TSCT Inducts 8 to Athletic Hall of Fame
Lancaster, PA - On Friday, October 21, 2017, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology inducted 8 former Bulldogs into the Athletic Hall of Fame.
It was a night of nostalgia as Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology honors our new inductees into the Thaddeus Stevens Athletic Hall of Fame.
"The honor bestowed upon our inductees is a true testament to their dedication to their sport, as well as a demonstration of their accomplishments while here at Stevens," said Thaddeus Stevens Dean of Student Services and Athletic Director Chris Metzler
Those honored were Michael J. Ancona (Class of 1985), John T. Atkins Jr. (1985), Milton E. Baxter Jr. (1970), Frank R. Gaffney (2012), Larry R. Karper (1965), Stephen L. Montgomery (1960), Joseph "CT" Wang (1958) and Steven L. Washington (1992).
"Athletics have always been an integral part of Stevens, and they support the college's mission," said Thaddeus Stevens president William Griscom. "For more than a century, Stevens has excelled on the court and in the field of athletic competition. This success is truly remarkable when viewed in context of the limited resources and facilities that were available for athletics."
Michael J. Ancona '85
Major at Stevens: Electrical Technology
Sport(s): Football
Years Played: 2
Position(s): Center
Michael Ancona graduated from Thaddeus Stevens in 1985 from the Electrical Technology Program. He played football for two seasons as the center of the offensive line. He opened the way for the running backs that averaged over 4.5 yards per carry in 1984. As the anchor of the offensive line, he set the tone each game with his physical play.
After graduating from Stevens, Ancona worked for Tri-M Corporation, Lozinak Electric, and Moss Rehabilitation Hospital. Currently retired, Ancona now resides in Monticello, New Mexico.
John T. Atkins Jr. '85
Major at Stevens: Electronics Technology
Sport(s): Football
Years Played: 2
Position(s): Offensive Lineman
John Atkins Jr. graduated from Thaddeus Stevens in 1985 from the Electronics Technology Program. Atkins was a guard on the offensive line for two years. In combination with fellow inductee, Michael Ancona, running backs found many holes to run through. The top three running backs for the Bulldogs combined for 550 yards in just eight games in 1985.
After graduation, Atkins attended Mansfield University where he also played on the offensive line. Behind the blocks of Atkins, Mansfield had two running backs rush for more than 700 yards in one season. In 1994 he received the Butsko Award, the most prestigious honor given to a football player at Mansfield. In 2010 Mansfield named an award in his honor, the John “Jay” Atkins Mountie, given to the football player who shows remarkable courage while demonstrating perseverance and dignity in overcoming adversity. Atkins was also named to Mansfield
University Football All NCAA Division II team in honor of the schools 125th year for football.
Atkins now resides in Cortland, New Jersey and has two children.
Milton E. Baxter Jr. '79
Major at Stevens: Cabinetmaking Technology
Sport(s): Basketball
Years Played: 2
Position(s): Forward
Milton Baxter, Jr. graduated in 1979 from the Cabinetmaking
Technology Program. Baxter was a forward on the basketball
team for two seasons at Stevens. He led the team to a 14 and 7 record in 1978-79 including four games where the Bulldogs scored over 100 points. The highlight of the 78-79 season was when the team won the Alvernia Tournament and then was able to present the trophy to then president, Dr. Cohen. As a freshman Baxter averaged over 15 points a game. His teams also went 3-0 against rival Williamson during his tenure.
After graduating from Stevens, Baxter started his own successful construction company, Baxter’s Custom Building. The business has been operating now for 38 years.
Baxter now resides in Coatesville, Pennsylvania and has three children and three grandchildren.
Frank R. Gaffney '12
Major at Stevens: Plumbing & Blueprint Technology
Sport(s): Football
Years Played: 2
Position(s): Quarterback
Frank Gaffney graduated from Thaddeus Stevens in 2012 from the Plumbing Technology Program. Gaffney was the quarterback at Stevens for two seasons, during which his teams won back-to-back Seaboard Championships. In 2010 Gaffney was named the Seaboard Conference MVP, Offensive MVP, and Team MVP. In 2011 he was named the Seaboard Conference Player of the
Year, Offensive MVP, and Team MVP.
After graduating from Stevens, Gaffney attended Lebanon Valley
College and was a two-time All MAC conference defensive player. He was also named to the USA College Football First-Team All-American team, Division II Football.com All-East 1st team, and was a National Bowl Senior All Star Game participant in his senior year at Lebanon Valley.
After college Gaffney went to work for HCR Manor Care and is the Director of Maintenance there. Gaffney now resides in Schuykill Haven, Pennsylvania.
