Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame: Dick Kadis Award

DICK KADIS AWARD

On the afternoon of September 29, 1956, the Geneva College Golden Tornados traveled to Waynesburg College. During the course of play, 21 year old Dick Kadis recovered a fumble, and – after rising from the bottom of the pile – left the game and did not return to action. While boarding the bus for the trip home, Dick collapsed and fell into a coma. Doctors later determined that he had suffered a massive brain hemorrhage. Dick eventually came out of the coma but was left in a semi-paralyzed state. Kadis's mother and father, Pauline and Charles Kadis, cared for their son until August 1978, when they both suffered heart attacks. Dick was moved to a hospital and then to a nursing home, where he died on October 18, 1979, at age 43.

In each year since he left us, the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame has remembered Dick Kadis at its annual banquet by recognizing an outstanding college student athlete from Beaver County who has completed their final year of eligibility.

Below is a list of those who have received the Dick Kadis Award.

1980

Kevin Scanlon

1981

Terry Francona

1982

Bob Besong

Beaver Falls

University of Arkansas

Kevin was the Razorbacks' starting quarterback and earned Southwest Conference MVP honors while leading his team to a No 6 ranking. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

New Brighton
University of Arizona

In his Wildcats career, Terry made All American, led his team to an NCAA title, received the Golden Spikes Award, and was named College Player of the Year. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

Ambridge
University of Pittsburgh

No info at this time

1982

Sam Scott

1983

Jimbo Covert

1983

Jan Ujevich

Beaver Falls
Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Set IUP records for games played (101) and fouls (333), finished second in field goals (585), and third in scoring (1369 points), and rebounds (738).

Freedom

University of Pittsburgh

Jimbo won two All American honors with the Panthers and was named to their All Time team. As a tackle, he permitted only three sacks his entire collegiate career. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

Center

University of Pittsburgh

Jan was an MVP swimmer for the Panthers and was also recognized as a Female Athlete of the Year, Big East MVP, and All American, graduating Cum Laude. Click here for her Hall of Fame bio.

1984

Glenn Dennison

1984

Candy Young

1985

Rocky Washington

Beaver Falls
Miami University

As a tight end on the Hurricanes' first national championship team, Glenn caught two touchdowns in that game, and also set a team record for single-season catches. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

Beaver Falls
Farleigh Dickinson University

An All American track star, Candy established a world indoor mark at Farleigh-Dickinson and won the NCAA Indoor Hurdles Championship. Click here for her Hall of Fame bio.

Beaver Falls
Penn State University

Rocky (a freshman walk-on who ran the 40 yard dash in 4.36 seconds) was a Nittany Lion wide receiver and special teams member recruited by the USFL. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

1986

Ron Rowan

1986

Rick Suder

1987

Jana Sipes

Beaver Falls
St John’s University

Ron was named second team All Big East and Big East Scholar of the Year, and he played on St John's teams that won Big East regular season titles and made the NCAA Final Four. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

Center
Duquesne University

Rick led the Atlantic Conference in scoring his senior season, won team MVP honors, and was named to the All Conference team, all while setting team season and career free throw records. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

Beaver
Slippery Rock University

Jana set three school and the state heptathlon record, earning two MVPs at the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference meet and All American status in the javelin and heptathlon. Click here for her Hall of Fame bio.

1988

Barbara Buck

1988

Marques Henderson

1989

Roger Welsh

Ambridge
Clarion University

No info at this time

Aliquippa
Penn State University

As a Nittany Lions senior, Marques was co-captain and earned All East honors, leading the team in passes broken up. He also won recognition winning a Toyota Leadership Award. Click here for his Hall of Fame bio.

Beaver Falls
Westminster College

Roger was a three year starting right tackle and played on the 1998 NAIA Division III National Championship team. He was named second team All District and was an NAIA Independent Conference Group All Star.

1990

Gary Cooper

1991

Angela Mavrich

1992

Sean Miller

Ambridge
Clemson University

Gary set the all time Clemson mark for yards per reception (21.8), and made fourth on his football team in all purpose rushing yards.

Hopewell
Washington & Jefferson

Angela won four letters in basketball (with team captain and MVP honors) and four more in softball (with All Conference and All American honors).

Blackhawk

University of Pittsburgh

Sean set the Big East all time mark for consecutive games and free throw percentage, second in assists, and third in 3 point goals and percentage.

1993

Ron Bendekovic

1994

Kristin Sebastian

1995

Michael House

Center
Allegheny College

Ron lettered four years (including the 1990 national championship team), and won All American honors in 1991 and 1992, with an Alden Scholar recognition.

Monaca
Duquesne University

Kristin averaged over 12 points in her college career with the Dukes, accumulating 1374 points, 184 assists, and 468 rebounds in her four year career.

Beaver Falls
John Hopkins University

Mike was a four year starter and earned All Conference and All American honors, along with the Woody Hayes National Scholar Athlete Award (4.0 in pre med).

1996

Dante Calabria

1997

Kim Niedbala

1998

Troy Nesmith

Blackhawk

University of North Carolina

Dante was only the fourth Tar Heel to score more that 1000 points, 400 rebounds, 300 assists, and 100 steals in his career.

Blackhawk

Clarion University

Kim was twice a first team All American defensive back and played in the NCAA Division II Snow Bowl All Star Game.

Beaver Falls
Gannon College

An All American with Geneva and Gannon Colleges, Troy set the all time scoring mark in Western PA collegiate basketball history.

1999

Ted Cole

2000

Jeff Jeffers Jr

2001

Ryan Mayo

Monaca
Lafayette University

A two year team captain, Ted made first team All Patriot League as a senior and led his Leopards to the 1999 NCAA Tournament.

Ambridge
Washington & Jefferson

Jeff was a four year letterman and made All Conference his senior year, while lettering in track and field, as well.

Western Beaver
Lafayette University

A three year letterman, Ryan was a first team All Conference in the Patriot League and the team Offensive Back of the Year.

2002

Ryan "Archie" Miller

2003

Nikki Borza

2004

Sean McCune

Blackhawk
North Carolina State University

Ryan finished second in career 3 pointers (ninth all time ACC in 3 pt percentage) as his team made the 2002 NCAA Tournament.

Beaver

University of Pittsburgh

Nikki won the Ditka and Big East Scholar Athlete awards and was a Big East and Intercollegiate Tennis Association Academic All Star.

South Side
Colgate University

A four year letterman, Sean was named Colgate's defensive MVP, All Patriot League, and East Coach Athletic Conference.

2005

Brandon Fuss-Cheatham

2006

Ashley D Musser

2007

Paul Posluszny

Blackhawk

Ohio State University

A four year member of the Buckeye basketball team, Brandon averaged over 5 points his junior and senior years.

Western Beaver

Naval Academy

Ashley led the Patriot League in service aces per game (ninth nationally) as she won four letters in volleyball.

Hopewell

Penn State University

A two time All American and Academic All American, Paul set the all time leading tackle mark at PSU and won the Butkus Award.

2008

Sean Conley

Blackhawk

University of Pittsburgh

The Big East's "Best Outfield Arm" (Baseball Magazine, 2008), Sean has set eight career records for the Panthers baseball team in his first three years.