Hall of Fame
The Penn State New Kensington Athletic Department values the dedication and service of the student-athletes, coaches, and administrators. The Penn State New Kensington Athletic Hall of Fame serves to honor those who have brought forward distinction and/or made exceptional contributions to the overall development, success, and prestige of the Penn State New Kensington Department of Athletics.
The individuals who represent the Penn State New Kensington Hall of Fame embodied the "Roar as One" philosophy and displayed integrity, commitment, and sportsmanship throughout their collegiate careers. Furthermore, their accomplishments have helped the athletic department achieve success on and off the playing surface.
To nominate a candidate for the Penn State New Kensington Hall of Fame, please complete the electronic form. All nominees meeting the eligibilty requirements will be added to the general nomination ballot committee members vote on. All nominations must be submitted annually by February 15th. to be considered in the year’s nomination process. Any submissions past that date will automatically be moved to the following year Nominations.
Please utilize the link to submit all nominations to PENN STATE NEW KENSINGTON HALL OF FAME NOMINATIONS.
Penn State New Kensington Hall of Fame
Penn State New Kensington Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024
Robert “Bob” Kenneth Howard
Bob Howard is known in the Pittsburgh region and Penn State communities for his storied career that helped shape the landscape of sports and education on and off the New Kensington campus. For 27 years, Howard served as a member of the campus’ Sports and Exercise Department. In addition to being part of the academic realm, he also embraced coaching basketball, volleyball and tennis, while also helping to develop new athletic programs, cultivating conference championships and promoting the success of student-athletes.
During his coaching tenure, his teams earned three Commonwealth Athletic Conference championships and three second-place finishes for basketball. In the Pennsylvania Junior College Athletic Association, he led the team to an appearance in the state finals. He was also named Basketball Coach of the Year in 1978-79 as a recognition to his leadership and mentorship. In volleyball, his teams reached the (Commonwealth Collegiate Athletics Conference (CCAC) State Championships five times, and in tennis, his team clinched a CCAC State Championship title.
Beyond the courts, Howard was the founder of the Commonwealth Athletic Conference in 1967, a groundbreaking initiative that paved the way for the current PSUAC system. In addition, he co-founded the Western Junior College Athletic Association to expand opportunities for student-athletes across the region.
In 1990, he was named to the Robert J. Scannell Roll of Honor, the highest accolade bestowed upon someone for their leadership within the PSUAC.
Howard is an alumnus of Lock Haven University and the University of Pittsburgh.
John M. DeRiggi
John DeRiggi started his Penn State story as a student at the New Kensington campus, where he earned an associate degree in engineering. He would then go on to earn his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at Point Park University.
Athletics has always been a focus of DeRiggi’s life, as he was a member of the volleyball and physical fitness teams as a high school student at Penn Hills. He also played racquetball for more than 40 years, slow-pitch softball for 35 years and began competitive race-walking in 1998. In addition to being an athlete, he served as Assistant Head Coach of Physical Fitness at Penn Hills and Plum high schools for 17 years, along with serving as a volunteer volleyball coach for local church teams and adult leagues in the area.
In 1998, DeRiggi returned to Penn State New Kensington as the Assistant Head Coach of the women’s volleyball team. He was promoted to Head coach the following year. His teams achieved success within the CCAC and Western Pennsylvania Collegiate Conference (WPCC). He would lead teams to be three-time winners of the CCAC Western Division (1999, 2000 and 2001); an undefeated regular season in both the CCAC and WPCC in 2000; CCAC Championship runner-up, WPCC North Division Champion, WPCC Champion and Pennsylvania Collegiate Ahtletic Association State Championship runner-up in 2000; 2001 CCAC Champions and WPCC Champion runner-up; and third place in the PSUAC championships in 2007. DeRiggi was named the WPCC Coach of the Year in 2000 and the 2001 CCAC Coach of the Year. He was also selected as Head Coach for WPCC All-Star teams in 2000 and 2001. He was inducted to the Penn Hills Sports Hall of Fame classes of 2007, 2014 and 2022.
Outside of athletics, he owned and operated DeRiggi Landscaping and Remodeling for 40 years and resides in Plum with his wife of 49 years, Linda. They have two sons, John and Anthony, as well as two grandchildren.
Penn State New Kensington Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Paul Hozshu
Paul Holzshu is known in the Pittsburgh region for his outstanding athletic ability and successful coaching career spanning high school and collegiate levels. Holzshu became head men’s basketball coach at the New Kensington campus in 1992, and led the team through some of its most storied years. Under his leadership, the team won several championships including the 1993-94 Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference West Regional Championship; the 1994-95 Conference State Championship; the National Junior College Athletic Association Men’s Division III District 5 Championship; and the Region 20 Championship. He also coached the team to reaching the “elite 8” round at the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship tournament.
In addition to his success coaching the New Kensington teams, Holzshu also received numerous awards throughout his career including Conference Coach of the Year, Region 20 Coach of the Year and the Vince Jacob College Coach of the Year from the Western PA Basketball Officials Association.
His coaching was grounded in the statement, “It’s not a matter of can and cannot; it’s a matter of will and will not.” The philosophy is one that aided his drive and determination as a student-athlete on and off the court, which also earned him a full athletic scholarship to Clemson University, where he played from 1967 to 1971. He graduated from Clemson in 1972 with a bachelor of science degree in recreational park administration.
Art McCray
Art McCray, who played on the New Kensington basketball team under the leadership of Holzshu, attended the campus from 1994 to 1997, where he earned his associate degree in letters, arts and sciences, before going on to earn a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation services from the Penn State and later a master’s degree in sports management from American Public University.
A graduate of Chartiers Valley High School, McCray was an integral member of the winning New Kensington basketball team during his time at the campus. He led the team in rebounds and blocked shots for the 1995-96 and 1996-97 seasons. His defensive skills and commitment to the team helped them secure several championships including the Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference West Regional Championship, Conference State Co-Championship, National Junior College Athletic Association Men’s Division III District 5 Championship, and the Region 20 Championship. McCray was also part of the “elite 8” New Kensington team at the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship tournament.
McCray’s commitment to the University and New Kensington campus has gone beyond his time as a student. He has served as the assistant men’s basketball coach and currently works as an admissions counselor and SAGE program coordinator and retention specialist for student-athletes at the campus.
Lou Payne
Lou Payne, who attended Penn State New Kensington from 2013 to 2016, was the first athlete recruit of McCray and embodied the true meaning of being a student-athlete. Academically, Payne earned accolades including being a two-time Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) All-Academic, two-time John Evans Scholar recipient and three-time Penn State New Kensington honor roll member. He also received a Leadership Conference of America award.
On the court, Payne served as team captain all three years during his time at the New Kensington campus. In 2016, he was named the Penn State New Kensington’s Male Athlete of the Year. That same year, he ranked in the PSUAC’s Top 3 in assists, Top 20 in steals, as well as ninth in free throw percentage with the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA).
Payne graduated from the New Kensington campus with a bachelor of science degree in information sciences and technology.