Larry R. Karper '65
Major at Stevens: Carpentry Technology
Sport(s): Wrestling
Years Played: 3
Weight Class(es): 157 lbs.
Larry Karper graduated from Thaddeus Stevens in 1965 from the
Carpentry Technology Program. Karper was on the wrestling team while at Stevens for three years. In his senior year he went 7-1. One of the highlights in that year was winning the Carlisle Wrestling Tournament at the 145lb weight class for the second year in a row. He also led his team to a 6-2 dual meet record. During the 1963-64 season, Karper went 7-2 for a team that was 9-1 in dual meets. That season the grapplers outscored their opponents 227 to 79 in team points. In his first season as a wrestler (1963) Karper was 7-0 with two ties and finished second in the Carlisle Wrestling Tournament. In addition to wrestling, Karper also participated in intramural sports at Stevens.
Karper now resides in Florence, Montana.
Stephen L. Montgomery, MD '60
Major at Stevens: Mechanical Drafting Technology
Sport(s): Football, Track & Field, Wrestling
Years Played: 3
Letters: Track & Field, Wrestling
- Position(s): Offensive & Defensive Right End
- Weight Classes: 147 lbs.
- Events: Poles Vaulter, Miler, 440-yard dash
Dr. Stephen Montgomery graduated from the Mechanical Drafting Technology Program at Thaddeus Stevens in 1960. Montgomery played on the Football, Wrestling, and Track and Field teams for 3 years. In football he was a member of both the offensive and defensive lines. In track Montgomery was a pole vaulter, miler, and ran the 440-yard dash for 3 years. After Stevens, Montgomery went on to Boston University College of Engineering and graduated with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1965. While at Boston University, he was a member of the Track & Field and Wrestling teams.
He received the Boston University College of Engineering Award for outstanding achievements and contributions in intercollegiate sports. From Boston University, Montgomery went on to attend Dartmouth Medical School and then Harvard Medical School and graduated 1969 as a medical doctor. He completed a surgical Internship and Residency in 1973 at University of California at San Francisco at HC Moffitt Hospital. Dr. Montgomery worked for the Washington Hospital Healthcare System as a board certified emergency physician and officer of Fremont Emergency Medical Group for 40 years. He has been a long-time member of the American Board of Emergency Medicine Certification and the American Academy of Emergency Physicians. In 1976 he was awarded by the Stevens Trade School Alumni Association in recognition of outstanding personal accomplishments.
After college he continued to participate in athletics, running in 12 marathons with a best time of 2 hours and 40 minutes. Montgomery is married with four children and two grandchildren and resides in Fremont, California.
CT (Joe) Wang '58
Major at Stevens: Electrical Construction Technology
Sport(s): Football, Wrestling
Years Played: 4
Position(s): Fullback, Center LB
Joseph “CT” Wang graduated from Thaddeus Stevens in 1958 from the Electrical Construction Technology Program. Wang played for the football team while at Stevens as a fullback and linebacker for four years. His senior year the football team went 8-0, the Bulldogs second undefeated season in a row.
Additionally, he competed as a member of the Wrestling Team for four years. Wang was also a member of the Varsity Club, Yearbook staff, Gym club, Photo Club, and participated in intramural sports.
After graduating from Stevens, Wang made a career in the United
States Air Force. While serving in the USAF, he accrued more than 4700 hours and notably flew 350 missions in an F-100 in VietNam during two tours (1964-65 and 1969-70). Mr. Wang retired from the USAF as a Colonel.
Mr. Wang has also worked for NAPA, TRACOR Flight Systems, Habitat for Humanity, ASI, and AGI. He is currently an FAA certified flight instructor, instructing aerobatics, spin training, loss of control recovery, and tail-dragger certifications.
Wang is married to Susan, and they have four children and ten
grandchildren. He currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Steven L. Washington '92
Major at Stevens: Printing Technology
Sport(s) Played: Track & Field, Wrestling
Years Played: 2, 1
Long Jump, High Jump, 4x100, 4x400
Steven Washington graduated from Thaddeus Stevens in 1992 from the Printing Technology Program.
Washington was a member of the Track & Field Team for two years. He set the record at Stevens in the long jump with a distance of 24’8”. He twice was a finalist for Regionals and finished 4th at the National meet in the long jumps during his time at Stevens. He also was a high jumper and sprinter (4x100, and 4x400) for the Bulldog track team. Washington also played football for one season. A true all around athlete, Washington finished second on the 2-on-2 basketball intramural team his senior year.
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