Ray Goss, who passed away yesterday at age 89, spent decades broadcasting IUP sports, and some of the names which were announced yesterday as members of the 2026 class of the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame were athletes whose exploits he covered.
This year’s induction class includes ten student-athletes, a legendary soccer coach, an All-American cross country team, and Audley ‘Pete’ Alexander as the Bell Ringer.
The 2026 Hall of Fame Class will be inducted on Saturday, September 26th prior to the IUP football game against Seton Hill.
Here’s the class:
John Franco – Football
2011-12
John Franco was a standout defensive back for IUP from 2011-12, appearing in 23 games and recording 124 tackles along with 11 interceptions, including five in 2011 and six in 2012. He played a key role in anchoring the nation’s No. 1 ranked defense in 2012, finishing that season with 62 tackles. Franco earned All-PSAC First Team honors in both 2011 and 2012, was named to the 2012 Super Region Team, and received All-American recognition five times following his senior season.
Helen Gilbey – Cross Country
1982-85
Helen Gilbey was one of the most accomplished runners in IUP women’s cross country history, earning All-American honors after finishing 18th at the 1984 NCAA Championship, the 14th-best finish in program history. She remains one of just 14 women’s cross country All-Americans at IUP. Beyond her collegiate career, Gilbey represented Singapore in the 10,000-meter marathon and became a pioneer in endurance sports internationally. She was the first female Singapore Triathlon champion in 1988, 1989, and 1991, won the first female mountain marathon at Mount Kinabalu in East Malaysia in 1991, and earned recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records for the Vertical Marathon in 1987 and 1988.
Matthew Kohler – Swimming
1980-83
Matthew Kohler was a standout member of IUP men’s swimming and diving, earning All-American honors in 1980, 1982, and 1983 during an accomplished collegiate career. His impact extended far beyond the pool, as he was later recognized with induction into the Eberly College of Business Hall of Distinction in 2022 and was named to the PSAC 75 anniversary team. Kohler also served with distinction in the United States Navy, retiring with the rank of Vice Admiral.
Krista Matsko – Track and Field
2011-14
A standout performer for IUP track and field, she ranks No. 2 in program history as part of both the 4×200-meter relay and 4×400-meter relay teams. In 2014, she earned All-American honors in the 400-meter hurdles after capturing the PSAC individual championship in the event. That same season, she was named the PSAC Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year and earned All-Region recognition in both the 100-meter hurdles and 400-meter hurdles.
Gary Milanovich – Football
1964-67
Gary Milanovich was a standout football player for IUP who earned statewide and regional recognition during his collegiate career. In 1965, he was named to the All-Pennsylvania State College Team and also received All-East Team honors, establishing himself as one of the top performers in the region that season.
Taylor Norwood – Lacrosse
2010-14
A dominant presence for IUP women’s lacrosse, she earned IWLCA All-American honors twice and was a four-time IWLCA All-Region selection as well as a four-time All-PSAC honoree. In 2014, she was named the NCAA Division II Defensive Player of the Year, highlighting one of the most accomplished defensive careers in program history. She remains IUP’s all-time leader in caused turnovers and ranks second all-time in ground balls.
Mike Steve – Baseball
1964-67
Steve was a key contributor to IUP baseball from 1964-67, posting a career batting average of .310 (100-for-322). He led the team in hitting during both the 1965 and 1966 seasons and helped guide the program to a 62-31 overall record during that span. Steve also earned All-District honors in 1965 and 1966, highlighting his consistency and impact as one of the team’s top offensive performers.
Randy Strayer – Wrestling
1980-84
Strayer was a standout wrestler for IUP who earned All-American honors in 1984, marking him as one of the top competitors in the nation during his collegiate career.
Kristen Tunno – Softball
2008-11
Tunno was a standout for IUP softball from 2008-11, showing steady growth throughout her career as the team improved from 17 wins to 19 wins, then back-to-back 38-win seasons. She helped lead IUP to a 2011 PSAC Championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance while finishing her career ranked second in program history with a .370 batting average. In 2009, she hit .390, which ranks sixth all-time at IUP, and finished with 192 career hits. Following her playing career, Tunno became the No. 2 winningest coach at Glenville State with 84 wins, served as Senior Woman Administrator, and went on to work in faculty within Sports Management.
Ryan Uhl – Baseball
2012-15
Ryan Uhl was one of the most accomplished players in IUP baseball history, earning All-American honors in 2015 after a dominant career with the Crimson Hawks. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 7th round of the 2015 MLB Draft and was named the 2014-15 IUP Men’s Athlete of the Year. Uhl was a finalist for the Tino Martinez Award as Division II Player of the Year and collected numerous All-American honors, including First Team recognition from the ABCA and NCBWA and Second Team honors from Daktronics in 2015, all at first base. He was also a multiple All-Atlantic Region and All-PSAC Western Division selection.
One of the most prolific hitters in program and PSAC history, Uhl set or ranked among the all-time leaders in several categories, including home runs (1st, 29 in 2015), home runs per game (1st, 0.66 in 2015), RBIs per game (1st, 1.68 in 2015), slugging percentage (1st, 1.085 in 2015), and total bases (1st, 154 in 2015). He also finished his career among IUP’s all-time leaders in home runs (42), RBIs (147), hits (177), runs scored (126), and doubles (36), while ranking 16th in career batting average (.337). Uhl’s 2015 season remains one of the most dominant offensive campaigns in school and conference history, setting multiple PSAC records and solidifying his legacy as one of the program’s all-time greats.
Coach/Administrator: Adel Heder – Soccer
2001-2022
With a 220-139 overall record, Adel Heder stands as the all-time winningest coach in IUP women’s soccer history. During his tenure, she led the Crimson Hawks to PSAC West regular-season championships in 2005 and 2006, along with 13 PSAC Tournament appearances, three NCAA Tournament appearances, and the 2004 PSAC Tournament Championship. Under his leadership, IUP produced 11 All-Region players, 83 All-PSAC selections, and she was recognized twice as the PSAC Coach of the Year.
Team: 1977 Men’s Cross Country
The 1977 IUP men’s cross country team delivered one of the most successful seasons in program history, capturing both the PSAC and regional championships. The Crimson Hawks capped their historic run with a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships, earning All-American team honors and solidifying their place among the elite programs in Division II cross country that season.
Bell Ringer: Audley “Pete” Alexander
A 50-plus-year supporter of IUP Athletics, Alexander has donated his time and service to various athletics committees, assisted professionally while at the bookstore in the acquisition of uniforms, and has financially supported the radio and business advertising programs, which in turn produced scholarships for student athletes. In addition to his service, he has been a loyal season ticket holder for many decades.
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