South Fayette celebrates seven Hall of Fame inductees
Tradition, pride and excellence were on display Oct. 3 when South Fayette High School inducted seven new members into its Hall of Fame.
According to Dr. Michelle Miller, super indent of schools, the honored members exemplified the commitment to the arts, athletics and academics that is central to the district’s mission.
“It’s important to acknowledge the incredible contributions to those who have been instrumental in the growth and progress of South Fayette,” Miller said.
“We have come a long way from our humble beginnings as a small single A school to most recently being recognized as the district of the decade for our region.
“These seven have laid a foundation for all of us, brick by brick,” she continued. “We recognize the legacy upon which it was built and these visionary individuals, who made contributions here and beyond. We stand on the shoulder of giants.”
Dr. Thomas Slovick became a colossus in medicine after his scholastic career, which included nine varsity letters for football, wrestling, golf and track, a stint as class president and membership in the National Honor Society and Key Club.
He graduated summa cum laude and was elected Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Pennsylvania before earning his medical degree from the prestigious Ivy League institution. He specialized in hematology and oncology, providing care to patients with all types of cancer and blood diseases.
A Kansas City resident, Dr. Slovik has been married to his wife, Dr. Susan Mou, for 48 years. They had three children and several grandchildren.
“I would not have the foundation to excel beyond high school were it not for South Fayette,” Dr. Slovick said. “My coaches and teachers instilled in me putting in the hard work and putting team and people first as well as keep your eye on the prize.”
The end game for Michael Greer turned out to be a career in musical theatre. After performing in four spring musicals and four Fayette Follies, he attended Point Park University and earned a bachelor of fine arts degree. He has performed in more than 35 productions since his scholastic graduation in 2001.
“At South Fayette, I had incredible friends and education that shaped the person I am today. Teachers that ultimately became mentors and are now friends. They helped me discover my love of theater.”
While he cited Judy Morelli and Nicole Marchinsky as influences on his career, Greer pointed to a pivotal moment during his senior year in high school when his mother passed away.
“Still today that’s the worst thing I will every go through, but there was not one person in my graduating class that wasn’t at that funeral. And, there wasn’t one teacher who wasn’t there for me. That speaks volumes to what South Fayette is and the type of people here teaching and educating students and living in the community. I love South Fayette for that. South Fayette’s special.”
For Andrew DiDonato, Niel Loebig, Christian Brumbaugh, Nick Carr and Gerald Zeman, South Fayette proved special because of athletics.
In 1960, Zeman earned a full football scholarship to the University of Arizona, where he left a legacy imprinted on stone on the school’s new stadium pathway. He then went on to become an educator and a coach, including at South Fayette.
“I served the best school in the WPIAL as referenced by athletics and academics,” he said of South Fayette. “That’s only possible with great leadership in administration and hiring of great teachers.”
He also acknowledged the sacrifices made by his wife, Carol.
“She was the glue that held the family together while I was out doing my thing,” he said.
Quarterbacking was the thing for DiDonato, Loebig and Brumbaugh. Each shattered passing records before the next came along to set new standards at the high school as well as at their respective colleges: Grove City, Duquesne and William and Mary. They all noted how their families, friends, teachers and coaches provided the inspiration, not to mention the discipline, for them to flourish.
“For all of us,” Brumbaugh said, “South Fayette taught us, guided us and shaped the direction of our lives.
“In football you focus on little things to make the big things happen. You need mental toughness and the ability to lean on others to be successful. You also have to remember that opportunity begins when the struggle begins.”
While Nick Carr has struggled with public speaking throughout his lifetime, he never wavered on the mats. He earned his induction based on his wrestling career.
Carr compiled a 128-17 record complete with three WPIAL title and a PIAA state crown at South Fayette. He went on to become the first national champion at Washington and Jefferson College, claiming a NCAA Division III title at 157 with a 27-0 record in 2015. He also claimed two PAC titles and was named a CoSIDA academic All-American.
“Growing up here has been a wonderful experience and I am grateful to my parents for have unwavering belief in my abilities as well as showing me that it’s not always about talent. It’s about perseverance and support. Knowing that somebody truly believes in you will change you and your potential. I am forever grateful for the kindness and support everybody from my parents, to siblings, to extended family members and my teachers. They genuinely care about their students.”