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One of Beaver Falls best and most beloved athletes has passed away.
Bill Blair, who starred on BF hoop teams in the early 1950’s and was Geneva College All Time Leading Scorer for twenty five years has died in New Jersey. Joe Namath often bragged that he carried Bill’s gym bag back in the day, as Blair was his hero. A member of The Circle of Achievement, we have Bills game ball when he broke the scoring record and an autograph jersey.
Heartfelt condolences to the Blair family.
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One of Beaver Falls best and most beloved athletes has passed away. 
Bill Blair, who starred on BF hoop teams in the early 1950’s and was Geneva College All Time Leading Scorer for twenty five years has died in New Jersey. Joe Namath often bragged that he carried Bill’s gym bag back in the day, as Blair was his hero. A member of The Circle of Achievement, we have Bills game ball  when he broke the scoring record and an autograph jersey.
 Heartfelt condolences to the Blair family.

The Larry Bruno Foundation is pleased to announce our 2025 Circle of Achievement Inductees. They will be officially inducted on July 26 at Shadow Lakes Country Club. Tickets are available by calling Ed at 412-298-1430.
Pat Nardelli
A fixture in the southwest Pennsylvania business and philanthropy communities for half a century. He was a rare breed of both student and teacher constantly seeking to quench his thirst for knowledge, while passing along lessons learned to the next generation.
Ken Wagoner
One of Beaver Falls best all around athletes , Ken was a select few that won WPIAL Gold in two different sports at BFHS. A 1970 graduate of BFHS, he was a starting guard on 1970 State basketball team. Also, was second baseman on the 1969 WPIAL Champs for baseball. Played for Pitt with an appearance in the Elite Eight of NCAA Basketball Tournament.
Julie Weir Gott
A 1997 graduate of BFHS Julie participated in softball and played on men’s golf team. As a softball player she was a two time Pittsburgh Post Gazette performer and set school records in home runs and RBI’s. Led her team to the State semi finals in 1997. As a golfer she finished thirteenth in WPIAL. Julie played her college ball at Division two Ashland University. She was two time first team all conference and three time all region . Her senior year she was named third team All American.
Ron Rowan
As a junior, Ron played on BFHS 1980 WPIAL Championship Team. Ron averaged 19.1 points his junior year and 27.0 his senior year. He was section MVP in 1981, first team All State and Converse and Basketball Weekly All American. At St. John’s University Ron played on teams that won Big East Titles in 1985 and 86. Was named second team All Big East. Rowan played professionally all over the world In
Joe Smartz
A native of Nanty-Glo, Joe came to BF in 1962. In first year as head coach, Joe took the Tigers the WPIAL Baseball Finals losing to Arnold. Won the WPIAL Gold in 1969 and again in 1975, becoming the only high school baseball coach to win gold at both Forbes Field and Three Rivers Stadium. Joe was athletic director at BFHS for fifteen years.
Rev. Calvin C. Brown
A native of Minter City Mississippi, Rev. Brown started his tenure as Pastor at Tabernacle in 1961. Under his leadership a junior choir formed that was the pride of the City. In 1973 a new church was built the Rev. Brown was so proud of. He was very active in our community and sat on many board of directors throughout the area. A great example and leader to our youth.
... See MoreSee Less

The Larry Bruno Foundation is pleased to announce our 2025 Circle of Achievement Inductees. They will be officially inducted on July 26 at Shadow Lakes Country Club. Tickets are available by calling Ed at 412-298-1430.
                    Pat Nardelli 
A fixture in the southwest Pennsylvania business and philanthropy communities for half a century. He was a rare breed of both student and teacher constantly seeking to quench his thirst for knowledge, while passing along lessons learned to the next generation.
                 Ken Wagoner 
One of Beaver Falls best all around athletes , Ken was a select few that won WPIAL Gold in two different sports at BFHS. A 1970 graduate of BFHS, he was a starting guard on 1970 State basketball team. Also, was second baseman on the 1969 WPIAL Champs for baseball. Played for Pitt with an appearance in the Elite Eight of NCAA Basketball Tournament.
                Julie Weir Gott
A 1997 graduate of BFHS Julie participated in softball and played on men’s golf team. As a softball player she was a two time Pittsburgh Post Gazette performer and set school records in home runs and RBI’s. Led her team to the State semi finals in 1997. As a golfer she finished thirteenth in WPIAL. Julie played her college ball at Division two Ashland University. She was two time first team all conference and three time all region . Her senior year she was named third team All American.
                  Ron Rowan 
As a junior, Ron played on BFHS 1980 WPIAL Championship Team. Ron averaged 19.1 points his junior year and 27.0 his senior year. He was section MVP in 1981, first team All State and Converse and Basketball Weekly All American. At St. John’s University Ron played on teams that won Big East Titles in 1985 and 86. Was named second team All Big East. Rowan played professionally all over the world                                          In 
                Joe Smartz 
A native of Nanty-Glo, Joe came to BF in 1962. In first year as head coach, Joe took the Tigers the WPIAL Baseball Finals losing to Arnold. Won the WPIAL Gold in 1969 and again in 1975, becoming the only high school baseball coach to win gold at both Forbes Field and Three Rivers Stadium. Joe was athletic director at BFHS for fifteen years.
                   Rev. Calvin C. Brown
A native of Minter City Mississippi, Rev. Brown started his tenure as Pastor at Tabernacle in 1961. Under his leadership a junior choir formed that was the pride of the City. In 1973 a new church was built the Rev. Brown was so proud of. He was very active in our community and sat on many board of directors throughout the area. A great example and leader to our youth.Image attachmentImage attachment+3Image attachment

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Beaver County Strong Since 2011
LBF 2021 Inductees
2024 Hall of Achievement Inductees

These deserving individuals were honored and celebrated on Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Seven Oaks Country Club in Beaver, PA.

Their achievements will be memorialized in our museum space in Beaver Falls, PA.

Learn More

2025 Scholarships Announced

The 2025 William R Livingston II Memorial Scholarship recipients will be recognized at our upcoming Celebration of Honorees Dinner in July. Both student and military scholarship awards are available each year to individuals desiring to pursue careers in law enforcement and community service. Best of luck and much success to all the recipients this year!

The application deadline is June 1st. Learn more about our scholarship program here.

Larry Bruno Foundation

Hall of Achievement & Museum

1112 7th Avenue
Beaver Falls, PA 15010

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