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  DICK KADIS AWARD

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DICK KADIS

 

On September 29, 1956, the Geneva College Golden Tornadoes traveled to Waynesburg College for a night game. During the game, 21-year-old Dick Kadis recovered a fumble, and – after rising from the bottom of the pile – left the game and did not return to action. While boarding the bus for the trip home, Dick collapsed and fell into a coma. Doctors later determined that he had suffered a massive brain hemorrhage. Dick eventually came out of the coma but was left in a semi-paralyzed state. Dick's mother and father, Pauline and Charles Kadis, cared for their son until August 1978, when they both suffered heart attacks. Dick was moved to a hospital and then to a nursing home, where he died on October 18, 1979, at age 43.

 

In each year since he left us, the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame has remembered Dick Kadis at its annual banquet by recognizing an outstanding college student athlete from Beaver County who has completed their final year of eligibility.

 

Below is a list of those who have received the Dick Kadis Award.

 

2023

Maggie Townsend

   

 

Beaver County Christian

High School

Geneva College

 

Seventh all-time in Geneva history with 1,494 digs.
All-Conference 2021, 2022
Honorable Mention All-PAC, 2022
PAC Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week, 2021
Second Team All-PAC, 2021

   

2020

Jake Marotti

2022

Nelly Cummings

2022

Isaac Elliott

 

Ambridge High School

Lafayette College

 

Junior year:

All-Patriot League First Team

 

Senior year:

 Team co-captain

Preseason All-Patriot League Team, All-Patriot League First Team , Phil Steele First Team

All-Patriot League, Phil Steele Patriot League

Offensive Lineman of the Year

 

Lincoln Park High School

Colgate University

 

All-Patriot League 2nd Team 2020-21, All-Patriot League 1st Team 2021-22, Colgate's Bob Duffy/Tucker Neale MVP Award 2022, All-Patriot Tournament 2022

 

Ambridge Area High School

Duquesne University

 

Duquesne University track records: 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, 4x200m relay, 4x400m relay, and the sprint medley relay

 

Atlantic-10 100m record

 

3-time Atlantic-10 100m champion, 3-time Atlantic-10 200m champion, and a 2-time Atlantic-10 4x100m relay champion.

 

10-time IC4A medalist and a 2-time NCAA Division 1 preliminary qualifier

 

Atlantic-10's men's track Most Outstanding Performer Award  2021 and 2022
 

Duquesne University's 2022 Male Student-Athlete of the Year

2017

Shatori

Walker-Kimbrough

2018

Brendan McKay

2019

Chassidy Omogrosso

Hopewell

University of Maryland

6th Pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics, 2015 USA Basketball's Pan American Games Team, 2015 and 2016 All-Big Ten First Team, Two-time Big Ten Player of the Week, Big Ten Record in 3-Point FG Percentage, 2016 Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player, Naismith National Player of the Week, #32 Jersey Retired by Maryland

 

Blackhawk

University of Louisville

National Freshman Player of the Year, 2015; Baseball America First Team All-America, 2015-17; NCBWA First Team All-America, 2015-17; NCAA Louisville Regional Most Outstanding Player, 2016; ABCA First Team All-America, 2016-17; All-ACC First Team, Starting Pitcher/Designated Hitter, 2016-17; Consensus National Player of the Year, 2017; Golden Spikes Award Winner, 2017; D1 Baseball National Player of the Year, 2017; and College World Series All-Tournament Team, 2017; 4th overall pick in the 2017 MLB draft

 

Blackhawk

Duquesne University

Dukes' third all-time leading scorer (1,703 career points), all-time leader in career three-pointers (279), second in career 3-point field goal percentage (.382), and third in career free throw percentage (.832). Three-time All-Atlantic 10 selection. First Team All-Conference in 2018. Second Team All-Conference in 2019. All-Rookie Team in 2016

 

2014

Lindsay Vrooman

2015

Alexa Hayward

2016

Josh Turnley

Ambridge

Indiana University

9-time NCAA All-American, 3-time Big Ten Conference champion in the mile, 3-time All-Big Ten first team member, 2013 Big Ten Swimmer of the Championships, 2013 Big Ten Swimmer of the Year, 2013 Indiana University Female Athlete of the Year. Holds 6 Indiana University school records. Owns 3 Big Ten Conference records. US National Team Member. First Team Scholar All-American.

