The BAHS Alumni

Athletic Hall of Fame

The Bangor Slater Athletic Hall of Fame honors individuals, establishes pride, and preserves the tradition of the Bangor Athletic program by honoring those who have made a significant contribution to athletics in the Bangor Area School District.

In an effort to honor outstanding team accomplishments in athletics, the Bangor Area High School Alumni Association and the Athletic Hall of Fame are also honoring Teams of Distinction Honor. The criteria for this award is a BAHS varsity team that has made an outstanding accomplishment, which may include a team championship, undefeated season, or any unique recognition not made by another team in its respective sport. Nominations for this honor will be accepted 10 years after the team distinguished itself.

2008 Members of the Athletic Hall of Fame

Team of Distinction - The 1987 Football Team Colonial League Champions, District XI Class AA Champions 12-0 Record Only Undefeated and Untied Football Team in School History Team Members are listed below: Row 1: #73 Craig Fisher, #83 Eric Striba, #75 Kevin Ott, #61 Kyle Franufelter, #72 Bob Christie, #30 Scott Hallet, #55 EJ Belanger, #52 Rick Weaver, #89 Brent Godshalk, #81 Chris Iaccio, #42 Mike Henderson, #33 Scott Labar, #44 Mark Frankenfield   Row #2: Krista Constable Mgr., #85 Ldo Casagrande, #41 Randy Temples, #16 Jon Wolf, #32 Doug Comunale, #86 Joe Emrick, #24 Rodney Heard, #20 Dave De Rea, #31 Steve lapekas, #50 Keith Gillow, #60 Craig Dwyer, Jodi Stenlake mgr. Row 3: Asst. Coach Mark Frey,   #71 Richard De Rea, #40 john De Rea, #78 John Matyas, #22 Kyle collura, #54 Dave Reto, #74 Erick Ball, #64 Jon Lewis, #53 Chris Kessler, Asst. Coach Jerry Gold Row 4: Head Coach Paul Farnan, #62 Steve Staples, #10 Keith Frankenfield, #80 David Laubach, #28 Heath Winans, #66 Terry Wickett, #77 Dave Groff, Asst. In 2008 the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee added another category to their honorees.   A Team of Distinction Award will be given to any BAHS varsity team that has displayed an outstanding accomplishment, which may include a team championship, undefeated season, or any unique recognition not earned by another team in its respective sport. Nominations for this honor will be accepted 10 years after the team distinguished itself. This year's team of distinction is the 1987 Football Team. They are being recognized because they were Colonial League Champions, District XI Class AA Champions, and with a 12-0 record, the only undefeated and untied football team in school history On a frigid November evening (-13 wind chill), at Catasauqua High School, the Bangor Slater football team made history by defeating Bethlehem Catholic 28 -7. With this victory the Slaters earned the District XI AA Championship and completed a 12 -0 season, the first undefeated/ untied football season in the 66-year history of the program. Two weeks prior to that, on a Saturday afternoon against Saucon Valley a 48-6 victory garnered the Slater team their first Colonial League football title. This team under the leadership of head coach Paul Farnan was honored by the borough of Bangor with a parade through the town, was recognized by The Express Newspaper as its #1 team in 1987 and was ranked #3 in the state of Pennsylvania by the Harrisburg - Patriot Newspaper. Based on this team's accomplishments and the pride bestowed on them by the school district and the community, the Bangor Area High School Alumni Association honors the 1987 football team as the first Athletic Hall of Fame Team of Distinction.   Top

. Timothy H. East - 1960 Tim East played varsity football at Bangor for three years from 1957 to 1959.   In his senior year he joined the newly established track team, which was reintroduced to the school after a seven-year absence from the sports program. As a member of the track team, Tim established new school and league records in the 1-mile (4:37) and 880-yard (2:05.1) runs.   These erased league records established in 1952 and 1939. Tim participated in district competition, placing second in both the mile and the 880-yard run, which qualified him for the PIAA State Track and Field Championships at PSU. Assisted by his coach, Charles Sandwick, he became a member of the AAU Club team and the Penn Athletic Club, and competed after the high school track season ended. Tim worked for one year after graduation before enrolling at the University of Mami in the fall of 1961, where he received an athletic scholarship for cross country and track.   He completed his undergraduate degree at West Chester State College in the Health and PE program. Tim had many varied and rewarding employment experiences prior to taking a teaching position at Southern Lehigh High School, where his career in teaching spanned over 35 years.   He had the opportunity to coach a number of sports there as well as to start new programs.   In 1968, he and Bob Clark (head coach) started the football program at Southern Lehigh.   In 1972 he started the boys' track team and several years later introduced the girls' track program and indoor competition.   He also coached wrestling, gymnastics, girls' softball, and swimming. Over the years Tim has competed in track, road running, and marathon events, including the Boston Marathon, as well as triathlons.   He stays active and fit by playing tennis, biking, running, and boating.   Tim and his wife, Pamela, have two children, Abigail and Timothy.   He also has two adult daughters and one grandson.   Top

