Sports Hall of Fame
Created in 1995, the North Hills Sports Hall of Fame, honors individuals who have distinguished themselves in athletics during and/or beyond their years at North Hills High School or the former West View High School.
Inductees have brought pride and recognition to the district’s athletic programs and to the community as former players, coaches, administrators and supporters.
Nominations are accepted throughout the year. Inductees are selected in the spring and honored during the annual Sports Hall of Fame Dinner in the fall.
Please utilize the form below to nominate an individual for the Sports Hall of Fame. All nominations received by April 15 of the current year will be considered for that year's Hall of Fame class.
For more information regarding the Sports Hall of Fame, contact Activities Coordinator Chelle Zimmerman at 412-318-1438. The Sports Hall of Fame is an independent organization not overseen or governed by North Hills School District.
Sports Hall of Fame Classes
2024
Dr. Robert Potter
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.
Matthew Drozd
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.
Libby Gasior
Class of 2000 - Basketball Soccer, Softball
Libby Gasior participated in softball, basketball and soccer at North Hills. She was a three-year letter winner in both softball and basketball and a two-year letter winner in soccer. Ms. Gasior currently serves as North Hills’ head softball coach. She assisted the softball team in winning the WPIAL softball championship in 2000 and coached the team to win the WPIAL softball championship again in 2021. After North Hills, Libby attended Washington & Jefferson University where she played basketball and served as a team captain. She earned the President's “Heart and Soul” award and was part of the 2002-2003 PAC Championship team. Libby currently resides with her family in Harmony, Pennsylvania.
Cory Lacek
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.
Ava Pietrzyk
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.
2023
Kathy Reid
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.
Jim Cassandro
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.
Gage Curry
Class of 2016 - Wrestling
Gage Curry participated in wrestling at North Hills. He was a four-time section champion and a four-time Allegheny County Champion, WPIAL Champion and four-time PIAA medalist. Mr. Curry holds the most wins in North Hills wrestling history with a career record of 159-12. He went on to attend American University where he achieved many victories and then transferred to Pitt where he continued to excel and was a four-time NCAA qualifier in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Gage currently resides in the North Hills.
Cindy (Zielinski) Haig
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.
Chris Kappas
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.
2022
Shawn Gaertner
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.
Brad Hanes
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.
Duane Hitchcock
Class of 1989 - Football
Duane Hitchcock participated in football at North Hills. Duane was a junior running back and the leading rusher on the 1987 North Hills football team which was No. 1 in the country. He received all-conference and all-state awards and was selected to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 football team. Mr. Hitchcock went onto Slippery Rock University where he played both running back and wide receiver. He rushed 127 times for over 600 yards.
Mary Malone
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.
Nick Smith
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.
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017 & Earlier
2017
Keith Brown
Liz Cleary
Zach Hebda
Margo Malone
Sal Marsico
2016
Bob Hood
Dana (Pecanis) Simile
Michael "Mickey" Schramm
John Wilkie
John Zanieski
2015
Rich Esswein
William Knoch
Vince Sebal
Rhonda (Caye) Vorndran
Tim White
2014
Percy Barnett
Mark Farris
Lisa (Hall) Halstead
Paul Thomas
Thomas Welch
2013
LuLu (Troy) Braun (posthumous)
Jenielle Hunt
Jack McCurry
Andrew Richardson
Morrow "Woody" Woodburn
2012
Dave Collins
Kevin Donas
Marc Mitchell
Robert Weider
Sara Zilles
2011
Michael Czerwein (posthumous)
Greg Morris
David O'Keefe
Dave Weinerth
Jessica Zapf
2010
Scott Chisholm
Sarah Emory
Janet (Schmitt) McDowell
Brian Stumpf
Joe Wadlow
2009
Ken Bollens
Ian Fitzgerald
Casey Mohn
Ryan Redman
Mike White
2008
Charles (Chum) Kovach
Kelly (Keenan) Check
Joe Smithco
Mark Taylor
Eddie Crankovic (posthumous)
2007
Bill Corley
Gary Gorajewski
Chris Helon
Jenna Hough
Brian Kagle
2006
Gerry "Boz" Bosworth (posthumous)
Doug Hetzler
Scott Merlack
Robert H. Soleau
Victoria Wilson
2005
Eric DeMario
Russ Hollyfield (posthumous)
Linda Massucci
Seamus Murphy
Mike Tongel
2004
Pat Carey
Stephani Ehrenfeld
Lynn Kelso
John Robic
Rob Schellhaas
2003
Chris Cisar
Chris Fertig
Eric Kasperowicz
Linda (Mitchell) Nauman
Gus Nauman
2002
LaVar Arrington
Geoff Bender
Jason Bender
Sue Latshaw
David J. Mayernik
Michael Yoest
2001
Art Hartman (posthumous)
Melanie Lees
Fred Matheis
Mary Ann (Maloney) Miano
Ray Nunamaker
Eric Renkey
2000
Zena Hermann Courtney
Richard Dalrymple
Michael Flynn
Thomas Maloney
Douglas Shore
1999
Steve Fedell
Maryanne Pacconi
Robert Potter Sr.
Robert Reilly
William Stara
1998
Pam McGonigle
TJ Osman
Charles Rebel
John Weixel
Cheryl (Rau) Zangaro
1997
Bruce Abel
Ed Abel
Earl Ceh
Thom Dornbrook
Judi Dum
Jill Ann Kern
1996
Nancy (Henry) Albright
Steve Brown
Ed Fullerton
Guy Guadagnino
Robert "Chip" Lang
1995
Leigh Curl
Mark Kelso
Tom Tobin
Scott Winkler
Mario Martorelli