Burd, McCormack, Vuocolo Inducted into West Branch Valley Sports Hall of Fame
WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Three former standout athletes from Clinton County were inducted into the West Branch Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Sunday night. They are Rick Burd, now residing in York, Trap McCormack, a resident of Furlong, PA, and Mike Vuocolo of Fayettville, GA.
Among those in attendance for the ceremony was retired Lock Haven High School football coach Don Malinak; he coached both Vuocolo and Burd and is a longtime member of the West Branch Hall of Fame.
The three county inductees were recognized for their exploits:
Rick Burd, football at Lock Haven High School and Lycoming College:
1980 Honorable Mention AP Little All-America quarterback at Lycoming College … 1979 MAC Northern Division MVP … a three-time First Team All-MAC quarterback from 1978-80 … first quarterback in Lycoming history to pass for more than 2,000 yards in a season in 1980 (2,215), leading the MAC in passing yards three times … helped team to a share of its first MAC title in 1978 and helped it repeat in 1979, as he finished his career with a 24-4-1 record … first player to have his number (11) retired by the college in 1981 … inducted to Lycoming Athletics Hall of Fame in 1986 … led Lock Haven to 9-2 mark as a senior in 1976, setting school’s single-season passing record with 1,012 yards.
Trap McCormack, wrestling and soccer at Sugar Valley and Bald Eagle-Nittany High Schools and Lock Haven University:
A three-time state champion, winning 1995 and 1996 titles at 103 pounds at Sugar Valley High School before winning 1997 title at 112 pounds at Bald Eagle-Nittany … went 138-4 in career, won four district titles and three regional titles … scored more than 55 goals in soccer career, including a school-record 36 as a senior in 1996 … went to Lock Haven University, where he was a four-time NCAA Wrestling Championships qualifier at 125 pounds … won PSAC titles in 2001 and 2002 and an EWL title in 2000, finishing career with 91-18 career record … inducted to District 6 Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006.
Mike Vuocolo, wrestling, football, track and field at Lock Haven High School:
One of the best athletes in Pennsylvania as a senior in 1960 –a second-team all-state running back, a state semifinalist at 180 pounds in wrestling and finished fourth in the state in the discus throw, setting Lock Haven school-record … First Team All-Central Counties in football and Honorable Mention National High School All-American … named to the second team backfield of the Lock Haven Express’ Lock Haven High School 25th Anniversary Football Team in 1967…a two-year team member with University of Michigan football team as a halfback and fullback in 1961-62 and one-year team member in wrestling (1962) until injury ended his career … inducted into District 6 Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2019.
The three with their Clinton County origins were part of a group of 10 honorees recognized at the Genetti Hotel Sunday night. Other living inductees included Janis Arp, Jim Arp, Bob Crawford, Kelly Mazzante and Mark Mussina. A deceased inductee was Gene Depew and the volunteer of the year was Max Dell.
