Area leaders honor Shaler baseball, softball and volleyball stars

It was a good thing Shaler Township School Board moved its Aug. 9 meeting to the Middle School Auditorium. The extra space was needed to accommodate their honored guests and families.

The school board opened the meeting by simultaneously honoring Shaler’s PIAA Class 5A baseball champions, the Titans girls softball and boys volleyball state finalists. Before Shaler, no other high school had ever had three teams in the finals in the same season in PIAA history.

Elected officials from across the district were on hand, including State Sen. Lindsey Williams, who presented a Senate Citation to the teams as well as a House Citation on behalf of former State Rep. Sara Innamorato. County councilwomen Bethany Hallam and Anita Prizio presented a county council proclamation.

“I just want to congratulate you all. This is a feat,” Hallam said. “I am a North Hills grad and Shaler was our rival and I have to say that because the fact that I’m standing here today in rival territory proves what you have accomplished and I hope we’ll be here next year to celebrate you doing it again.”

Commissioners from Shaler and Millvale, Millvale mayor Brian Spoales as well as Etna council members were also on hand to recognize the student-athletes and coaches.

“I think this is a culmination of years of hard work, having these three teams achieve such great things,” Shaler athletic director Clint Rauscher told the gathering. “All three of these programs have built bases of great athletes and I think all three of them have great expectations again for next year. It’s really a testament to what our community does, what our youth coaches do, our parents, the effort you put in as well as the kids — this is for all of you.”