Sports Hall of Fame

Class of 2014 - Diving, Volleyball, Soccer, Track & Field

Noah Bostick was a four-sport athlete at North Hills, excelling in diving, volleyball, soccer, and track & field. He earned multiple WPIAL diving medals, including gold, and placed third at states. He was an All-WPIAL volleyball selection, an all-section soccer player, and a top WPIAL finisher in several track events. Noah continued his athletic career at Slippery Rock University, earning PSAC Rookie of the Year in the decathlon. He now resides in New York.

Class of 2003- Soccer

Nikki Jacobs was a four-year varsity letter winner and standout soccer player at North Hills. In 2000, she earned All-Section honors and was named team MVP. That same season, she scored a record-setting 27 goals—leading both the team and the WPIAL in scoring. Jacobs continued her soccer career at Slippery Rock University, where she excelled on the field. She currently resides in Pittsburgh.

Class of 2009 - Football, Basketball

Cody Patton was a multi-sport standout at North Hills, earning varsity letters in both football and basketball, where he also served as team captain. He was First Team All-Conference in both sports and received several honors, including Post-Gazette Fab 22 and Fab Five, and First Team All-WPIAL. As a senior, he helped secure an undefeated football season and led the basketball team to the WPIAL Final Four. He now lives in Pittsburgh with his family.

Class of 1990 - Football, Track & Field

Matt Vaupel was a two-sport athlete at North Hills, excelling in football and track & field. He was a four-year letterman in football and earned two varsity letters in track. Matt continued his football career at the University of Cincinnati, where he started and lettered all four years and served as an offensive captain during his junior and senior seasons. He currently resides in South Park with his family.

Community Supporter

Dr. Robert Potter served as the team doctor for North Hills for many years, succeeding his father, Robert Potter Sr. Together their service spans over many decades. During his tenure, Dr. Potter helped countless students and athletes. He retired as team doctor in 2022 but continues to serve as a volunteer coach for our sport teams. Dr. Potter currently resides in Gibsonia with his family.

Class of 2001 - Swimming

Matthew Drozd was an accomplished swimmer at North Hills. He was an integral part of the swim team, qualifying for the WPIAL Championships all four years of his career. Matthew was a three-time WPIAL champion in the 50-yard freestyle and earned second place in 1999. He earned a gold medal in the 100 freestyle in 2001 after placing 3rd in 2000. Additionally, he was a member of the boys’ 200-yard freestyle relay that won a WPIAL gold in 1999. He qualified for the PIAA State Championships all four years at North Hills in both individual and relay events. Mr. Drozd received a full scholarship to attend West Virginia University where he was a member of two relays that placed first at the Big East Conference Championships and broke West Virginia University records. Matthew currently resides in Wexford with his family.

Class of 2004 - Football, Track and Field

Cory Lacek was an integral part of the North Hills football team and also participated in track & field during his years at North Hills. Lacek was a two-year letterwinner in both football and track & field. He was a two-year starter at defensive end/linebacker and received all-conference honors, helping lead the team to the AAAA section championship. Lacek went on to play football at Slippery Rock University, where he was a three-year starter. In 2005, he led the PSAC and ranked fourth in the nation in quarterback sacks with 12. In 2006, Lacek finished the season with a school record 28 tackles for loss, which was first in the PSAC and ranked fifth nationally. He also had nine sacks, which ranked at the top of the PSAC that season. At the conclusion of his senior season in 2007, Lacek was the SRU record-holder in single-game QB sacks (4), single-game tackles for loss (6) and single-season TFLs (28), which still stands today. He recorded a career total of 26.5 sacks and 55.5 TFLs, which places him third on both all-time lists at SRU. Lacek was a three-time All-PSAC and All-Northeast Region honoree from 2005-07 and he earned All-America honors in both 2005 and 2006. He resides with his family in Pittsburgh.

Class of 2017 - Cross Country, Track & Field

Ava Pietrzyk was a two-sport athlete who participated in cross country and track and field at North Hills. Ms. Pietrzyk was a six-time WPIAL medalist (four in cross country and two in track), and a two-time PIAA medalist and MVP in cross country. Ava also participated in indoor track in her free time and was a four-time TSTCA medalist and a PTFCA State Championship qualifier. In 2016, Ava was the recipient of the KDKA Extra Effort Award for her hard work as an exemplary high school student-athlete. Pietrzyk was awarded an athletic scholarship to Duquesne University where she was the team captain of the Atlantic 10 Cross Country Championship team in 2020. She ranks in Duquesne University’s all-time top 10 in both the 5k and 10k in track. She also won the Atlantic 10 Commissioner Honors Award eight times. Ms. Pietrzyk resides in Mars, Pennsylvania.