Blackhawk

Saint Francis University

Twice named NEC Player of the Week, named second team All-NEC, first team All-NEC, and named to the All-NEC Rookie team; as team captain, led the Northeast Conference in three point field goals with 82, which ranked 20th in the nation; one of the ten female finalists nationally for the prestigious Senior CLASS Award; invited to participate in the ProHoops WNBA Combine.

Beaver

Georgetown University

Selected in the third round (41st overall) of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft as a defender by the LA Galaxy; Big East All-Academic honors as a sophomore, junior, and senior; As a sophomore, named to the Big East All-Academic team; as a senior and team captain, led Georgetown to its first ever Big East Tournament Championship.

2011

Kayla Kelosky

2012

Herb Pope

2013

Ben Rawding

Riverside

Clarion University

 

3-time NCAA Div II Female Diver of the Year, 3-time NCAA Div II 1m national champion, 2-time NCAA Div II 3m national champion. Click here for her acceptance speech.

 Aliquippa

Seton Hall University

 

3-year letterman and member of the school's 500 club. One of two 2012 Big East players averaging a double-double: 15.1 points and 10.4 rebounds. 3d third team All Big East. First Pirate player to lead the conference in rebounding.

Blackhawk

Mercyhurst College

 

Won 19 consecutive games to set PSAC record. West Conference Freshman of the Year. ECAC Pitcher of the Year. Atlantic Region Pitcher of the Year. Named Division II ECAC All-Star and Pitcher of the Year. Semi-Finalist for Tino Martinez Award.

2008

Sean Conley

2009

Christa Harmotto

2010
Jack Anderson

 

Blackhawk

University of Pittsburgh

 

The Big East's "Best Outfield Arm" (Baseball Magazine, 2008), Sean has set eight career records for the Panthers baseball team in his first three years.

Hopewell
Pennsylvania State University


Four time All American volleyball player, Big Ten Player of the Year in 2007, and member of the 2007 NCAA national championship team and 2009 US national team.
Beaver Falls
Carnegie Mellon University


Four-year letter winner,
1182 career points
(11th in CMU history),
twice named UAA Conference Player of the Week.

2005

Brandon Fuss-Cheatham

2006

Ashley D Musser

2007

Paul Posluszny

Blackhawk

Ohio State University

 

A four year member of the Buckeye basketball team, Brandon averaged over 5 points his junior and senior years.

Western Beaver

Naval Academy

 

Ashley led the Patriot League in service aces per game (ninth nationally) as she won four letters in volleyball.

Hopewell

Penn State University

 

A two time All American and Academic All American, Paul set the all time leading tackle mark at PSU and won the Butkus Award.

2002

Ryan "Archie" Miller

2003

Nikki Borza

2004

Sean McCune

Blackhawk
North Carolina State University

 

Ryan finished second in career 3 pointers (ninth all time ACC in 3 pt percentage) as his team made the 2002 NCAA Tournament. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

Beaver 

University of Pittsburgh

 

Nikki won the Ditka and Big East Scholar Athlete awards and was a Big East and Intercollegiate Tennis Association Academic All Star.

South Side 
Colgate University

 

A four year letterman, Sean was named Colgate's defensive MVP, All Patriot League, and East Coach Athletic Conference. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

1999

Ted Cole

2000

Jeff Jeffers Jr

2001

Ryan Mayo

Monaca
Lafayette University

 

A two year team captain, Ted made first team All Patriot League as a senior and led his Leopards to the 1999 NCAA Tournament.

Ambridge
Washington & Jefferson

 

Jeff was a four year letterman and made All Conference his senior year, while lettering in track and field, as well.

Western Beaver
Lafayette University

 

A three year letterman, Ryan was a first team All Conference in the Patriot League and the team Offensive Back of the Year.

1996

Dante Calabria

1997

Kim Niedbala

1998

Troy Nesmith

 

 

Blackhawk

University of North Carolina

 

Dante was only the fourth Tar Heel to have more than 1000 points, 400 rebounds, 300 assists, and 100 steals in his career. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

 

 

Blackhawk

Clarion University

 

Kim was twice a first team All American defensive back and played in the NCAA Division II Snow Bowl All Star Game.

