Bethel Park inducts new class into Hall of Fame
When Tina Hasselberg followed her sisters, Lynn and Debbie, into the deep end of the pool, she had no choice but to learn how to swim.
“Or I would have drowned,” she said.
Hasselberg learned enough to become an aquatics champion well into her mid-60s not to mention a distinguished Bethel Park alumna. She and five other graduates were recently inducted into the high school’s athletic Hall of Fame.
“This is such a prestigious award and I am so honored to receive it,” she said during an acceptance speech in which she documented a timeline that included failure as well as success.
Married 43 years to her high school sweetheart, Jeff Keisling, whom she stood beside during their class photo while attending Washington Elementary and accompanied to the senior prom, Hasselberg recognized the founders of the Black Hawks’ swim program, including Pat Kennedy, Jim Sprandle, Georgia Eberhart-McDaniel and Barbara Martin.
“I’m elated to join so many former coaches and teammates in the hall and honored to be part of that tradition that produced so many titles,” she said.
Hasselberg was part of back-to-back WPIAL championship clubs in 1974 and 1975. A four-year letter winner and three-time All-American, she was a five-time state medalist and 10-time district honoree, claiming three WPIAL gold medals. Hasselberg was the Arthur C. Toner Award winner, presented to the best female swimmer in Western Pennsylvania.
However, it was because of Title IX and her teacher, Dr. William Falce, that Hasselberg went on to swim and earn a degree from the University of South Carolina.
“Most everywhere in the country, female sports took a back seat to the men, but Bethel Park was the most progressive,” she said. “Title IX was a landmark federal civil rights law that enabled student athletes like me to go to college on an athletic scholarship. Coming from a family of eight children that would not have happened.”
Were it not for Dr. Falce, Haselberg would not have progressed academically. She noted how she was held back in second grade and received all Ds on her report card in sixth grade. By seventh grade, she was achieving As and an occasional B because teachers like Dr. Falce helped her understand Algebra by “drawing problems in the dirt” on the playground or explaining concepts while sitting in the cafeteria during lunch period.
“I became the embodiment of a student-athlete,” Hasselberg said. “It’s one of my proudest accomplishments. I learned that it takes the same drive and determination to succeed in the classroom as it does in sports.
“I am also grateful for the kind of teachers we have at Bethel Park. They change lives.”
After college, Hasselberg’s life changed dramatically. She became an educator at North Penn High School before becoming a full-time mom to three sons, Joshua, Jared and Michael.
At age 53, however, she jump-started her athletic career and joined a Masters Swimming program. At last year’s National Senior Olympics held at the University of Pittsburgh’s Trees Pool, she won the 400-yard individual medley, which features four fundamental strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly. She also placed sixth in the 500-yard free.
“Some things don’t change but we old people put a whole new meaning to outlasting the competition. Being the last man standing takes on a whole new meaning,” she joked.
Hasselberg then quoted a familiar adage by Benjamin Franklin.
“You don’t stop playing when you get old. You get old when you stop playing,” she said in closing.
At 25, Jake Dixon is not old but he is no longer playing football. Signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was cut during training camp in 2022. Currently, Dixon is an assistant football coach at Bethel Park.
A 2016 graduate, Dixon was enshrined because of his excellence in football, volleyball and basketball.
The Almanac Athlete of the Year was a three-year starter as a tight end on the football team and center on the basketball team, earning all-conference honors in each sport. He was a four-year starter in volleyball, earning all-district and all-state recognition twice. He led the Black Hawks to four straight section banners and two WPIAL runner-up titles. He earned a volleyball scholarship to Lewis University but within a month returned to football. He enrolled at Duquesne University and appeared in a school-record 50 career games. He was a two-time, first-team All-Northeast Conference offensive lineman. A two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American, he was the Lineman MVP of the FCS Bowl held in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Dixon earned a degree in accounting and is employed as an auditor at Schneider Downs. He will marry his high-school sweetheart, Paige Steinhaus, in June.
