Dave Hart

Connellsville High School – 1943

60 year career in high school and college athletics as a respected player, coach, and administrator. Was a three sport standout at Connellsville High School in football, basketball, and track. Played college football at the University of Georgia and later at St. Vincent College where he was a Little All-American and led St. Vincent to the Tangerine Bowl. Served as an Air Force gunner during World War II, earning several medals. Was once the head football coach at the University of Pittsburgh. Served as Athletic Director at the Universities of Louisville and Missouri. Throughout his life, he was a mentor and leader who inspired young people in a positive manner. His favorite motto was “People do things for people”.

 

Henry Oppermann Jr.

Connellsville High School – 1956

Graduated from Penn State University in 1961 with a degree in Industrial Engineering and was captain of the Nittany Lions Football Team his senior year. Named the Most Valuable Lineman of the 1960 Liberty Bowl and the MVP of the 1960 North-South All-Star Game. Served in the United States Army from 1962-1964 attaining the rank of Captain. Was the recipient of the prestigious Penn State Alumni Athlete Award in 1977. Has been a successful businessman throughout his life and a dedicated community servant. His community service includes being Chairman of the Penn State Fayette Advisory Board and the President of the Westmoreland-Fayette Boy Scout Council. Presented with the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross Award from the Diocese of Greensburg for his faithful service to the Catholic Church.

 

Paul Prestia

Connellsville High School – 1955

Co-founder and Chair of RatnerPrestia, Intellectual Property Law Firm with offices in Valley Forge, Wilmington, and Washington DC. A graduate of Lehigh University with a degree in chemical engineering and Georgetown University with a juris doctorate degree. Board of Directors and Fellow of the American Intellectual Property Law Association. Founder and first President of the Benjamin Franklin American Inn of Court. President and Distinguished Intellectual Property Practitioner Award, Philadelphia Intellectual Property Law Association. Distinguished Service Medal, the American Inns of Court Linn Inn Alliance. Recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer.

 

Marvin Pritts, Ph.D.

Connellsville Area High School – 1974

Professor and Chairman, Department of Horticulture, Cornell University. Graduated from Bucknell University with a Bachelor of Science degree, from the University of South Carolina with a Masters of Science degree, and from Michigan State University with a Doctor of Philosophy degree. A teacher, research scientist, farm adviser, international consultant, horticulturist, and community leader. Has published more than 70 original research papers in scientific journals and written several books on berry crops. “Growing crops to feed a hungry world, cultivating minds to nourish the future.”

 

Robert “Bo” Scott

Connellsville High School – 1961

Outstanding three sport athlete at Connellsville High School in football, basketball, and track. Earned All-State honors in football. Played college football at Ohio State University and earned a degree in social work. Played four years in the Canadian Football League for the Ottawa Rough Riders. Was awarded the Shopsy Trophy as Ottawa’s MVP in 1965. Played six years in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns. In 1970, received the Cleveland Touchdown Club’s Outstanding Offense Player Award and voted by the Brown’s players as their MVP. “The Cleveland Plain Dealer” selected Mr. Scott as one of the Browns all time best 100 draft choices. Played in the NFL’s first Monday night football game in 1970, Cleveland Browns vs. New York Jets.

 

Dan Spanish

Connellsville Area High School Teacher and Coach – 1974-2003

During his time at CAHS, he led the Falcon Football program to an overall record of 191-111-8 with 22 winning seasons and 17 WPIAL Playoff appearances. Was an outstanding football player at New Castle High School and at the University of Kentucky. He coached the Falcons to undefeated regular seasons in 1990, 1991, 1992, and 1997. His 1991 team won the WPIAL Championship. Coach Spanish was named the 1991 WPIAL Quad A Coach of the Year. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Scholastic Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1999.