Behrend Lions Athletic Hall of Fame
1996 Inductees
JOE FORNEAR
Joe Fornear is a graduate of Upper St. Clair
High School in Pittsburgh. While attending Penn State Behrend,
Fornear was a key member of the baseball team under coach Clarence
Stoner. Throughout his four-year career, Fornear was the most
prolific power hitter in Penn State Behrend history.
He
currently holds career records for home runs (15), runs batted in
(77), and triples (10). Also, he is a close second in single
season batting average at .484. He was an all-district baseball
selection in 1981 and 1982, and the cleanup hitter on the District-18
Championship team in 1981.
After graduating from Penn State Behrend, Fornear attended the Dallas
Theological Seminary where he earned his master's of theology in
1989. Fornear is married, has two children, and is the Pastor of
Fellowship Bible Church in Dallas, Texas.
JOHN
HANSEN
John
Hansen, a graduate of Cathedral Prep High School, was a three-year
letterman and the starting centerfielder for the Penn State-Behrend
Lions.
In
his first year at Penn State Behrend, he was elected team captain and
was a second team NAIA selection. The next two years he was
captain and first team District-18 NAIA selection. As a senior,
he was chosen Penn State Behrend Male Athlete of the Year, and was
also a member of the academic dean's list. Hansen is the
record holder for single season batting average at .488, and career
doubles (24).
After
graduation from Penn Stat -Behrend, Hansen attended Edinboro
University where he completed his teaching certification. He
married fellow inductee Kathy (Ott) Hansen and they have four
children. Hansen is now a teacher and coach at J.S. Wilson
middle school, in the Millcreek school district.
KATHLEEN
(OTT) HANSEN
Kathleen Hansen, a 1981 graduate of Academy High School, became an
accomplished three-sport star at Penn State Behrend. Hansen was
a four-year starting centerfielder on the women's softball team, as
well as a two-year starter on both the women's volleyball team and
basketball team.
Hansen
earned NAIA District-18 All-Star honors for volleyball in 1984 under
head coach Jan Wilson. She was selected Female Athlete of the
Year in 1985, and in her junior season was an academic All-American.
Hansen captained all three sports in her senior year, and was a member
of Lambda Sigma Honor Society.
Hansen
currently is a computer programmer for Erie Insurance Exchange.
She is also the proud mother of four children and wife of fellow
inductee John Hansen.
CRAIG
HILL
Craig
Hill, a former Iroquois High School athlete, participated in tennis
for two years at Penn State Behrend before moving on to University
Park to complete his degree. Hill was a singles finalist in the
Penn State Commonwealth Campus Tournament in 1968 and 1969.
While
playing for head coach Herb Lauffer in 1969, Hill went undefeated,
playing in the No. 2 singles position and the #1 doubles position.
Hill, along with doubles partner Dave Grzelak, represented Penn State
Behrend at the 1969 National Junior College Tennis Tournament.
It was the first and only time that Penn State Behrend tennis players
participated at the national junior college level.
Hill
is married and has two children. He is employed by the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission in Washington, D.C.
JOHN
HOGE
John
Hoge came to Penn State Behrend form North Allegheny High School where
he was a soccer standout. Hoge participated in soccer for three
years at Penn State Behrend, and was a member of the Penn State
Commonwealth Campus Championship team in 1971.
In
1972, he was the team captain and leading goal scorer with 10.
After graduation from Penn State Behrend, Hoge went on to Rutgers
University where he did his graduate work. While at Rutger's,
he was a member of the dean's list from 1981-83. Since 1984,
the "Best Freshman Award in Soccer" at Penn State-Behrend has been
given in his name.
Hoge
is married with two children. He is a self-employed dental
practice manager and remains active in soccer.
DENNIS
HOOVER
Dennis
Hoover attended Penn State Behrend from 1965-67 and earned an
associate's degree in drafting and design technology. This
Harborcreek High School product then went on to Penn State's Capital
Campus and received a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering
technology in 1969.
While
at Penn State Behrend, Hoover lettered in three sports: baseball,
soccer, and wrestling. In 1966, as a member of the baseball
team, he had perfect fielding percentage while playing second base.
The following year he pitched and had the lowest earned run average on
the team at 1.31, and he was also co-captain. In 1967, he was
elected co-captain of the soccer team, led the squad in scoring, and
earned the White Letter Award.
Among
his academic achievements: member of the dean's list, Who's Who
Among American Junior Colleges, and member of the Keystone Society in
1967.
Hoover
is married, has three children, and is a senior release design
engineer-ABS for General Motors Corporation.
ROBERT
JEFFERY
Robert
Jeffery is a 1970 graduate of Iroquois High School. While
attending Penn State Behrend, Jeffery participated in soccer for four
years before graduating in 1974. As a member of the soccer team,
Jeffery started every game from 1970-73.
He
was elected co-captain in 1973 and was a Western Pennsylvania
Conference All-Star team selection. His twelve career assists
were a Penn State Behrend record at the time. In addition, he
was a member of Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities in
1973 and 1974.
After
graduation from Penn State Behrend, Jeffery attended Dickinson School
of Law and graduated in 9178. He is employed at Orton and
Jeffery P.C. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of McCord
Memorial Library. He is married, has three children, and resides
in North East.
JOHN
ZAHNISER: HONORARY
John Zahniser graduated from McDowell High School in 1960. After
completing military service, he attended Penn State Behrend in 1963-64
and was an outstanding student-athlete. Zahniser competed in
soccer and basketball, and was the best pitcher on the baseball team.
He was also a member of the Keystone Club.
After
graduating from University Park, Zahniser attended Hahnemann Medical
School, where he received honors. He has since authored various
medical publications.
He
married his Penn State Behrend sweetheart Lynn Etley and has three
children. He is a retired neurological surgeon. The Penn
State Behrend Student Athlete of the Year Award is named in his
honor.