Mike Mastovichmmastovich@tribdem.com

JOHNSTOWN — Six more inductees entered the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night during a ceremony that focused on family values, hometown pride and a will to succeed.

New additions included Jerry Davitch (football), Tammy Etienne (track and field), Artrell Hawkins Jr. (football), Mike Iuzzolino (basketball), Joe Popp (football) and Becky Siembak (basketball) during the hall’s 16th banquet, which was held at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center.

Davitch, a Johnstown High standout who went on to play Division I football and wrestle at Arizona before coaching at the Air Force Academy and Idaho, spoke of how his immigrant grandparents instilled a work ethic and values that later were molded under former Trojans coach Dave Hart and his staff.

“When I went to high school I played for the best of the best, Dave Hart and the guys that were there,” Davitch said. “My teammates, if I could repeat any of my athletic experiences one more time – and that includes being at Notre Dame and coaching against the team at Notre Dame, broadcasting a game, playing against Army and Navy, all of those good things – if I could do one more thing, one more time, that would be to play one more game with the guys right there.”

Davitch pointed to his former teammates on the 1958 undefeated Trojans WPIAL championship team, among them Cambria County Sports Hall of Famers George Azar and Ed Adamchick.

Etienne was one of the United States’ top track stars and among the best in the world during the early 1980s. She got her start in Cassandra and attended Portage Area High School before accepting a scholarship to the University of Texas. Even halfway across the country, Cambria County wasn’t far from Etienne’s mind.

“I could always be seen wearing my kelly green sweats from Portage when I was a freshman. I still have them 37 years later,” Etienne said, holding up a plastic bag containing the warm-ups.

“I never forgot where I came from. I never forgot the hard-working people of Portage and Cambria County. I hold that dear to my heart. This is a great place.”

Etienne was on track to vie for a spot in the 1984 Olympic Games until a career ending injury.

“In 1982, I was ranked first in the U.S. and 10th in the world,” Etienne said. “The dream of competing in the Olympics was becoming more of a reality until life threw me a curveball. The year before the Olympics I tore a tendon in my foot and never recovered.

“I felt I let down a lot of people. Coming from a small area, I had the support of family and friends and all the coaches who were behind me from the start. Not being able to accomplish that was pretty devastating because that’s all I knew,” she added. “But I rediscovered that it wasn’t so much getting to the goal as the person you become in the process of trying to get there. In that moment I realized that hardships and disappointments are important.”

Hawkins credited his parents, family, church and Bishop McCort High School for providing the foundation to a NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots. A record-breaking back at McCort, Hawkins played under scholarship at the University of Cincinnati before being taken the by Bengals in the second round of the 1998 NFL draft.

“I never thought in a million years I’d be standing up here,” Hawkins said. “But I believe it because they told me I could,” he added, pointing to his parents.

Hawkins thanked God and then had family, friends and coaches at two tables stand to be recognized.

“This is my backbone,” he said. “The past 17 years, these are the people who have carried me. You guys have been my rock. Thank you very much.”

The former NFL cornerback had special praise for former Crushers coach Frank Krevetski, who saw untapped potential in Hawkins, who had suffered through two injury-filled years as an underclassman.

“I don’t think I could have done it without this guy,” Hawkins said of his former coach.

Iuzzolino joked that he was hesitant to speak in front of a Cambria County/

Johnstown crowd because as a former Altoona High player from Blair County he remembered the once fierce rivalry between the two high schools.

“I feel like one of the reasons I’m here tonight is because of the 1991 St. Francis (team that advanced to the NCAA tournament),” Iuzzolino said. “I’m the person being inducted, but I feel like I represent that team and that university for what they accomplished. It was a great accomplishment for such a small school, for the little guy to finally get to dance with the big guys. It truly was a magical moment, and people remember that team.”

Iuzzolino led the Red Flash to a 24-8 record and was the Northeast Conference’s Player of the Year. The Dallas Mavericks drafted him in the second round and he played two NBA seasons before embarking on a pro career in Europe. He now coaches at St. Vincent College.

Popp, who is 81, had the crowd of 330 laughing with a few jokes and stories, and especially after his cell phone rang twice while he was at the podium.

On a serious note, Popp spoke of how growing up in Franklin Borough in a family that immigrated from Yugoslavia impacted his life. He left the area in 1948 after leading Franklin to an undefeated season in football.

Popp played under scholarship at Catawba in North Carolina and had a Division I coaching career with Wake Forest, North Carolina and Georgia Tech. Eventually, he was a special assistant coach of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns for two seasons.

“Franklin was an area I’ll never forget,” Popp said. “We just loved one another. We really did. I think that’s why we had good football and basketball teams. The thing I learned was love, help one another and get an education.”

Siembak, a former Division II national women’s basketball player of the year and part of California University of Pennsylvania’s 2004 national championship team, delivered an emotional speech.

The Johnstown High graduate reflected on how her parents, siblings and coaches molded her.

Despite scoring 1,733 points and grabbing 1,325 rebounds at Johnstown, Siembak didn’t receive a scholarship offer until then-Slippery Rock coach Darcie Vincent recruited her.

“My heart broke after I was turned down by college after college all because I was 2 inches shy of 6 feet,” she said. “All I wanted was a chance.”

When Vincent later left for Cal, Siembak followed her and had to sit out a season as a redshirt due to the transfer.

