Chester High School Athletic Hall of Fame 24th Annual Induction Ceremony

Back row left to right: James Crawford, Dave McCullough, Darren Laws, and Dirk Butler. Seated Left to right Francine Caple-Patrick, Chandi Freeman daughter of Inductee Ron Freeman, Geraldine May wife of inductee Sonny May, Deanne Dickerson, and Crystal Freeman daughter of Inductee Ron Freeman

Thursday, November 5, 2015, The Chester High School Athletic Hall of Fame 24^th Annual Induction Ceremony was held at the Concordville Inn, Concordville, PA. The event gave friends and family a chance to celebrate the following inductees.

Deanne Dickerson - Fields TRACK 1992 – 1994

Committee member Tamika Friend with inductee Deanne Dickerson

Deanne ran 3 years of varsity track

She was First Team All-Delco in 1994

Member of Chester’s Girls 1994 District and State Championship Team

First place in 4x400 1994 District and State Championship Team

First place in 4x400 Father Judge Relays 1994

Second place in the triple jump at indoor Championships in 1992-1993 &1993-1994

Second place in the triple jump1994 District Championships

Silver medal in 4x400 1994 Penn Relays

Deanne attended Kutztown University, where she was a member of the Women’s track Team from 1998-1999. 

Francine Caple - Patrick BASKETBALL 1974 – 1978

Host Randy Legette with inductee Francine Caple-Patrick

Francine played 4 years of varsity Basketball

Franny was the first female High School All American in Basketball at CHS

Two time All American honors (1977& 1978) - Varsity Captain

All Delco Honors 1974-1978

Franny attended Clarion University of Pennsylvania where she played basketball, in 1981 and 1982 was named PA Division II best point guard.

In 1981 against Indiana University of Pa she had a triple double, 62pts, 11 rebs, & 12 assist. "Being inducted into the CHS Athletic Hall of Fame is by far my most special award! C-PRIDE! CHESTER PRIDE!"

Dave McCullough FOOTBALL 1984-1987

Committee member Tamika Friend with inductee Dave McCullough

Dave played 3 years of varsity Football

Dave was named to the 2nd Team All Del Val in 1987

Named player of the Thanksgiving Day game

Defensive player of the game against Glen Mills in 1987

"Football taught me so much about life. It kept my head on tight and focused, when all around me there was so many bad things going on. I loved the game of football then and still love it today."

Darren Laws FOOTBALL 1983 – 1986

Committee member Tamika Friend with inductee Darren Laws

Darren played 3 years varsity Football and 1 year of Track

In 1986 Darren was named to 2nd Team All – Delco and MVP as an outside. In 1985 he made All – Delco Honorable Mention at Middle Linebacker

Darren also ran on 4x100 relay team that made it to the finals in the 1986 Penn Relays and Delaware Diamond Relays.

He would like to thank his mother, family, Chester High School coaches and teammates.

James Crawford WRESTLING 1976 – 1979

Host Randy Legette with inductee James Crawford

James wrestled 3 years on Varsity

James was Chester’s first All-Del Val & Sectional Champion at 155 lbs in 1979. He was the city Champion in 1977 (145 lbs), 1978 & 1979 (155lbs)

He was selected top 100 PIAA Wrestling Team 1979

“First and foremost I would like to thank GOD, my family, coaching staff of Chester High School; The wrestlers that preceded me and pushed me to be one of the premier wrestlers to come out of the city of Chester.”

Dirk Butler BASEBALL 1991 – 1995

Committee member Tamika Friend with Dirk Butler

Dirk played 4 years of varsity Baseball.

Dirk was named to MVP of team in his junior and senior years he was selected to the Carpenter Cup in his senior year.

Dirk played Semi-Pro baseball for a few years before deciding to go to Delaware County Community College where he studied Marketing and received an Associate Degree in Business. He thanked his parents Wendell and Tanya Butler, wife Sylinda , children Dirk Jr. & Dilyn Butler, sister Elain Butler, brother Dondi Butler and God-brother Larry Yarbray.

                                RON FREEMAN Recipient of Fred Pickett Award

Committee member Tamika Friend with the daughters, Chandi and Crystal, and granddaughter of Ron Freeman

Born in 1944, Ron was always a big sports fan. Throughout the years he coached many teams and would travel near and far to attend the games. He always made sure the kids had a ride to and from practice as well as any sporting events. It didn't matter where you lived. If you needed a ride, he would be there. His love of photography also showed his love of sports. He was dedicated to capturing the essence of sports through his camera lens. He especially loved taking pictures of any and every Chester High School event. He would proudly chant "sail Clippers sail" at any chance he could. He would have been so proud to receive this award. We know that he is looking down on us with a great big smile. We are so honored and proud that he is being given this award. 

SONNY MAY Recipient of Lawson Showell Award

Committee member Tamika Friend with the family of Sonny May. (Center front) wife Geraldine, (left to right) sons Fran, John, and Kevin

Mention the name Sonny May, and the first things that comes to mind is, He’s the “Water Ice Man” or “Christmas Tree Guy.”  But those people, who really knew Sonny, saw him as a warm and friendly and giving person. As a young boy of 18, Sonny formed his first basketball team. He called them “Parker AC.” That team needed uniforms and money to get into the Chester Rec League. Sonny sold chances, newspapers, junk on his own to raise money he needed. Sonny also was a catcher for the Chester Boys Cub at the age of 16; he was voted the teams’ MVP and was presented with a ball and glove at Connie Mack Stadium from Delaware Counties Mickey Vernon. He also coached teams in the YMCA weight league tournaments, and a VFW team in the Chester Rec League. He later got involved with the Chester Rec Softball League. May God Bless and keep Sonny in his next life.

Committee Members

Left to right Keith Taylor, Tamika Friend, Derrick Spence, Larry Yarbray, and Darren Pearsall

Organizer: Mark Freeman
Source: Program
Pictures: dsbpix