Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame returns from covid hiatus with Class of 2023

By: Ray Fisher
Saturday, August 12, 2023 | 11:01 AM

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It’s back.

After a three-year covid-related hiatus, the Quaker Valley Sports Hall of Fame weekend has returned.

This year’s festive weekend will take place Oct. 13-14 and the 2023 class will be recognized Oct. 13 at the Quakers’ home football game against West Mifflin. Game time is 7 p.m.

A banquet will be held in honor of the inductees at 11 a.m. Oct. 14 at Edgeworth Club. For ticket information, email Christina Johns at johnsc@qvsd.org.

“We are excited for the return of the QV Hall of Fame weekend and our class reflects our rich tradition across all sports,” said Mike Mastroianni, the Quakers’ athletic director and a close friend of former QV soccer coach Gene Klein, who was instrumental in the formation and organization of the Hall of Fame.

Klein died July 24 from brain cancer at age 71. He was one of the most influential soccer coaches ever in Western Pennsylvania and eclipsed 500 wins at QV. Klein was inducted into the QV Hall of Fame in 1998.

“Gene played a big part of restarting and reforming the Sports Hall of Fame,” Mastroianni said. “We developed a new format and concept for the Hall of Fame weekend and Gene was very influential. He understood the rich tradition of QV athletics, and that with our school and community pride, we are a perfect match to have an athletic hall of fame.

“Gene connected at all levels and had a terrific personality. As a teacher, coach and colleague, you always knew where you stood with him. He was always willing to get involved and help.”

The 2023 class is the 16th in school history. The sports hall of fame was started in 1997 by a group led by former Quaker Valley coach and teacher Sam Lofaso.

“Along with the committee, Sam did an outstanding job of getting the hall of fame off the ground in 1997 and maintaining it through the early 2000s,” Mastroianni said. “We are so appreciative of his early efforts.”

There were seven hall of fame classes from 1997-2003. Lofaso’s committee disbanded after the 2003 banquet. In 2012, QV’s athletic department reestablished the hall of fame, which ran until 2019.

Now, without further delay, here is this year’s QV Sports Hall of Fame class: Tabitha Bemis (track/gymnastics/diving), Dean Civitkovic (football), Dr. Jeff Mulholland (Contributor), Dr. Christa Rogers Pettie (volleyball/basketball/track), Justin Shegog (basketball), Furman South (hockey), the 1989 boys basketball team and 1993 boys soccer team.

Tabitha Bemis (2010)

Bemis was an accomplished three-sport athlete as well as a cheerleader. In total, she was a 43-time WPIAL and/or PIAA medalist, including 18 golds.

As a senior, Bemis was a two-time champion and runner-up at the PIAA track and field championships and earned first-team all-state honors in the long jump event. She also was a two-time WPIAL and state medalist in diving.

Earlier in her career, Bemis represented QV as a freshman and sophomore gymnast and earned WPIAL and state all-around titles.

She was recognized by two area newspapers in 2010 as the female athlete of the year.

Bemis went on to compete in track and field at Edinboro, where she was a six-time All-American, 14-time national qualifier, 15-time PSAC titlist, 18-time all-region selection and 26-time all-conference honoree. She broke 11 school records and was an Academic All-American.

Dean Cvitkovic (1974)

Cvitkovic is one of the most accomplished football players in school history. He was a standout wide receiver and defensive back and earned a full scholarship to Morehead State.

Citkovic started his college career as a flanker then was moved to tight end. Following a coaching change, he was switched to defense, where he started as an outside linebacker/defensive end combo in his sophomore year.

Citkovic went on to lead MSU in tackles for loss and finished with 43 tackles and 13 assists in a nine-game season, ultimately being named an Ohio Valley Conference all-star in his senior year. As a physical education major, Citkovic had a concentration in science and went on to earn his master’s degree in education and physical education.

Following a series of surgeries, Citkovic signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1981. He later went on to coach at seven high schools and became principal of three schools.

Dr. Jeff Mulholland

Mulholland has been the QV orthopedic team physician and part of QV athletics for the past 27 years. Mulholland earned his undergraduate and medical degrees with honors at the University of Virginia and was chosen to join the medical honor society AOA.

