Lancaster Catholic High School added three new members to its Athletic Hall of Honor on April 1, 2023. Formed in 1999 (with its first class being inducted in 2000), the Lancaster Catholic Hall of Honor recognizes and celebrates those individuals who, through their participation, guidance, and support have made outstanding contributions to Lancaster Catholic Athletics.
2023 Inductees:
Robert (Bob) Rhoads (Class of 1964) is being recognized for his performance in football, basketball & track. While attending Lancaster Catholic, he received nine varsity letters. In football, Bob was a starter in football playing wide receiver, defensive back & punter. Senior year he was a captain of the team and was chosen to play in the Lancaster County East/West All Star Football Game as a wide receiver, earning Lancaster County All Star recognition. In basketball, he was a three year letter winner and two year starter in basketball playing guard. He was a team captain his senior year and was second on the team in scoring. In track, Bob was a three year letter winner, participating in javelin, broad jump and high jump. He participated in the PCIAA (PA Catholic Interscholastic Athletic Association) state track meet in all three events.
After his time at Lancaster Catholic High School, he attended Kings College with the intention of playing football, however the school discontinued football his freshman year. Undeterred, he and other players formed a Club Team which competed against other colleges and universities in the same situation. At the conclusion of his college career, he was invited to try out for punter for the new American Football League Buffalo Bills, but the military draft prevented him from doing so.
John Kunkle (Class of 1969) is being recognized for his performance in Football, Wrestling & Track. While attending Lancaster Catholic High School, he was a three year letter winner and a starter in football playing defensive back and halfback. Senior year he was named First Team Tri-County Football League All Star at defensive back/linebacker. He helped lead his Lancaster Catholic teams to an overall record of 18-9-3. In wrestling, John was a two year letter winner in wrestling, competing at a 145 lb weight class. Senior year he was named co-captain of the team, while compiling a 19-2 overall record. He also won the 1969 PCIAA State Catholic Wrestling Championship at 145 lb. While running track, he was a two year letter winner in the 880, one mile relay, and two mile relay. Sophomore year, he was a member of the LCHS one mole relay team that finished first at both the Diocesan Track Championship and PCIAA Track State Championship. Junior year he was also a member of the LCHS two mile relay unit, who at the Penn Relays, broke the school record that stood for over ten years, by over 12 seconds.
Upon graduating from Lancaster Catholic, he attended India University of Pennsylvania (IUP), where he was a two year letter winner in wrestling.
Kyle Smith (Class of 2010) is being recognized for his performance in Football & Track. During his time at Lancaster Catholic High School, Kyle earned six varsity letters. While playing football, Kyle led his team to the L-L-League Section III Championship his sophomore year. During his junior season, he led the team to the L-L-League Section III Championship and the AA District III Championship. His senior season, Kyle led the team to aforementioned championships and the 2009 PIAA AA State Championship. Some of Kyle’s independent accomplishments include being a team captain both his Junior and Senior year, being a 2007, 2008, and 2009 L-L League Section III All Star, 2008 PA Football News AA PA Co-offensive Player of the Year, 2008 and 2009 L-L-League Outstanding Player of the Year, 2009 AP PA Football News AA PA Player of the Year Award, EA Sports Third Team All American, PA Football News Mr. Football Award, and PA Gatorade High School Football Player of the Year. At the conclusion of his senior season, he held every school passing record as well as three state passing records.
In track, Kyle earned three letters competing in Javelin. He won the District III Silver Medal in 2008. In 2009, he won the L-L-League Gold Medal, District III AA Gold Medal and PIAA AA State Gold Medal. He also won the L-L-League Gold Medal, District III AA Gold Medal and PIAA AA State Silver Medal. In 2008 & 2009, he was the All State Selection in track. Also, in 2009 & 2010 he was the Lancaster Newspaper Male Athlete of the Year. Kyle still holds the LCHS school record.
Kyle accepted a scholarship to play football and throw javelin at Central Michigan University. An elbow injury forced him to curtail his football career, however he was able to continue with track. His senior year he was named NCAA All American in javelin and earned the Mid American Conference Medal of Excellence in track. After graduating from CMU, he attended the University of Virginia Law School with one year of eligibility. He threw javelin at UVA for one season earning a varsity letter, Second Team ACC All Star Honors, and being named an NCAA All American.