With the athletic gene running through some families, it is no wonder two individuals of the same family, graduating several decades apart, were inducted into Revere’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014. The Penzeniks, both recognized for their success in football, proudly represented their family while formally being inducted. Charles and Chuck Penzenik received this award, making Revere history.

During football season, ten athletes and the entire football team of 1990 were inducted to the Athletic Hall of Fame. These athletes include Melissa Bickett for track, soccer, football and swimming; Kory Rorabaugh for basketball, volleyball and track; Chuck Penzenik for football; Joseph F. Pappano for coaching football; Samantha Danesis for tennis; Jim Scavuzzo for wrestling; Andy McCollum for football and wrestling; Dr. William E. Moats for baseball, football, basketball, track and his contributions as team physician, booster club president and community supporter; and Al Smesko for coaching basketball, football, track and for contributing as a track official and clock operator.

Bickett, graduating in 2000, received her nomination for her success in four sports. Throughout her high school career, she earned eleven letters. Bickett earned four letters as a soccer goalie, two letters for swimming, one letter for football and four letters in track and field. Among her other accomplishments include two district titles for soccer, winning the league shot put title twice, winning the league discus championship four times and placing second in the league shot put championship in 1999. Some of her other titles and achievements came from competing in the Junior Pan-Am games in Argentina and at the United States vs. Great Britain meet in London. Bickett commented on what she misses about Revere.
“[I miss the] camaraderie with fellow teammates and coaches,” Bickett said.

Reflecting on her teammates and experiences, Bickett noted the importance of enjoying athletics. She offered some advice to current athletes.
“Work hard but enjoy the game,” Bickett said.

Rorabaugh, graduating in 1990, was also inducted that night. She broke records in three sports. She earned three letters in volleyball and claimed the all-league title three times, winning first place her senior year. In track Rorabaugh earned four letters, contributed to the team’s state runner-up finish in 1990, won the 4×800 relay championship, placed second in the 4×400 relay in 1989, placed fifth for High Jump in 1989, placed second for High Jump in 1990 and placed third in the 4×100 relay in 1989. In basketball, Rorabaugh earned three letters, claimed the all-league title all three years and finished as Revere’s all-time career scoring leader with 1,297 points. Continuing her athletic career in college, she earned four letters at Slippery Rock University, claimed the all-league title all four years and earned her induction into the Slippery Rock Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004. Rorabaugh explained how she felt during the ceremony.

“It was great to see people I have not seen in a very long time and to be able to be inducted with such great athletes and coaches,” Rorabaugh said.
Rorabaugh stressed the importance of hard work for self-success. Reflecting on her time at Revere, Rorabaugh offered some advice and life lessons for current athletes.

“Work for yourself and for your team, not for anyone else. Have fun and make great memories. Learn through adversity,” Rorabaugh said.
Penzenik, graduating in 1968, received his nomination for his success in football and track, breaking the 100 yard dash record with a time of 10.2 seconds and the 220 yard dash with a time of 22.8 seconds in track and field before finishing his high school career.

Some of Penzenik’s other achievements include the football all-time leading scorer in Revere history with 264 points, all-league and all-district his junior and senior years and tying for the longest touchdown of 95 yards. He also holds a yards per carry average of 10.6 yards, rushed 150 carries in 1586 yards, averaged 52 yards per touchdown his senior year and scored 9 touchdowns in 75 yards or longer, which remains the most in Revere history.
Penzenik commented on his proudest achievements at Revere.
“There are many, but the ones that stick out the most [are] playing on the first team in Revere history to win the Suburban League championship, playing on the first undefeated, untied team in Revere history [that record still stands to this day, and] receiving a full football scholarship to Miami University,” Penzenik said.
Also inducted on the same night includes Penzenik’s son Chuck. Penzenik comments on this experience.
“It also was pretty cool to be inducted the same night [as] the 1990 team, for which my son Chuck Penzenik played a big [role] in their success,” Penzenik said.
Penzenik noted his family’s long line of Revere alumni. He commented on his reaction to the ceremony.
“The day of the induction is when it really hit me and what it meant to me and my whole family. This is a reward that will be going down in Revere history forever. My name will be part of the Revere athletic fabric that will be talked about long after I’m gone,” Penzenik said.
Inducted for successfully coaching Revere’s football team for 26 years was Pappano. He has 160 wins, 9 league titles, 7 state qualifying teams, and a 20 to 6 record against Copley under his belt. Among his titles include the Akron Touchdown Club’s Coach of the Year in 1980 and 1990, the Ohio High School Coach of the Year in Division II in 1980 and 1989, the Ohio High School Coach of the Year in Division III in 1990, Plain Dealer Coach of the Year in 1990, the Dapper Dan Man of the Year in 1991 and the Touchdown Club’s Bill Falor Award in 2002. In 2004, Pappano was inducted into the Summit County Sports Hall of Fame and the Revere Alumni Association’s Distinguished Educator Hall of Fame. In 2002, the Revere renamed the football stadium in his honor. Pappano noted what he misses about Revere.
“I miss the interaction with my assistant coaches, players, parents, students, and faculty,” Pappano said.
Becoming some of the first athletes inducted into Revere’s Athletic Hall of Fame, these alumni stood before the community to be recognized for their athletic achievements. Through their records and athletic accomplishments in high school, they made Revere history. These nominated athletes represent only the beginning of the greatest athletes Revere has yet to recognize.