Community Supporter (Posthumous)

Kathy Reid dedicated her life to the North Hills community. She spent countless years as a PTA member, cheerleading sponsor, chaperone, employee, school board member and an avid supporter of the arts and athletics. Mrs. Reid initiated activities to inspire student engagement which included the Bowling club. During her tenure on the school board, she helped with many changes and improvements including navigating the pandemic. Kathy lived in the North Hills community for over 50 years with her husband Bob and raised three children, Aimee, Missi and Rob.

Class of 1984 - Football

Jim Cassandro was an accomplished football player and coach at North Hills. He was an integral part of the 1982 football team that brought North Hills their first WPIAL championship. Jim received a scholarship to attend California University of Pennsylvania where he was a four-year letter winner and three-year starter at running back. Mr. Cassandro became a teacher at North Hills High School where he has been teaching and coaching for over 31 years. Jim raised two daughters, Cara and Carley, in the district  and currently lives with his wife Beth in the North Hills.

Class of 1980 - Cross Country, Track & Field

Cindy Haig was a two-sport athlete participating in cross country and track and field. She helped lead the North Hills cross country teams to back-to-back WPIAL team championships in 1978 and 1979. Cindy twice placed in the top five at the WPIAL individual cross country championships, placing third in 1978 and fourth in 1979. She won two gold and two silver medals at the WPIAL track championships, winning gold in the 1600M in 1980, gold in the 3200M relay in 1979, and silver in both the 1600M and 3200M in 1979. At the 1979 PIAA State Track & Field Championships, Cindy placed third in the 3200M. Mrs. Haig resides with her family in Cranberry.

Class of 2004 - Football, Baseball

Chris Kappas was a two-sport athlete who participated in football and baseball at North Hills. In football, he was a three year starter playing running back, defensive back and special teams and went on to play at Mount Union after graduation where he was a two-year starter at defensive back. As a player at Mount Union, he was a part of the 2005 and 2006 National Championship teams. Upon graduating from college, Chris became the assistant football coach at Mount Union where he was part of the team that had an undefeated record and won the Division III National Championship. Chris received numerous honors during his collegiate coaching career at both Mount Union and later at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. He currently resides in Louisville, Ohio, where he is the head football coach for Louisville High School.

Class of 1982 - Football, Community Supporter (Posthumous)

Shawn Gaertner participated in football at North Hills. He was the captain and quarterback for the first North Hills team to ever appear in a WPIAL championship game. Shawn was a leader on and off the field. His thoughtfulness had an impact on many, including his teammates, co-workers, family and friends. When Shawn passed away, his family and friends came together to form the Shawn Gaertner Foundation. Shawn’s legacy through the foundation supports scholarships and donations for the North Hills School District and community.

Class of 1984 - Tennis

Brad Hanes was an accomplished tennis player at North Hills. He won the WPIAL boys doubles championship in 1981 and 1983 and also finished second in mixed doubles in both the WPIAL and the PIAA tournaments. As a senior, Brad played singles and made it to the WPIAL championship and placed fourth at the PIAA state competition. Mr. Hanes continued playing Tennis at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he finished second in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament twice in singles and twice in doubles. He was ranked among the top 50 singles players in the country in NCAA Division II and finished his career with a 51-8 record in singles matches. Mr. Hanes is also a member of the class of 2017 IUP Sports Hall of Fame.

Class of 2014 - Cross Country, Track & Field

Mary Malone was a two-sport athlete participating in cross country and track and field. She won nine WPIAL medals in cross country and track, including a gold and two silvers. Ms. Malone also won three PIAA state medals and three PTFCA state medals. Mary’s times in the 1600, 3200 and 3200 relay rank among the best in WPIAL history. She received a scholarship to Syracuse University. While running in college, she captained nationally-ranked cross country teams, earned All-Region honors and competed at the NCAA Championship meet. Mary was the recipient of the Syracuse Courage Award in 2019.

Class of 2017 - Basketball

Nick Smith participated in basketball at North Hills. He was a two-time selection to the Post-Gazette Fabulous Five and at the time of his induction held North Hills High Schools records for most career points scored (1,776) and most points scored in a single game (44). Nick led North Hills to three consecutive WPIAL semifinal appearances and the first WPIAL championship appearance in school history in 2016. Nick was the WPIAL Class 6A player of the year in 2017. He received a scholarship to Nova Southeastern University, a Division II school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he had a remarkable basketball career. He was a four-year starter and received the university's "Golden Shark Award," which is given to one male and one female athlete from all sports who displayed the most dominant presence within competition and is one of NSU's premiere athletes.

