Sophie Wilks (tennis, Unionville High School) and Kerry Tomasetti (football and basketball, Kennett High School) are the inaugural recipients of the Richard B. Yoder High School Scholar-Athlete Award. Each will receive a $1000.00 scholarship for post-secondary education, each will be listed on the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame (CCSHOF) website, and each will receive honorary CCSHOF membership.
The awards will be presented by former Eagles coach, Dick Vermeil, at the Yoder Awards ceremony on Saturday, June 3, 4:00-6:30 PM, at the West Chester Golf and Country Club.
The Chester County Sports Hall of Fame (CCSHOF) established the Yoder Award to recognize a graduating female and male Chester County scholar-athlete who demonstrated the traits that defined the life and legacy of Richard B. Yoder. Mr. Yoder was a lifelong resident of Chester County, and exemplified what it meant to be a scholar-athlete. He excelled in academics and athletics at West Chester High School and West Chester State College (West Chester University); served his country in the United States Marine Corps; became a professor and athletic director at his alma mater; was an active member in his church and numerous civic organizations; and, was a two-term mayor in the Borough of West Chester.
“My father would be humbled by having his name attached to recognizing Chester County’s outstanding scholar-athlete-leader,” commented Susan Yoder Schick, Richard Yoder’s daughter. “Both Sophie and Kerry are exceptional athletes and students, and both have exhibited leadership and community involvement impressive for their age. Dad would be bursting with pride.”
Student scholar athletes were nominated by their home school for the inaugural Yoder Award, which will now be presented annually by the CCSHOF.
Jerry Schneider, CCSHOF President, noted: “CCSHOF encourages excellence in academics, athletics and leadership. The Yoder Award is one way we can contribute to the community by recognizing and encouraging the best and the brightest among future generations of Chester County scholar-athletes. Dick would be very proud of these two young people.”
The award ceremony is open to the public. Tickets are $125.00 each and may be ordered at: Yoder Award Ceremony / CCSHOF / P.O. Box 30 / West Chester, PA 19381, or by contacting Michael Peich, mpeich12@gmail.com