He noted that he would always walk the halls as a student and see the plaques in the gym of the Hall of Fame athletes. He never dreamed he would be a member but his parents, Julie Blanc and Dennis Dixon, as well as coaches like Jeff Metheny, Tom Allman and Ben O’Connor, and teammates enabled that achievement.
“I was always the kid who was good with being just okay,” he said. “My parents made me the way I am today. My coaches pushed me to be what I am because I needed it and guys like Levi (Metheny) threw me the ball.
“I truly am honored to be part of this special group,” he concluded.
For Karen Roeber, enshrinement was deja vu, too. A 1988 graduate, she had not been back to campus since the high school was renovated.
“I miss buildings 1, 2, 3 and 4 but this is amazing,” she said of the new structure. “Bethel Park is such a special place.”
Roeber left her mark on the pitch. A regional All-American, she set the WPIAL record for most goals scored in a game with seven and finished her career with a school-record 123 goals to go along with 41 assists.
A four-year starter, she gained all-section and all-WPIAL acclaim three times. She was a two-time Keystone State gold medalist and a member of the Olympic Development team.
Roeber played collegiately at Cortland State as well as the University of Delaware.
“I can’t believe that was me. A lifetime ago,” she sighed. “I never would have been able to accomplish this were it not for my parents. They were behind me 100 percent. They attended every game.
“I even remember my dad getting off the trolley and showing up for games in his suit and tie and briefcase and my mom driving me a couple hours to state team practices. My brothers, too,” she said of Pat and Reese. “They all pushed me to be who I was. They were my biggest fans and I am forever grateful to all of them for being there every step of the way.”
Bill Zadinski had eight siblings – brothers Don, Tom, Steve and Tim as well as sisters Terry, Sally, Barb and Mary – following his every move on the gridiron and the baseball diamond, but his best man, Ed Wehrer, accepted his Hall of Fame award because he was detained in Virginia.
Zadinski and Wehrer were adversaries until playing football together at Yale University. Wehrer played on Steel Valley’s undefeated football team when Zadinski was a junior. He recalled how the Black Hawks beat the Ironman the following fall and Zadinski rushed for over 200 yards in that 26-7 triumph.
“He probably scored those four touchdowns in that game, too,” Wehrer said. “Bill was special between those white lines as a tailback but his best sport was probably baseball.
Zadinski was a 1,000-yard rusher that scored 22 career touchdowns. He was an All-Conference and All-South running back. In baseball, he was a two-time all-section selection. He batted .478 and helped the Black Hawks to three straight playoff appearances and a section banner in 1982.
“I cannot begin to describe the pride and gratitude Bill showed when he learned he was inducted. He is grateful and honored. From him, I heard so much about Bethel Park and I wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or sick and tired about hearing how great everything was there.
“He loved Bethel Park and he had an amazing support system, particularly at home. He would not have been successful without them. He is grateful to all his coaches and teammates. They are all near and dear to his heart.”
Ray Engott meant a lot to Bethel Park athletics. A 1933 alum, he was a four-year letterwinner in football and three-year member of the varsity basketball team. He was a member of the first football team at Bethel Park and captained the Black Hawks to their first winning season (6-1-1) in 1932. A halfback, he went on to play at Geneva College.
Victor Pearson earned the 2023 Distinguished Contribution Award. He served as boys’ varsity basketball coach from 1934-47, compiling 139 wins and guiding the Hawks to their first section crown in 1940. Pearson had a hand in helping the football team for 15 seasons, nine as an assistant and six as head coach. His teams appeared in the WPIAL finals in 1934 and 1946.
Freshman football player Nate Purcell accepted Pearson’s award while Jim Engott accepted on behalf of his uncle.
Other award presenters during the ceremony included: all-state football players Clancy Orie and Ryan Petras, Brady Bruckner and all-section soccer star Callee Dalbon.
Tony Fisher, president of the Hall of Fame committee, served as emcee for the event, which was held in the LGI room of the high school. The honorees were recognized publicly during halftime of the varsity basketball game played Jan. 12. The Black Hawks dropped a 72-60 decision to Thomas Jefferson.