It was nice to see another Nittany Lion inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Running back Curt Warner gave a special shout-out to his former teammates, several of whom made the trip to South Bend to be part of the festivities, when accepting the honor. Warner still holds a special spot in Happy Valley history. His records include a program-best 3,398 career rushing yards, and he helped Penn State win their first national title in 1982.
Warner's record will likely fall this fall, with Evan Royster closing in on that career rushing mark, but he'll always have a special spot in the heart of his teammates, and Penn State fans.
The Cambria County Sports Hall of Fame inducted its 2010 class over the weekend, including Altoona native Mike Iuzzolino, one of the all-time greats in the history of St. Francis basketball.
Ironically, he accepted the honor in Johnstown, where he traveled for some great rivalry games during his high school days as a Mountain Lion. Iuzzolino was a leader on the 1991 Red Flash squad that went dancing in the NCAA tournament.
Like Warner, Iuzzolino touted his teammates for being part of the amazing St. Francis run. The former NEC Player of the Year enjoyed stints in the NBA and European basketball leagues but gave credit to those around him in Loretto, saying their efforts were also being rewarded by the Hall of Fame.
While driving home over the weekend, I came across a long string of cyclists riding along the Lincoln Highway. I don't know if they were racing, training, or just out for a joy ride, though they were dressed to the hilt in high-end athletic apparel; their bikes looked like they could be from the professional ranks.
As I came over a hill, I saw a cluster of activity, including a large truck with its blinkers flashing. As I drove closer, I realized that two members of the cycling group were riding wheelchair bikes and chugging their way up a long steep grade. One of the wheelchair bikers was getting a hand from another cyclist who was riding alongside, helping the effort.
Then I realized that the truck was a moving van whose driver, dressed in blue jeans and a T-shirt, had pulled off the road to run behind the other wheelchair bike and push it up the hill. I wonder how many of us would have taken time out of our day to do the same. That anonymous truck driver deserves a spot in someone's hall of fame.
There is honor in receiving awards for our efforts. There is honor is sharing credit with our teammates. There is also honor in random acts of kindness, even when there's no one around to applaud.
Kellie Goodman Shaffer can be reached at Kellie@BedfordCountyChamber.org. Her column appears Tuesdays.
