Julius ‘Dr. J’ Erving speaks at Blair Co. Hall of Fame induction ceremony

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) – This year’s Blair County Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony saw one of the most iconic basketball players of all time step foot into Altoona.

Hall of Famer Julius “Dr. J” Erving was this year’s guest speaker and welcomed in the 20th Hall of Fame class in Blair County sports history.

“All athletes are from small towns. The majority come from humble beginnings,” Erving said.

For some of the inductees, it was a humble homecoming.

“It allows you to come full circle,” long-time NCAA football coach Tom Turchetta said. “I had a chance to come home, I’m getting to see a lot of folks that I grew up with and knew throughout my childhood and adolescence.”

“I’ve recognized at least 50 faces so far, so it’s really great to see the support from the community,” Bishop Guilfoyle and Saint Francis star women’s basketball player Alli Williams said.

Standout bowler and golfer Artie Fink Jr., Louisville track star Rachel Gehret and decorated girls basketball coach Mark Moschella joined Williams and Turchetta as individual inductees. The 2022 Hollidaysburg Little League team , which advanced to the Little League World Series, was also inducted.

“Especially to be in the Hall of Fame this young, and with all of our teammates still here, it’s a great honor,” Braden Hatch said.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing. For something we can do as young as we are, to be inducted in here, I think it’s unbelievable,” Ty McGough said.

Erving wanted to inform the team about how important it is to focus on academics.

“Sports should be extracurricular. They shouldn’t be your life,” he said. “Being a student is probably more important than being an athlete.”

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The 11-time NBA All-Star wanted to showcase that anyone can be successful no matter where you are from.

“Trying to find out how to take things that you’ve naturally gifted at doing to the next level l by hard work and preparation,” Erving added. “(Have) some guidelines to stand by and adhere to of having role models with which to look at and get inspiration from as well as get some direction from.”

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