Pennridge Inductees
Albert “Al” Faix – Al, a 1968 Pennridge grad, amassed eight varsity letters during high school. He excelled on the baseball diamond as a pitcher. He earned three varsity letters and had a combined record of 15-3 including a perfect 7-0 Sr. season. During that year he had a .073 ERA, 100 strikeouts and 2 no-hitters, one of which was a 14 inning gem. I In 1967 and again in 1968 Al led Pennridge to 2 Bux-Mont Championships and he made All Bux-Mont first team both years. He played for the Pennridge Little League, Connie Mack and Perkasie Legion winning several championships at those levels. In basketball, Al was co-captain his senior year and has a 10 point scoring average. In football, Al set a then school record with 8 interceptions as a defensive safety. He was the recipient of the Senior Athletic Award in ’68. After high school, Al was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 6th round of the MLB draft. He played 3 seasons in the minors in the Florida State and Northern Leagues. Later, he pitched and made All-Star teams in the Pen-Del League for 2 years. Al then shared his knowledge with younger players by coaching 7 years of youth baseball for Tri-Township and 3 years of youth basketball in Council Rock.
Will Lewis – Will graduated from Pennridge inn 1976 after a stellar career in track, basketball and football. He was a first team All Bux-Mont selection in football in his senior year. He scored the only touchdown in the Thanksgiving Day game in 1974. During his Sr. spring track season he finished third in the Pa. State track meet in the 4 X 200. Will graduated from Millersville University in 1980 where he was an All PSAC and All American defensive back. In 1980 he was a defensive back and kick returner for the Seattle Seahawks earning “Inside Sports Magazine” all-rookie kick and punt returner status. During the ’81-’82 season Will was with the Kansas City Chiefs. He spent the ’83-’85 seasons with the Houston Gamblers of the USFL where he was an All League corner back. Will then played in the Canadian Football League with Ottawa and then Hamilton. He was an All League player in ’88 and set a record in the All Star game with a 100 yard punt return. In ’89, he played in the Grey Cup game with Hamilton. After his playing days, Will turned to coaching with stints at Brown University, Lock Haven University, Millersville University, University of Maine and West Virginia. In 1996 he was inducted into the Millersville University Hall of Fame. Will has also served as a scout/assistant coach with the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons. He has been the Director of Pro Personnel with the Seattle Seahawks from 1999 to the present.
Sandra Niles-Hoopes – Sandra, a 1965 graduate of Pennridge High, was a versatile athlete starring in field hockey, basketball, softball and cheerleading. A four-year starter in field hockey, she was captain of the team in her senior year. In basketball, she played JV for her freshman year and then varsity for 3 years including playing on the Bux-Mont Championship teams in her last two years. In softball, she played JV for her freshman year and then varsity for 3 years including two more Bux-Mont Championship teams. She was captain of the ’65 team. She was also a cheerleader for 3 years and the captain of the cheering squad in her senior year. She was the Outstanding Female Athlete Award winner in her Sr. year. After high school, Sandra continued playing basketball and field hockey at West Chester University. In her Sr. year she received All College Honorable Mention in field hockey. When she graduated in ’69, she began her teaching and coaching career at Pennsbury High coaching the varsity field hockey team to the Lower Bux-Mont Championship in ’69. She was a graduate assistant at West Chester University in ’70-’71 and represented the United States at the International Olympic Academy. Sandra has been at Lower Merion High from ’71-present where she has coached teams to league, district and state championships in track and field. In 2006, she was inducted into the Lower Merion Track and Field Hall of Fame.
Paul “Reds” Snyder – (deceased) Paul graduated from Sell-Perk in 1942. He played basketball and baseball at Sell-Perk. He was an All Bux-Mont pitcher in his Sr. year and on the Sell-Perk Championship team. After high school he received an offer from the Phillies to play in their minor league system. Instead, he chose to accept a full scholarship to Muhlenberg College. He lettered in baseball there during his freshman year. After college, he continued to play baseball while on duty with the U.S. Marines in the Pacific during World War II. Later he received a second offer to play professional baseball; this time from the St. Louis Browns. He pitched for the Souderton Semi-Pro team in the East Penn League. When he injured his arm he was replaced on the roster by Bobby Schantz. For many years, Paul continued to play for a variety of teams including the V.F.W., Fleetwings and the Sell-Perk Redbirds. When his playing days ended he coached Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball during the 1950’s. He also served on the Athletic Committee of the Pennridge School Board.
