Shaler to honor Hall of Fame inductees

By: HSSN Staff
Thursday, September 20, 2018 | 9:30 PM

Sam Robick hasn’t had the opportunity to get back to a Shaler football game for some time.

When he received a letter in the mail announcing his induction to the district’s athletic hall of fame as part of the 2018 class, it was another nudge to get him back.

“I’d like to start,” Robick said. “I’ve been reading the newspapers and watching TV and noticed they are starting to win some games and get some points on the board, which is a good sign.”

Robick, who played on the offensive line and graduated from Shaler in 1994, understands what it was like to see a major change in the Titans’ football program.

When coach Frank Rocco came into the program, he saw a big shift.

“At first, we didn’t have a lot of kids on the team,” Robick said. “We had a tight group. Frank Rocco came in and it started getting more momentum. A lot more kids came out for the team, and it was a new step for Shaler.”

Robick, who also played basketball and was on the track and field team for the Titans, benefitted and landed a Division I football scholarship to Tulsa. After a redshirt and playing one season with the Golden Hurricane, Robick ended up wrapping up his career at Duquesne.

“I had a lot of friends and family here,” said Robick, who earned a marketing degree at Duquesne. “I’m close to my family and friends and that’s why I wanted to come back.”

Robick played well for the Dukes, who were members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference at the time. He was named first-team All-MAAC as an offensive lineman in 1998.

Robick, who works for Frank Fuhrer Wholesale, is excited to head back to Shaler.

“It caught me by surprise,” Robick said. “I got a letter in the mail that said I was going to be inducted into the hall of fame and it was a big honor for me.”

Other inductees of the Class of 2018 included:

Jerry Dickinson: Dickinson was a two-year starter on the boys soccer team at Shaler and also kicked for the football team. After high school, Dickinson went on to play at Holy Cross where he was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and became a three-time team captain.

Tim Gralewski: Grawlewski was a four-year letter winner in baseball and basketball at Shaler. He led the Titans with a .444 batting average as a senior and drove in 34 runs. Gralewski went on to play at Pitt.

Erich Kaiser: Kaiser started for two years on the Titans’ boys soccer team before moving on to Slippery Rock. At the Rock, Kaiser earned all-region honors three times and was selected to SRU’s ring of honor.

Skip Palmer: Palmer led the Shaler softball team to a 199-58 record during his long tenure, including winning the 2014 WPIAL Class AAA and 2006 PIAA crowns. Palmer, who also taught math in the district for 34 years, died last year.

Steve Scuillo: Sciullo started for the Shaler football for two seasons before heading to Marshall. After college, Sciullo was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL draft. He played in 28 games — and made 18 starts — during his two seasons in the NFL. He participated in Super Bowl XXXIX, losing 24-21 to the New England Patriots as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.

2008-09 Shaler hockey team: The Titans won the school’s only Penguins Cup Class AA championship. Three members of the team went on to play in college, while Zac Lynch, who plays for the Wheeling Nailers, has played professionally since the 2015-16 season.

The Class of 2018 Hall of Fame inductees will be honored and inducted during a banquet on Oct. 20. For more information or to attend the event, contact Denise Dillon at 412-492-1200, ext. 1550. Cost is $25.

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.