North Hills Sports Hall Of Fame 2023 Inductees Announced

ROSS TOWNSHIP, PA — The North Hills Sports Hall of Fame’s newest class of inductees has been announced. They are Kathy Reid, Jim Cassandro, Gage Curry,Cindy (Zielinski) Haig and Chris Kappas.

The 2023 induction ceremony will take placeon Thursday, Sept. 14 at Rico’s Restaurant. The individuals will be publicly recognized a night later, on Friday, Sept. 15, before the North

Hills-Woodland Hills varsity football game at Martorelli Stadium.

Here is more information on the inductees as provided by the district:

Kathy Reid - community member (posthumous)>

Reid dedicated her life to the North Hills community. She spent countless years as a PTA member, cheerleading sponsor, chaperone, employee, school board member and an avid supporter of the arts and athletics. Mrs. Reid initiated activities to inspire student engagement that included the bowling club. During her tenure on the school board, she helped with many changes and improvements including navigating the pandemic. Kathy lived in the North Hills community for over 50 years with her husband Bob and raised three children, Aimee, Missi and Rob.

Jim Cassandro - Class of 1984

Cassandro was an accomplished football player and coach at North Hills. He was an integral part of the 1982 football team that brought North Hills their first WPIAL championship. Jim received a scholarship to attend California University of Pennsylvania where he was a four-year letter winner and three-year starter at running back. Cassandro became a teacher at North Hills High School, where he has been teaching and coaching for over 31 years. Jim raised two daughters, Cara and Carley, in the district and currently lives with his wife Beth in the North Hills.

Gage Curry - Class of 2016

Curry participated in wrestling at North Hills. He was a four-time section champion and a four-time Allegheny County Champion, WPIAL Champion and four-time PIAA medalist. Mr. Curry holds the most wins in North Hills wrestling history with a career record of 159-12. He went on to attend American University where he achieved many victories, then transferred to Pitt where he continued to excel and was a four-time NCAA qualifier in 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021. Curry currently resides in the North Hills.

Cindy (Zielinski) Haig - Class of 1980

Haig was a two-sport athlete participating in cross country and track and field. She helped lead the North Hills cross country teams to back-to-back WPIAL team championships in 1978 and 1979. Cindy twice placed in the top five at the WPIAL individual cross country championships, placing third in 1978 and fourth in 1979. She won two gold and two silver medals at the WPIAL track championships, winning gold in the 1600M in 1980, gold in the 3200M relay in 1979, and silver in both the 1600M and 3200M in 1979. At the 1979 PIAA State Track & Field Championships, Cindy placed third in the 3200M. Haig resides with her family in Cranberry.

Chris Kappas - Class of 2004Kappas was a two-sport athlete who participated in football and baseball at North Hills. In football, he was a three year starter playing running back, defensive back and special teams and went on to play at Mount Union after graduation where he was a two-year starter at defensive back. As a player at Mount Union, he was a part of the 2005 and 2006 National Championship teams. Upon graduating from college, Kappas became the assistant football coach at Mount Union where he was part of the team that had an undefeated record and won the Division III National Championship. Kappas received numerous honors during his collegiate coaching career at both Mount Union and later at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee. He currently resides in Louisville, Ohio, where he is the head football coach for Louisville High School.