Quakertown Inductees
Tom Koehler – Tom graduated from QHS in 1971 and was a three sport athlete. Championships in baseball and basketball were common in his sports career. He earned two letters in football and was the team’s leading receiver in his Jr. and Sr. years including the Bux-Mont Championship team in ’70. He earned All League honorable mention as a tight end and All County honorable mention as a defensive tackle. Tom lettered twice in basketball as a starting guard and was an integral player on the ’69-’70 Championship team. During his Sr. year he received All Bux-Mont honorable mention. In baseball, Tom lettered three times. During his Jr. year he was first team All League as a first baseman, wend 6-1 with a 2.63 ERA as a pitcher and was third in the league in hitting. He was the winning pitcher in all 8 of the team’s wins during his Sr. year, second team All League and team MVP. After high school, Tom played tight end and fullback at Kutztown University. Tom played many years of recreation YMCA basketball and played baseball fro the Souderton Warriors in the Perky League and Quakertown in the Tri-County League. Tom also coached Quakertown Youth Basketball, Little League, Connie Mack Baseball and umpired softball.
Tim Neiman – Tim, a Quakertown grad, has been involved in baseball all his life. After making All Star teams with Quakertown Little League, Connie Mack and Legion teams, Tim turned to coaching. He coached 2 years with the Connie Mack traveling team earning a 36-14 record and six years with the American Legion team with a 127-50 record. Tim then moved on to the collegiate level as a pitching coach at Kutztown University for three years and pitching coach with the Quakertown Blazers for three years. Tim is in his 20th season as head baseball coach at DeSales University where he has amassed 473 wins with a winning percentage of .652. He has coached 4 ECAC South Championship teams. He has been named Coach of the Year 9 different times and his teams have competed in 9 NCAA tournaments advancing to the College World Series in 2003. He was chosen as the American Baseball Coaches Association Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year. Ten of his players have gone on to play professional baseball. In 1995, he was inducted into the Pa. American Legion Hall of Fame. He has served as the chair of the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship Committee and the Middle Atlantic Baseball Committee. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Miracle League, a baseball program for special needs children in the Lehigh Valley. He also serves as color analyst for Service Electric TV broadcasts of Reading Phillies Baseball. For many years, Tim has held clinics for young baseball players throughout the area.
Joe Scheetz – (Deceased) Joe graduated from Quakertown High in 1941. During his high school years he lettered in baseball, football, basketball and track. He attained first team All Bux-Mont honors in football. He excelled in baseball continuing to play after high school with the Quakertown Scholastics, the Quakertown AA and for Limeport in the East Penn League. He received attention from the Baltimore Orioles who offered him a contract. Timing was not on his side as he entered the U.S. Army instead. When he returned from military duty he played football for the Pennridge Greenjackets.
Steve Shelly – Steve graduated from QHS in 1970. He was an outstanding soccer, basketball and baseball player from ’67-’70. He was a three year letter winner in soccer and two year letter winner in both basketball and baseball. Steve achieved first team All Bux-Mont recognition as a goalie in soccer during his Sr. year. He was team captain and has been inducted into the Quakertown Soccer hall of Fame. Steve was captain of the ’69-’70 Bux-Mont Championship basketball team and was chosen first team All Bux-Mont as well as All-State honorable mention. After graduation, Steve graduated from Delaware Valley College where he started on the basketball team for 4 years and never missed a game. He was a 1000 point scorer at Del Val and has been inducted into the DVC Basketball Hall of Fame. After his playing days Steve coached basketball at Valley Forge military Academy for 4 years and Pennridge South Middle School for 2 years.