Anybody can join. Whether you love sports, are trying to help one of the nominees get into the Hall, or just want to support a local nonprofit organization, all it takes is a $10 membership fee and you will be able to vote on the upcoming Warren County Sports Hall of Fame induction class. The small fee helps fund the ceremony, the awards, as well as any other expenses such as newspaper ads or other ways of advertisement.

Our membership drive started last week and will go on until Friday, May 31. This ballot has a variety of athletes and coaches. Similar to last time, we will be inducting eight living nominees and two deceased nominees. Two organizations will be inducted — the Warren County Special Olympics and the American Legion Post 135. To even be considered for the WCSHOF is an accomplishment. It shows that other people have noticed an individual’s successes and want them to be recognized.

A voting membership into the 2024 Hall of Fame organization costs $10 (an amount that has not changed since 1993), is good for one year, and includes full voting rights.

For anyone interested in becoming a voting member of the WCSHOF, either fill out the form provided, visit the “Warren County Sports Hall of Fame” Facebook page, or contact Nate Sandberg at: natesandy31@gmail.com. The Warren County Sports Hall of Fame does not select who is inducted into the hall; it is determined solely upon the number of votes received by the voting members.

Mike Smith

For questions, either email WCSHOF President Nate Sandberg at natesandy31@gmail.com, or contact the Facebook page. Mail all membership forms, completed ballot, and $10 to WCSHOF, P.O. Box 61, Warren, Pennsylvania. Make any checks payable to WCSHOF. Once again congratulations to every person nominated for the 2024 WCSHOF class. We would like to thank the Warren Times Observer, The Post-Journal, the Warren Public Library, the Cornerstone Lounge, and all of the board members and people who have made nominations to make this possible.

Following is the second group of nominees. The rest of the nominee biographies will appear in the Times Observer on Wednesday.

MARLENE SANDBERG, PICKLEBALL/TENNIS

Marlene (Ognibene) Sandberg has been heavily involved in racket sports for 50 years. Her successes started at Jamestown High School (Class of 1982) where she was a four-year starter in girls tennis, going undefeated in the regular season for her entire high school career with a 44-0 singles record. Just a sophomore at Jamestown High playing first singles, she was regarded as the No. 1 player in Chautauqua County, per The Post-Journal.

Marlene played in the Lakewood tennis leagues and many USTA tournaments for many years upon becoming the tennis teaching professional at Conewango Valley Country Club in 1985. During her tenure at CVCC, she helped promote the development of youth tennis in Warren County via junior tennis clinics. Her love for racket sports transitioned to playing platform tennis behind the old Bi-Lo, now Tops grocery store.

Nicole Gern

Her most recent endeavor is the promotion of the ever-popular sport of pickleball in Warren County. Marlene is regarded as a pioneer of the sport and was one of the first Warren community members to not only promote Pickleball, but also teach it and run clinics to help spread the game. She has a 4.63 DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating) and has played in more than 60 tournaments in various states including Mid-Atlantic Sectionals, Cincinnati Diamond Regional, New York State Senior Games, and the Gamma Tournament in Pittsburgh. She has earned 15 gold, 19 silver, and 11 bronze medals during these tournaments. Her latest accomplishment was taking gold in the New York State Michelob Ultra Team Championships held in Rochester, New York.

In terms of promoting the game, Sandberg has taught 15 pickleball clinics throughout Pennsylvania and New York, including the summer program at the Chautauqua Institution, and has run more than 20 tournaments for adults, youth, and fund-raisers. She is also a sales representative for Royal Pickleball where she assists in the distribution of high-quality paddles throughout the country.

Marlene currently resides in Warren County and can be found either playing pickleball or on the Conewango Valley CC course where she holds four club championships and two steeplechase honors. In addition, with an illustrious basketball career at Jamestown High School, she led the Raiders to their first-ever Section VI title in 1982.

MIKE SMITH, GOLF

Michael Smith was born and raised in Warren where he developed a love of golf at a young age. He graduated from Warren High School in 1966 and Jamestown Community College in 1968. After serving in the Army from 1968 – 1970, Mike returned to Warren where he became an important part of the golf community, especially at Blueberry Hill Golf Club with his wife Sandra (Roth) Smith.

Rick Allen

Mike dominated golf at Blueberry Hill Golf Club in the late 1970s through the 1980s. He won seven club championships in an 11-year period. His victories took place in 1976, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 and 1987. The 1984 tournament was particularly memorable when he won by five strokes after playing the final day in a terrible rainstorm. Mike had many other accomplishments in golf over the course of his career. He achieved three holes-in-one as well. While playing in the Penn Bank Scramble at Jackson Valley Golf Course, his team won the only skin in a double shotgun, with an Eagle on No. 14, for one of the largest tournament payouts in the history of Warren County up to that time. Perhaps most impressive, Mike is one of the few Warren County golfers to ever play Augusta National Golf Club where he broke 80 his first time playing.

Off the course, he was one of the founding members of Warren County’s first scratch league. Additionally, at Blueberry, he constructed the stairs on No. 4 and No. 14, remodeled the rental unit, and renovated the clubhouse in 1990. Smith left an incredible mark on golf in Warren County and specifically Blueberry Hill Golf Club, where he inspired generations of players to enjoy an incredible game. In his prime, Mike was one of the best golfers in the county and surrounding areas and was known as one of the early “long-ball hitters” of his day. Michael John Smith passed away on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023.

