The Robert “Tick” Cloherty Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame has unveiled its list of nominees for the 2027 induction class. This year’s group features 20 highly regarded athletes, coaches, and contributors to the sporting landscape in Western Pennsylvania, from which 10 members will be elected.
Jack Teitz, the current president of the Hall of Fame, has been involved in the nomination process for over 30 years. He announced that the voting will continue for several months, with the induction ceremony scheduled for May 1, 2027, at the Sheraton in Station Square. “Our inductees are selected by our members,” Teitz noted, emphasizing that voters must choose a minimum of three nominees.
The list of nominees includes notable figures such as former Pittsburgh Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert and University of Pittsburgh stars Hugh Green and Benjy Pryor. Pryor, a graduate of Valley High School in the mid-1970s, had a successful college career at Pitt, where he played tight end alongside future NFL quarterback Dan Marino. “It means a lot to be recognized,” Pryor expressed. “Even though it’s been a long time since I played, it’s good to be remembered.” He was part of two Panthers teams that achieved back-to-back 11-1 records, considered among the best in the school’s history.
Former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jay Caufield is also among the nominees. After being traded to Pittsburgh in 1991, he won a Stanley Cup that year as the Penguins swept the Chicago Blackhawks. Caufield has since become known as an NHL analyst and personal trainer, helping former teammate Mario Lemieux with rehabilitation during his comebacks. “We decided to settle right into this area,” Caufield said, reflecting on making Pittsburgh home with his family. He hosts a podcast, “The Larry & Big Man,” which has gained significant popularity, reaching over 2 million impressions across social media in its first year.
Other nominees include Gateway High School graduate Matt Polinsky, better known as WWE commentator Corey Graves. Graves currently serves as the lead commentator for Smackdown and is expected to return to his role on Raw in January. Also nominated is Greg Diulus, a long-time sports agent with ties to the Vantage Management Group. Diulus expressed his honor in being nominated, stating, “It would be the most flattering thing that I will have experienced in my sporting career.”
The comprehensive list of nominees is available on the chapter’s website, where new members can join for a fee of $10 and participate in the voting process until November 25, 2023.
