LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference, celebrating its 75
th anniversary season in 2025-26, continues the process of honoring 300 of its most prominent contributors throughout the month of September.
The fourth and final grouping so honored are the PSAC’s 75 Distinguished Keystones, recognizing individuals that have been historically influential in the PSAC, whether it be staff, coaches, or administrators.
“Every great structure relies on keystones, which are essential elements that hold everything together,” said Steve Murray, PSAC Commissioner. “The individuals we recognize as our Distinguished Keystones have been just that: the steady hands, bold voices, and visionary leaders who helped shape the foundation of our conference. They may or may not have worn a uniform, but their fingerprints are all over our history. Their legacy reminds us that success isn’t only measured in points or trophies but in leadership, dedication, and a lifelong commitment to something greater than oneself.”
The PSAC was founded on March 11, 1951, and comprised 14 institutions as the Pennsylvania State Teachers College Athletic Conference (PSTCAC). Since then, it has grown into one of the largest conferences in the NCAA across all three divisions.
The first 75 honorees were designated
“Made in the PSAC”, a group that recognizes former student-athletes that have gone on to influential careers after graduation (which could be in the sports industry, but not necessarily as a professional athlete.) The next groups of honorees were the conference’s
75 Greatest Female Athletes and
75 Greatest Male Athletes.
All 300 honorees were selected through a process that included nominations from institutions and selections by committee. The committee was comprised of institutional and PSAC staff.
PSAC 75th Anniversary Keystones
Merle Agnello – PSAC “Statistician”, hired in 1952
Instrumental part of chronicling the early history of the conference. A long-time sports editor and photographer for the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat, Agnello researched and recorded information on conference champions before and after the official formation in 1951.
Angelo Armenti – California, President, 1992-2012
During his tenure, California athletics won three NCAA National Championships, expanded scholarships, constructed several new home facilities, runner-up in Director's Cup, won PSAC’s Dixon Trophy.
Rick Bertagnolli – California, Softball Coach, 1994-24
972-389 record at Cal (most-ever wins); won 1997 and 1998 NCAA National Championships; six NCAA Regional Championships in 21 appearances; seven PSAC Championships
Daniel Luke Biemesderfer – Millersville, President, 1943-1965
Served as the ninth President of Millersville University and was instrumental as the leader of State Teacher’s College Presidents Board in the creation of the Conference.
Bob Bubb – Clarion, Wrestling Coach, 1966-92
322-121-4 record, four top-10 finishes at Division I Championships, coached seven total national champions, 11 PSAC championships, NWCA Hall of Fame, 2x NCAA Coach of the Year
Gene Carpenter – Millersville, Football Coach, Athletic Director, 1970-00
Won 220 games and 10 PSAC East titles as football coach and served as director of athletics from 1981-97; member of the Pennsylvania Sports and College Football halls of fame
Anthony Ceddia – Shippensburg, President, 1981-2005
Longest-serving president of Shippensburg; served as Chair of PSAC Board of Directors from 1998 to 2005; Vice Chair of Division II under NCAA structure before federation in 1997
John Chaney – Cheyney, Men’s Basketball Coach, 1972-82
Coached only PSAC Men’s Basketball Team to win an NCAA Championship (1978); Won 741 games in his career (225 at Cheyney), along with nine PSAC Eastern Division titles, seven conference tournament titles, and made eight NCAA tournament appearances.
