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The Robert “Tick” Cloherty
Western Chapter
is the largest of thirty affiliated chapters across the state that comprise the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. The state organization is divided into four regions with our Robert “Tick” Cloherty – Western Chapter being one of six affiliates that comprise the Western Region.
Since 1971 and including this year’s Class, our Robert “Tick” Cloherty-Western Chapter has inducted over 700 notable area sports figures, over 150 of whom have subsequently been enshrined among the over 700 total inductees into our state’s Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame as well. Our Chapter’s annual induction ceremonial banquet is a celebratory gathering of hundreds of inductee family members and friends plus a star-studded assemblage of past inductees and “just plain” sports fans, all of whom attend each event to celebrate yet another group of outstanding Western Pennsylvania athletes.
Our Message…
April 15, 2025 – On behalf of the Officers and Executive Board members of the Robert “Tick” Cloherty – Western Chapter (“TCWC”) of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, we encourage you join us as a new member ($10/yr) and to visit our website (westernpasportshof.org) for additional information.
As a 501-c-3 non-profit charitable organization in Western Pennsylvania, we sponsor and promote various inspirational programs for high school athletes, provide charitable donations for local sports-related foundations and award scholarships for qualified high school student athletes.
Your annual dues in conjunction with direct donations from various individuals and businesses provide TCWC with the funding for our major annual program initiatives including:
- Inspirational luncheons for high school athletes in conjunction with our Dan McCann Luncheon Series that we host in the fall each year (four luncheons). These luncheons provide a forum to address the challenges facing high school athletes and an opportunity to reinforce the life lessons learned through participation in high school sports.
- Annual financial scholarships are awarded to qualified high school student athletes.
- Financial contributions to local foundations that support programs for our most challenged young people in Western Pennsylvania (i.e., “Best of the Batch”, “Mel Blount Youth Home”, “Sean Casey’s Field of Dreams”, Chuck Noll Brain Injury Research Foundation)
- Recognize our local sports heroes so that our high school student athletes can fully appreciate the commitment, work ethic and career accomplishments of outstanding athletes, coaches, and other sports personalities & contributors who have distinguished themselves through their individual performances and team successes in the Western Pennsylvania region.
- During the past 50+ years, we have inducted over 750 incredibly talented people into our Sports Hall of Fame. Highlights of the outstanding career accomplishments for our Western Chapter Inductees are available on our website. Our inductees represent many sports including baseball, basketball, football, golf, hockey, soccer, volleyball, swimming, tennis, boxing, wrestling, and others from the amateur, collegiate and professional sports world, including both male and female athletes.
Notable TCWC and PA SHOF inductees include: Roberto Clemente, Roger Kingdom, Bill Fralic, Arnold Palmer, Dwight White, Swin Cash, George Novak, Tom Bradley, Sean Casey, Franco Harris, Bob Pompeani, Jim Render and Art Rooney, and other exceptional individuals.
The following individuals were enshrined into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame – Robert “Tick” Cloherty Western Chapter at our 2025 Annual Induction Ceremony on April 12, 2025:
- Tom Yankello, Inductee of Distinction (in honor of Darrell Hess) – boxing trainer/teacher
- James Bradley, MD – renowned Orthopedic Surgeon for the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers
- Tunch Ilkin – former football star for NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers and Humanitarian*
- Bill Pfeifer – successful Soccer Coach for the past 28 years, National Coach of the Year-2022
- Chuck Crummie – successful Basketball Coach and AD at Central Catholic HS for over 30 years
- Colleen Rosensteel – former track & field star & 3-time member of U.S. Olympic Team
- Shannon Davis – former City League basketball star & 3-time Parade All-American
- Dick Cetrone – successful Basketball Coach at Sto-Rox HS for over 30 years
- Vinnie Vaccarello – former Duquesne University Football Player/Coach & Philanthropist*
- Bobby Franklin – former basketball star at Point Park & Successful Basketball Coach
*- denotes Deceased
Please note that we will be hosting the 2025 PA SHOF Induction Ceremonial and Dinner at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel on October 18, 2025, at 6:00. Tickets for the 2025 Induction Ceremony and Awards Dinner are available at $75 (see westernpasportshof.org).
Also, please note that we will be hosting the Dan McCann Coaches Corner Luncheons in September – December. We will also be accepting nominations for Our Class of 2026 Inductees through August 31, 2025.
Jack Teitz, President / 412-855-7625
Robert “Tick” Cloherty – Western Chapter
Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame
