BCFCA inducts 23rd Hall of Fame class
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Record-setting running backs Pete Gilmore and Nate Romig were among six former players and coaches inducted as the 23rd class of the Berks County Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame Saturday at the Green Valley Chateau.
The class included Gooch Adams, Dave Bodolus, Chuck Brice, and Dr. Randy Yocum; all were in attendance with the exception of Adams.
Gilmore set single-season and career rushing records at Wilson; Romig became Berks’ all-time rushing leader at Daniel Boone.
Adams had a standout career at Wilson before playing the University of Connecticut. Bodolus is the winningest coach in Daniel Boone history.
Brice was an All-State pick at Holy Name before a standout career at the University of Delaware. Yocum was an All-State pick at Schuylkill Valley who impacted Berks football for decades in his professional career as physical therapist and strength and conditioning specialist.
With the addition of six inductees the Hall now includes 152 members. In addition to the 102 selected as players there are 39 coaches, 14 special contributors, and seven officials. Many members were selected for both their playing and coaching accomplishments.
Gilmore was the Berks County Player of the Year in 1999 when he rushed for 1,810 yards and scored a program-record 33 touchdowns.
Romig was a four-year starter at Daniel Boone where he set 15 program records, became the first in Berks history to rush for 1,000 yards in three straight seasons and finished with a Berks-record 4,492 yards and 69 touchdowns.
Adams, a punishing hitter, was a two-time All-Berks pick and the Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 Defensive Back of the Year as a senior in 1993, when he led the team in tackles and helped the Bulldogs to a second straight section title.
Bodolus took the Blazers from the bottom to the top of the Inter-County League during his nine seasons as head coach, from 2003-2011. The Blazers went 79-28 under Bodolus and made seven straight district playoff appearances, reaching the semifinals three times.
Brice was an All-Berks offensive tackle and linebacker who led the Blue Jays to Inter-County League championships his final two seasons, 1979 and 1980. He went on to play at Delaware, where he was named to the All Century-Team.
Yocum was a three-year starter at linebacker for the Panthers and later spent 17 years coaching in the Exeter youth football system; he impacted programs across the county by founding the Berks County Football Combine and in helping injured athletes recover and return to the field.
There are 31 Hall of Famers connected with Reading High, the most of any school. Wilson is next with 27, followed by Muhlenberg (16), Gov. Mifflin (13), and Wyomissing (13).
Former players must be at least 35 years old to be considered for the Hall; former coaches must be at least 50 years old and have coached at least 15 years.
The BCFCA Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 2003 with the induction of former Conrad Weiser head coach Al Silveri, a longtime president and guiding force of the organization.
The first full class in 2004 included Ollie Eyrich, Reading High; John Gurski, Wilson; Al Gursky, Gov. Mifflin; Ferdie Kuczala, Conrad Weiser; Ray Linn, West Reading and Gov. Mifflin; Tommy Miller, Reading High; and Lenny Moore, Reading High.
Other notable selections over the years include former NFL quarterbacks Kerry Collins, Chad Henne and Matt Lytle, former NFL linemen Ross Tucker, Jasen Esposito, and Dave Pacella, former NFL tight end John Gilmore, and former CFL lineman John Jankans.
Pete Gilmore is the fifth member of the Gilmore family to be inducted, following his uncle Lee, brother John, and cousins David and Mike.
