Athletics

James Miliauskas

James Miliauskas was a two-sport athlete at Penn State Wilkes-Barre where he played tennis and golf (Captain/MVP).  James finished his collegiate tennis career with a 10-2 record, and also excelled on the golf course where he was named 1989-90 and 1990-91 EPCC All-Conference and CCAC All-Tournament.  In addition, James was a member of the 1^st Presidents Golf Cup Championship and graduated from University Park in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Health and Human Development in Recreation and Parks Management. – Inducted 2012

Jill Chocallo

Jill Chocallo was a two-sport athlete who excelled at both basketball and volleyball at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.  A founding member of the 2007-08 women’s basketball team, Jill was captain and team MVP.  Jill was also a member of the 2006 and 2007 volleyball teams in which she again earned the title MVP.  Her accolades did not stop on the court, as she was given the 2007-08 John C. Egli Female Student-Athlete Award (the most prestigious PSUAC award) and the 2006-07 John Kolesar Outstanding Athlete Award.  Jill was a Dean’s List student during her years at Penn State Wilkes-Barre and graduated from University Park in 2010 with a degree in elementary education. – Inducted 2012

Philip Navola

Phil Navola was a two-sport athlete during his tenure at Penn State Wilkes-Barre from 1989-1991.  While participating in tennis, he became a CCAC State Singles Champion and received team MVP honors.  During his two years of tennis, he collected multiple CCAC/EPCC All-Conference awards.  Additionally, he was a member of the school’s golf team where he received All-Conference and All-Tournament honors and was a member of the 1^st Presidents Cup Championship.  In honor of his accomplishments, he received the 1989-90 John Kolesar Outstanding Athlete Award.  Phil was selected to the 1991 Edition of Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges, and went on to continue his education at University Park where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Quantitative Business Analysis in 1993. – Inducted 2012

Charles Boughton

Charles Boughton was the first Athletic Director in the history of Penn State Wilkes-Barre, serving as Athletic Director and Physical Education instructor from 1970-1980.  While at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, he was instrumental in the addition of several sport programs including men’s basketball, cross country, and soccer.  In addition to developing the men’s basketball team, he also served as Head Coach.  Charles was recognized by Penn State Wilkes-Barre for his accomplishments in 1974 with the Hayfield Award.  Charles is remembered as a husband, father, coach, friend, and visionary.  – Inducted 2012

Robert Faux

Dr. Robert Faux received All-Conference Honors for Men’s Volleyball and his academic performance at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Robert completed his athletic and academic pursuits at University Park where he was a two year member of the Varsity Volleyball Team, which competed in the Final Four of the NCAA National Championships. Faux holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Engineering Science from Penn State University. He earned his Doctoral Degree in Human Development from Marywood University. Faux also served as the Head Volleyball Coach at Penn State Wilkes-Barre from 1990 to 2001.

Denise (Dymond) Mackowiak

Denise (Dymond) Mackowiak co-captained the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Women’s Volleyball Team from 1982 to 1984, earning All-Conference Honors for two consecutive seasons. In 1984 she led the team to the conference championship with a 15-1 record. She graduated from Penn State in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing. She was also a member of the Golden Key Honor Society. In 1986 Denise returned to Penn State Wilkes-Barre to coach the Women’s Volleyball Team.

Jack Monick

As Athletic Director at Penn State Wilkes-Barre for 26 years, Coach Monick left his “thumbprint” on the entire campus, but specifically the athletic department, coaches, student-athletes and support staff. Under his direction, Penn State Wilkes-Barre started Baseball, Tennis, Women’s Soccer, Golf and Women’s Basketball. He was instrumental in the four year eligibility rule for all commonwealth campus athletes. He coached almost every athletic team during his 26 years, but his love for baseball and his willingness to teach the game was his true gift to the athletic program at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Coach Monick graduated from Bradley University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education. He then went on to earn his Master of Science degree in Elementary Administration from the University of Scranton in 1989. He was drafted by the New York Mets in the 1969 Amateur Baseball Draft.

John Murphy

John Murphy was the Dean of Student Affairs at Penn State Wilkes-Barre from 1967-2003, and coached the men’s basketball team from 1968-1971. John also served as chairperson of the Athletic and Recreation Building construction project. In 1995, he received the John Egli Award for his contributions to the Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference.

Kelly (Huff) Rattray

Dr. Kelly (Huff) Rattray attended Penn State Wilkes-Barre in 1983-1984 earning All-Conference Honors in 1984 as a member of the Conference Champion Women’s Volleyball Team that finished 15-1. Kelly earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1986, receiving the Outstanding Student Teacher Award from Penn State University. Dr. Rattray earned her Master of Science degree in Reading & Reading Specialist Certification from the University of Scranton in 1989. She also earned her Doctorate in Education from Lehigh University in 1998.

James Ryan

As Campus Executive Officer, Dr. James Ryan made significant contributions to the Athletic Programs at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Under his leadership, the Athletics and Recreation Building was constructed through the securing of State funding, with the assistance of State Representative Fred J. Shupnik. The Athletics and Recreation Building Officially opened in 1990.

Daniel Tucker

Daniel Tucker was a two-sport athlete, spending three years on the men’s basketball team and one year on the baseball team. He earned 1st team All-Conference honors in basketball three years in a row, and is the only player ever to score 1,000 points. Dan graduated from Penn State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Sciences and Technology in 2004.

Thomas Winter

Dr. Thomas Winter coached the Cross Country team with Coach Graham in the 1980’s. As acting Campus Executive Officer from 1994 to 1997, he started the Men’s Basketball Team and free-weight program, and refurbished the tennis courts. Since 2002 he has donated time and funds to keep them playable. Since 2004 he has directed and funded an annual strength fitness contest, and, more recently, a pump-and-run contest.