Jim Clements – Kutztown, Football Coach, 2014-Present
Winningest active coach in PSAC (90 wins, 11th all-time); three PSAC titles, Super Region I title, five-time PSAC Coach of the Year (four-time Region); .845 PSAC winning percentage
Dick DeLaney - West Chester, Men’s Basketball Coach, 1987-08
Winningest MBB coach in school history (370 wins in 21 seasons); 18 winning seasons, four PSAC Eastern Division titles, two PSAC Championship game appearances, 3x NCAA Tournament appearances
Phil Donley - West Chester, Athletic Training, 1965-91
Founded WCU athletic training program that served as model program for PSAC/PASSHE. Served as head AT at WCU for 26 years and was a 10-year consultant to Philadelphia Phillies and a five-year consultant to Philadelphia Eagles
Denny Douds – East Stroudsburg, Football Coach, 1974-2018
PSAC career wins leader (264); ranks 23rd in NCAA history across all divisions; 3x PSAC Coach of the Year; nine PSAC or divisional titles (outright 1975, 1978, 1982); four NCAA Playoffs (regional title 2005); All-American at Slippery Rock State College and won 1962 State Game over ESSC
Jim Doyle – Bloomsburg, Broadcaster, 1970-Present
The "Voice of the Huskies” for more than 55 years; produces and hosts a weekly one-hour show dedicated to local athletes called 'Sunday Morning Quarterback'; first member of electronic media to receive PSAC Media Award; twice honored by the Associated Press for sports reporting
John Eiler – East Stroudsburg, Soccer Coach, Athletic Director, 1956-65 – 1959-77
Led Warriors to 1962 NAIA championship; 1964 and 1965 NCAA DI quarterfinals; 77-25-7 career record [no PSAC titles contested in this span]; National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee in 1993; 18 years as Athletic Director at ESU, namesake of Eiler-Martin Stadium
Edith Gallagher – Mansfield, Softball Coach, 1992-Present
500 career wins; entering 35th season; 2013 PSAC Central Division Co-Champion; 3x ECAC Champion; 3x PSAC Coach of the Year
Jane Goss – Shippensburg, Coach, Administrator, 1967-99
Served Shippensburg for 33 years (field hockey coach from 1967-82, tennis coach from 1967-70, associate director of athletics from 1981-99); led SU to first national championship in any sport (1979 AIAW Division III Field Hockey); as administrator, helped expand women's intercollegiate athletics and enhanced Title IX compliance through expansion of schedules and allotment of additional scholarships to female athletes
Kevin Guskiewicz – West Chester, Athletic Training, 1985-89
UNC Chancellor/Michigan St. President; Received MacArthur fellowship in 2011 for his work on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of concussions; convinced NFL and NCAA to adjust kickoff rule, which resulted in a 50% reduction in concussions on kickoffs
Rick Hall - Seton Hill, Volleyball Coach, 1984-Present
Over 800 career wins; PSAC Championship in 2018; PSAC runner-up in 2014;
five NCAA Tournament appearances
Harry Hillson – Mansfield, Baseball Coach, 1987-2019
892 career wins; National Runner-Up in 1992; five PSAC Championships; three North Atlantic Championships; three NCAA World Series appearances
Karen Hjerpe (Gannon ’91) – California, Volleyball Coach, Administrator, 1993-Present
Has served as California’s Athletic Director since 2012; part of two NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball titles and 38 PSAC titles in her role as an athletics administrator; served in variety of leadership roles in PSAC and NCAA, focused on mentoring and developing future women leaders
Dave Hrovat – Clarion, Diving Coach, 1990-2021
Longest tenured coach in Clarion history; coached Clarion divers to 48 national championships and 294 All-American finishes; 26-time D-II Diving Coach of the Year (15 women, 11 men); named to CSCAA Top 100 Coaches of All Time list
Doc Hunkler – Slippery Rock, Water Polo Coach, Swimming, 1968-98
Coached SRU water polo to the 1995 D1 national title and 10 top-three finishes nationally, compiled 316-82 overall record in 23 seasons, U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame inductee
Jan Hutchinson (East Stroudsburg ’71) – Bloomsburg, Field Hockey Coach, Softball Coach, 1978-09
33 years as head coach for both field hockey and softball; in field hockey, 16 national championships and 16 PSAC titles; winningest coach in NCAA field hockey history; in softball, set NCAA DII record with 1,215 career wins and 28 straight trips to NCAA championships; 1982 AIAW national title
Hubert Jack – Lock Haven, Football Coach, Wrestling Coach, 1946-60
Led wrestling team to record of 153-39-5 between 1946 and 1964; also led football team to its only undefeated and untied season in 1957 and 102 career wins.
