Two PWHS alumni named to Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Montco Chapter
Two PWHS alumni named to Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Montco Chapter
Bill Racich, PWHS Class of 1971, and Marvis Frazier, PWHS Class of 1979, were inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Montco Chapter on Thursday, October 24, at Presidential Caterers in East Norriton.
Bill Racich, wrestling
As a wrestler, Bill Racich was a standout at West Chester University, where he started all four years, became a four-time Conference finalist, and qualified for the NCAA Division I championships twice. He claimed the title of 1974 Middle Atlantic Conference East Coast Conference Champion. With a coaching record of 532-120-8, he ranks as the sixth all-time winningest coach in NCAA history.
Throughout his career, he guided seven East Region Champions, 16 NCAA All-Americans, and 74 NCAA Division III Scholar All-Americans. Bill was named Centennial Conference Coach of the Year 11 times and earned the NCAA East Regional Coach of the Year honor in 2014. He never experienced a losing season at Ursinus College. He is enshrined in multiple halls of fame, including the West Chester Wrestling Hall of Fame, Ursinus College Hall of Fame for Athletes, and the Division III National Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Additionally, he has been inducted into the Philadelphia-Whitemarsh Rugby Hall of Fame, Plymouth Whitemarsh High School Distinguished Graduates Association, Conshohocken Sports Hall of Fame, Wrestling Hall of Fame, Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame, and the Division III National Wrestling Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Marvis Frazier, boxing
Marvis Frazier boasts a professional boxing record of 19-2, with eight wins by knockout. As an amateur, he was the 1979 Yokohama Heavyweight Champion, ranked #1 by the Amateur Athletic Union, and #2 in the U.S. Amateur Heavyweight rankings by the U.S. Amateur Boxers and Coaches Association. He was also a champion in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and National Golden Gloves and a runner-up at the 1979 Pan American Games. His two professional losses came against two of the era's greatest heavyweights: Larry Holmes in 1983 and 24-0 Mike Tyson in 1986.
Frazier’s career features wins over future world cruiserweight champion Bernard Benton, heavyweight contenders José Ribalta and James Tillis, and future champion James "Bonecrusher" Smith. Except for a first-round knockout in his first fight after losing to Holmes, all of Frazier's matches went the full ten rounds, with him securing unanimous or majority decisions in each bout. After retiring from boxing, he became an ordained minister, actively participated in Prison Fellowship Ministries, and worked as a TV producer.
The 2024 inductees also include: Soccer Coach Erica Dambach, Track and Field Coach Bill Neely, Swimmer Maddy Crippen, Swim Coach Jack Bauerle, broadcaster Merrill Reese, and former executive director of the Fellowship House in Conshohocken Al Donofrio.
