Mifflin County Hall of Fame adds another distinguished chapter to its growing legacy

By Kenny Varner Jr.
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Updated: May 12, 2025

Photos by Kathy Reed

By Kenny Varner

Mifflin County Hall of Fame enshrines 2025 group

BURNHAM – Adding to their distinguished legacy.

The MIfflin County Hall of Fame added seven more Legendary Athletes to its historic hall Saturday at the Birch Hill Events Center in Burnham.

It was a celebration of the careers that brought tears, laughter, smiles, and a lot of looking back to legendary careers in the packed house.

This season the Hall of Fame added familiar names to the local sports community in George “Touch” Bohn, Annette Hoffman, John “Jet” Johnston, Emily Lepley Shank, Fred Stoicheff, Joni Zimmerman and Community Service Volunteer Award winner Brian Carson.

Taking the microphone as the guest speaker was Penn State Wrestler Mitchell Mesenbrink.

Longtime local sports writer, radio broadcaster and Mifflin County and wrestling historian Brian Carson was the first up as he was awarded the Community Service Award.

Battling health conditions, Carson had a prerecorded emotional video thanking the Hall of Fame committee, his mentor, his wife and the Mifflin County Community as well as the many athletes he had covered in his amazing 33 years of covering the community that he loves. He thanked them for allowing him to be apart of the local sports community and the memories he recorded.

Carson took his role very seriously and was dedicated to his craft.

“You know what great about sports journalism? Every season brings new stories, new stories worth celebrating,” said Carson. “For 33 years I’ve had the best ticket in town. A front row seat for the triumphs, the breakthrough performances, the unexpected victories that made Mifflin County special.

“To be honored by the Mifflin County Hall of Fame along side so many incredible athletes and coaches whose stories I’ve told that’s just not an honor but a celebration of every game, every story, every moment we shared together as a community. I’ve written the articles but you the athletes, the coaches, parents and fans you’ve created the magic.”

Jon Zimmerman

Second to be honored on the evening was the first Kish High School inductee Jon Zimmerman.

Jon Zimmerman has brought recognition to Mifflin County through his own individual athletic accomplishments and his years of honoring and promoting the athletic excellence of others. At Kish, Zimmerman lettered in three sports: basketball, track and field and cross country. On the hardwood, he led the Indians to a Tri-Valley League championship while individually garnering first-team and MVP league honors. In track, Zimmerman set the school record in the high jump and won championships at the Juniata College and Central Counties relays. Outside of

school, Zimmerman won a Central Counties Golf Association Junior Championship. At Dickinson, he was a four-year basketball letterman and was named first-team all-conference and MVP as a senior. On the track, he owned school records in the high jump and for single-season points scored in field events at the time of his graduation. In 2001, Zimmerman was inducted into the Dickinson College Sports Hall of Fame. He served as a girls basketball assistant at Indian Valley High School on the 2001 Final Four team and co-founded the Mifflin County Youth Soccer Club. Zimmerman’s passion has been to honor the legacy of county sports. His collection of photos at the Tall Tales Pub led to the creation of the Hall of Fame where he served as the Hall’s first president.

He was presented the award by son Seth Zimmerman in an emotional presentation. The younger Zimmerman also accepted the award for his father as Mr. Zimmerman has been fighting his own battles with his health. But in the end, sitting in the crowd, Jon Zimmerman addressed the crowd and his thankfulness he was feeling being inducted.

“This is such an honor. This has put me to tears. We need things like this (Hall of Fame) in MIfflin County,” said Zimmerman. “I really think it would be great if we had a permanent location where we can have events. This is wonderful! I love you all! Thank you so much for this! Let’s keep it going so we can make it better and better!”

George “Touch” Bohn

One of greatest track and field coaches in the 1980’s for Chief Logan High School was also honored for his lifetime dedication to the athletic community.

