The 1959 Jim Thorpe Olympian baseball team was the first in school history to win a league championship.

The team finished with an overall record of 10-4, including an 8-2 mark in the Mountain League. They were undefeated in first half league play but finished in a second half tie when they lost their only regular season league game to White Haven. The Olympians lost a special playoff game to White Haven that decided the second half winner but came back to beat White Haven in the Mountain League championship game, 3-0, when Phil "Pip" Rader pitched a no-hitter.Rader led the pitching staff with a 4-0 record while Bill Flyte and Charlie McHugh both finished with records of 3-2 for the season.Gary Hiller led the team in batting with an average of .455 while Paul Hydro finished second with a .348 mark. McHugh (.324) and Rader (.302) also finished the season hitting over .300.Jack Heycock coached the team to the league championship and also into the PIAA District 11 playoffs where they were defeated by Hazleton, 7-1.Members of the Jim Thorpe team included: Paul Hydro, James Borosh, Bill Flyte, Terry Watto, Gary Hiller, Don Deemer, Phil Rader, Charlie McHugh, Joe Schweibinz, Norman Rimbey, John Brozino, Wayne Reabold, Mike Cibic, Art Guth, George Weiksner, Joe Karper, Stroud Hiller, Jack Utsick, James Billig and Don Becker. The managers were: Bruce Tredinnick, Ron Harris, Don Harris and Robert Balliet.The 26th annual Jim Thorpe Sports Hall of Fame Banquet will be held at the Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall on Aug. 15. A cocktail hour will begin at 5 p.m. dinner is at 6 p.m., and the induction ceremony is at 7:15 p.m. Entertainment will begin at the conclusion of the induction ceremony, which will be at approximately 8:30 p.m. The cost will be $35 per person and includes dinner, selected drinks and entertainment.During the next few weeks before the banquet, The Times News will feature highlights of the careers for the Class of 2015 inductees: Philip Redline, Josh Hontz, Ryan Bennick, Genia Cooper and Mike Paulas.Tickets can be obtained by calling Jack Kmetz at 570-325-4923, Craig Zurn at 570-325-3855/3631, Ron Sheehan at 570-325-4244 or Wilmer Redline at 570-325-3073.