Alansky, Schneck, Weidman inducted into District 11 Hall of Fame

Minersville's 1979 PIAA state championship softball team (submitted photo).

FOGELSVILLE — Three Schuylkill League coaching legends were honored Sunday evening as the newest members of the District 11 Hall of Fame.

Former Mahanoy Area girls’ basketball coach Joe Alansky, former Minersville coach Ken Schneck and former Nativity and Blue Mountain girls’ basketball coach Ruth Weidman were among 15 standout individuals that comprised the seventh class inducted into the District 11 Hall during a banquet at the Delta Hotel by Marriott.

Other members of this year’s class included Bob Clark, Parkland swimming; Darian Cruz, Bethlehem Catholic wrestling; Bob Hartman, Whitehall, former District 11 chairman; Anita James, Pocono Mountain West track and field; Tom Kresge, Lehighton basketball; Gabe Lewullis, ACC basketball; Jonathan Linton, Catasauqua football; Jim Morgans, ACC football; Sheila O’Donnell, ACC tennis; Martin Ondrovic, PIAA baseball umpire; Jon Trenge, Parkland wrestling; and Kalista Walters, Bethlehem Catholic basketball.

Alansky coached the Mahanoy Area girls’ basketball program for 19 seasons, from 1984-2003. “Papa Joe” compiled a 391-129 overall record that included 11 Schuylkill League division crowns, nine District 11 titles and PIAA state championships in 1988, 1989 and 1998.

Alansky also excelled as a player at Mahanoy Area. A 1963 graduate, Alansky scored 1,088 career points, earned All-State honors as a senior and helped lead Mahanoy Area to two Schuylkill League championships.

The 79-year-old Alansky was presented his District 11 Hall of Fame plate by his three grandchildren, Brady Alansky, Tanner Zawada and Macy Alansky.

Alansky talked about being inducted to the District 11 Hall of Fame prior to Sunday’s banquet:

Weidman compiled an amazing 614-237 overall record in 31 seasons as a head girls’ basketball coach, 14 at Nativity and 17 at Blue Mountain.

Weidman won 20 or more games in all but season at Nativity, guiding the Golden Girls to the PIAA playoffs all 14 seasons she was there.

During her tenure atop Lawton’s Hill, Weidman’s squads won four straight Schuylkill League titles from 1997-2000, were the Schuylkill League runners-up twice, captured five District 11 Class A championships, were District 11 runners-up three times and reached the PIAA state championship game five times.

Nativity won back-to-back PIAA Class A crowns in 1998-99 and 1999-2000 and were runners-up in 2001, 2002 and 2004. Her 1999-2000 club went 33-0 and was part of a 55-game win streak. That squad is regarded as one of the finest girls’ basketball teams in Pennsylvania high school history.

Weidman left Nativity for Blue Mountain after the 2003-04 season and guided the Eagles for 17 seasons. She compiled a 261-153 record at Blue Mountain, winning a pair of Schuylkill League Division I titles, the 2020 District 11 Class 5A championship and made three appearances in the PIAA playoffs. In her 31 years as a girls’ basketball coach, she only had two losing seasons.

In addition to basketball, Weidman also coached field hockey at Hamburg, softball at Nativity and was the athletic director at both Blue Mountain and Nativity. A retired physical education teacher, Weidman still serves as the athletic director at Nativity.

Weidman was presented her District 11 Hall of Fame plaque by former Nativity principal Lynn Sabol. Weidman discussed her induction prior to Sunday’s banquet:

Schneck put Schuylkill League softball on the map as the head coach of Minersville, coaching the “Big Blue Machine” for 26 seasons from 1974-1999. Schneck compiled an amazing 546-103 record with the Miners, an outstanding .841 winning percentage.

Under Schneck’s leadership, Minersville won 23 Schuylkill League division championships, five Schuylkill League overall titles, 13 District 11 crowns and six PIAA state championships — 1979, 1980, 1986, 1987, 1993, 1999).

“Pops” was the Pottsville Republican All-Area Softball Coach of the Year 10 times and the Minersville field was renamed the Ken Schneck Field in his honor. A guidance counselor for 35 years at Minersville Area High School, Schneck passed away in 2011.

Minersville athletic director Rich Dry accepted the award in Schneck’s honor.

This year’s class increases the members of the District 11 Hall of Fame to 85, 19 of which represent the Schuylkill League.

Previous inductees from Schuylkill League schools include Paul Brutto, Marian; Scott Buffington, Schuylkill Haven; Joe Cesari Sr., North Schuylkill; Stan Dakosty Sr., Marian; Diane Decker, Marian; Randy Haas, Blue Mountain; Kim Homa, Minersville; Lafay Hope, North Schuylkill; Cindy Miller, Tamaqua; Ron Rhen, Pine Grove; Jim Steidle, Pottsville; Michelle Swantner, Saint Clair; Allysa Vavra, Panther Valley; Meggan Yedsena, Mahanoy Area; former Schuylkill League president Jack Wabby and long-time official Herb Welsh.