“The belief that all things happen for a reason is so true in this case. If Slippery Rock would have released me, I wouldn’t have been a part of the national championship team,” said Siembak, who scored 2,019 points and had 1,203 rebounds in college and was on two Cal teams that went a combined 67-3.

http://tribune-democrat.com/sports/x226604931/Stars-head-home-for-the-Hall

The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Mike Mastovich

JOHNSTOWN — Like most young athletes, Artrell Hawkins Jr. spent plenty of time during his early years imagining what it would be like to compete at the highest level in his sport.

Breaking a long touchdown run.

Making the key interception or tackle.

Winning the big game.

In Hawkins’ case, he eventually lived out such scenarios at the major Division I college level and ultimately during a nine-year National Football League career as a defensive back.

“I can remember sitting in my bedroom in Prospect and daydreaming about what it would be like playing in the NFL and going out to compete against the best,” said Hawkins, a former second-round draft choice of the Cincinnati Bengals.

“That’s what I’m most appreciative about. I’ve played against the all-time greats, Jerry Rice, John Elway, Barry Sanders. I played for (former Bengals assistant coach and current Steelers defensive coordinator) Dick Lebeau. I played for (New England Patriots coach) Bill Belichick. That’s what I’m in awe of. I’m two years removed from the NFL, but sometimes I feel like, ‘How the heck did I do that for so long?’ ”

He did it long enough to earn induction into the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2010.

Hawkins appeared in 122 NFL games, most of those during his six seasons with the Bengals.

He also played a season with the Carolina Panthers and two years with Belichick’s Patriots, one of the top contending teams in the AFC.

The 5-foot-10, 195 cornerback-safety made 510 tackles, four sacks and 11 interceptions, including a memorable 102-yard interception return for a touchdown against Houston quarterback David Carr in 2002.

“When you’re finished, you can look back on it. I have a deep appreciation for what I’ve accomplished,” said Hawkins, now a sports broadcaster who hosts his own radio show, 2 Deep Zone.

Hawkins stood out a Bishop McCort High School, where he rushed for what was a record 1,487 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also played defensive back well enough to catch the attention of the University of Cincinnati.

With the Bearcats, Hawkins made 139 tackles and four interceptions. More importantly, in 1997 he was part of a senior class that led Cincinnati to its first bowl game since 1950. The NFL’s Bengals had seen plenty of Hawkins, who played on Saturdays in the same city. The Bengals selected him in the second round with the 43rd pick of the 1998 NFL Draft.

Hawkins credited his family, faith and his hometown for providing him with a solid foundation to compete at the highest level in college and the pro game.

He joined a long line of former Johnstown area and Cambria County athletes to stand out in the NFL. Some of those included Jack Ham, Pete Duranko, Carlton Haselrig and most recently, LaRod Stephens-Howling.

“Johnstown guys work hard. They are blue-collar types of guys,” Hawkins said. “We put out quality guys. The guys that go pro, you can always count on. I’m very blessed. I feel my hometown has always been supportive of me. In turn I’ve always tried to conduct myself accordingly to try to make everyone in Johnstown proud.”

Hawkins’ latest job has him involved in football again. This time, he’s a radio broadcaster and reporter. Hawkins has interviewed some of the game’s top stars and reported on pertinent issues for 2 Deep Zone.

“Broadcasting is definitely a challenge,” Hawkins said. “The transition has been pretty smooth to this point. I take the same type of work ethic into broadcasting. It keeps me close to football and what I know best. It gives me the opportunity to extend my involvement in the game I’ve loved.”

His induction into the Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame holds special significance to Hawkins.

“It’s a super important,” he said. “I feel more honored and blessed every day to be inducted into a hall of fame with so many greats like Jack Ham and Pete Duranko. The class I’m going in with includes Jerry Davitch, who I respect so much. It’s quite an honor.”

But NBC’s Rodney Harrison — who says what he thinks when he thinks it — doesn’t think much of the Bengals.

During a recent radio spot with former Bengals Artrell Hawkins and Charles Fisher of 1530 Homer’s new show 2 Deep Zone, Harrison called the team a “clown show.”

Read full article on ProFootballTalk.com >

That voice might carry Hawkins to a second successful chapter of his NFL career. The Bishop McCort graduate is a co-host of 2 Deep Zone, an Internet radio show that also includes his football-playing brothers Andrew and Avery as well as Mixed Martial Arts fighter Rich Thurston.

Read full article from The Tribune-Democrat, May 9. 2009 >

That run has continued this year. One of two Cincinnati Bearcats on the roster (along with Mike Wright), Hawkins has started nine games this season. He’s stepped in ably for the injured Eugene Wilson, with 47 total tackles (32 solo), an interception, a forced fumble and 10 special-teams tackles. On more than one occasion this season, Belichick has lauded Hawkins for his professionalism and preparedness.

Read full article by Shalise Manza Young, Journal Sport Writer at The Providence Journal >

Read full article from the United Way >

Bill Belichick Press Conference Transcript
New England Patriots
August 2, 2006

Read full story from Jared Puffer from Patriots.com >

Hawkins, 29, signed with the Patriots as a free agent on Nov. 15, 2005. The seven-year veteran contributed immediately, transitioning from cornerback to safety to help solidify a position that had been decimated by injuries. He started four of the five games he appeared in and posted 16 tackles, including a season-high seven stops and a sack in a start against Tampa Bay (12/17/05). He started both playoff games at safety and accumulated eight tackles.

Read full article on Patriots.com >