CHESTER COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAMERS - 2008

BARBARO: 2006 Kentucky Derby Winner Class of 2008 Special Recognition to Owners Gretchen & Roy Jackson Although the magnificent Barbaro advanced Chester County's impressive showing on horse racing's biggest stage, it was a tragedy that transformed the colt form local hero status to international recognition as he battled for his life. LEARN MORE ABOUT BARBARO...

AL BRUNO: All American & Professional Football Star Class of 2008 It would be difficult to find a home-grown figure more worthy of induction into the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame than Albert P. Bruno. Born in West Chester in 1927, Bruno was rasied in a demanding, working-class household where discipline and sacrifice would play key roles in both his childhood and spectacular athletic career. LEARN MORE ABOUT AL BRUNO...

JIM FURYK: Professional Golfer Class of 2008 Jim Furyk was born in West Chester on May 12, 1970. His early years were spent in the Pittsburgh suburbs learning the game of golf under the tutelage of his father, who was the head professional at Uniontown Country Club. LEARN MORE ABOUT JIM FURYK...

DALLAS GREEN: Phillies World Series Champion Manager Class of 2008 Philadelphia has a reputation as being a hard-scrabble, no-nonsense, what-have-you-done-for-me-lately professional sports town. If we are to believe that, then there can be no doubt that its poster boy is George Dallas Green. LEARN MORE ABOUT DALLAS GREEN...

RIP HAMILTON: NBA Detroit Pistons Star Class of 2008 Richard "Rip" Hamilton, the pride of Coatesville and a current star for the Detroit Pistons, has won championships in both the NBA and the NCAA – making him one of the more popular selections included among the inaugural class of inductees into the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame. LEARN MORE ABOUT RIP HAMILTON...

ALVY KELLY: Youth Sports Sponsor Class of 2008 Of the countless “favorite sons” the borough of West Chester can claim as its own, one stands head and shoulders above the rest. Alvy Lawrence Kelly, owner of Kelly's Sports is as much West Chester as the old court house, Green Field, Hoops Park or any other longstanding borough landmark, and perhaps even more so. LEARN MORE ABOUT ALVY KELLY...

GLENN KILLINGER: Penn State All-American & West Chester University Football Coach Class of 2008 It would be unimaginable to induct an inaugural into the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame that did not include Dr. Killinger. His name is synonymous with West Chester University, where in 36 years of teaching, coaching and administration, he achieved a level of success that vaulted him into the national spotlight. LEARN MORE ABOUT GLENN KILLINGER...

JON MATLACK: All-Star Major League Pitcher Class of 2008 Jon Matlack was one of the many fine pitchers developed by the Mets in the late 1960s and early ‘70s. During his 13-year Major League Career, the West Chester High graduate forged a reputation as a talented, hardworking left-hander whose victory totals would have been much higher had he received more offensive support. LEARN MORE ABOUT JON MATLACK...

HERB PENNOCK: Hall of Fame Major League Pitcher Class of 2008 Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Herb Pennock. The first two names are known to millions and are forever etched in baseball lore. The third, although less celebrated, also occupies a place of honor in baseball’s Hall of Fame. And like his immortal New York Yankee teammates, "the Squire of Kennett Square," earned his way into Cooperstown. LEARN MORE ABOUT HERB PENNOCK...

MIKE PIAZZA: All-Star Major League Catcher Class of 2008 Mike Piazza is arguably the best hitting catcher in baseball history. The Phoenixville High School graduate is a former Rookie of the Year, a 12-time All Star and the all-time leader in home runs by a catcher. LEARN MORE ABOUT MIKE PIAZZA...

CATHY RUSH: Immaculata's National Champion Women's Basketball Coach Class of 2008 Perhaps no other coach in the history of college basketball is more responsible for putting their school on the map than Cathy Rush, who from 1970-77, led tiny Immaculata College (enrollment under 500) to a remarkable six consecutive Final Four appearances, including three straight AIAW national championships from 1972 to 1974. LEARN MORE ABOUT CATHY RUSH...

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ANDRE THORNTON: All-Star Major League First Baseman Class of 2008 Andre Thornton played his first major league game for the Chicago Cubs at age 24. He was named the first baseman of the 1974 All-Rookie Team by Baseball Digest. During a 10-year career with the Indians, Thornton won a Silver Slugger Award, was named to two American League All-Star squads. LEARN MORE ABOUT ANDRE THORNTON...

DICK VERMEIL: NFL Super Bowl Champion Coach Class of 2008 Although born and raised in California, Richard Albert Vermeil’s contribution to the heralded sports history of Philadelphia has earned him a front-row center seat. Few professional sports figures have captured the imagination and ignited the passions of Philly fans more than Vermeil. LEARN MORE ABOUT DICK VERMEIL...