The Carbon County Hall of Sports Hall of Fame committee will hold its 2026 induction dinner and program on Sunday, May 24, at the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire Company hall.

The ceremony will honor 25 inductees from six Carbon County communities, and Coaldale and Tamaqua who were selected for the honor by committees representing each of the towns.

The doors will open at 12:30 p.m., and the banquet will commence at 1:45 p.m.

The inductees include:

Coaldale – Christa (Mantz) Evanko, John Molotzak and Dr. Karoline Vavra.

Jim Thorpe – Walt Schlenner, David Reese and Joe Rader.

Lansford – John “Jack” Steber, John Hackash Jr. and Jake Figner.

Lehighton – Glenn Neff, Jacen Nalesnik and Rick Kirkendall.

Nesquehoning – Dr. Mark Makovec, Mike Makovec, Ryan Richards and Mike Lopata.

Palmerton – Geno Roberts, Darryl Roberts and Jerry Snyder.

Summit Hill – Ed Shober Jr., Fred Cinicola and Victor Koshuta.

Tamaqua – Brayden Knoblauch, Emma Kuczynski and Amber Carroll.

Tickets to the event are available from the following: Dan McGinley, 570-325-3550, Vince Spisak, 570-645-4542, Jake Boyer, 610-751-6634, Trevor Lawrence, 570-645-4722, Bill Gardiner, 570-669- 6564, Bob Gelatko, 570-645-7565, Evan Evans, 570-645-7716, Jeff Hager, 610-737-2577, and Brandon Heffelfinger, 570-273-5555, or 570-449-6664.

The Times News will begin running the biographies of the inductees by town on Saturdays. The inductees representing Palmerton are as follows:

Darryl E. Roberts

Darryl E. Roberts, a 1972 graduate of Palmerton Area High School, exemplifies the finest qualities of athletic achievement, community dedication and personal integrity. Throughout his years as a student-athlete, Darryl’s name became synonymous with excellence, commitment and sportsmanship — qualities that would define his life both on and off the field.

A three-sport competitor, Darryl earned 11 varsity letters during his high school career. On the football field, his talent and determination earned him a place on the 1972 Lehigh Valley Football League First Team as both a wide receiver and safety. On the basketball court, he was a key contributor to Palmerton’s 1971 Lehigh Valley League championship team. On the baseball diamond, he showcased his athletic versatility as a center fielder, culminating his selection to the 1972 Legion Eastern All Star Team, where he proudly represented Palmerton at Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia.

Following his playing career, Darryl continued to serve his community through coaching and mentorship. He dedicated many years to girls’ Little League and high school softball, sharing his knowledge and love of the game with younger generations. Alongside his brother Geno, he also coached junior high boys basketball, fostering teamwork and confidence among his players.

Together, the Roberts brothers organized the Basketball Easter Seals Tournament, a charitable event that raised funds to benefit children in need.

Beyond athletics, Darryl and Geno played a vital role in shaping the facilities that continue to support Palmerton’s student-athletes today. Their hands-on efforts helped build the Palmerton Booster Club concession stand, the high school weight room and the baseball dugouts and concession stands. Their countless hours of volunteer labor stand as a testament to their dedication, humility and unwavering support for Palmerton sports.

Professionally, Darryl devoted many years to the New Jersey Zinc Company of Palmerton and later to GEO Specialty, before retiring in 2011.

Darryl’s legacy endures not only in the records and memories of his athletic accomplishments but in the community he helped strengthen through his example of selflessness and service. His life remains a powerful reminder that true greatness is measured not only by success, but by the positive impact one leaves on others.

Eugene “Geno” Roberts Jr.

Few names in Palmerton’s storied athletic history carry the same respect and admiration as Eugene “Geno” Roberts Jr. A 1972 graduate of Palmerton Area High School, he was the embodiment of the successful small town high school athlete — a leader, competitor and sportsman who excelled in every arena he entered.