Community Supporter, Coach

Tom Baier coached multiple sports for 40 years during his tenure at North Hills. While teaching English for 37 years, he held multiple varsity head coaching positions in the sports of cross country, basketball, track and field and had many victories over the years. Tom began coaching at North Hills in 1971 as a ninth grade boys basketball coach. Following the 1975 season, he became the boys basketball JV and assistant varsity coach in charge of defense. He was head coach of the boys basketball team for the 1983-84 season and returned the following year as the assistant head coach, a position he held until he retired from coaching basketball following the 1994 season. Mr. Baier began to coach varsity track and field as an assistant in 1984. In 1988, he became the head coach of the boys and girls varsity track and field teams. Tom coordinated with the district’s planning team for the construction of the Martorelli track and field complex. He remained as track and field head coach until he retired in 2011. In 1992, he became an assistant cross country coach in charge of developing a girls’ team. After running one season as an exhibition team, the team was accepted into Section 3 of the WPIAL. He became Head coach of the girls varsity cross country team in 1994. He retired after the team’s WPIAL Championship winning season in 2010. Tom resides in Ross Township with his wife, Diana.

Class of 1996

Tom Bell was a two sport athlete at North Hills, participating in football and baseball. He was a two-year starter for the North Hills varsity football team and an All-Conference player both his junior and senior year. Mr. Bell was a member of the 1993 WPIAL and PIAA Quad A Championship Football Team and team captain his senior year. Tom was recruited by Slippery Rock University and became a four-year starter on the offensive line and three-year PSAC West Division All-Conference First Team selection as an offensive guard. Tom also was named to the first team All-Northeast Region First Team as an Offensive Lineman and was named to the Division II All-American Team. Tom currently resides in York, Pennsylvania, with his wife April and two children, Addison and Ashton. He is a high school physical education teacher and a varsity assistant football coach.

Class of 1991

Debbie (Jones) Wittig was a two-sport athlete. She participated in the sports of swimming and Volleyball. She was a member of the 200 medley relay that finished in first place at the WPIAL Championship and also first place at the PIAA championship. Mrs.Wittig also won first place in the 50 and 100 Freestyle races at the WPIAL Championships and went on to swim at Clarion University. Mrs. Wittig resides in the North Hills with her family.

Class of 2012

Abby O’Connell was a three sport athlete, participating in track and field, basketball and soccer. She lettered all four years on the soccer and track and field teams, and broke the 400 Meter North Hills school record in 2010 and was a four-year state qualifier, finishing in the top eight all four years. Abby earned a full athletic scholarship for track to Duquesne University. At Duquesne, she broke school records in the 400 and 4x400 relay, won five Atlantic 10 Conference medals and was a three-year ECAC qualifier. Ms. O’Connell currently lives in Pittsburgh.

Community Supporter

Dennis Watson was the founding member of the North Hills Sports Hall of Fame which began in 1995. Over the past 25 years, the North Hills Sports Hall of Fame has impacted more than 125 players, coaches, administrators and community supporters who have brought pride and recognition to the athletic programs of the NHSD. Watson served as a director for the North Hills School District for eight years as a member of the school board. He was an avid supporter of North Hills athletics and activities and continues to serve the North Hills community. Watson is currently a trial attorney with Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote, P.C. and resides in the North Hills with his wife Joan.

Class of 2004

Andrew Johnson was a two-sport athlete at North Hills, participating in the sports of football and track and field. He was named first team All Conference, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette Fabulous 22, the Pittsburgh Tribune Review Terrific 25, and the Associated Press All-State Team. He was the North Hills leading rusher. Johnson currently holds the North Hills track record in the 100 meters, the WPIAL 100 meters champion and also the Pennsylvania 100 meters state champion. After graduation, he accepted a full scholarship to the University of Miami where he participated in football and track. Mr. Johnson currently is a restaurant entrepreneur and resides in Los Angeles, California.

Class of 2015

Brian Lovasik was a two-sport athlete at North Hills, participating in the sports of swimming and tennis. He was a two-year team captain for the swim team while at North Hills and broke every school and pool record in every freestyle event. Lovasik went on to the University of Pittsburgh where he continued his swimming career and was awarded the University of Pittsburgh Carson Fellowship post graduate scholarship. Lovasik currently resides in the North Hills.

Class of 2013

Shannon Malone was a two-sport athlete at North Hills, participating in cross country and track and field. She is one of the greatest distance runners in WPIAL history and currently ranks in the all-time WPIAL top 10 in three track events. Malone is a six-time WPIAL medalist, three-time PIAA State medalist and the 2013 WPIAL 3200 champion. In addition, Malone holds North Hills school records in both the 1600 and 3200 meters. She went on to earn a full scholarship to Syracuse University where she continued to excel in both cross country and track. Shannon currently is a professional runner. Among her accomplishments as a professional is a fourth place finish in the national half marathon championship in 2019 and qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon. Malone currently resides in the North Hills.

