While banners might fade and trophies collect dust, the memories and milestones created along the way to those moments remain inspiring and powerful, often offering lessons that endure long after they were attained.

Many of those highlights were revisited Sunday evening where 12 inductees were recognized at the District 11 Hall of Fame Ceremony.

Marian’s Stan Dakosty and Tamaqua’s Cindy Miller were among those selected to the Class of 2020, which had its ceremony delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The honor was shared with the support of friends, family and peers, much like their successes throughout their careers.

“I tend to think of what it means to us,” said Dakosty. “To me, this is all about the players and coaches that have worked with me; I’m the tip of the spear I always believe. I represent so many great players and coaches, including the guys I work with now. And to have the opportunity to work at a school I absolutely love. I think it’s one of the best schools you can be around, and be around some outstanding leaders there. That’s what I think about now.”

The other 10 inductees included Ray Barbosa (Allen), Scott Buffington (Schuylkill Haven), Mike Cerimele (Allentown Central Catholic), Joe Gerenscer (Parkland and Whitehall), Patti Heffner (Dieruff, Catasauqua and Parkland), Lafay Hope (North Schuylkill), Brad Pensyl (Pocono Mountain), Arthur Perryman (East Stroudsburg), Dick Tracy (Whitehall, Dieruff, Bethlehem Catholic) and John Walson (Service Electric).

Inductees were selected from nominations made by member schools, officials’ chapters, and media membership. Nominees are selected by their accomplishments on the high school level, and are not inclusive of accomplishments outside of high school athletics.

“I read through, not just the bios of the folks that are getting inducted at this time, but I read through the first class,” said Miller. “And then alongside of that, I think about all of the tremendous athletes that have come from this area. So for me to be here, shoulder to shoulder with them tonight, is very humbling, and it brings a twinkle, and really a sweet memory of times that, when you’re in the middle of it, you don’t realize exactly how spectacular it is. And it isn’t until the years go by and you think back to how special a moment in time of your life was, and I would say that’s the best way to describe my time representing my school, Tamaqua Area High School, in a District 11 event.”

Dakosty’s legacy at Marian is unparalleled.

Dakosty led the Marian football program from 1977 to 2016, and returned in 2020.

His 1990 team captured a PIAA Championship, posting a 13-1 record and defeating Farrell by a 21-13 in the title game.

“We were coming back from that game, and people on the interstate from towns all throughout the coal region celebrated with us,” said Dakosty. “It was truly a coal region win. I remember prior to that game, my assistant coaches pulled out a piece of coal and said, ‘This is where we’re from. This is what we represent.’

“And our kids went out and did a great job, and set the tone for other schools to get in there and get involved. It’s one of our greatest moments.”

His Colts have earned seven District 11 championships to go with another six championship appearances. His teams also captured four Eastern Conference titles, with his 1986 club going undefeated at 13-0.

During his career, Dakosty has coached 46 playoff games. He has won over 300 football games, and has had a winning record in 35 seasons.

He is the winningest coach in District 11 football history.

“That’s what they told me today, which is kind of neat,” said Dakosty. “Hopefully I can add to that down the line before we’re done. That is quite an honor, but I go back to my coaches and my players. I have three of my coaches here today, Bill O’Gurek, J.D. Hackenberg and Jimmy McHugh, and all three played for me. So there’s that connection. They’re here as coaches, but they also represent our players, and I want them to be here.”

In 1990, he was the AP Coach of the Year and also coached the Big 33 team in 1992.

Dakosty receives unwavering support from his wife, Mary, and his children, Kathy and Stan Jr., who was named Fred and Marilyn Dunlap head football coach at Colgate in August. The 30th head coach in school history, he previously earned the associate head coach title in July 2017, after originally being named to the Red Raider coaching staff back in 2007.

The younger Dakosty had previously been named the interim head coach in May.

“Football has given so much to my family, and my son kind of epitomizes that,” said Dakosty. “One of my proudest moments was being on the field at Boston College and having him run out and lead his team onto the field for the first time.

“It’s been good. It’s opened so many opportunities for so many of our athletes who have gone on to school to become productive husbands, leaders in the community and an asset to people with what they’ve done beyond high school. That’s just as important as anything else.”

Miller, meanwhile, was phenomenal on the basketball court.

The Blue Raider legend scored 2,155 points (which is second on the school’s all-time scoring list), pulled down over 1,500 rebounds, had 378 steals and 467 assists in her career.

She had a single game-high of 42 points. She also had 32 rebounds in a single game, and 17 assists in a single game.

“What stood out most to me is not the points, and it’s not the games, and it’s not the rebounds,” Miller said. “But to me it was a moment in time in a very Norman Rockwell-feeling passage in growing up in the small town that I did, when we would win a District 11 championship, and get to come home and ride on a firetruck through town with engines and sirens blaring, and the community coming out waving the blue and white Tamaqua flags.

“Those are the things that I think stick with me the most.”

She was named First Team UPI/AP All-State in 1979 and Second Team UPI/AP in 1978 and 1980, in addition to being a three-time All-Schuylkill League performer. Miller helped Tamaqua win a state championship during her sophomore season in 1978, which was held at the Farm Show.

“I remember walking out on the court as a 15- or 16-year-old kid and just thinking, ‘This is the biggest place I’ve ever been in, and I’m going to play basketball here,’” said Miller. “It was very special. It was a humbling moment. I can appreciate why they would bring you out on the court early; you’d have to get your bearings.”

Miller received a full scholarship to play basketball at the University of North Carolina, where she lettered three seasons (1981-1983).

She earned an undergraduate degree in Business/Humanities from Penn State University, and later completed a Senior Executive Program from the London Business School.

The president and CEO of Stericycle - a company which specializes in hazardous waste management and disposal - Miller was also named to the first-ever Forbes women’s 50 over 50 list in 2021.

While her playing days are over, Miller’s experiences from athletics have continued to play a large role in her life.

“It helped me learn how to deal with defeat,” said Miller. “It will give direct feedback if you can’t dribble with your left hand, or you can’t shoot with your left hand, and somebody is showing you you have a weakness, it will teach you that if you want to get better, you have to focus on that. And those are all life lessons. Those are all lessons that I’ve used throughout business, those are lessons I’ve used in my personal life, just about getting feedback, figuring out how to improve. And then putting the time, the effort and the energy into getting better.”