Hall of Fame inducts Class of 2017
SPRINGFIELD » The Roxborough High School Sports Hall of Fame recently inducted seven individuals at their 26th anniversary banquet at Flourtown Country Club.
The more than 200 in attendance were treated to humbling, respectful and sometimes emotional acceptance speeches from seven outstanding athletes ranging from the Class of 1968 to the Class of 2011.
The program started off with welcoming remarks by Cliff Hubbard, a Hall of Fame football and baseball coach at Roxborough. This was followed by comments from Principal Dana Jenkins, who detailed the current progress of academic programs at RHS, which have been locally and nationally recognized.
The Dave C. Hare Memorial Service Award was presented to Patricia Robinson for her work on the executive board of the Hall of Fame, especially in organizing the induction banquet.
The first inductee of the evening was Rasheed Bailey, who was presented by Mike Stanley, current head football coach at Roxborough. Bailey’s football career has taken him from Roxborough High to the Philadelphia Eagles. His emotional acceptance speech drew a standing ovation.
The next inductee, Pat- rick Canavan, a Public League standout in soccer and tennis, was presented by Hall of Famer Jim Cous-ounis and accepted by John Canavan in Pat’s absence.
Next up was Hannah Clothier Pownall, this year’s only female inductee who excelled in softball, gymnastics and volleyball. She was presented by Zachary Pownall.
The next inductee was Bill Fahringer, awell-known organizer in the 21st Ward sports community, as well as a highly respected collegiate basketball official. He was presented by Norm Haberle, a popular and well respected former football and baseball coach while at Roxborough High.
The evening moved along with the next inductee, Brian Flemming, a soccer standout during coach Howard Leight’s tenure at Roxborough, who presented Brian.
Then came inductee Michael Gibbs, who could not attend the banquet due to his baseball commitments as a highly regarded prospect with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gibbs was presented by his former baseball coach, Cliff Hubbard.
The final inductee of the evening was Paul Loughran, whose football career took him from Roxborough High to Temple University and the Canadian Football League. He was presented by Joe Stanley, and his brother, Paul, accepted on his behalf.