Following a fellowship that saw him work in the professional ranks with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kings, Dodgers and Galaxy, Mulholland joined Greater Pittsburgh Orthopedic Associates in 1996, where his relationship with Quaker Valley began. He is considered one of the most sought-out sports medicine orthopedic physicians in Western Pennsylvania, and QV athletes have benefited from his passion and medical expertise. He has provided a level of medical coverage for the Quakers that rivals both collegiate and professional teams.

Mulholland and his staff at the GPOA are in integral part of the overall success of QV athletics. He is married to Dr. Shannon McQuone Mulholland (QV Class of 1984) and has three sons, Jake, Thomas and Ben.

Dr. Christa Rogers Pettie (2008)

Rogers Pettie was a four-year letter winner in volleyball, basketball and track and field.

Her outstanding athletic career included section, WPIAL and PIAA recognition in all three sports. As a setter on the volleyball team, she was named all-section four times and earned WPIAL recognition in her junior and senior years, capped by all-state honors as a senior.

On the basketball court, Rogers Pettie displayed versatility as a point guard and forward, leading the team in assists, rebounding, steals and scoring three years in a row. She amassed 1,245 career points, placing her among the highest scorers and all-time players in school history.

She continued her athletic dominance in track and field, winning the 100- and 200-meter dashes, 100 hurdles and 400 relay at the WPIAL finals in 2007 and 2008. She broke the WPIAL meet record in the 200 in 2008.

Rogers Pettie was named female athlete of the year by area newspapers, including the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. She also was chosen as a WPIAL Scholar Athlete in 2008.

Rogers Pettie continued her athletic career at Morgan State in both volleyball and track and field, later transferring to Alabama A&M.

Justin Shegog (2000)

Justin Shegog is highly regarded as one of the best players to put on a QV basketball jersey. He is QV’s all-time leading scorer for boys basketball with 1,965 career points.

Shegog led teams that won three section championships and QV’s first WPIAL title in 1997, as well as the Quakers’ first state-championship appearance in 1999. A three-time all-state and four-time all-section selection, Shegog was lauded as the Class AA player of the year in boys basketball in 1999.

His four-year era is considered the foundation of QV boys basketball not only in Western Pennsylvania but across the state.

Furman South (2006)

It is not an exaggeration to say Furman South set a standard for Quaker Valley hockey. A four-year letterman, South received numerous awards and recognitions.

While setting records for QV hockey, including most goals in a season and most hat tricks in a season and career, South was recognized as one of the top local and state players during his time on the ice.

Selected to numerous PIHL all-star teams and named PIHL player of the month multiple times, South was a member of the QV’s first state champion hockey team, scoring four goals in the state finals.

South went on to a successful career in junior hockey, which led him to Robert Morris, where he was a four-year letterman for the Colonials, appearing in 135 games.

South’s hockey journey continues to this day. He is a full-time referee in the NHL and has worked more than 200 games.

1989 boys basketball team

Under the direction of coach John Gaetano, the 1989 boys basketball team is regarded as one of the best in school history. The Quakers won the Section 13-AA crown with a 13-2 record and advanced to the WPIAL semifinals and PIAA quarterfinals, finishing at 24-5 overall.

Led by first-team all-state selection Jeff Gaca and first-team all-section guard Andre Farrington, the Quakers averaged just under 70 points a game. Reggie Bledsoe, Rob Seymour and Neil Sisak joined Gaca and Farrington in the team’s all-senior starting lineup.

1993 boys soccer team

Led by coach Gene Klein and assistants Steve Klein, Scott Reimer and Jeff Roberts, the 1993 squad is considered one of the best in the storied history of the QV boys soccer program.

The team boasted prolific scoring with 195 total goals and a defense that allowed only 12 goals. Led by Armann Fenger, Phil Oxendine and Seth Perkovich on offense, the Quakers won section, WPIAL and state titles and finished 25-1-1 overall.

Goalkeeper Phil Gouker anchored the team’s defense with a .930 save percentage.

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