George “Touch” Bohn earned varsity letters in four sports and was the first Chief Logan Mingo to earn all-state recognition in two sports – football and track and field. Bohn was named to the West team for the first East vs. West Pennsylvania Big 33 Game in 1961. His interception helped the West secure a 34-14 win. In addition to most local all-star teams, Bohn was named a Wigwam Wiseman All-American. Following a successful first season on the undefeated Purdue freshman squad, Bohn served his country during the Vietnam War. His return to Purdue was detoured to the University of South Dakota where he joined fellow Chief Logan grad, Jim Foster. Bohn was awarded the team’s Big Hitter award during his time at USD. He was part of a group of sophomores, up from an undefeated freshman team, that helped the 1968 Coyote squad to a 9-1 record, losing only to highly-ranked and eventual national champion North Dakota State. A defensive stalwart on a team that only gave up more than 16 points in three games during the 1968 season, Bohn and his teammates entered the USD Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Since his playing days ended, Bohn has coached sports for 28 years in local schools.

He was presented his award by his daughter Carvell Burtsell.

“I want to thank the hall of fame for nominating me and voting for me. I am greatly honored for that privilege to be here tonight,” said Bohn. “I got my roots at Chief Logan high school. I was a four sports individual football, wrestling, baseball and track and field. At that time you could do both.”

“I want to start off by saying that only the honors that I received was as a team. Chief Logan was a team and when you spell team it’s t-e-a-m. There is no “I” in team. Whatever you accomplish individually the team had something to do with it.”

Annette Hoffman

A legend at Chief Logan and Indian Valley as well as collegiately at Juniata College in basketball Annette Hoffman ruled the courts in her time on the hardwood.

A three-sport letter winner in field hockey, basketball and softball at both Chief Logan High School and the newly-created Indian Valley High School, Annette Hoffman continued her stellar athletic career at nearby Juniata College. At the time of her induction into the Juniata College Sports Hall of Fame, Hoffman held every scoring record for the JC women’s basketball program.

Her career total of 2,269 points is over a thousand more than the next closest athlete. She averaged 24.1 points per game for her career. Her single game record 49 points against Elizabethtown came only a week after setting the single game road ecord of 47 at W&J. She scored 10 or more points 78 times, 30 or more points 11 imes and topped the 40-point mark on four occasions. Hoffman averaged a double-louble in points and rebounds in both her junior and senior year. She was the Middle Atlantic Conference Northwest player of the year her final three seasons as she led the onference all three years in scoring. She earned All-District laurels three years, while aIso receiving honorable mention for the 1992-93 Division III Kodak All-American eam. Hoffman was bestowed the Bagerstock Award as Juniata’s top female athlete ollowing her senior season. She also spent three years on the softball team.

Her college coach from Juniata College, Stan Risser was her presenter of her award honor.

Known for her quiet demeanor off the court and letting her game speak for itself, Hoffman continued with a modest quick “thank you” with her presentation speech.

“I’m truly honored to be part of this hall of fame. So, I want to thank all those who made it possible,” said Hoffman. “Thank you so much.”

John “Jet” Johnston

A man of many athletic and coaching talents, John” Jet” Johnston was also honored for his achievements as a coach and athlete, having been a stand out at both levels.

At Lewistown, John “Jet” Johnston earned all-state honors as a junior and senior while establishing the Panther all-time rushing record of 2,083 yards. He was selected to the 1968 Pennsylvania Big 33 team and recognized as a Prep All-American. Johnston coached in the 1982 Big 33 game and is a member of the PA Football Coaches Association Big 33 Hall of Fame. He turned down the Pittsburgh Pirates to attend Duke

University where he earned six varsity letters – two in football and four in baseball. After being selected to the

All-ACC freshman football team and missing his sophomore season due to illness, Johnston returned for two outstanding seasons. As a senior, he was the second-leading ball carrier for the Blue Devils, averaging nearly four yards per carry and a 10.5 yard average per reception. Johnston also averaged over 15 yards as a kickoff returner.

As an outfielder, Johnston finished in the top 10 among ACC hitters for average in

1972. Following graduation, Johnston served as a graduate assistant at Duke and later an assistant for Penn State’s Joe Paterno, including the 1982 national championship season. He also coached at Lewistown Area, Harrisburg, CD East and Reading High.

He was presented his award by longtime Penn State recruiter and friend Tim Curley.

Johnston recognized and honored his family and his roots in his address.

“I’d like to congratulate the hall of fame and all the hall of fame inductees today. It’s a great honor for me to be inducted into the hall of fame. I’d like to thank the hall of fame committee and its voters for this honor,” said Johnston. “I was blessed with great parents. My dad taught me mental toughness and a blue collar work ethic. He coached three sports. My mother taught me perseverance.”

