Cameron County Hometown Sports Hall of Fame

Cameron County Hometown Sports Hall of Fame, September 28, 2019, Cameron County High School Auditorium, meet and greet at 5:00 PM, Induction ceremony starts at 6:30 PM. Celebrating Coach "Papa" John Fragale and the 1999 Football Team.

Hometown Mentors, Inc. is pleased to announce the recipients for its biennial Cameron County Sports Hall of Fame. This year, there are two inductees. First is the long-time head coach of the Cameron County Football Team, Coach John Fragale. Coach Fragale grew up in Emporium, Pennsylvania and graduated from Cameron County High School in 1966. He served as the Head Coach for the 1999 Raider squad. He coached the Red Raiders for over 35 of years, until his retirement in 2012. In the course of his tenure coaching, Coach Fragale mentored hundreds of young men both on the field and off field, which earned him the nick-name of ‘Papa John.’

HMI will also induct the 1999 Red Raider Football Team. The 1999 Football Team is among the most successful sports teams in Cameron County High School history. The team notably achieved a 12-1 record, becoming both the Allegheny Mountain League and District Nine champions in the process. Some of the most memorable games during the 1999 historic season were the long-awaited twin victories over the rival Smethport Hubbers during the regular season and in the AML Championship Game, the record-setting 72-6 victory over the Ridgway Elkers, and the miraculous final drive and victory over the Sharpsville Blue Devils, which launched the Red Raiders to the final eight in the PIAA Class A playoffs. The 1999 Red Raider season ended with heartbreaking double overtime loss against the Bishop Carroll Huskies.

The 1999 Team and Coach Fragale will be honored in a ceremony held at the Cameron County High School Auditorium on Saturday, September 28, 2019 at 5 p.m. All are encouraged to attend this event, and there is no admission fee. Any attendee desiring to donate to HMI will be able to do so at the ceremony. Questions about this event may be directed to Annette Campbell, Hall of Fame Project Manager and Joe Malizia, HMI President.