Over the course of his career in education, John Barr spent 35 years serving as teacher, coach, Administrator and author. He was a head football coach for 22 years, working, learning and growing through his relationships with hundreds of outstanding young men at Upper Dublin, Glen Mills, Cheltenham, Downingtown and Coatesville High Schools. John played high school football at Springfield High School in Delaware County and went on to play defensive back at West Chester State College, where he was inducted into the WCU Hall of Fame of 1998. John was also inducted into the Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association (PSFC) Hall of Fame in 2017.

During his time as head coach of the Downingtown Whippets from 1988 to 1996, he compiled a record of 74 wins, 31 losses and 3 ties. The Whippets captured Ches-Mont Championships in 1990, 1994 and 1996, District 1 titles in 1994 and 1996, Eastern Shore Championships in 1994, 1996 and the PIAA AAAA State Championships in 1996. *Note: The 1996 team remains the only Chester County school to win a PIAA state football Championship. The team averaged 45 points per game against one of the toughest schedules in the state.

Coach Barr was named Coach of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer in both 1994 and 1996. In 2002 he retired from coaching to serve as an assistant principal at Coatesville High School and Owen J. Roberts High School. He later authored the book Before Glory, published in 2013.

Awards/Records: Four-time Ches-Mont League winner (Downingtown 1990, 1994, 1996 and at Coatesville 1989) PIAA District One Titles – 1994, 1996. PIAA Eastern State Champion in 1994 and PIAA State Champions in 1996. John Barr was also named Coach of the Year by the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1994 and 1996.

Mikal Bridges – Professional Basketball

Mikal Bridge's basketball story began at Great Valley High School. In his senior year he averaged 18.5 points per game to go with 7.2 rebounds. He finished his high school career with 1340 points and was named First Team All-State. He was ranked among the top 100 players nationally.

He was recruited by Villanova University where he was a member of two National Championship teams, first in 2016 and again in 2018. He was also the recipient of numerous collegiate basketball awards. In 2017, he was named to the Big East Second Team and was named Big East Co-Defensive player of the year. In 2018, he was Big East First Team, Big East Tournament MVP, and named Third Team All American. He also won the Julius Erving Award, given to the top collegiate small forward, that same year. He was the 10th pick in the first round of the NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers but traded to the Phoenix Suns on draft night. He played for Phoenix from 2018 to 2023, spent a year with Brooklyn Nets, and was traded to New York Knicks where he currently plays. Considered to be one of the most durable NBA players, at the conclusion of the 25-26 season, he had played in 638 consecutive games, the longest streak of any active player. He was named NBA All Defensive First Team in 2022.

Bridges recently signed a four year, $150 million extension that will keep him with the Knicks through 2030.

Dan Ellis – Football

Dan Ellis may own the most impressive resume in Chester County football history. Playing for Downingtown HS from 1994-1996, he helped lead the Whippets to state recognition. His junior & senior years, he started at both linebacker and quarterback. He was such a smart quarterback, his coach allowed him to call every play at the line of scrimmage, rewarding his team with a 8-3 record and a share of the Ches-Mont title in 1995.

In 1996, Ellis recorded what some feel was the greatest individual season in Chester County history. He threw 30 touchdown passes & rushed for another 22 scores on the ground. With him calling the plays, his team scored 671 points in 15 games while averaging 435 yards per game. Downingtown won 14 games, culminating the season with winning the PIAA AAAA State Championship.

His senior year he was invited to play in the Big 33 game and earned a scholarship to the University of Virginia. In addition, Ellis was named the 1996 Player of the Year by the Daily Local News, the Ches-Mont League, the Philadelphia Inquirer &the Maxwell Football Club. He was also named the AP Pennsylvania Big School Player of the Year. At Virginia, Ellis was the starting quarterback for two years & threw for 3,974 yards & 28 touchdowns.

Coaching became Dan’s continued involvement with football. He was offensive coordinator in the early 2000’s at Downingtown East & helped develop Pat Devlin into a NFL quarterback. He was the head coach at Springfield HS & led them into the District I playoffs. He coached several years at West Chester East before taking over the Great Valley High school program, leading them to a District I title in 2014. He continues coaching today as Henderson High Schools offensive coordinator.

Dan is very deserving of recognition.

Frank Farley – Adult Baseball/Broadcaster

Frank Farley served many years as a director of the West Chester Adult Baseball League from the mid-1950’s to the early 1970’s. The league currently is in its 69th year of service to baseball players from around Chester County.

Many of the participants in the baseball league went on to have outstanding college and professional careers including the likes of Jon Matlack (NY Mets), the Greenwood brothers, Bob Ludwig, Sr., Jamie Moyer, Pat Kelly and many more.

Farley for his service, has been inducted into the West Chester Adult League Hall of Fame. The baseball field at Hoopes Park has been renamed as Frank Farley Field. On that same day in 1994 West Chester Mayor Yoder proclaimed the day as Frank Farley Day in the Borough.

Frank became a sports broadcaster at station WCOJ and worked with Art Douglas. The two broadcasters covered high school football and basketball games thru League, Districts and State competitions. Frank formed relationships with notable coaches such as Jack Maclellan, Ross Kershey, Chuck Carroll, Leon Bell and many more. In 2014 he was inducted into the Ches-Mont League Hall of Fame along with Art Douglas.

Farley was known for his coverage of West Chester University football and basketball teams thru their League Championships and NCAA Bowl Games. He covered “the Might Macs” of Immaculata Womens’ basketball fame in their National Championship run. Frank even broadcast a game from Madison Square Garden for the Mighty Macs and coach Cathy Rush. Along the way he worked with WCU coaches such as Killinger, Bonder, Yoder, Mitten and many others.

Frank Farley was a World War II veteran serving with the US Army Corps of Engineer. His life goal was that you should give back to the community in which you live.

Bobby Horsey – Lacrosse /Player -Coach

Bobby has built a lacrosse career defined by leadership and excellence. He played on the Varsity team at West Chester East High School under Head Coach Mike Colley. He Co-Captained the team in 1997, earning two USA Lacrosse All-American honors. His athletic talents and success earned him a lacrosse scholarship to Loyola College in Baltimore, Maryland where he started all four years, captained the team, and received the Mohler Award as the institution’s Most Outstanding Male Athlete. Bobby’s professional lacrosse career showcased his elite abilities from 2002 to 2009, capturing two World Championships with the Philadelphia Barrage Lacrosse team, and representing Team USA to a Bronze Medal in 2007.

Currently Bobby dedicates himself to coaching, serving as an elite skills instructor with Bethesda and DC Express Lacrosse Clubs, a premier coach for Committed Combine, and a faculty member and coach at The Bullis School in Potomac, Maryland. He mentors high school coaching programs nationwide.

Leadership and Achievements (1996-2016)

Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (2016)
US Lacrosse Assistant Coach of the Year (2006)
National Lacrosse League Player (2002-2007)
US Indoor Lacrosse Team Member (2007)
World Indoor League Championships Bronze Medal
US Lacrosse D1 All-American (2001)
Loyola Lacrosse Team Captain (2001)
Loyola College Mohler Award
Most Outstanding Male Athlete (2001)

Football

West Chester East Football Captain (1996-97)
Butch V. Mc Dewitt Award Nominee (1997)
Football All Ches-Mont team (1996)
Honorable Mention (1997)
Outstanding Linebacker Award(1997)

Lacrosse

John Carroll School in Maryland
Invitational Tournament MVP (1994)
Four year starter, Co-Captain (1997)
West Chester East Offensive Player of the Year (1996)
Daily Local News All-Area Team (1994,1995,1996,1997)
Daily Local News Player of the Year (1997)
Philadelphia Inquirer All-Area First Team (1997)
Pennsylvania State Lacrosse Association All-State Team (1997)
Suburban Pennsylvania League All-Star Team
Sandy Phillips MVP Award (1997)

Deborah Lewis – Track & Field

Deborah L. Lewis was born in Chester County in 1961. She attended Avon Grove High School where she played hockey, basketball and track and field. During her freshman year (1976) Deborah anchored Avon Grove’s 440-yard relay, winning gold at the Penn Relays. Her team continued to win the SCCL and PIAA district one title in the 440-yard relay and 880-yard relay, in addition to PIAA State Title in the 880-yard relay.

Deborah placed 2nd in the district and 3rd in the state 100-yard dash and anchored the 440-yard relay to victory at the National Junior Olympics, where she and her team eventually won the National AAU Women’s team Championship.

In 1977 Deborah was undefeated in the 100 and 220-yard dashes during her sophomore year, winning gold medals in the league, district and State Championships and set a new state record in the 220-yard dash. During the State meet she anchored the 440-yard relay to gold, where Avon Grove won the PIAA State Championship. Deborah was later named in 1977’s Spring Edition of High School All American.

In 1978 Deborah added the triple jump to her Championships. In the District Championships she took first place in the 100-yard dash, 220-yard dash and triple jump. She set new records in all 3 events and again won the 100 & 200-yard meter dashes and also won gold in the long jump. Her performance led her to become the first female track athlete with 3 gold medals in PIAA history.

After high school Deborah attended Penn State earning a varsity letter and contributing to the team, setting records in the 200 meters & 400-meter relay. She transferred to the University of Maryland for her sophomore year and managed to qualify for the Olympic trials prior to an injury that ended her running career.

Chas McCormick – Major League Baseball

Chas McCormick began his illustrious athletic career at Henderson High School where he was a four time All Ches-Mont League athlete. At Millersville University he was the first to score 1000 points in basketball and to have 100 career hits in baseball. He became the PSAC all-time hits leader and was named All PSAC East Player four times and an All American. He set records in hits, run, RBI’s and triples as well.

He was selected by the Houston Astros in 2017. In 2021 he made his MLB debut against the Oakland Athletics. He was a member of the 2022 World Series Championship. In 2023 McCormick put together the best month of his career. In July he had six home runs and twenty-three RBI’ s. He was named American League Player of the Week for the first time. He went seven for eleven, batting .636 with three home runs, drove in five runs and scored seven times.

In July 2023 McCormick played in 115 games and batted career highs .273, .353, .489 and .842. He had 457 plate appearances, 110 hits, 59 runs scored, 17 doubles, 22 home runs, and 70 RBI’s.

In January 2025 the Astros signed McCormick to a new contract. As a right-handed batter and left-handed thrower McCormick was one of two position players to play in the major leagues in 2023.

In addition to being an outstanding professional baseball player with the Houston Astros Major League Baseball Team, he volunteers every off-season to mentor the Henderson High School Baseball Team.

Louis “Paddy” Neilson – National Steeplechase Champion 11 Times

Louis Neilson known as “ Paddy” achieved a record as the best in his sport. He has been awarded the National Steeplechase Award eleven times. He has been called the “Michael Jordan of the Timber Racing Jockeys”. He accumulated his record against amateur and professional riders, and his record in Timber racing is unparalleled.

He began riding at the age of six and rode his first race at fourteen. At fifteen he won the Maryland Grand National, a national premier event in horse racing. He went on to win 150 races including every major Timber race over four decades. He rode in the prestigious Maryland Hunt Cup twenty-one times while winning three times. He was the National Steeplechase Association Amateur Rider eleven times.

He became a successful trainer of Steeplechase horses in 1987. He was a passionate fox hunter. Paddy was Chairman of the Pennsylvania Hunt Cup Committee for seventeen years and founded the Plumstead Point-to-Point Races.

He was truly the best in his field with his children and grandchildren following in his footsteps. Paddy is the only winning father to have a daughter win the Maryland Hunt Cup in its over one hundred years of existence. He was very civic minded serving as Chairman of Space and Parks and Recreation for London Grove Township. He was a true sportsman.

Cindy Timchal – Lacrosse Coach

On March 10, 2026, Cindy Timchal won her 600th D1 Lacrosse game - the first head coach, man or woman, to do so. A graduate of West Chester University, Cindy is renowned for her unmatched coaching career.

