PITTSBURGH (February 26, 2019) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC will reveal its inaugural Hall of Fame class and 2019 kits during a special 20th Anniversary Kickoff Party at 6 p.m. on March 9 at Highmark Stadium.
The Kickoff Party, open to season ticket holders, will begin following the team’s preseason match against Toronto FC II, which will start at 2 p.m. on March 9 at Highmark Stadium.
The ballot for the inaugural Riverhounds SC Hall of Fame class consists of five former players (Tenywa Bonseu, Randy Dedini, Gary DePalma, Justin Evans and David Flavius) and three former builders (Paul Heasley, Dave Kasper and John Kowalski).
Riverhounds SC and club legends nominated these finalists. To be elected into the Riverhounds SC Hall of Fame, these players and builders will need at least a 75 percent vote. Voting is comprised of Riverhounds SC, club legends and media.
In addition to the Riverhounds SC Hall of Fame announcement, the team will reveal its kits for the 2019 season during the season ticket holder Kickoff Party.
The Hounds also will have a special food and beverage announcement at a happy hour following their preseason match against Toronto FC II, taking place from 4-5:30 p.m. at Highmark Stadium. This happy hour will be open to everyone in attendance.
The accomplishments of the Riverhounds SC Hall of Fame inaugural ballot are below.
Defender Tenywa Bonseu
Tenywa Bonseu played three seasons (1999-00, 2009) with the Hounds. Over the course of his career with the club, the defender posted 65 games played, 5,960 minutes, seven goals and two assists. In 1999, Bonseu was named All A-League First Team, marking the first time a Pittsburgh player achieved this feat.
Goalkeeper Randy Dedini
Taking the pitch for the Hounds for five seasons (1999-03), Randy Dedini owns a number of goalkeeping records for the club. Dedini has the most games played (113), starts (113), minutes (10,351), wins (51), saves (466) and shutouts (27) of club keepers. He is the only goalkeeper to record a 100-save season (did it twice – 136 saves in 1999 and 100 saves in 2002).
Midfielder Gary DePalma
Playing six seasons (1999-04) for the Hounds, Gary DePalma ranks third all-time in club history with 145 appearances. He is one of only five players in club history to have double-digit goals and assists, posting 15 tallies and 22 helpers. The midfielder is one of seven Hounds to have scored at least two playoff goals.
Midfielder Justin Evans
Drafted in a 1999 expansion draft, Justin Evans was selected as the first-ever player in club history. Competing in six campaigns with the club (1999-01, 03, 08-09), the midfielder is one of four players in team history to have recorded at least 100 games played and 50 points (101 career appearances and 50 career points). He was twice named All-League Second Team in his Hounds career (2008-09).
After his playing career, Evans coached the Hounds from 2010-14. His 112 all competition matches coached for the club ranks the most in its history, 46 more than the second-highest total.
Forward David Flavius
David Flavius holds a number of all-time records in club history, including career games played (183), goals (58), assists (25) and points (141). His three playoff goals are most in team history. Playing eight straight seasons (1999-06) with the franchise, the striker was twice named All-League Second Team.
Founder/Owner Paul Heasley
Founding the franchise on March 11, 1998, Paul Heasley was the original owner of the professional soccer club. Before selling the club in 2004, the Hounds twice advanced to the quarterfinals of the USL A-League playoffs. In 2001, the club made a run into the quarterfinals of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The club logged a 16-12 record in its inaugural season en route to Organization of the Year honors.
Vice President/General Manager Dave Kasper
Named vice president and general manager upon the team’s conception, Dave Kasper propelled the team to its early success. Among players he helped sign to the professional team in its inaugural season, names such as Randy Dedini, Gary DePalma, Justin Evans, David Flavius and Jaman Tripoli account for five of the 11 players in team history who have recorded at least 100 games played. With his leadership, the club earned Organization of the Year honors in 1999.
Head coach John Kowalski
As the first-ever head coach in team history, John Kowalski led the team to its first-ever playoff victory and Organization of the Year honors in 1999. Fielding high-scoring attacks, Kowalski-led teams scored an average of 1.84 goals per game – the second most of any coach in club history. He is one of three coaches in franchise history to have led the club for at least 60 games (61 games at the helm).
