The newly created Panther Valley Athletic Hall of Fame announced the 10 selections for its first-ever Hall of Fame class.

The athletes will be honored prior to the home football game versus Marian Catholic on Friday, Sept. 4.

The class includes a wide variety of athletes who span from the initial years of the jointure of Coaldale, Lansford, Nesquehoning and Summit Hill school districts, all the way up to recent graduates. The 10 selections include eight accomplished individual athletes, one championship team, and one highly respected coach.

John Harkins, a long-time teacher and basketball and football mentor, will be the first coach honored by the PVAHOF. The 1985-86 men’s basketball team that united and inspired the Panther Valley community during their run all the way to the Pennsylvania state tournament Eastern final will be the first team honored.

The individuals to be honored are Bill Pilconis - 1967 (football, basketball, track), Bill Maynard - 1967 (football, basketball, and baseball), Bob Polinsky - 1969 (baseball, basketball, football), Pete Radocha - 1972 (football, basketball, and baseball), Cazzie Kosciolek - 1993 (football, basketball, baseball, and track & field), Lacey Gonzalez - 1999 (cross country, basketball, and track & field), Allysa Vavra - 2008 (swimming), and Erika Dubosky - 2021 (volleyball and basketball).

Full biographies of each of the selections will be published in the summer months leading up to the ceremony.

In the meantime, supporters of Panther Valley sports history are encouraged to visit and join the newly created Facebook page – Panther Valley Athletics Hall of Fame. On that page is information about the organization, links to nominate future honorees, and details about making tax-deductible contributions to the organization.