2025 Inductees
The following inductees & honorees were celebrated by the Larry Bruno Foundation throughout several events in July 2019.
2025 Hall of Achievement Inductees
The following individuals will be inducted into the Larry Bruno Foundation Circle of Achievement for 2025.
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.
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.