2012 Inductees & Honorees

2012 Hall of Achievement Inductees

The following individuals were inducted into the Larry Bruno Foundation Circle of Achievement for 2012.

Bruno Campese

Bruno Campese attended Beaver Falls High School and graduated in 1941. He played football for Beaver Falls junior and senior high school. In addition to football, Bruno also served as class treasurer his senior year. In August 1944, Bruno was drafted into the United States Army where he served until 1946. In 1946, he enrolled at Geneva College, graduating in 1949 with a B.S. degree in science, history and psychology. While at Geneva, Bruno played football with Larry Bruno. In the early 1950’s, Bruno began his teaching career at Beaver Falls High School until he retired in 1988. While teaching, he served as assistant and head football coach for eight years. Bruno also served a four-year term as Mayor of Beaver Falls in the 1970’s.

Frank Chan

Frank Chan was the Beaver Falls High School basketball coach for 21 seasons until he retired in 1987. During his career, the Tigers won the state championship in 1970 as well as five WPIAL titles and seven section crowns. Frank was also a talented athlete, lettering nine times in basketball, track and field, and cross-country. He played basketball for Washington & Jefferson College before being called to serve during the Korean War. Frank coached basketball in East Liverpool, OH before beginning his successful career at Beaver Falls.

Oscar Jackson

Oscar Jackson was a member of the 1970 Beaver Falls High School championship basketball team. He led the team with 496 points to win the PIAA championship. He also excelled in the classroom as an honor student and class president. Oscar chose Duquesne University where he played basketball for the Dukes through his college career. The Atlanta Hawks drafted him but a hamstring injury the following year would prevent him from playing in the NBA. Oscar went on to pursue a business career as personnel supervisor at Corning Glass Company in Horseheads, NY. As an active member of the community, he provides free basketball clinics to the public.

Frank “Tiger” Walton

Frank “Tiger” Walton played football for Beaver Falls High School where he played with the 1928 Tigers when they won their first WPIAL title. While at the University of Pittsburgh, Frank played in the first College All Star Game in 1933. Professionally, Frank played with the Boston Redskins, before they moved to Washington D.C. He served as a coach for Beaver Falls High School and Geneva College, as well as for the Redskins from 1944-1946. Frank’s son Joe followed in his footsteps at Beaver Falls, the University of Pittsburgh and with the Redskins.

Joe Walton

Joe Walton played football for Beaver Falls High School from 1951 to 1953 and lead the team in scoring in 1952. In college, he played at the University of Pittsburgh and set records of 14 touchdown passes in a career and 8 in a season. Joe also played professionally for the Washington Redskins 1957 to 1960 and for the New York Giants from 1961 to 1963. He served as a scout and coach for the Giants, as well as offensive backfield coach for the Redskins.

2012 Hall of Achievement Honorees

The following individuals were honored by the Larry Bruno Foundation in 2012.

1970 Beaver Falls Basketball Team

The 1970 basketball team reflected a toughness that matched the storied history of Western Pennsylvania sports. The skilled players matched the personality of its coach, Frank Chan. When calm was needed the players were cool but when the pressure was on, they were as fiery as could be. Tested frequently by the talented teams in Section 3, the Tigers withstood the likes of Farrell, New Castle, and Sharon. To capture the section crown the Tigers needed a playoff game which came down to a last second, come-from-behind victory over Sharon. This closely fought victory would serve the Tigers well as they battled their way to the WPIAL title defeating a talented Ambridge team. In the march to the PIAA championship, Beaver Falls showed its mettle with a stunning victory over Altoona and a hard-fought victory over a superstar-laden team in Schenley. The easiest game for Beaver Falls came in the PIAA championship game as the Tigers dominated Haverford out of the east. The Tigers featured four seniors and one junior in the starting lineup. Four of the starters went on to have outstanding collegiate careers in basketball while their sixth man played in the minor leagues of MLB. Al Hmiel served as an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati for sever with Bob Huggins and Oscar Jackson was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA.