Franklin High School Hall of Fame 

2021 Induction Class 

Updated Press Release

March 15, 2021

The Franklin High School Hall of Fame was created in 2010 to recognize those individuals or groups whose actions or achievements in their chosen field bring honor and distinction to the heritage of Franklin High School. The Hall of Fame Committee had previously selected the 2020 class last spring.  Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 induction had to be postponed. The 2020 class will now be the 2021 Franklin High School Hall of Fame Class. Please plan to join us Thursday evening, during Applefest 2021, to celebrate the successes of the newest Franklin High School Hall of Fame Induction Class.

The 2021 Induction Class:

The late Ms. Michele Basham, Class of ‘84 is being honored for her athletic achievements in Track and Field. Ms. Basham had an outstanding career as a sprinter at Franklin, and she still holds FHS Track records in both the 100 meter and 200 meter dash. She was nearly undefeated during dual meets in her four years and was a top runner at the district level and a state qualifier in three events during her career. 

Dr. William H. Fee will be enshrined for his service and commitment to Franklin High School. A Duke University grad, Dr. Fee has practiced medicine for over fifty-two years. As a school district medical provider for over thirty years, he has spent decades committing himself to the students and athletes of Franklin High School. 

Mr. G. Robert Irons is also being honored for his service. The Hall of Fame selection committee is recognizing Mr. Irons for his lifetime service to Franklin High School and to the community. Throughout and beyond his thirty-three-year career, Mr. Irons impacted countless lives as a teacher, coach, and active member of the Franklin community. 

Mr. Matt Koziara, Class of ‘95 is also being recognized for athletic achievement. Mr. Koziara led both the basketball and baseball programs to their first-ever District 10 Championships. A four-year starter on the court, the two-time TCAC MVP is currently ranked third in FHS career scoring with 1285 points. As a pitcher, he finished with a 17-5 career record and helped Franklin to conference championships in both his junior and senior seasons. He continued his baseball career at the NCAA level before spending eight years playing professionally. 

The late Mr. Richard “Dick” Russell, Class of ‘49 will be enshrined in the category of lifetime recognition. Mr. Russell is being honored for his lifetime commitment to Franklin High School and the community. An outstanding athlete in football, basketball, and baseball, he was famously a member of the 1949 Section II Basketball Champions while at Franklin. Mr. Russell would go on to become a well-respected educator and coach for thirty-three years. The Dick Russell Memorial Basketball Tournament played yearly during the holidays is named in his honor. 

The 2001 Boys Basketball Team has been selected for its athletic achievement. The first PIAA State Champion team in school history was coached by Franklin High School Hall of Famer Bill Hager (Head Coach), along with Hunter Anderson (Assistant Coach) and Greg Miller (JV Coach). The 2001 campaign was a true team effort, with starters Joe Grill, J.J. Horne, Greg Loeffert, Jason Rockwell, and Shaun Grill playing in rotation with a deep bench of Dave Hall, Aaron Fetty, Ryan Wilson, Graham Collins, Nick Hager, Bill Hasson, Justin Hudson, Travis McFarland, Eric O’Brien, Jeremy Peterson, Bobby Reitz, Matt Shouey, and Ben Edmondson. The team was also crowned Elks Tip-off, Christmas Tournament, TCAC, and District 10 AAA champion in route to their state title, and it finished with a record of 30-2.

This outstanding class will be officially inducted on September 30, during Franklin’s Applefest celebration. A reception will be held at the Quality Inn, and tickets can be reserved by inquiring with Dave Smith at smithd@fasd.k12.pa.us or calling the Franklin High School Office. If anyone had previously reserved tickets for the 2020 ceremony, they will be reserved a spot for the 2021 event as well. The FHS Hall of Fame selection committee would like to thank all of those who submitted nominations, and it invites everyone in the community to join us at the tenth FHS Hall of Fame induction ceremony in the fall of 2021.