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PITTSBURGH -- Five North Hills School District individuals have been selected for induction into the North Hills Sports Hall of Fame.

The 2019 inductees are Arlene Bender, Community Supporter; Ken Bollens III, Class of 1994; Joseph Kush, Class of 2011; Shannon Rankin, Class of 1998 and Curtis Rice, Class of 1980.

Arlene Bender (posthumous) – Community Supporter

• 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.

• Ken Bollens was a three-sport athlete at North Hills, participating in the sports of Football, Basketball and Baseball.
• Ken was named first team All-Conference as a wide receiver. He 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.

• Joe Kush participated in the sports of Cross Country and Track & Field at North Hills.
• He was a nine-time WPIAL medalist, a four-time PIAA State Medalist and a four-time PIAA State top ten finisher.
• Joe went onto Syracuse University where he excelled in both cross country and track.
• Joe was a member of the Syracuse’s 2015 NCAA Division I National Championship team.
• Joe is currently working on his Ph.D in Educational Psychology at the University of Virginia.

• 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.
• Shannon is a physical education teacher at Sewickley Academy, where she coaches three sports.

• 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.

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. 

Inductees will be honored at the annual Sports Hall of Fame dinner on September 12 at 6 p.m. at Rico’s restaurant in Ross Township. They will also be recognized at the home football game the following evening at Martorelli Stadium.  

Tickets for the Sports Hall of Fame dinner at Rico’s are $40 and can be purchased online through September 3.

For more information regarding the Sports Hall of Fame, contact Chelle Zimmerman at 412-318-1438 or [email protected].