By HUGH CONRAD
For The Tribune-Democrat
JOHNSTOWN —
Jess Zinobile became the most productive women’s basketball player in St. Francis University history during her four years at the Loretto school (1996-2000).
However, as she reflected on the Tuesday announcement that she was one of 12 athletes elected to the St. Francis University Sports Hall of Fame, she said that she never envisioned that she would experience that kind of success.
“No, I did not expect that. I knew that I had the work ethic and the love for the sport,” Zinobile said in a telephone interview from Charlotte, N.C.
“But I didn’t know how far that would carry me.”
Zinobile established Northeast Conference and St. Francis records for scoring (2,338 points) and rebounding (1,295) in her career.
Making the selection special for Zinobile was the fact that her coach, Jenny Przekwas, will also be inducted, along with Zinobile's teammate, Mary Markey.
Przekwas laid the foundation for a program that won nine NEC championships and the ticket to the NCAA Womens Basketball Championship in 10 years from 1996 to 2005.
Other members of this class are two outstanding men’s basketball players from the 1950s and 1960s, 6-foot-8 center Wilbur Trosch and point guard Rev. Jack O'Malley.
Another men’s basketball player, the late Dr. Ferdinand K. Shields, who played in the 1920s, will also be inducted.
The other inductees include Tony Bova (football), Barry Bimbi (soccer), Nicole Hollman (track and field), Kate (Wallace) Remillard (cross country and track), Dominic “Mike” Ryba (baseball), and Jack Zebo (volleyball).
Shields, who resided in Ebensburg, was an educational leader, serving as supervising principal of Cresson School District, Cambria County superintendent of schools, and director of Intermediate Unit 8.
St. Francis said in a news release that Shields is believed to be the only St. Francis student to be valedictorian of his class, president of the senior class, captain of the basketball team, and recipient of the Mr. Frankie award.
In addition, two St. Francis teams will be honored.
The first is coach William. T. (Skip) Hughes’ 1951-52 team that lost to Marquette University in the National Catholic Invitation Tournament national championship game.
The second is Przekwas’ 1995-96 team that captured the first Northeast Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Women's Tournament for the first time.
Przekwas coached three more NCAA tournament teams before leaving St. Francis and accepting the Washington State University job.
The induction will take place on Feb. 5, 2011.
