 8 NFL seasons with Buffalo (1971-1978 and Miami 1978).

• Rushed for 2,890 Yards on 741 carries scoring 25 touchdowns and 1,473 receiving yards, 144 receptions scoring 6 touchdowns.

• Perhaps best known as the ”Blocking Back” for Buffalo star O J Simpson.

• Inducted into West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame in 1993 and The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Sponsoring Chapter: Fayette County

Jacob Daubert, (deceased)

• Had a 15-year Major League career with Brooklyn and Cincinnati ball clubs.

• He was a three time All-Star First Baseman selection by Baseball Magazine (1910-1914).

• In 1913, with an average of .350, he won the Chalmers Award (early MVP Award). For reference, previous honorees were Ty Cobb ’11, Tris Speaker and Larry Doyle 12, Jake Daubert and Walter Johnson ’13, and Eddie Collins and Johnny Evers ‘14.

• All of the above are in Cooperstown except Daubert and Doyle. They are on the list for 2025.

• Jake died following surgery at the end of the season in October 1924.

Sponsoring Chapter: Allen Rogowicz