BCFCA Hall of Fame

The Berks County Football Coaches Association inducted its 21st Hall of Fame class on Saturday at the Green Valley Chateau. The BCFCA Hall of Fame now includes 139 members. It consists of former players, coaches, officials, and special contributors. Players must be at least 35 years old and coaches are required to be at least 50 with a minimum of 15 years of experience to be considered. I was honored to once again serve as the emcee for the banquet. Here are this year’s seven inductees.

Nolan McCready-He set a Berks County record with 2,110 receiving yards. The All-State pick was named the Berks County Player of the Year in 2001 when Wyomissing won a District 3 championship. McCready, who was also a standout defensive back, broke the school record with 107 receptions. He went to Penn State as a walk-on and became a starter at safety. The three-year letterman made the Big Ten All-Academic team three times.

Andy Roland-He was an All-County selection at tight end and defensive end for Wilson. As a senior in 2000, Roland established a school record with ten touchdown catches. The All-State pick was voted the Berks County Defensive Lineman of the Year. He was chosen to play in the Big 33 Classic. Roland became a four-year starter at Duke. He was nominated for the John Mackey Award which goes to the best tight end in the nation.

Chris Hangen-He was a two-time All-Berks linebacker at Reading, as well as an All-County kicker. Hangen went on to have a very successful college career at Millersville. He set a school record with 40 sacks from 1982-85. Hangen was a three-time All-Conference pick and a two-time All-ECAC selection at nose guard.

John Dallessandro-He was a physical presence at defensive end while playing for the legendary Andy Stopper at Reading. In 1957, Dallessandro was the first Red Knights’ player chosen for the Big 33 Classic. He played one season at LSU. Dallessandro was also a standout in baseball during his high school days.

Lloyd “Scoop” Clemens-He began his coaching career at Ontelaunee High School in 1927. Clemens became Muhlenberg’s first football coach in 1945. The Muhls won or shared the Berks County championship every year from 1947-51. Clemens won 70% of his games which ranks 8th in Berks history. In addition to football, he coached baseball, basketball, soccer, and track & field. His teams won more than 1,300 combined games and 32 championships over three decades. Clemens was a four-sport athlete at Schuylkill College which became Albright.

Scott Weidner-He was an All-County center at Reading and helped the Red Knights win their only outright Central Penn League title in 1977. Weidner spent more than thirty years as an official. He officiated two state championship games, five state semifinals, twenty District 3 finals, and the 2013 Big 33 Classic. Weidner was a crew chief for twenty seasons.

Dr. Gary Canner-He has been the orthopedic consultant for Wilson’s football team since 1986. Dr. Canner also served in that role for Wyomissing, Kutztown University, and Ursinus College. He graduated from Brown University and received his Doctor of Medicine degree from there as well. He attended the University of Pennsylvania for training in sports medicine. Dr. Canner established Berkshire Orthopedics in 1985.