FOGLESVILLE – Sports teaches lessons that one may never realize until long after one’s playing days.

To hear two superstars of the past think back to when they were high school and later collegiate athletes, they all have that one true value — humbleness.

It was never about what they did, it was never the “I” word; it was always about the road traveled.

Former Tamaqua three-sport standout Ericka Barron-Davis, along with Northern Lehigh’s Bob Chandler, took center stage Sunday evening here at the Delta Hotel, where District 11 inducted its Class of 2026 Hall of Fame members.

Davis found sports to be fun, rewarding and intense, which ultimately led her down a career path of teaching and coaching at her alma mater. That journey came full circle Sunday evening.

“This is very humbling to be named to this very prestigious hall of fame,” she said. “There were a lot who came before me, and to look at the names and the phenomenal players who came before me is just so exciting, to be a part of that group.”

Davis had a desire to excel at a very tender age. Whether it was basketball, running track or playing volleyball, she never backed away from a challenge. Not lost in her memory were the years before heading off to Susquehanna University, where she excelled as a point guard.

“They say your high school years were the best time, they truly are ... there were so many great experiences and memories, they truly are,” Davis said.

During those formative years, she earned a first-team berth on the all-state Class 3A team as a junior and was a second-team all-state selection in Class 2A as a senior. The media honored her with various accolades, including Player of the Year recognition from her hometown newspaper, the Times News, as well as the Pottsville Republican-Herald, Hazleton Standard-Speaker and Reading Eagle.

Davis’ basketball prowess and determination led her to become Tamaqua’s all-time leading scorer — male or female. Her No. 3 jersey was retired by the school after she scored 2,317 points from 2003-07.

She was sensational, scoring 738 points in one season, 42 points in one game and 39 points in one half. She also set a school record with 332 3-point field goals, while averaging 21.8 points during her illustrious career.

“You don’t think about it every day until something like this comes up, then you reflect a little bit,” she continued. “A lot of hard work goes into it. It doesn’t happen overnight. It kind of reveals the competitor I am, and I hope that continues for my children.

“I truly love to compete at everything in life. It is a blessing to have been selected to be a part of this illustrious group, and being recognized at this level is the ultimate validation.”

Nolehi’s Chandler

One of the loneliest sports, no matter what level, is running.

No crowds to cheer you on.

No tunnel to run through the way a football player enters a stadium.

But to understand what Chandler did at the high school and collegiate levels at Bucknell University is sterling. And like Davis, he too found this to be quite a humbling evening.

Chandler’s career was one of running to glory in a sport that doesn’t draw a plethora of fans to watch and cheer.

At Northern Lehigh, Chandler’s career highlights began in the fall of 1992, when he won the PIAA Class AA Cross Country State Championship, followed by the 1993 PIAA Class AA 3200-meter State Championship.

A three-time District 11 and Centennial League cross country champion, Chandler also earned two PIAA state cross country bronze medals, set the District 11 AA 3200-meter record, won 11 varsity letters, and established multiple Northern Lehigh and Centennial League records.

He was twice named Northern Lehigh Athlete of the Year, and was later inducted into the school’s Ring of Honor.

“I learned about the election process and how it came about. It is definitely an honor,” Chandler said.

Chandler is a research and development engineer at Penn State University, and also coaches at Bellefonte High School.

He was shocked to learn he was a recipient because, “... I never thought a cross-country and track athlete would get in,” he said with a chuckle.

He explained that while winning a gold medal was always a goal, he never knew what was happening around the state the way athletes do today, when runners can simply open an app and see times from across Pennsylvania.

“You had your local newspaper and that was it,” he said. “You always thought someone else was doing it better, but all you could do was go out and do it yourself. You take out what you can control and let the chips fall where they may.”

He appreciates what sports has meant to him.

“You meet people who become lifetime friends ... that is one of the great things about being in sports,” he pointed out. “You get to branch out with athletics. It’s not just the neighborhood kids you are hanging out with.”

Chandler said lessons learned in sports carry over for a lifetime.

“There are no shortcuts to success, and participating in sports teaches you things that you carry over into life,” he offered. “It’s all about hard work. The kids that I teach, I hope they get that go-get-em attitude and never give up.”

Davis is the 20th player or coach from the Schuylkill League inducted into the District 11 Hall of Fame, which was instituted in 2018. She’s the second person from Tamaqua to enter the District 11 Hall, joining former basketball standout Cindy Miller (Class of 2020).

Other members of the Class of 2026 include Catasauqua girls soccer star Amanda Gerhard, Morning Call sportswriter Keith Groller, Stroudsburg wrestler Jake Jakobsen, Stroudsburg basketball star Ken Lacey, Southern Lehigh softball coach Brian Neefe, East Stroudsburg South basketball player and Pocono Mountain West coach Stacy Perryman, Emmaus swimming coach Mike Seip, Easton football coach Steve Shiffert, Parkland football star Andre Williams, Salisbury baseball coach Frank Yelinko and Service Electric TV broadcaster Mike Zambelli.