Jason L. Hughes - 1998   While at Bangor High School, Jason Hughes played three years of football and basketball and four years of baseball for the Slaters. As a three-year starting quarterback for the football team, Jason set the following career records: Most TD passes: 45 Most completions: 243 Most passing yards: 3904 Most extra points in a season: 31 Under his leadership the Slaters were Colonial League Champions in 1997 and Eastern Conference Champions in 1996 and 1997. Jason was chosen to play in the McDonald's All-Star game, and was named a Colonial League and Express-Times all-area player. Jason played on the Slater baseball team where he was a tri-captain in 1998 and MVP in 1997 and 1998.   He had a career batting average of .339 and was given honorable mention for three years as a Colonial League Catcher.   He played in the American Cancer Society Senior Game. In basketball, Jason helped the team advance to the district semi-finals. After graduating from Bangor, Jason went to DeSales University.   While at DeSales, he played on the baseball and golf teams, graduating in 2002, with a degree in accounting. Jason is currently working in the accounting department at Dun & Bradstreet.   He is a member of the Bangor Elks Lodge #1106 and lives in Freemansburg with his wife Megan.   Top

Rodney J. Miller - 1954 (Deceased) Besides being a three-sport athlete at Bangor High School, Rodney Miller was the president of his class for three consecutive years.   He lettered for four years in football, three years in baseball, and three years in basketball. He started both ways as a freshman on the football team playing as an offensive and defensive back, and was co-captain of the team in his senior year. Rodney was nicknamed "Red" Miller, because his face turned bright red when angered.   At 5'7" and 185 pounds, he was extremely strong, and respected as a tough competitor. Rodney played football at Moravian College for four years, attending on a football scholarship.   He graduated from Moravian in 1958.   While there he was a member of the Omicron Gamma Omega fraternity. After college, Rodney became an assistant varsity football coach at Pen Argyl High School, and was head coach at Wilson for four years.   While at Wilson, he had the distinction of being the only coach to beat Nazareth three years in a row on Thanksgiving.   He also coached at Moravian College for four years. Rodney was one of the six founders of the "Forks of the Delaware Bottle Club."   Founded in the late '60's, the club is still a very active organization of antique bottle collectors. Rodney was also active in the Palmer Township Athletic Association, coaching Little League Baseball for ten years.   During that time his teams had three undefeated seasons.   Top

Helena Kline Ninno - 1971 Helena Kline Ninno made her mark in Bangor High School athletics in the sports of basketball and field hockey. She earned three varsity letters in both sports. Helena was a starting player on two consecutive undefeated basketball teams in both 1970 and 1971 and she was a starting player on two Lehigh-Northampton Northern Division championship teams.   As the high scorer in her three years of varsity basketball, Helena averaged 15 points per game in her sophomore year and 20 points per game in both her junior and senior years.   She was the team's high scorer and MVP in her senior year. In field hockey, Helena was a tri-captain in her senior year and a starting player on two consecutive Lehigh-Northampton League championship field hockey teams.   She was a defensive standout playing center halfback and was named MVP in her senior year. After graduation, Helena played on the AAU Women's basketball team, the Allentown Crestettes, in 1971 and 1972.   More recently she was the head coach for the Bangor Area Middle School girls' field hockey team from 1990 to 1995.   She was a ten-year community volunteer for the Bangor Girls' Booster Club softball and basketball programs. Helena served as president of the PTA and is a lifetime member.   She was awarded the BASD "Friends of Education Award" in 1986.   She is an active parent volunteer in the BASD Elementary Schools. She has served the community as a member of the Bangor Zoning Hearing Board, the Bangor Park Board, the Pennico Association Board, and the Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church Council. Helena works as a receptionist for a local business and has two daughters, Heather and Karissa, who both live in central Pennsylvania.   Top

Michael R. Smith - 1998 Michael Smith, contributed immensely to the BHS sports program on the baseball and football teams and was a three-year letter winner in both sports. Mike, a fullback and linebacker for the Slaters, led the Slaters to an 11-1 record in 1997, en route to the Colonial League Championship and Eastern Conference Championship.   He was a team tri-captain and MVP, Express Times First Team Linebacker, and Colonial League Second Team Running Back as a senior. Mike holds the following single season school records in football (1997): Single season yards: 1289 Most touchdowns in a season: 19 Most rushing yards in a season: 1289 Most points scored in a season: 114 Mike was named MVP in the 1997 Bangor vs. Pen Argyl game and also received the David Hopstetter Award.   He was selected to play in the Lehigh Valley McDonald's All-Star game where he started as outside linebacker.   He was named Bangor's 1997 Football Scholar Athlete. In 1998, Mike helped the Slaters achieve the Colonial League Eastern Division championship in baseball. He was a three-year varsity letter winner in baseball, receiving the most improved player award in 1998. After high school, Mike earned a B.A. in Political Science from Dickinson College and graduated Summa Cum Laude.   While at Dickinson, he played football for the Red Devils.   He was a four-year letter winner who was twice chosen as team captain, and twice received the team MVP award.   Mike led the Red Devils to the Centennial Conference Rushing Title in 2000 and 2001.   He earned 2002 All-Centennial League Running Back honors, was a 2000 and 2001 first team Verizon Academic All District 11 Running Back, a 2001 second team Verizon Academic All American Division III running back, and was named the 2002 Dickinson College Male Scholar Athlete.   He ranks fifth all-time in Dickinson school history in career all-purpose yards with 3,100 yards and is the sixth all-time leader in rushing yards. After graduation from Dickinson, Mike earned his law degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Syracuse University School of Law.   He passed the bar exam and took a position with the law firm of Tallman, Hudders & Sorrentino in Allentown, PA, where he is an associate with a focus in civil litigation.   He currently lives in Easton, PA with his fiancé Rebecca Merlo.