Berks Catholic High School has announced its 2026 Hall of Fame induction class, recognizing outstanding athletes, coaches, and contributors from Berks Catholic and its legacy schools Reading Catholic, Reading Central Catholic, and Holy Name. .

The 2026 Berks Catholic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday at 5:45 p.m. in the Franco-Post Auditorium at Berks Catholic High School.

Richard Carl “The Legend” Baer, Reading Catholic, Class of 1976

Richard Baer competed in football and baseball at Reading Catholic. A four-year football player, he played running back and defensive back and earned All-County recognition. Following graduation, Richard continued his football career at Kutztown University.

Matt Barber, Holy Name, Class of 1998

Matt Barber was a standout basketball player at Holy Name, earning three varsity letters. He was a member of Holy Name’s first County Championship team in 1997 and first District Championship team in 1998 and helped lead the Blue Jays to the 1998 PIAA State Runner-Up finish. He earned All-Division, All-County and All-State honors. Matt attended Elizabethtown College. He later returned to Catholic school athletics as a coach, serving as an assistant varsity basketball coach at Holy Name and later as an assistant varsity and head JV girls basketball coach at Berks Catholic.

Philip Bennethum Jr., Holy Name, Class of 1999

Philip Bennethum Jr. competed in football and track & field at Holy Name. He was a four-year varsity football letter winner and team captain, earning First Team and Second Team All-County honors along with First Team and two Second Team All-League selections. He also earned three varsity letters in track & field. Phil attended Kutztown University, where he played football. He later returned to Holy Name/Berks Catholic as a youth football coach from 2006 through 2021. He began coaching varsity football at Berks Catholic in 2011 and continues to serve on the Saints’ coaching staff today.

Thomas Joseph Gallagher, Central Catholic, Class of 1974

Thomas Gallagher competed in football, basketball, and track & field at Central Catholic. He was a three-year football letter winner who earned numerous league and county honors and was selected to play in the 1974 Berks County All-Star Football Game. Tom was also a three-year basketball letter winner and a member of Central Catholic’s 1973 Suburban Catholic League Championship team, while also lettering in track & field. He was also honored as the Outstanding Senior Male Athlete in 1974. He received a four-year football scholarship to the University of Rhode Island, where he played defensive back and earned three varsity letters.

Laura Koch Binder, Holy Name, Class of 2003

Laura Koch Binder competed in field hockey and basketball at Holy Name. She was a four-year field hockey letter winner and three-year basketball letter winner and was a member of Holy Name’s 2002 County Championship basketball team. Laura continued her field hockey career at Washington & Jefferson College, where she earned four varsity letters, served as senior captain and received Second Team All-Conference recognition.

Mary McHale, Central Catholic, Class of 1990

Mary McHale competed in softball, basketball, and field hockey at Central Catholic. She was a four-year softball letter winner and three-year basketball letter winner, earned All-County and All-Division recognition. She was the Most Valuable Player on both the basketball and softball teams her senior year and was honored as Central Catholic’s Outstanding Senior Female Athlete in 1990. Mary continued her education at Alvernia College.

Kelly Starr McClennan, Holy Name, Class of 1981

Kelly Starr McClennan was a three-sport athlete at Holy Name, competing in field hockey, basketball, and track. She earned three varsity letters each in field hockey and basketball and one in track. Kelly was an All-Berks field hockey selection as a junior and a unanimous All-Berks choice as a senior, while also earning two All-Division selections in basketball. She accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Delaware, where she played field hockey during her freshman and sophomore seasons and earned a varsity letter before a knee injury ended her playing career.

Mark “Bird” Kopcik, Holy Name, Class of 1975

Mark Kopcik was a standout track & field and cross-country athlete at Holy Name. A four-year varsity track letter winner, he became one of the area’s premier hurdlers and established school, meet and county records during an outstanding senior season. He also competed in cross country during his junior and senior years and was named Holy Name’s Most Valuable Runner in 1975. Mark later returned to Catholic school athletics, serving as an assistant track coach at Reading Central Catholic from 1990 through 1993.

James Alan Lubas, Holy Name, Class of 1971

James Lubas excelled in track & field and basketball at Holy Name. A standout hurdler, Lubas established school and meet records and captured state championships in both the 120-yard-high hurdles and 180-yard low hurdles. He was also a member of Holy Name’s 1970 PCIAA Class B State Championship basketball team. Jim received a track & field scholarship to Mount St. Mary’s College, where he competed in both indoor and outdoor track in the hurdles, intermediate hurdles and relay events.

Victoria “Vicki” Gallen-Schutt, Coach

Victoria “Vicki” Gallen-Schutt was a standout field hockey player at Wilson High School and Villanova University before beginning an outstanding coaching career. After serving as head coach at Exeter Township, Schutt became the head field hockey coach at Berks Catholic from the program’s beginning in 2011. During her first 15 seasons, her teams captured nine division championships, advanced to the Berks County championship game twice, and qualified for the District and State playoffs 14 times. Vicki’s program has also produced more than a dozen Division I field hockey players, demonstrating the impact she has had on the development of Berks Catholic student-athletes.

David “Dave” Stahler, Holy Name, Class of 1999

David Stahler was a three-year letter winner in both football and basketball, serving as a team captain and starter during his scholastic career. He attended the University of Pittsburgh before beginning a coaching career that has spanned more than 25 years at Holy Name and Berks Catholic. Dave has coached junior high football and basketball as well as varsity football and basketball and has served in numerous athletic leadership roles. He became Berks Catholic’s head football coach in 2023 and led the Saints from five wins in his first season to seven in 2024 and nine wins in 2025, giving him 21 victories in his first three seasons as head coach.

Emily Joseph Zientek, Central Catholic, Class of 1992

Emily Joseph Zientek competed in field hockey, basketball, and softball throughout her career at Central Catholic, earning eight varsity letters. She was the starting center on the 1992 District Championship basketball team that advanced to the PIAA State Quarterfinals and was named Central Catholic’s Outstanding Senior Female Athlete of the Year in 1992. Emily attended East Stroudsburg University, where she played basketball.

Lisa Cammarano-Muhler, Central Catholic, Class of 1977

Lisa Cammarano-Muhler competed in field hockey and basketball for four years at Central Catholic and was also a member of the cheerleading squad for two years. She was the recipient of Central Catholic’s Outstanding Senior Female Athlete in 1977. Following graduation, Lisa attended Harcum Junior College, where she continued her field hockey career.