Bishop Canevin accepting nominations for 1st class of Sports Hall of Fame

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, July 26, 2018 | 10:48 PM

The annals of Bishop Canevin athletics are full of success.

WPIAL titles. PIAA titles. Penguins Cups. Undefeated seasons. Athletes moving on for success at the college level and beyond.

The school is now preparing to honor these athletes and teams who have triumphed since it opened in 1959. Bishop Canevin is accepting nominations for its inaugural class of the school’s new Sports Hall of Fame.

“They asked me to come with some new ideas when I started,” said Bishop Canevin athletic director Randy Cosgrove, who entered the position in March. “I said every school has a hall of fame.”

The first Hall of Fame class will be announced during the homecoming football game against Union on Sept. 29. A banquet will be held Nov. 18 at Chartiers Country Club.

“It will be a brunch banquet,” Cosgrove said. “The Steelers are playing at Jacksonville that night so it won’t be interfering with football.”

Bishop Canevin formed a committee and held a meeting June 28. The committee of nine include Cosgrove, former coach and athletic director Bob Jacoby, Heinz House executive director Jen Cairns, state Rep. Dan Deasy, teacher and baseball coach Dale Checketts, principal Mike Joyce, and parents Sharon Gaitens and Dave Golupski.

“We talked about it being the first year,” Cosgrove said. “A lot of people say to stop at five or 10. But we decided to play it by ear for the first year. We don’t want to cheapen it, but we want to make sure everyone who should be in gets in for the first year.”

The committee has turned to the Bishop Canevin community for nominations. The inaugural class is set to honor athletes, teams, coaches and contributors who have made an impact on Crusaders athletics. Former student-athletes can be nominated for their success with the Crusaders and beyond. Coaches and contributors do not need to be graduates of Bishop Canevin.

The first class is expected to include two teams. Former athletes and teams have a five-year grace period before they can be nominated.

Cosgrove himself knows the pride of being selected for a high school’s hall of fame. He was selected for the Plum Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.

“Some people may not be as excited as they let on,” Cosgrove said. “But being inducted means you are part of a special group. Even though I am not living there anymore, I am proud to say I am from there and try and get to go to their banquet every year since I was inducted.”

In addition to the induction ceremony, the banquet will honor Bishop Canevin student-athletes who are role models on and off the field and participate in community service. The selection committee may also present individuals with a special award.

“If something comes up, we could present someone with a lifetime achievement or special award,” Cosgrove said.

Bishop Canevin is accepting nominations for the hall of fame through Sept. 5. Contact Cosgrove at 412-499-7400, ext. 237, or cosgrover@bishopcanevin.org with questions pertaining to the Sports Hall of Fame.

Nathan Smith is a freelance writer.