Al Jacks – Clarion, Football Coach, 1963-81
128-46-5 record; 18 straight winning seasons, six Western Division titles, three PSAC championships, 1980 ECAC Division II Team of the Year; Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Famer
Tom Justice – Lock Haven, Volleyball Coach, 1991-2012
Built volleyball program from the beginning and turned it into a regional Division II power; led LHU to six PSAC Tournament titles, seven NCAA Division II Atlantic Region titles, 14 NCAA Tournament appearances and seven NCAA Elite Eight trips
Deirdre Kane – West Chester, Women’s Basketball Coach, 1987-2014
Winningest Women’s Basketball coach in school history (447 wins in 27 years); 16 PSAC Tournament appearances, four NCAA Tournament appearances; 5x PSAC Coach of the Year; seven 20+ win seasons
W. Glenn Killinger – West Chester, Football Coach, 1934-1959
Accumulated record of 147-41-11 in 23 seasons; won seven conference championships; served in U.S. Navy during World War II, raising to rank of Commander before returning to WCU as coach, professor, and, eventually, Dean
Bertie Landes – Shippensburg, Field Hockey Coach, 1999-16
302-77-1 in 18 seasons; 2011 NFHCA Hall of Fame inductee; two NCAA Division II Championships; 2-time NFHCA Coach of the Year, 4-time NFHCA Regional Coach of the Year, 6-time PSAC Coach of the Year; Top 15 all-time in NCAA history for career coaching victories (486-133-17 in 37 years between SHIP and Cairn)
Don Leas – Clarion, Diving Coach, 1966-90
Coached divers to 36 individual national championships and 234 All-American placings; three-time NCAA Division II Coach of the Year; coached two divers that went on to compete in the Olympics;
1991 NCAA Division II Team of the Decade honoree
Rebecca Rutt Leas – Clarion, Women’s Swimming & Diving Coach, 1979-87
Six Division II national championships; one second place finish, one third place; part of CSCAA Top 100 Coaches of All-Time; 3x NCAA Division II Coach of the Year; named to NCAA Division II
All-Decade team in 1991
Frank Lignelli – Clarion, Coach, Athletic Director, 1959-90
Restarted wrestling program in 1959 and coached for seven seasons, including a PSAC title in 1965; served as AD from 1966-90, with Clarion teams winning 11 national championships, 59 PSAC titles, 22 PSAC runners-up, and 40 West titles
Oscar Liljenstein – East Stroudsburg, Athletic Director, Physical Education Professor, 1925-59
Key figure in initial creation of conference as Director of Athletics at East Stroudsburg; 34-year career at ESU as professor, coach, and administrator; first vice-chair of Conference’s Executive Committee
Joe Lombardi – IUP, Basketball Coach, 1984-87 – 2006-Present
IUP’s winningest coach (430 career wins); 12 NCAA Tournament appearances, seven PSAC titles,
three Atlantic Region Championships, 2x NCAA Division II Championship Game appearances
John Luckhardt – California, Football Coach, 2002-11
88-33 record at California (most all-time); three National Semifinals in five NCAA Postseason appearances; 2022 College Football Hall of Fame Inductee
Marc Marizzaldi – Seton Hill, Baseball Coach, 2004-Present
Only baseball coach in SHU history; 732 career wins (436 in PSAC); five conference titles; two World Series appearances; 13 NCAA Regional appearances
Jeff Messer – Slippery Rock, Baseball Coach, 1986-Present
Ranks 11th in DII history in wins (1,154); 2023 ABCA Hall of Fame inductee; winningest coach in PSAC history; 7x PSAC Coach of the Year; just four losing seasons in 39 years as head coach
Steve McCloskey – Mansfield, Sports Information Director, 1988-2017
2018 CoSIDA Hall of Fame inductee; 2003 Irving T. Marsh Award (East-Comm); Instrumental in bringing Sprint Football to Mansfield; more than 25 former student assistants have gone into the sports information/athletic communications profession
Ernie McCook – Shepherd, Football Coach, 2018-Present
Career record of 58-18 at Shepherd; three NCAA regional appearances, two Super Region One titles
Jim McDonald – Edinboro, Athletic Director, Men’s Basketball Coach, 1981-94
Served 29 years as Edinboro Athletic Director; implemented modern scholarship program;
181 career head coaching victories
Lisa Goddard McGuirk – Gannon, Athletic Director, 2014-25
2023-24 NACDA Athletic Director of the Year, 2023-24 19th place finish in Learfield Director's Cup; lead GU to three Dixon Cup Trophies (2022, 2023, 2025), was runner-up in 2024
George Mihalik – Slippery Rock, Football Coach, 1988-2015
Led SRU to two PSAC titles as QB in 1971 and 1972; coached and taught at SRU for more than 30 years; ranks fourth in PSAC football history with 197 wins, career record of 197-111-4 (.638)
Sandy Miller (Lock Haven ‘83 – East Stroudsburg, Field Hockey and Women’s Lacrosse Coach, 1984-Present