Her first job was at Unionville HS, where she coached field hockey, basketball & lacrosse. She soon moved on to UPenn where she was an assistant coach for field hockey & lacrosse. Cindy’s head coaching job began in 1982, when she went to Northwestern U. While there, she posted a winning season for eight out of nine years, reaching the NCAA tournament 5 times. In 1991, Timchal headed to the University of Maryland for a 15 year stint. She won her first NCAA Championship the very next year, 1992. In 1995, Maryland went on a 50 game winning streak, capturing NCAA championships for seven straight years. In 2006, Timchal moved on to the US Naval Academy to take the team from club status to DI, going 13-4 her first year. In her 15 years at Navy, she has amassed a record of 257-81 and has appeared in seven national championship games.

Cindy is known as coaching the whole human - mind, body & spirit. She has turned each program she has led into a powerhouse. Her influence & mentorship has resulted in 30+ current Division I coaches. One of the most successful women coaches of all times, Cindy is deserving of this CCSHOF recognition.

Robert Vance – Tennis Doubles Champ/Bloomsburg

Robert (Rob) Vance achieved an outstanding record in tennis, first at Phoenixville Area High School and then at Bloomsburg College. At Phoenixville Area High School between (1973-76) – Vance lost only one league match in 4 years of Ches-Mont League play. He was named All-League all four years he competed. In 1974 as a sophomore, Vance paired with teammate Tim McAvoy to win Ches-Mont and District 1 titles and the State PIAA Doubles Championship. During his senior year Vance was a District 1 Singles runner-up and finished 3rd at the State PIAA Singles competition. While in high School Vance competed in 3 national tournaments (USTA): National Interscholastic (Duke), Westerns (Springfield, Ohio), and National Hardcourts (Kalamazoo, MI).

Vance competed in international tournaments in Canada and Bermuda having success, winning the Doubles Title at the Bermuda National Junior Open. A multisport athlete in high school, Vance was the starting point guard on the PAHS Ches-Mont Championship basketball team in 1975.

At Bloomsburg College, Vance had a stellar career in Men’s Tennis for the Huskies. Playing #1 singles and doubles, Vance led the team to two PSAC Championships. Vance won six PSAC Titles while competing in the League Championships- two singles and four doubles. He also won two Eastern Intercollegiate Doubles Championships and qualified for three NCAA Division II Championships. At Bloomsburg Vance won over 100 matches for a record of 108W-36L.

In 1996 Bob was inducted into the Bloomsburg University Sports Hall of Fame. After college Vance competed in USTA/MS tournaments and was ranked in both singles and doubles. He was Nationally ranked in USTA Father/Son Doubles. Vance has been involved in fundraising for The Wills Eye Hospital, St. Lawrence Rehab and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Joey Wendle – Major League Baseball

Joseph Patrick Wendle grew up in West Grove, Pennsylvania. He attended Avon Grove High School and West Chester University. Wendle began his journey towards becoming a professional baseball player participating in travel baseball for the Chester County Crawdads.

Wendle was a four-year starter for the West Chester Golden Rams baseball team, where he compiled a .366 career batting average with 23 home runs and 185 runs batted in. During his senior season, Wendle hit .399 with 12 home runs and 59 RBI’s as the Golden Rams went on to win the 2012 NCAA Division II Baseball Tournament.

The Cleveland Indians selected Wendle in the sixth round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. On December 8, 2014, the Indians traded Wendle to the Oakland Athletics. The Athletics promoted Wendle to the major leagues on August 31, 2016 making his major league debut that day. On December 11, 2017, Oakland traded Wendle to the Tampa Bay Rays. Wendle was the first Rays player since 2011 to hit .300, and the first rookie to ever reach that mark. He tied for the major league lead in sacrifice flies (10). At the conclusion of the season, Wendle was unanimously chosen for the Ray’s Outstanding Rookie award for the 2018 season and finished fourth in the American League Rookie of the Year award voting.

On November 30, 2021, Tampa Bay traded Wendle to the Miami Marlins. Wendle was named to the 2021 All-Star Game on July 9, 2021. He singled in his only plate appearance.

On January 13, 2023, Wendle agreed to a one-year contract with the Marlins.
On November 30, 2023, Wendle signed a one-year contract with the New York Mets.
On May 24, 2024, Wendle signed a major league contract with the Atlanta Braves.
Joey Wendle is currently a free agent and continues his dream of playing professional baseball.