5 Super Athletes With Ties To South Whitehall

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the South Whitehall area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Saquon Barkley (Football)

Saquon Barkley became one of the most electrifying football players of his generation. A standout at Whitehall High School, he rushed for over 3,600 yards before committing to Penn State, where he shattered school records, including career all-purpose yards and rushing touchdowns. Barkley was drafted second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and quickly made an impact, winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Now with the Philadelphia Eagles, he continues to dominate, breaking the franchise’s single-season rushing record and leading the team to a Super Bowl LIX victory.

2. Brian Knobbs (Wrestling)

Brian Knobbs, born in Allentown and a graduate of Whitehall High School, became a household name in professional wrestling. As one-half of The Nasty Boys, alongside longtime friend Jerry Sags, Knobbs dominated the tag team scene in WCW and WWE, capturing multiple championships. The duo became known for their rugged, brawling style and feuds with legendary teams like the Legion of Doom. After retiring, Knobbs remained active in wrestling promotions and reality television, cementing his reputation as one of the Lehigh Valley’s most iconic wrestling figures.

3. Curt Simmons (Baseball)

Curt Simmons was one of the most accomplished baseball players to come from Whitehall Township. A left-handed pitcher, he was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies after an exhibition game where he struck out 11 major leaguers. Simmons played a crucial role in the Phillies' 1950 National League pennant-winning "Whiz Kids" team, though military service kept him out of the World Series. Over a 20-year MLB career, he also played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs and California Angels, earning three All-Star selections and winning the 1964 World Series with the Cardinals.

4. Kate Bonshak (Soccer)

Kate Bonshak was a multi-sport athlete at Whitehall High School, excelling in soccer, track and field hockey. In soccer, she earned first-team all-state honors three times, was named Morning Call Player of the Year, and scored 89 career goals. She played club soccer for Lehigh Valley United and later competed at Virginia Tech, where she contributed as a forward. Her dedication to athletics earned her recognition as Whitehall’s 2020 Female Athlete of the Year, making her one of the top soccer players to come from the region.

5. Brooke Gilson (Swimming)

Whitehall native Brooke Gilson made waves in competitive swimming, excelling in distance freestyle at Bloomsburg University. A PSAC All-Conference swimmer and NCAA All-American, she set multiple school records and earned national rankings in events like the 1650 free and 800 free relay. Her success in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) made her one of the top collegiate swimmers from the Whitehall area.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.