RUTH FRY/The Luminary The Hughesville High school Athletic Hall of Fame Committee members inducted three into the Hall of Fame on Sept. 30 during half time of the Hughesville vs. Bloomsburg football game. Above, Wes Whipple, is accepting the plaque on behalf of the late Clyde Frantz, with committee member, Chris Lechien, inductee Bill Babcock, committee member Bud Haynes, and inductee Danny Smith.

HUGHESVILLE – The Hughesville Athletic Hall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce this year’s inductees into the Athletic Hall of Fame. They are Bill Babcock, Danny Smith and the late Clyde Frantz. Induction was held at halftime of the Bloomsburg versus Hughesville Football game on September 30, 2016.

Clyde Frantz, who is deceased, graduated from Hughesville in 1967. Clyde was Hughesville’s first two-time State Champion Wrestler, winning titles in 1966 as a junior and 1967 his senior year. He was a three-time sectional, three-time district and two-time regional champion as well.

His high school career was 71-3 going undefeated his junior and senior years. He continued his wrestling career at Penn State University compiling a record of 49-7-2. Clyde was a three-time Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Champion being named the outstanding wrestler two times. He was the captain at Penn State and an All American finishing third his sophomore year. Clyde graduated from Penn State in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Physical Education.

He then continued his college education at Temple graduating Magnum Cum Laude in 1974 with a degree in Physical Therapy. Clyde was inducted into the EIWA Hall of Fame in 2001 and retired from Physical Therapy in 1995. Clyde passed away on May 19, 2016, and will be represented by his first cousin, Wes Whipple.

Bill Babcock graduated from Hughesville in 1967, where he played football for four years, lettering three years. He was the co-captain and MVP his senior year, West Branch Conference first team offensive guard and also received the Golden Helmet Award.

Bill played freshmen football at Mansfield College in 1967. He was a member of the Malone College baseball team as a catcher from 1971-1973.

He coached football at Hughesville for 12 years, basketball for 22 years, and baseball for 3 years. He coached East Lycoming Little League Baseball for 9 years and American Legion Baseball for 14 years. Bill also played and coached North Branch Baseball for the Picture Rock Rockets for 15 years. He retired from his career as a teacher with the East Lycoming School District after 35 and a half years in 2006.

Danny Smith graduated from Hughesville in 1972. He lettered three years in football at Hughesville and was co-captain his junior and senior year, captaining the team to its first-ever West Branch Class B Championship his senior year. Danny lettered four years in track and field and was a two-time District IV place winner in the pole vault qualifying for the PIAA State Track Meet his senior year. He lettered two years in wrestling and was a member of the West Branch Championship Team in 1972. Danny played freshmen football at East Stroudsburg College and lettered in indoor track in the pole vault in 1972. He was a student athletic trainer at Pittsburgh University for the football, baseball and basketball teams from 1975 1977.

Danny coached football at Hughesville at all levels for a total of 23 years including a stint as the Head Varsity Football Coach. He also coached junior high wrestling for five years and was a volunteer track coach for ten years. Danny was an East Lycoming Little League Baseball coach for six years. He was Hughesville’s first athletic trainer and served in that role for five years. Danny retired from the East Lycoming School District after teaching physical education for 35 years.

If you know anyone you feel is worthy of inclusion into the Athletic Hall of Fame, contact any of the committee members or the East Lycoming School District. Committee members are Beth Myers, Chris Lechien, Mike Bigger, Mike Fought, Buddy Haynes, Carm Grieco and Dayl McClintock.