During his remarkable high school career, Geno earned 11 varsity letters. He was a three-sport standout, lettering four times each in football and baseball, and three times in basketball.

On the football field, Geno was a force to be reckoned with. Playing both fullback and middle linebacker, he led by example with toughness and determination. His dominance on defense earned his First Team All Lehigh Valley League honors as linebacker.

In basketball, Geno was a key contributor as a forward on the Bombers’ 1971 Lehigh Valley League championship team, helping to guide the team to one of its most successful seasons in school history.

On the baseball diamond, he played left field and pitcher, displaying the same discipline and leadership that made him stand out in every sport he played.

Beyond high school, Geno continued his baseball career with the Lehigh Township American Legion team before joining Palmerton’s inaugural Legion team, where his outstanding play earned him selection to the 1972 Eastern Legion Baseball Team — competing at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.

After his playing days, Geno devoted his life to coaching, mentoring and community service, contributing more than 38 years to the development of young athletes. His coaching career spanned three sports — football, basketball and baseball — and his influence was felt at every level, from youth leagues to varsity programs.

Together with his twin brother Darryl, Geno co-founded and operated the annual Basketball Easter Seals Tournament, raising funds to support children in need. The Roberts brothers also dedicated countless hours to improving Palmerton’s athletic facilities, helping to build the Booster Club concession stand, high school weight room, baseball dugouts and concession facilities that continue to serve the community today.

Geno’s passion for player development led him to create a summer basketball camp open to boys and girls of all ages. Known throughout the region as the true “shot doctor,” he devoted himself to helping athletes to refine their shooting technique and build confidence, mentoring countless players who went on to achieve great success on and off the court.

His coaching journey began in 1983 with the Palmerton junior high boys basketball program before moving on to the freshman and junior varsity girls teams at Northern Lehigh and Palmerton. In 1999, Geno became the head coach of Palmerton’s varsity girls basketball team, leading it to a few successful seasons. The highlight of his coaching career came as an assistant coach for the 1997 Colonial League and District 11 Blue Bomber girls championship team that compiled a 31-1 record and a PIAA Final Four appearance.

In addition to basketball, he coached football at every level, from youth flag divisions to high school varsity. He served 11 years as an assistant varsity coach, while also leading the freshman team. In baseball, he coached at every age group as well, from Little League to high school junior varsity and varsity assistant.

For his enduring dedication to Palmerton athletics, the community honored Geno in a lasting way — by dedicating the football field on Delaware Avenue in his name. It stands today as a tribute to his lifelong devotion to sports, mentorship and the betterment of others.

Off the field, Geno worked for the New Jersey Zinc Company of Palmerton and Mallinckrodt Industries of Allentown.

Geno passed away on Nov. 23, 2016, but his legacy continues to inspire generations of athletes, coaches and community members.

Jerry Snyder

Jerry Snyder, a 1982 graduate of Palmerton Area High School, was a three-year letterman in both basketball and football for the Blue Bombers.

He was a member of the 1979-80 Palmerton squad that won the Centennial League and District 11 championships.

At the time, he was one of only five players to reach 1,000 points in Palmerton boys basketball history. This was before the three-point shot.

He closed his basketball career with 1,199 points and 571 assists.

Jerry achieved All Centennial League First Team honors for the 1980-81 and 1981-82 seasons, as well as honorable mention status during the 1979-80 campaign.

In baseball, he held six career records at Palmerton, along with attaining First Team honors.

Following graduation, he earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Elizabethtown College. He then returned to the area as both an educator and coach.

In 1990, Jerry started his basketball coaching career at Jim Thorpe Area High School as an assistant to head coach Randy Engle. He later signed on at Palmerton as the boys basketball head coach, serving from 1992-1996, and the girls softball head coach, from 1991-1996.

Jerry resides in Sellersville, Bucks County. He has two sons, Taylor and Chandler, and two grandsons, Bradley and Emmett.