Bethel Park inducts Class of 2022 into Hall of Fame
Glenn and Carl Nordstrom became only the second father-son duo enshrined in the Bethel Park High School Hall of Fame when they were inducted during a ceremony held Dec. 9.
Dan and Rick Galbraith are the other tandem. They joined the HOF in 2002.
The Nordstorms entered the Hall with three other athletes — Eric Morrison (see related story), Kellie Schmitt and Megan Marecic. Additionally, James Moore earned the Distinguished Contribution Award.
“These are five special individuals,” said BP HOF president Tony Fisher. “They have achieved distinction on and off the field.”
Many of Glenn Nordstrom’s accomplishment went unrecognized until recently because he passed away at age 54. Long before any of his seven children were ‘old enough’ or ‘smart enough’ to ask him questions.
“We have been amazed about the information that has come to light because of this award. Things we have never known,” said Nordstrom’s daughter Pam Dobos. She was 29 and Carl was a senior in high school when Glenn died.
“As a family, we were always focused on the present. One foot in front of another, never looking back or dwelling too much on the past,” Dobos said.
Dobos said she knew her dad was an athlete because he taught her how to throw a softball and shoot a basketball. Her only other memory of his participation in any sport, besides golf, was when he played softball on one of the teams sponsored by the local pubs in Bethel Park.
Dobos added that his athleticism and knowledge of sports showed when he coached her brothers throughout their baseball experiences.
“Being a quiet man with big responsibilities of raising a large, extended, blended family, he didn’t share much about his past with us.”
So when the family heard about Glenn’s honor, they did some research and discovered some interesting details. He lettered four years in football; guiding the 1943 team to a 6-1-1 record. He played three seasons of varsity basketball. He led the team in scoring and captained the club to 33 wins in his career.
After high school, Glenn played basketball for the University of Pittsburgh. He played in six of the team’s 14 games and scored one point during his freshman year.
On Sept. 6, 1946, though he enlisted in the Army. He served in Korea.
Glenn’s athletic legacy lived on in his children as well as great and grand children. They have all lettered in BP varsity sports, football, baseball, hockey, softball, basketball and swimming.
“Our family is thankful for this award and the remembrance it brought all of us,” Dobos said. “This honor is rooted in our family.”
While Dobos hit on the immediate family, Carl recognized the longevity and reach of the Nordstrom name in Bethel Park history. Grandfather was the first mayor of Bethel Park. Mother was a cheerleader. An aunt was the youngest of the Simmons family, for which a park is named. She graduated from BPHS as did Nordstrom’s six siblings — Char, Pam, Carol, Beth, Jimmy and Barb.
“Four of my five sisters married Bethel Park guys. I married a Bethel girl,” said Carl. “We raise our boys here. So, Bethel runs in our blood.”
Baseball coursed through Carl’s veins.
While he did play two years of varsity football, he shone on the diamond for three years. In the spring of 1983, he struck out 50 batters, batted .443 and played shortstop when he wasn’t on the mound.
At Allegheny College, Carl blossomed. When he graduated high school, he was 5-11, 165 pounds. By the time he was 19, he was 6-2, 200 pounds.
“I had gotten bigger, stronger, faster,” he said.
During the summer of 1987, he played in the Keystone State Games, won the gold medal and was invited to participate in the Olympic Development program held in Tennessee.
During the MLB Amateur Draft that summer, the Cincinnati Reds selected Carl in the 51st round. Carl spent the next three years thriving in the farm system, striking out 300 and collecting 14 wins. He also helped the Reds win the Midwest League championship.
“I got to play three years at something I loved. Won a championship in 1988 and got to see the country. Built relationships with friends that still exist today. Most satisfying to me was that I left it all on the field. I went as far as my athletic ability could take me. No regrets. It’s been a heck of a journey.”
The trip culminated with Carl’s special HOF induction. He said it was a moving moment when he was told his dad was getting in, too.
“This is something you do not expect. I am humbled and honored.”
Megan Marecic echoed those sentiments. She said words could not express the significance of the achievement. Marecic gained entry for her prowess on the basketball court.
Marecic led the Lady Hawks to their only WPIAL championship in 2014. A three-year starter, she scored 1,063 career points. An all-state performer, she was a three-time all-section, Almanac/OF Elite Eleven selection and All-WPIAL.
Marecic played at Drexel and led the Dragons to the conference finals. She led the team in 3-point field goals and free-throw percentage. She finished her career playing and earning a masters degree from Seton Hill University. She set the school’s single season record for 3-pointers and foul shots. Marecic gained All-PSAC honors and was named an NCAA Division II All-American.
“I am overwhelmed by this honor and humbled by it,” she said. She went on to thank her parents, coaches and teammates.
“We accomplished so much together and I am appreciative of this who instilled in me my love of the game and teaching me how important the fundamentals are not just in basketball but in life was well.”
Kellie Schmitt spent the majority of her life on a tennis court. She was the first player in school history, male or female, to win a WPIAL singles championship. She also added a bronze medal and three section titles.
An Almanac MVP, she played at Marshall University and rewrote the record books. She is the all-time leader in career wins for the Thundering Herd as well as the top singles winner for a career and season. She leads in singles win percentage and is second on the all-time list for doubles victories.
Schmitt was a 3-time NCAA tournament qualifier and the 2008 ITA Eastern Regional singles silver medalist and doubles champion. She was twice named Marshall’s Female Athlete of the Year.
Schmitt also was a five-time all-conference selection, three-time Conference USA Player of The Year and a conference doubles champion. She was inducted into the Marshall HOF.
“I’m honored to have my name added to this great list but I must thank my coaches and practice partners for this honor because they helped me become the player and coach that I have become,” she said.
“My parents also were my biggest supporters. They never hesitated to take me to practices, matches, tournaments. They saw my potential even when I didn’t see it and always put me before themselves. They showed me what hard work and selflessness look like.
“You never understand the sacrifices parents make for you until you have kids yourself. There are not enough thank you wishes one can say to them.”
After the induction ceremony, the new members of the BP HOF were recognized at halftime of the boys basketball game against Canon-McMillan.
Each member is represented in the trophy cases with a plaque. They also were presented an engraved award for their achievements by several current scholastic athletes.
Three members of the two-time PIAA baseball championship team — Evan Holewinski, Jason Nuttridge and Jason Altmeyer — were among the presenters as were Cami Fisher and Jula Benlock, who compete in tennis and basketball respectively.