Emily Lepley Shank

One of the most talented all around track competitors was also given the nod to this year’s hall of fame honors as Emily Lepley Shank was selected.

As an athlete at Lewistown High School, Shank was a six-time

District 6 champion: once in the 400-meter run, twice in the 300-meter hurdles and three times in the 100-meter hurdles; and sweeping all three events in 2003. During her senior year in 2003, she was the runner-up at the PIAA Indoor Championships in the 60-meter hurdles. She followed with two trips to the medal stand at the 2003

PIAA Outdoor Championships, placing sixth in the 300 hurdles and being crowned state champion in the 100 hurdles, finishing the season undefeated in that event.

She holds the all-time school records in the 100 and 300 hurdles and is the current county record holder in those events. Shank was an eight-time All-American hurdler at Susquehanna, winning three Middle Atlantic Conference titles in the indoor 55 hurdles and was a three-time MAC outdoor champion in the 100 and 400 hurdles. At the time of her 2013 induction into the Susquehanna University Sports Hall of Fame, she held program indoor records in the 400 dash, 55 hurdles and 60 hurdles. Her outdoor records included the 400 dash and 100 and 400 hurdles. She also was a member of a record-setting 4×100 relay. Shank was named the 2005 NCAA Mideast Regional Athlete of the Year after winning the NCAA Division Ill Championship in the 400 hurdles.

Longtime Lewistown track coach and family friend Dick Yearick proudly made the presentation.

Shank reminisced about all who helped her a long the way.

“I’d like to start out by thanking the hall of fame board of directors, the committee members, the voters, everybody that is in attendance. This is truly a special event,” said Shank. “We were asked in our speech guidelines to focus not on our statistics but memories and relationships that were special to us.”

“I will start with my brother…he was always there to always lean in at the finish and that is simpler yet very effective advice. I also thought about my time at Lewistown high school and Vicky Henry came to mind. She never let an athlete go to a championship without a carefully curated goodie bag…But there would be no statics or memories for me if it wasn’t for Dick Yearick. On the track he gave me advice, specified workouts, confidence and success. Off the track he gave me unconditional love, support, breakfasts and banana splits. I’m thinking that was your motivation for taking me to practice half the time. Frankly he is responsible for many of the things that I have in my life today and all of the lessons that came with it. It’s truly not an exaggeration to say I would not be here today without him.”

Frederick Stoicheff

Rounding out the night was Lewistown phenom football great the legendary Frederick A. Stoicheff.

A young Fred Stoicheff led Lewistown High School to back-to-back undefeated and untied seasons. Those Panther teams averaged 40 points per game while compiling a 19-0 record. In nine games as a junior, Stoicheff rushed for 927 yards on only 64 carries.

To show that he was a talent that would go on to stand the test of time, some of his records more than six decades old are still notable today. That 14.5 yard per carry average stood as a Pennsylvania record for 50 years and remains a top 10 number today. In addition,

his 10 touchdown runs that season included two of more than 50 yards, three of more than 60 yards, along with 15-, 25-, 30-, 78- and 98-yard jaunts. His 49-yard average per TD run was also a long time Pennsylvania record. As a senior, Stoicheff continued his record setting accomplishments with 851 yards on 72 carries for an impressive 11.8 yard average. He averaged 36 yards per TD run and added a touchdown reception and pick-6 among his 16 scores. His performance earned him over two dozen scholarship offers and All State recognition by the AP and UPI. He was a member of the 1959 Pennsylvania Big 33. No one ever really figured out how to stop Stoicheff, but unfortunately his college career was cut short and hampered by a knee injury. Perhaps modern surgery could have kept his career on course.

He was presented the award by another Panther great Junior Powell.

Accepting the award on his behalf was his niece Gail Stoicheff.

“This is absolute thrill to be here to accept this for him. I wish he could be here,” said Stoicheff. “It’s an honor beyond words for him to be amount the honorees tonight who’ve had legendary careers. I know that he would’ve had really appreciate it.”

With that final presentation, the doors closed on another legendary and historic night as the Hall of Fame added more chapters to its already historic legacy.

The list of athletes still to come is a long and distinguished one making sports fans excited for next year and the next official announcement. More to come next year…Stay tuned!!