Three different generations. Two distinct sports. One unique achievement.

Palmerton’s Bob Mlkvy, Marian’s Diane Decker and Panther Valley’s Allysa Vavra had little in common before Sunday.

But they will now be permanently linked as members of the inaugural District 11 Sports Hall of Fame.

Mlkvy, Decker and Vavra were inducted as part of the 14-member class during a banquet at the Holiday Inn in Breinigsville.

Joining the Times News area trio in the Class of 2018 were: Sue Butz-Stavin of Emmaus High School; Artie Owens of Stroudsburg High School; Michelle Marciniak and Ed McCaffrey of Allentown Central Catholic High School; J. Birney Crum, John Donmoyer and Milo Sewards of the Allentown School District; Matt Gerhard and Larry Miller of Catasauqua High School; Al Erdosy of Northampton High School; and Ray Nunamaker of Nazareth High School.

“We have such an unbelievable group of inductees,” said District 11 chairman and Whitehall High School Athletic Director Bob Hartman, who was tasked with organizing the event. “They are a group of phenomenal athletes and coaches. It’s such a great class.

“The focus of this Hall of Fame is on what the athletes and coaches accomplished at the high school level. But when you look at the names and the credentials of this first class, it’s amazing how much they achieved during and after their high school careers.”

Mlkvy was the man

You can’t talk Palmerton basketball, or area basketball for that matter, without talking about the late Bob Mlkvy.

Mlkvy’s skills on the court were legendary – and to this day he still considered by many to be not only the best area player of his generation, but of any generation.

From 1954-57, Mlkvy scored a school-record 1,925 points. He led the Blue Bombers to three straight league championships and one state final appearance. He was a two-time All-State selection and was a Parade All-American his senior year.

“Bob would be ecstatic knowing he was part of the first District 11 Hall of Fame class,” said his widow Judy Mlkvy. “He loved the game so much. He would have been thrilled.”

Mlkvy, who went on to star at the University of Pennsylvania following his graduation from Palmerton, was also well know for his work as a color commentator for BRC-TV 13 basketball games. He passed away on July 22, 2016.

“This is so bittersweet for me,” said Judy Mlkvy. “It’s sad that Bob isn’t here to enjoy this honor.

“But at the same time, I’m thrilled to be here with our children and grandchildren and for all of us to able to enjoy this great honor that Bob is receiving.”

Decker dominated

The Schuylkill Girls Basketball League in the 1980s was home to some of the most successful teams and greatest scorers that District 11 has ever known.

During an era where Schuylkill League teams played for state titles on an annual basis and 1,000-point scorers were an almost common occurrence, no one team or one player enjoyed more success than the Marian Fillies and Diane Decker.

From 1981-85, Decker scored 2,377 points and grabbed 1,116 rebounds as the Fillies leader. She played in three Eastern Finals and captured one state championship. Following her senior season, she was named to two national All-American teams.

“I’m honored to be part of this first District 11 Hall of Fame class,” said Decker. “There were so many deserving athletes that I played with and against, and that was just in girls basketball. When you consider that this encompasses every sport throughout all the years, it’s an incredible feeling to be part of this group.”

After graduating from Marian, Decker went on to star at Villanova University. She is currently the head women’s basketball coach at East Stroudsburg University.

Decker said her accomplishments in basketball, and her love for the game that led to her becoming a coach, can all be traced back to her former high school coach Elsie Tolan.

“I owe everything to Miss Tolan,” said Decker. “She’s the reason why I had my success. I was so lucky to be coached by her. She was ahead of her time.

“She took a kid that played the post in middle school and knew she had to make me a guard to play at the next level. She pushed me every day and sent me to all the right places (to improve my game).”

Vavra made a splash

How good was Allysa Vavra at what she did?

She was so good that despite being barely eligible to even be considered for the District 11 Hall of Fame, she was voted in as the only swimmer in the 14-member class.

A 2008 graduate of Panther Valley, Vavra is 17 years younger than the next youngest member of the class – Michelle Marciniak, who was a 1991 graduate of Central Catholic.

Vavra’s accomplishments while swimming for the Panthers make it easy to see why she was an easy choice for the committee.

During her career, Vavra won five PIAA gold medals and three PIAA silver medals, was a 16-time District 11 gold medalist, and a 16-time Schuylkill League gold medalist.

“I’m honored, thankful and grateful,” said Vavra. “It’s an honor to be in a class with so many talented athletes.

“I’m happy to represent Panther Valley swimming and the Schuylkill League.”

After graduating from Panther Valley, Vavra went on to star for the Indiana University swim team, capturing numerous Big Ten Conference awards and honors during her career. She also represented the United States at the 2011 Pan Am Games, winning a bronze medal in the 400 IM.

“I would like to thank my parents and my family,” said Vavra. “I wouldn’t have been able to do what I did without them.

“I’ve also had coaches at the high school level, the club level and the collegiate level that have helped me build my swim career. So it’s not an individual achievement. I consider this more of a group achievement.”

More to come

Hartman said that as wonderful and talented as this inaugural class was, he’s already looking forward to the future.

“Our plan is to hold a banquet every year on the first Sunday following Columbus Day,” he explained. “This year, we had 70 nominees, which is great. But next year we would love to have 170 nominees.

“For that to happen, we need the support from all our schools. We don’t take nominations from the public. School administrators are the only ones that can nominate people. With their cooperation, we want to continue to grow and expand this event.”