At Wednesday's Schuylkill County Football Coaches Association Preseason Media Conference at Maroons Sports Bar and Grill in Pottsville, a new feature debuted and the 2012 SCFCA Hall of Fame Class was announced.

For the first time, a former high school player was featured, and Wednesday's event was held in honor of former Marian standout and U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class Rick Balliet.Headquartered at Fort Hood, Texas, Balliet is a member of 1st Cavalry Division, 7 Squadron, Bravo Troop, Garry Owen - which takes its name from the ceremonial tune played by the 7th Cavalry under Gen. George Custer. He recently finished his first one-year tour in Iraq and Kuwait.While serving our Nation, Balliet received two Army Commendation Medals, was awarded the Army Achievement Medal, successfully completed a cavalry tradition called "The Spur Ride" and earned Silver Spurs.Balliet has been accepted to attend the Jan. 3, 2013 Ranger Training Course and to become an Army Ranger. His training and responsibilities are varying and diverse, to include training with a Special Forces Unit while in Kuwait in Air Assault.Joining the SCFCA Hall of Fame are three former coaches from current schools John Davis, Schuylkill Haven; Bill Schwalm, Williams Valley; and Joe Pilconis, Mahanoy Area - and one at large inductee Bill Kirelawich, Cardinal Brennan. This year's class will be inducted at halftime of the SCFCA All-Star Game, Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Rotary Field, Schuylkill Haven.Eligibility for consideration to be inducted into the SCFCA HOF requires current schools to nominate a candidate for representation and the class is comprised by the three leading vote getters. Any school may nominate an at-large candidate and the top vote getter is inducted.