The Knoch High School Sports Hall of Fame will induct its second class this weekend. Inductees will be honored prior to the Knoch football game Friday night and include:
–Renee Lassinger, a 1986 graduate who excelled in volleyball and track. Renee earned four letters in volleyball and was team MVP her senior year. She was named all-section second team in her junior and senior seasons. Lassinger lettered three years in track, earning MVP honors all three years while specializing in discus, shot put and high jump.
–Lisa Pfeiffer, a 1977 Knoch graduate who excelled in basketball and volleyball, earning a total of seven letters. Lisa was an integral part of the Knoch volleyball section-championship teams of 1974, ’75 and 1977. She scored over 400 kills in her volleyball career. She was also named team MVP in 1977. In basketball, Lisa was named offensive player of the year her senior year. Pfeiffer went on to play volleyball at Slippery Rock State College for two seasons before suffering an injury. Following her collegiate career, she competed in Senior Olympics softball and basketball.
–1984 graduate A.J. Pagano who lettered three years in three different sports. Pagano was the first running back to reach the 1,000 yard mark in a single season, and finished his career as the all-time leader in school history with 2,350 yards, and Knoch’s all-time leading scorer. He earned first team honors from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Press his senior year. He went on to earn first team All-Conference honors for Washington and Jefferson College from 1984-1987. Was the PAC offensive MVP in 1986 and ’87 and was named to various All-American teams.He is a past recipient of the Dapper Dan Collegiate Award and Pagano was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.
–Doug Clark, a 1963 graduate who competed in football and basketball. He led Knoch as team captain in both sports his senior year. During his three years of basketball, he set both the career and single-season scoring records. He was leading scorer in Butler County in 1962-63, and as an All-State honorable mention that year. He was part of Knoch’s District 9 Championship teams in 1961-’62 and 1962-’63. Clark went on to star at Rutgers University, where he started three seasons alongside 1st team All-American Bob Lloyd and the late Jim Valvano. Their 1966-67 team was recognized as Rutgers greatest ever. Doug Clark was inducted into the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame in 1996,.
–The final inductee is the first individual to be inducted into the Hall of Fame for their dedication and support of Knoch Athletics. Regis Schiebel started his career at Knoch as a math teacher in 1957. He went on to serve as Assistant Principal and Director of Curriculum until 1993. Schiebel was the only stadium announcer, known as the “Voice of Knoch High School” until his retirement just a few years ago. Regis also served as the President and Chairman of the South Butler County School District Foundation, which annually awards thousands of dollars in scholarships and loans that allow Knoch graduates to further their education. He also is a member of the Knoch High School Sports Hall of Fame committee.
(The Knoch High School Sports Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made significant contribution to Knoch sports through athletic excellence or exemplary leadership contribution.Applicants must be at least 30 years of age for consideration.) The current committee is made up of nine members. Seven voting members: Chairman and retired teacher Bill Purivs, retired coaches and teachers Jean Heard and Jerry Sefton, former Assistant Principal Regis Schiebel, current teacher and coach Diane Geist and 1973 Knoch graduates Dave Bacon and Scott Briggs. There are two non-voting advisory members in retired athletic director Dave Bracco and current A.D. Kurt Reiser.