 

 

Beaver Falls
Gannon College

 

An All American with Geneva and Gannon Colleges, Troy set the all time scoring mark in Western PA collegiate basketball history. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

1993

Ron Bendekovic

1994

Kristin Sebastian

1995

Michael House

 

 

Center
Allegheny College

 

Ron lettered four years (including the 1990 national championship team), and won All American honors in 1991 and 1992, with an Alden Scholar recognition.

 

 

Monaca
Duquesne University

 

Kristin averaged over 12 points in her college career with the Dukes, accumulating 1374 points, 184 assists, and 468 rebounds in her four year career.

 

 

Beaver Falls
John Hopkins University

 

Mike was a four year starter and earned All Conference and All American honors, along with the Woody Hayes National Scholar Athlete Award (4.0 in pre med).

1990

Gary Cooper

1991

Angela Mavrich

1992

Sean Miller

 

 

Ambridge
Clemson University

 

Gary set the all time Clemson mark for yards per reception (21.8), and made fourth on his football team in all purpose rushing yards.

 

 

Hopewell
Washington & Jefferson

 

Angela won four letters in basketball (with team captain and MVP honors) and four more in softball (with All Conference and All American honors).

 

 

Blackhawk

University of Pittsburgh

 

Sean set the Big East all time mark for consecutive games and free throw percentage, second in assists, and third in 3 point goals and percentage. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

1988

Barbara Buck

1988

Marques Henderson

1989

Roger Welsh

 

 

Ambridge
Clarion University

 

No info at this time

 

 

Aliquippa
Penn State University

 

As a Nittany Lions senior, Marques was co-captain and earned All East honors, leading the team in passes broken up. He also won recognition winning a Toyota Leadership Award. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

 

 

Beaver Falls
Westminster College

 

 Roger was a three year starting right tackle and played on the 1998 NAIA Division III National Championship team. He was named second team All District and was an NAIA Independent Conference Group All Star.

1986

Ron Rowan

1986

Rick Suder

1987

Jana Sipes

 

 

Beaver Falls
St John’s University

 

Ron was named second team All Big East and Big East Scholar of the Year, and he played on St John's teams that won Big East regular season titles and made the NCAA Final Four. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

 

 

Center
Duquesne University

 

Rick led the Atlantic Conference in scoring his senior season, won team MVP honors, and was named to the All Conference team, all while setting team season and career free throw records. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

 

 

Beaver
Slippery Rock University

 

Jana set three school and the state heptathlon record, earning two MVPs at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference meet and All American status in the javelin and heptathlon. Click here for her Hall of Fame bio.

1984

Glenn Dennison

1984

Candy Young

1985

Rocky Washington

 

 

Beaver Falls
Miami University

 

As a tight end on the Hurricanes' first national championship team, Glenn caught two touchdowns in that game, and also set a team record for single-season catches. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

 

 

Beaver Falls
Farleigh Dickinson University

 

An All American track star, Candy established a world indoor mark at Farleigh-Dickinson and won the NCAA Indoor Hurdles Championship. Click here for her Hall of Fame bio.

 

 

Beaver Falls
Penn State University

Rocky (a freshman walk-on who ran the 40 yard dash in 4.36 seconds) was a Nittany Lion wide receiver and special teams member recruited by the USFL. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

1982

Sam Scott

1983

Jimbo Covert

1983

Jan Ujevich

 

 

Beaver Falls
Indiana University of Pennsylvania

 

Set IUP records for games played (101) and fouls (333), finished second in field goals (585), and third in scoring (1369 points), and rebounds (738).

 

 

Freedom

University of Pittsburgh

 

Jimbo won two All American honors with the Panthers and was named to their All Time team. As a tackle, he permitted only three sacks his entire collegiate career. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

 

 

Center

University of Pittsburgh

 

Jan was an MVP swimmer for the Panthers and was also recognized as a Female Athlete of the Year, Big East MVP, and All American, graduating Cum Laude. Click here for her Hall of Fame bio.

1980

Kevin Scanlon

1981

Terry Francona

1982

Bob Besong

 

 

Beaver Falls

University of Arkansas

 

Kevin was the Razorbacks' starting quarterback and earned Southwest Conference MVP honors while leading his team to a No 6 ranking. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

 

 

New Brighton
University of Arizona

 

In his Wildcats career, Terry made All American, led his team to an NCAA title, received the Golden Spikes Award, and was named College Player of the Year. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

 

 

Ambridge
University of Pittsburgh

 

No info at this time