Cox headed to state's hall of fame
Fred Cox made it, but Rudy Andabaker and Don Asmonga didn't.
That's the story in a nutshell as far as the Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame is concerned with the Pennsylvania State Hall of Fame, which will hold its induction banquet for the 2008 class Nov. 1 at the Meadowlands' Holiday Inn in Washington.
A 1957 Monongahlela High graduate and the Minnesota Vikings' all-time leading scorer with 1,365 points as the team's place kicker for 15 seasons, Cox was the second leading vote-getter behind only Barry Alvarez.
Cox was inducted into Ringgold's first Hall of Fame class two years ago with Joe Montana, Stan Musial and Ken Griffey Sr.
Alvarez is the University of Wisconsin athletic director after being the Badgers' football coach.
Cox becomes only the 13th Mid Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Famer to make the state group, joining Musial, Bert Rechichar, Jim Russell. Arnold Galiffa, Dan Towler, John Potsklan, Sever Toretti, Dr. Red Carlson, Armand Niccolai, Bap Manzini, Griffey Sr. and Myron Pottios.
Cox received 2,391 votes to place 34 behind Alvarez, while Andabaker and Asmonga -- who are in the Mid Mon Valley Hall of Fame -- came close with 1,095 and 1,060 votes, respectively.
Alvarez represents the host Washington-Greene chapter as will Elaine Sobansky Blackhurst.
The living members rounding out this year's class are Joe Pisarcik, Pete Vuckovich, Jim Mutscheller, Walt Hynoski, Dick Purnell, Robert Unger and Walter Harris. Doug Kotar of the Washington-Greene Chapter and Butler Hennon will be the deceased members cited.
Dale Hamer, another Mid Mon Valley Sports Hall of Famer, is the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame chairman of the board.
Hamer is preparing for his 31st year as a NFL official, including his seventh in instant replay.
Andabaker, will be among the members of the 1945 Donora High football team being honored at the WPIAL's second Hall of Fame banquet Friday at the Embassy Suites in Moon Township.
Lou "Bimbo"
Cecconi, who quarterbacked the 1945 Dragons to a perfect 9-0 season, including a 38-6 WPIAL title romp over New Kensington, will be at the head table and serve as the team's spokesman. A crowd of around 450 is expected is expected for the WPIAL affair.
Speaking of Hall of Fame banquets, the dates have already been set for the next three in the Mid-Mon Valley. They're June 19, 2009, June 18, 2010 and June 17, 2001.
