September 10, 2019

Babich, Cotter set to join BVA Hall of Fame

By Mon Valley Independent

For the Mon Valley Independent

Five former star players will join long-time athletic department secretary Janice Sandy in being honored by the Belle Vernon Area Football Hall of Fame at the football team’s home opener Friday.

The induction ceremony will launch halftime activities when the Leopards meet Laurel Highlands for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the BVA Football of Fame, operated by a small group of directors who raise funds, research records, prepare the commemorative book and carry out other organizational tasks to keep alive the school’s storied football program’s past.

Hall of Fame directors are Steve Russell, Jack Fayak, Rob Harhai, Rebecca Hazy, Nick Gruber, Aaron McCullough, Mark Cook and Joe Grata.

Student volunteers will be selling commemorative 40-page books offering biographies of the 181st through 186th inductees, along with information, photos and records not available elsewhere.

Two of this year’s inductees are Rich Babich, a 1955 graduate of Bellmar High School, and Terry Cotter, a 1968 BVA graduate.

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Wednesday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.

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