Hall of Famers honored for multiple contributions

They spoke of city’s impact on them, how they hope to reciprocate

By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times

Marty Eggleston recognizes those who helped him achieve as his grandson stands by his side.

WEST CALN – Individually, achievements are markers of progress, feats to be marveled. But in the context of a community, achievements take on a sense of pride. A record is not just a statistic, but the culmination of the efforts of coaches and family who supported a player. Similarly, a team is not just a group of athletes, but a force for the city to rally around.

With that sense of pride, 12 athletes and a team were inducted into the Coatesville Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday at the Coatesville Country Club.

A record number of 350 attendees showed up to honor Gene Burnite, Marty Flynn, Quentin Deidrick, Matthew Lapp (2001), Sharon Boyd (1978), Ryan Primanti, Terri Johnson-Lynch (1993), Pete Marciniszyn (1943), Don “Cy” Wilson (1953), Marty Eggleston (1985), Rosalyn “Lyn” Greenlee, Kevin Hunt (1979), and the 1952 Scott High School Track Team.

Throughout the night, inductees spoke with a sense of camaraderie and appreciation for their community.

“This is Coatesville Pride,” said Coatesville Hall of Fame President Bob Coulter.

Coatesville’s unofficial all-time dunk leader Marty Eggleston agreed, saying that he, like many of the Hall of Famers, still wants to make his city proud. Eggleston averaged 14.3 points per game and grabbed over 1,000 rebounds as a basketball player at Coatesville. He went on to play professionally in the U.S. and abroad and was inducted into the Kutztown University Hall of Fame in 1999.

Inductees display their plaques.

“There’s a connection between all of us, and that Coatesville Pride and Coatesville spirit is still in all of us,” he said. “I thank Coatesville for all that it’s done for me.”

Inductees spoke of pride as part of Coatesville’s culture.

Matthew Lapp, who led Coatesville to its first cross-country Class AAA state championship and still holds Coatesville records in swimming, said that he grew up hearing stories of great Coatesville athletes.

“I feel very fortunate to have grown up in Coatesville. This community has given me a lot,” he said.

Among great Coatesville athletes, the 1952 High School Track team earned special recognition. Football, basketball, and baseball player Cy Wilson as well as  football player Peter Marciniszyn, nicknamed “The Legend”, were recognized with Old Timers Awards.

Kevin Hunt, who was class president, commencement speaker, and held Coatesville’s record for rushing yards, said that, while he is a pastor, Coatesville culture has made him still hesitant about embracing former rivals. “Even to this day, I have had a hard time liking the dogs — the Downingtown Whippets,” he joked.

Quentin Deidrick received the Mac Stuber Award for his contribution to Coatesville sports culture, standing as a positive influence while assistant coach to the 1952 Class A championship track team and head coach of multiple undefeated Gordon Junior High football and track and field team.

But contributions meant more than just wins and statistics.

Field hockey, girls’ swimming, cross country, track, and softball Coach Lyn Greenlee filed a lawsuit against the Coatesville Area School District that helped to bring on the implementation of Title IX. “It’s been an ongoing community of, especially, the women coaches supporting each other,” said Greenlee.

An All-State honoree and 1992 Junior Olympics athlete in basketball, Terri Johnson-Lynch said that she saw the struggle for women’s sports happening on the court when the girls’ basketball players would go to Ash Park and beat teams full of boys. “Get out the way. Let the females do their thing,” she said about those showdowns.

For all the inductees, Coatesville Pride is not a static idea but a living movement involving all the members of the community.

“These are difficult times for Coatesville. But we’re going to work our way through this situation, and the reason I’m sure is, we always have. Coatesville’s a blue-collar community. We don’t ask people to solve our problems for us; we solve them ourselves,” said Committee Member Ross Kershey.

Gene Burnite and Marty Flynn, recognized as founders of the Coatesville Hall of Fame, said they established it to feed into the idea of Coatesville culture and pride.

Sharon Boyd, captain of the field hockey, basketball, and softball teams, recognized the greatness of her fellow Hall of Famers. “I’m just so thankful for this night and to be among the great people of Coatesville,” she said.

Saturday night was not just about recognizing past achievements but also leading Coatesville into the future.

Ryan Primanti earned 10 varsity letters playing soccer, baseball, and football. He was an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention for Penn State as a placekicker and joins his two brothers Rick and Marc in the Hall of Fame. Primanti said that he is proud that he can share lessons with his son and nephew, teaching them that sports are not just about individuals but about teams.

Eggleston said that players and coaches hold a responsibility to young people in the community. Sports are often an outlet, and they can balance with academics to help build character. “We have the responsibility of educating and nurturing young people; we have a greater responsibility than most,” he said. “In addition to having the responsibility to our own children, we have the responsibility to the hearts and minds of others.”

Johnson-Lynch said that residents can show leadership by showing up to school board meetings and debate team matches, calling for people to show up to any event involving students.

In the end, the recognitions were all about being part of the community.

“This is my home, and no matter where I go, this will always be my home, “ said Hunt.

Saturday night’s inductees join 151 others in the Coatesville Sports Hall of Fame. While Hall of Fame qualification is based on achievements in high school athletics, honorees have played an even more extensive role in the municipality, serving as  employees, ambassadors, and leaders for the city. Their pride in Coatesville serves as a reminder of the resilience and work ethic of area residents. Their achievements belong to not just the players but to Coatesville as a community.