University Park, Pa. -- A pair of former Penn State gridiron standouts, Jerry Sandusky and Charles Sieminski, are set to join very distinguished company with their induction into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
Sandusky and Sieminski are among 14 Pennsylvania sports legends that will be inducted into the hall on Saturday, Nov. 6 at a banquet at the Sheraton Inn North in Pittsburgh.
A three-year Penn State letterman and a member of the Nittany Lions' coaching staff for 32 years, Sandusky previously was inducted into the Washington-Greene Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.
Sandusky retired following the 1999 season after 32 years and 381 games on the Penn State staff. In his final game, Penn State posted a 24-0 win over Texas A&M in the 1999 Alamo Bowl, the Lions' 20th shutout since he became defensive coordinator in 1977.
Founder of The Second Mile, a charitable organization which addresses the welfare of children, Sandusky has taken a more active role since his retirement. The Second Mile's programs touch more than 100,000 at-risk youth annually.
Sandusky is largely responsible for Penn State earning the moniker, "Linebacker U," with 10 of his linebackers earning first-team All-America honors: Jack Ham (1970), Charlie Zapiec (1971), John Skorupan (1972), Ed O'Neil (1973), Greg Buttle (1975), Kurt Allerman (1976), Shane Conlan (1985-86), Andre Collins (1989), LaVar Arrington (1998-99) and Brandon Short (1999).
A three-year Penn State letterman, he was a starting defensive end in 1963-65 under Coach Rip Engle. Sandusky earned bachelor's and master's degrees in health and physical education in 1966 and 1970, respectively. A standout athlete at Washington (Pa.) High School, he graduated first in his class and served as student marshall for his college at commencement.
Sandusky was a Penn State graduate assistant in 1966 and joined the coaching staff as a full-time assistant in 1969.
Sieminski was a two-way tackle for the Nittany Lions, earning letters from 1960-62 under Engle. From Swoyerville, Pa., he earned second team All-America honors in 1962 and in '67 was selected to the All-Time Penn State Team by the Pittsburgh Press. Recognized as a strong blocker and tackler, Sieminski earned his bachelor's degree in physical education in 1962. He played in the 1963 Senior Bowl.
Sieminski was drafted in the fourth round by the National Football League's San Francisco 49ers. He played defensive tackle for six years in the NFL with San Francisco, Atlanta and Detroit before starting a career as a high school teacher in Mountain Top, Pa.
Among the other Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame inductees are gridiron standouts Bud Carson and Dwight White, baseball players Ken Griffey, Sr, and Mark Gubicza and wrestling legend Bruce Baumgartner.