NICOLE GERN, CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK

Nicole’s passion for running began when she joined the cross-country team her freshman year at Warren Area High School, in the fall of 1992. It is then she realized her love of long-distance running. Nicole also joined the track team in the spring of 1993, excelling in the 800-meter run, the 1,600-meter run, and the 3,200-meter relay. She also ran a leg of the 1,600-meter relay at the Pennsylvania state meet, as an alternate. During her sophomore year of cross-country, Nicole was a member of the District 10 championship team. That year, Nicole also placed high enough to win a trip to states, as an individual.

Nicole joined the swim team during the winter season of 1994 to keep in shape between running seasons. This was a decision that ultimately helped her running career to really take off. That spring she set the school record in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:27 and was a member of the 3,200-meter relay which also set a school record with a time of 10:16. In her junior year of cross country, Nicole won the District 10 cross country championship meet with a time of 19:10, besting her competition by 30 seconds. Following her District 10 win in the fall of 1994, Nicole had another record-setting track season by beating her own school record in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:25 and was a member of the 3,200-meter relay which broke their prior school record, with a time of 10:01. For Nicole’s senior year she qualified for states in cross country and maintained her school records in the 800-meter run and the 3,200-meter relay. Nicole then went on to run for Ohio University for the 1996 cross country season and the 1997 track season. Following this running season, Nicole took a long break from running until the age of 35 when she fulfilled a lifelong dream of running a marathon. She completed the Pittsburgh marathon in under five hours, and that was good enough for her. Nicole is very proud of the hard work and dedication she put into her running career. However, Nicole knows her successes are also due to the motivation, support and inspiration she received from the people around her. She is forever grateful for the support and motivation she received from her Coach Bob Schaeffer, the inspiration and friendship of her teammates, and most importantly the dedication, motivation, love, and support she received from her parents, Kerry and Patty, and her sister, Lonnie. Her parents never missed a meet, and her father was always there to tie her spikes for good luck before her races.

Tom Craig

RICK ALLEN, FOOTBALL

The same attributes that made Rick Allen a great athlete have also helped in the business world. The current CEO of Warren General Hospital, Allen had a standout high school, college and post-college athletic career.

Allen was a standout for both the football and track and field teams at Warren Area High School. A three-year letterman in football (1976-1978) under legendary coach Toby Shea, Allen was a 1978 All-Northwest Conference linebacker and center, as well as an All-10 linebacker and center and a team captain. In track and field, Allen was a standout in the shot put, winning numerous meets with his throws, which cleared 50 feet. His high school success took him to Slippery Rock University, where he continued to shine on the gridiron. He was a four-year letterman (1979-1982) and a three-year starter at linebacker. HIs senior season in 1982 is where he shined the brightest. His awards that season included NCAA Associated Press Small College All-American, All-East Coast Athletic Conference (Divisions I, II, III and NAIA), All-Pittsburgh District, All-PSAC and an All NCAA CoSIDA Academic All-American nominee.

Allen continued to stay active in the athletic arena upon his college graduation. For 10 years, he was a youth coach in the Pittsburgh area, coaching baseball, football and basketball. He coached all three of his sons until they reached high school. As an adult, Allen also delved into the world of Tae Kwon Do. He trained for 12 years under Grand Master Young Bo Kong, achieving the rank of Master – 4th Degree Black Belt. In 2013, he was inducted into the Slippery Rock University Athletic Hall of Fame, and in 2019, he received the Slippery Rock University Distinguished Alumni award.

Allen has continued to serve the Warren community through his role at Warren General Hospital, which, under his leadership, has stayed locally owned and operated as well as financially sound. WGH has also developed facilities and resources to help athletes of all ages rehabilitate injuries and reach their highest potential. He also donates his time to the YMCA, the United Fund of Warren County and a number of other organizations. A leader both in and out of the athletic arena, Allen is a true champion.

THOMAS CRAIG, COACHING

Tom Craig played basketball for Youngsville High School in the late 1950s. It’s remarkable that he could play basketball at all. He had only one eye. A childhood injury took one eye, and he was fitted with a glass eye. Despite his handicap, he persevered and developed a highly accurate jump shot, contributing many points to the team.

Tom is primarily known for his coaching career. After college he taught and coached football at Geneva, Ohio from 1964 to 1968. Then he returned to Youngsville and coached football for 13 years with two playoff appearances. His team ended Ridgeway’s 34-game winning streak, longest in the state at the time. He was fortunate to coach his son, Shawn, and to see his grandson, Corey Craig, quarterback Youngsville to an undefeated season.

Tom coached varsity baseball for four years and led the team to its first and only playoff win. He coached Hot Stove Little League and his teams won three county championships. He coached Senior Legion baseball and teams in the women’s softball league. He was athletic director for Youngsville High School for more than 10 years.

Tom had great love and enthusiasm for Youngsville and all sports. He treated his players as family. On game trips he would buy meals for players lacking money. He would wash practice gear for players lacking laundry. He would give rides home to stranded players. He coached during a teacher’s strike to support his players. He stressed academics and tutored some players. Tom was a positive motivator who kept track of his players after graduation. When they returned to see him, he was concerned about how they were doing in life.