Community Supporter (Posthumous)

Arlene Bender was one of the founding members of the North Hills Sports Hall of Fame. Mrs. Bender served the North Hills School District for 35 years as a member of the school board. She was an avid supporter of North Hills Athletics and Activities. With her support, North Hills made significant improvements to its athletic facilities, including the expansion and renovation of Martorelli Stadium, the addition of the Junior High Annex Athletic Complex and the addition of the softball field at McIntyre Elementary.

Class of 1994

Ken Bollens was a three-sport athlete at North Hills, participating in the sports of Football, Basketball and Baseball. He was named first team All-Conference as a wide receiver and is the North Hills all-time single season record holder for pass receptions. Ken was a key member of the 1993 WPIAL and PIAA State Championship teams. After graduation, Ken went to Dartmouth where he was a three year starter at the wide receiver position for the Big Green. Ken is currently a veterinarian in the North Hills. His father, Ken Sr., was previously inducted into the North Hills Sports Hall of Fame.

Class of 1998

Shannon Rankin was a three-sport athlete at North Hills. She participated in the sports of Soccer, Basketball and Track & Field. She earned 10 varsity letters at North Hills, and was named team captain for both the soccer and track teams. Shannon is the school track and field record holder for North Hills in the shot put Shannon went onto Muskingum College where she was a member of the Women’s Soccer Team. She is a physical education teacher at Sewickley Academy, where she coaches three sports.

Class of 1980

Curtis Rice was a three-sport athlete at North Hills, participating in Football, Basketball and Track & Field. It was in the sport of football that Curtis excelled as a three-year starter. He was All-Conference, selected as member of the Post-Gazette Fabulous 22, and named to the All-State Team. Curtis participated in the prestigious Pennsylvania Big 33 Game. Curtis resides in the North Hills.

Community Supporter

Dan Cardone served North Hills School District as the Director of Athletics and Activities for 21 years from 1992 to 2013 and oversaw the district’s greatest improvement and expansion to its sports facilities. He served as President of the Northern Athletic Directors’ Association and the WPIAL Athletic Directors’ Association and was an officer and member of the WPIAL and PIAA Boards of Control. Cardone created the WPIAL Student Athlete Leadership Academy and the WPIAL Sportsmanship Summit. During his tenure, North Hills was a seven-time winner of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Sportsmanship Award and was named an All-American Sportsmanship School by the Institute of International Sport. In 2005, Cardone was the recipient of the National Interscholastic Athletic Association Award of Merit. He also was inducted in the Western Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Class of 2005

Josh Eddy was a cross country and track and field athlete and a key member of teams that won back-to-back WPIAL cross country team championships in 2003 and 2004. He was the WPIAL cross country individual runner-up in 2005 and the WPIAL champion in the 3200 meters. Eddy continued his academic and athletic careers at Duquesne University where he was a four-year letter winner in cross country and track and helped his team win an Atlantic 10 Conference Cross Country Championship. In track and field, Eddy was the Atlantic 10 champion in 2007. He ranks as the No. 4 runner in Duquesne history in both the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. Eddy graduated from Duquesne University with a degree in Criminal Justice and joined the U.S. Army. He is a Green Beret, a Jump Master and Special Forces Master Mountaineer. He has served in three deployments including one in Afghanistan.

Class of 1992

Paul Kress III was a four-year letter winner and team captain for the North Hills swim team. He was the WPIAL Champion in the 100 backstroke and undefeated in dual meets his junior year, and his 100 backstroke record still stands at North Hills. An outstanding student, Kress was selected to the Allegheny Mountain All-American Scholastic Team and received an appointment to attend the U.S. Naval Academy. He was a four-year letter winner on the swim team and held the 200 backstroke record at Navy for ten years. Upon graduation, he spent seven years in the U.S. Navy as a surface warfare officer. Kress continued his education after his service ended, receiving a master’s degree in Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University. Kress currently serves as the Vice President of Market Organization for EQT Organization.

Class of 2001

Mick Yokitis was a two-sport athlete and three-year starter in both football and basketball at North Hills. An outstanding wide receiver in football, Mick was named to the Quad A North All-Conference team in his junior and senior year. He went on to the Naval Academy Preparatory School and then to the U.S. Naval Academy where became a starting wide receiver for the Midshipmen. Yokitis was a three-year letter winner starting 37 consecutive games. He began his coaching career as head coach at the Naval Academy Preparatory School and is now in his eighth season as wide receivers’ coach at the U.S. Naval Academy. During that time, Navy has posted a record of 50-28, beat Army six times, went to bowl games six times and won the Commander in Chief’s Trophy four times.