Nativity will induct its inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame class Friday at its boys’ basketball home game against Tri-Valley.
Induction ceremonies will take place between the JV and varsity games.
The 2015 inductees include: the 1977-78 girls’ basketball state championship team; Rev. Stephen L. Maco (coach); Rev. Msgr. William E. Handges, Pottsville Catholic High School, Class of 1954; Tom “Tipper’’ Lucas, PCHS, Class of 1955; Kathi Schuettler Charles, Class of 1976; Ed Dougherty, Class of 1977; Dan Lonergan, Class of 1980; Joe Souchak, Class of 1981; Michael Grapsy, Class of 1982; Tammy McDonald Gerenda, Class of 1984; Pamela Porter Grauer, Class of 1990; Kristin Cuff, Class of 2000; Kayla Felty, Class of 2004; and Samantha Snukis, Class of 2004.
1977-78 state champion
girls’ basketball team
Led by head coach Rev. Stephen L. Maco, the squad was the trailblazer for the long and rich history of Nativity Golden Girls basketball, winning Schuylkill Girls’ League Southern Division, Schuylkill League, District 11 and PIAA Class A championships.
In March 1978, the Golden Girls defeated Johnsonburg 46-41 to capture the first of five girls’ basketball state championships for Nativity.
This team also began a 56-game winning streak for the program.
Members of the 1977-78 team include Erin Boran, Michelle Horan Potlunas (deceased), Debbie Grapsy Guers, Mary Ann O’Connor, Brenda Campion Churico, Mary Ann Devlin, Karen Grapsy Shaban, Beth Lechleitner Williams, Barbara Williams Willis, Megan Brennan, Trish Piel Stover and Sue Yalsovec Kirby. Statisticians were Marcia Sitcoske, Lisa Uritis Erman and Lucilla Kochol. The trainer was Annella Leganza.
Rev. Stephen L. Maco
Rev. Maco was a teacher, coach, athletic director and principal at Nativity from 1976-91.
During his tenure as girls’ basketball coach, he coached 1,000-point scorers and led the team to the 1978 Schuylkill League title, three District 11 crowns, state titles in 1978 and 1990 and a runner-up finish in 1991. His career record is 301-126.
Father Maco is a son of the late Helen and John Maco Sr. He resides in Bangor and is the pastor of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Bangor. He also serves as chaplain of Pius X High School.
Rev. Msgr. William E. Handges
Msgr. Handges is a member of the Pottsville Catholic Class of 1954 in which he was a standout in football and basketball for three years.
In football, Msgr. Handges was named first-team all-Northeastern Catholic League, All-Schuylkill League and honorable mention Associated Press All-State in his senior season.
In basketball, he was an honorable mention AP All-State team selection, scoring 1,399 points in three seasons.
Msgr. Handges resides in Pottsville and is a retired Catholic priest.
Tom “Tipper’’ Lucas
Lucas is a member of the Pottsville Catholic Class of 1955 and excelled on the football field.
He held a Pottsville Area Stadium record for the longest touchdown run (99 yards). At halfback, he was a Northeast Pennsylvania Conference first-team selection, and in 1954 he was named to the Philadelphia Archdiocese first team at halfback.
Lucas received an athletic scholarship to Michigan State, where he played two years.
Lucas resides in Yardley and is married to Loretta Laurinitus Lucas. They have four children and 10 grandchildren. He owns Management Recruiters Inc. of Philadelphia.
Kathi Schuettler Charles
Schuettler Charles is a member of the Class of 1976 and lettered in basketball, softball and volleyball for four years.
She was named Schuylkill County All-Star in softball and basketball and became the first Nativity player to score 1,000 career points.
She is a daughter of Rosemarie and the late G. Richard Schuettler, resides in Bernville and is married to Wayne Charles. They have five children, two of whom attend Nativity (Bonnie and LeeAnne), and two grandchildren. She works for Hands On Physical Therapy in Wyomissing.
Ed Dougherty
Dougherty is a member of the Class of 1977, earning four letters apiece in cross country and track.
He was cross country MVP four years, placing first 41 times in 45 dual meets from 1973-76. He won Schuylkill League Meet titles in 1975 and ’76, finished second at districts in both of those years, 21st at states in 1975 and sixth in 1976.
In track, he was the 1977 MVP and won six league titles among the mile run, 880 and two-mile run. At districts, he won the mile and the 880 in 1975. At states, he placed ninth in the mile in 1975, seventh in 1976 and third in 1977.
Dougherty resides in Lancaster and is married to Teri A. Dougherty. They have four children. He is employed at Northwest Savings Bank in New Holland as an office manager.
Dan Lonergan
Lonergan is a member of the Class of 1980 in which he earned three letters in football, four in baseball and two in basketball.
He excelled on the gridiron as a quarterback, passing for 4,488 career yards and setting numerous records at Nativity and in Schuylkill County. He was a Big 33 nominee in his senior year and made nine all-star teams.
Lonergan received a scholarship to Penn State and was a member of the 1982 national championship team. He signed as a free-agent quarterback with the Washington Redskins in 1985.
Lonergan resides in Duluth, Georgia, and is married to Jean Lonergan. They have four children. He is CEO of Okinus Inc.
Joe Souchak
Souchak is a member of the Class of 1981, earning three letters in basketball and two in baseball.
He was the Schuylkill League’s leading scorer in basketball as a senior at 24.5 points per game and finished with a career total of 1,257.
Souchak resides in Minersville and is married to Sherrie Specht Souchak. They have two children, one of whom attends Nativity (Rachael). He is a retired Pottsville police sergeant and is an assistant softball coach at Nativity.
Michael Grapsy
Grapsy is a member of the Class of 1982 and was a standout in basketball, cross country and track.
He was a 1981 PIAA state champion in the 800-meter run in 1:54.40, Nativity’s only male state champion in track and field.
Grapsy has a twin brother, Mark, and a sister, Debbie Grapsy Guers, who is being honored as a member of the 1977-78 basketball team. He resides in Macungie and is married to Edie, also a Nativity graduate. They have five children and one grandchild. Grapsy is employed by Oldcastle Precast.
Tammy McDonald Gerenda
McDonald Gerenda is a member of the Class of 1984, earning four letters apiece in softball and basketball.
On the softball field, she posted a pitching record of 70-8, striking out 515 in 501 innings with a 0.98 ERA. She pitched 13 no-hitters and two perfect games. She led Nativity to two District 11 championships and one PIAA Class AA state runner-up finish.
Her No. 11 was retired on her graduation night, making her the first athlete in school history to earn that distinction.
McDonald Gerenda was also a softball star at Elizabethtown College and set numerous pitching records.
A daughter of James “Flash’’ and Lorraine McDonald, she resides in Minersville and is married to Charles Gerenda. They have three daughters. She is employed as an early intervention coordinator/supervisor at Service Access Management in Pottsville.
Pamela Porter Grauer
Porter Grauer is a member of the Class of 1990 in which she earned four letters apiece in basketball and volleyball.
In volleyball, she helped Nativity win four District 11 titles and was named to three All-State teams.
On the basketball court, she helped Nativity win the PIAA Class A state championship in 1990, scoring 1,665 career points.
She scored 1,582 career points at Moravian College, helping the Greyhounds reach the 1992 NCAA Division III national championship game, and was inducted into the Moravian College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Porter Grauer resides in Perkiomenville with her husband Gordon and their two daughters. She works as an independent research consultant.
Kristin Cuff
Cuff is a member of the Class of 2000 and excelled in basketball, volleyball and track and field.
In basketball, she was a member of Nativity’s 1999 and 2000 state championship teams. She was named the Pennsylvania Small School Player of the Year in 2000, was a two-time All-State selection and a USA Today honorable mention All-American.
She was also All-State in volleyball in 1999 and 2000 and went on to attend Marquette and St. Joseph’s.
The late Cuff is a daughter of Don and Cathy Cuff and the sister of Kevin Cuff.
Kayla Felty
Felty is a member of the Class of 2004 and earned 16 varsity letters, four apiece in cross country, basketball, softball and track.
In all, she won 18 league championship medals, 18 district championship medals and five state championship medals. She also competed in 13 different events at states. She is the most decorated athlete in Nativity history.
Felty played softball at Villanova University and basketball at West Chester University.
A daughter of Alan and Ann Felty, she resides in Philadelphia. She is employed as head women’s basketball coach, assistant athletic director and compliance coordinator at Bryn Athyn College.
Samantha Snukis
Snukis is a member of the Class of 2004 in which she was a standout in volleyball, basketball and track.
She was an All-State volleyball player and starter on Nativity’s 2004 state runner-up basketball team.
Snukis thrived in track, earning state medals all four years. As a senior, she won the PIAA Class AA championship in the 300 intermediate hurdles in 45.2 to become Nativity’s first female state champion in track and field.
A daughter of Kathleen and Edward Snukis, she resides in Stowe and is employed as an orthopedic surgical physician assistant at COA in Reading.