This fall will mark the second consecutive year star athletes and teams will be honored for their accomplishments while at Villa Maria Academy and Cathedral Prep. The latest Athletic Hall of Fame classes will be inducted on Thursday, October 10. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. in Prep’s H. David Bowes Auditorium and is free and open to the public. There will be a reception following the inductions, and tickets for that can be purchased online at: bit.ly/AHOF23=4.
One night later, on Friday, October 11, this group will be honored again at halftime of Cathedral Prep’s home football game vs. Benedictine at Dollinger Field. Game time is 7 p.m.
The following will be inducted:
Cathedral Prep
Joe Dipre Jr. '73- star running back in the 60s and 70s, would later play at the University of Kentucky.
Joe Dipre '01- helped lead Prep to their first state football championship. An All-State and nationally recognized player, he played collegiately at the University of Pittsburgh.
Rick Fessler '68- a top player for the Rambler basketball team, he played a crucial role in their 1968 state championship.
Dave Hennessy '76 – one of the top runners for Prep, he was the first to ever qualify for the state meet while holding many school records.
Tommy Van Volkenburg '07- a two-sport athlete in the water, he won 13 District 10 championships and set three D-10 records. A high school All-American, he later swam collegiately at Notre Dame where he was named First Team All-Big East.
Jawan Walker '02- the all-time leading rusher in school history, he still holds the record for most yards in a season (2,430) and a career (4,865). Only player in Pitt football history to run, catch, and throw for a touchdown in the same game.
1999 Football Team- nationally ranked and loaded with future Division I athletes, they finished state runner-up.
1982 Golf Team- this team was as deep as any in school history, undefeated and had four players finish in the top 20 in the state.
Villa Maria Academy
Erin White Eastman '92- perhaps the best golfer in Villa Maria Academy history, she placed fourth at states as a junior and a senior. Named to the Metro Erie PA Sports Hall of Fame.
Erin Popovich Fontana '91- a two-sport star in basketball and volleyball, she remains the fourth leading scorer in school history in hoops with 1,360 points.
Joe Lunger '78 (coach)- a Villa coaching legend in baseball and basketball, he led the Victors baseball team to a state runner-up finish in 2006, still the only team from Erie County to advance that far.
1982 Basketball Team- this squad was the first at Villa Maria to advance to the PIAA championship, finishing as state runner-up.
2014 Cross Country Team- this squad won Villa Maria their first of three consecutive PIAA state championships.