2x DII national champion; 4x PSAC champion; 15x NCAA Tournament appearances; one of three DII coaches and 13 in NCAA with 500 wins; NFHCA Hall of Fame; 5x NFHCA Coach of the Year; 101 wins in women’s lacrosse (1985-2004); assistant coach on 1995 PSAC champion Women’s Basketball team
George Miller – IUP, Football Coach, 1926-62
Considered "Father of the PSAC" due to role in formation of the Conference; 2x undefeated campaigns as coach; 2x PSAC champion; IUP football stadium named after him
Meghan Morphy – Gannon, Associate Athletic Director, Athletic Director, 2013-Present
Helped create Competitive Cheer & Dance program at GU in 2013, serving as CCD's head coach from 2013-19; transitioned to Coordinator of Operations, promoted to Assistant Director of Athletics for Budget and Planning and the department’s SWA in July 2020. Named Gannon’s AD in June 2025
Steve Murray (Gannon ’85) – PSAC, SID, Commissioner, 1997-Present
29 years served in the PSAC; was the conference’s first SID and its longest-serving commissioner
Paul Newman - Edinboro, Sports Information Director, 1964-1985
Spent 18 years as Edinboro Sports Information Director; originator of the Fighting Scots nickname; spent 21 years as Senior Associate Athletic Director at Wright State
Pete Nevins - East Stroudsburg, Sports Information Director, 1969-2002
One of the most celebrated Sports Information Directors in the profession; member of the CoSIDA Hall of Fame; numerous PSAC and CoSIDA awards named in his honor; wrote articles on 12,000+ events and covered 5,000+ athletes at ESU
Sam Odell – Shepherd, Women’s Soccer Coach, 2019-Present
Started as graduate assistant, promoted to head coach in 2021; has a 37-26-16 career mark, including an 18-2-4 record in 2024 as the PSAC and Atlantic Region Champion; PSAC title was Shepherd’s first since joining the conference
Dave Osanitsch – Shippensburg, Track & Field Coach, 2005-Present
Has guided SU to 51 PSAC Championships in 19 seasons; most titles won by any coach in any sport in PSAC history; league record 49 PSAC Coach/Staff of the Year awards; 28x USTFCCCA Regional Coach of the Year; 5x NCAA qualifier and 2-time All-American as an athlete
John Papa – Slippery Rock, Track & Field and Cross Country Coach, 1984-2022
All-American decathlete on 1979 SRU national champion team; head coach for 35+ seasons; won 25 PSAC titles, 32 PSAC runner-up finishes; coached 12 national champions, 127 All-Americans, and 345 PSAC individual event champions
Pat Pecora – Pitt-Johnstown, Wrestling Coach, 1976-24
Winningest coach in college wrestling history; all-time leader in dual meet victories with 661; 4x National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Coach of the Year; led team to NCAA Division II National Championships in 1996 and 1999; 25 NCAA Regional Championships; inducted into nine Halls of Fame
Colin Peterson – Gannon, Women’s Soccer Coach, 2000-Present
4x PSAC Coach of the Year; Gannon University soccer alumni; winningest and longest-tenured coach in 37-year history of Gannon Women’s Soccer; 237 career wins
Ruth Podbielski (Slippery Rock ’49) – IUP, Associate Athletic Director, 1955-87
Pioneered women's athletics in and beyond PSAC; at IUP, served as faculty in physical education department; Women’s Volleyball and Women’s Basketball coach; director of women’s intramurals; received IUP's Presidential Medal of Distinction; IUP softball field is named for her
Jim Pribula (West Chester ’62) – Shippensburg, Director of Athletics, 1982-2001
Began career at Shippensburg as educator and coach in 1964; Associated Press Football Little All-American in 1961 at West Chester after leading all Pennsylvania collegiate football players in scoring
Chip Ransom – Shepherd, Sports Information Director, 1997-Present
Serves as Sports Information Director; earned College Sports Communicators (CSC) 25-Year Award in June of 2023; nominated and promoted 2021 Harlon Hill Award winner Tyson Bagent
Rocky Rees (West Chester ’70) – Shippensburg, Football Coach, 1990-2010
123-110-1 in 20 seasons; ninth in PSAC history for coaching wins at a PSAC school; 3x AFCA Regional Coach of the Year; 4x PSAC Coach of the Year; AFCA President from 1999-2000, member of AFCA Board of Trustees and 20-year AFCA committee member
Jamie Rudisill – West Chester, Swimming & Diving Coach, 1988-2017
34 combined conference championships; finished among top four teams in country 10 times; coached 28 PSAC Athletes of the Year and 11 Rookies of the Year; 16x PSAC Coach of the Year
Marci Scheuing (Mansfield ’05) – Kutztown, Field Hockey Coach, 2013-Present
Coached Golden Bears to NCAA Division II National Championship in 2023 (first team title in school history); national runner-up in 2024; 2x PSAC Coach of the Year, 3x NCAA Final Four
Jerry Sheska – East Stroudsburg, Men’s Soccer Coach, 1982-2010
PSAC wins leader in men's soccer (424); 15x PSAC champion in 29 years; won 11 in 12 years (1992-95, 97-03); 16x NCAA Tournament qualifier; 7x PSAC Coach of the Year; started women's program (39-10-2, 1992-94), won both titles (men’s / women’s)and both Coach of the Year honors in 1994
Herm Sledzik – IUP, Men’s Basketball Coach, Athletic Director, Administrator, 1963-93
Highly instrumental in creating and advancing the various development and fund raising projects that transformed IUP's athletic program from 11 men’s teams in 1970 to 21 total teams in 1980; Head Men’s Basketball Coach (1963-70), Director of Athletics (1970-82), and Associate Athletic Director (1983-93)
Charlotte Smith – Lock Haven, Field Hockey and Women’s Lacrosse Coach, 1943-73
Founded the field hockey program in 1945 and the lacrosse program in 1970; in her 28 years as field hockey coach, her teams compiled a record of 152-36-19; LHU’s field hockey and lacrosse turf field is named after her
Chris Snyder – Seton Hill, Athletic Director, 2003-2025
Integral part of the athletic department’s move from the NAIA to Division II and from the WVIAC to the PSAC; NCAA RAC in football and baseball; NCAA Membership committee; chair of the PSAC Executive Committee; NCAA Site representative; was Seton Hill’s first football coach
Jess Strom – California, Women’s Basketball Coach, 2011-Present
281-87 record (most in California history); 2015 NCAA National Championship; 10 NCAA Tournament appearances; three PSAC Championships
Stan Swank – Edinboro, Women’s Basketball Coach, 1987-2018
All-time wins leader in PSAC history (581) in 31 seasons with the Scots; 4x PSAC championships; 10 NCAA Tournament appearances
Waldo Tippin – Clarion, Director of Athletics, 1935-1966
Served as Director of Athletics at Clarion for 31 years; 15 seasons as head football coach; critical figure in early creation of conference as a member of the Executive Committee; advocated for a move to a two-division format in order to manage scheduling/travel within the league
Dave Tomasi – Lock Haven, Athletic Trainer, 1950-90s
Developed and sustained LHU's Athletic Training program; elected into the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers' Society Hall of Fame for his dedication and passion to LHU, his students, his athletes, and to the profession of Athletic Training
Marge Trout (Lock Haven ’57) – Millersville, Athletic Director, Coach, 1964-2001
Influential Director of Athletics, instrumental in expanding women's sports opportunities; added six women’s teams to Millersville; first female president of the PSAC (and first female president of a conference in the nation), holding the position three times; held variety of positions on NCAA committees and councils
Scott Vandegrift – Millersville, Golf Coach, 1985-Present
39 years as men's golf coach; started the women's program; 4x men's Coach of the Year; 1x Women's Coach of the Year award winner; led men to four PSAC titles and women to one; member of the West Chester Hall of Fame; one of three coaches to win the GCAA Labron Harris Sr. Award
Darcie Vincent – California, Women’s Basketball Coach, 2000-08, Slippery Rock 1996-2000
212-47 record at California (second-most career wins); 2004 National Championship; three NCAA Elite Eights in 7 NCAA Tournament appearances; four PSAC Championships
Doug Watts – Edinboro, Cross Country and Track & Field Coach, 1969-2013
Six national championships, six runner-up finishes; coached nine individual national champions; 44 combined PSAC Cross Country championships; 33 Regional championships
Wade Wilson – Cheyney, President, 1968-1981
Former basketball and football player at Cheyney that was instrumental in establishing the campus in the 1960’s and 70’s as a powerhouse in academics and athletics
Ray Wrabley - Pitt-Johnstown, Faculty Athletics Representative
Longtime Faculty Athletics Representative at UPJ; instrumental in serving on Conference’s first Social Justice Taskforce and supporting student-athlete centered programming across the league
Eleanor Wray – Bloomsburg, Coach, Administrator, 1960-86
First woman and non-graduate inducted into the Bloomsburg Hall of Fame; educator for 30 years, 20 of which were in physical education at Bloomsburg; women's intramural director and adviser; initiated and organized varsity teams in field hockey and basketball; introduced swimming, diving, and tennis as varsity sports in 1972; coached women's tennis team from 1973-77
Bill Zwann – West Chester, Football Coach, 2003-23
Winningest football coach in school history (162 wins in 20 seasons); six PSAC Eastern Division titles; won outright PSAC Championship in 2018; 10 NCAA Tournament appearances; two NCAA national semifinal appearances