STEUBENVILLE, OH—Five legends from Baron athletics history are set to be inducted into Franciscan University’s Hall of Fame.  The ceremony will take place on Saturday, September 15, in the Tony and Nina Gentile Gallery of the J.C. Williams Center, with a reception at 1:00 p.m. followed by the induction ceremony at 2:30 p.m.

Inductees include Allyn Curry ’67, Paul Rue, John Holley ’73, and posthumously, Walt Osborne ’67, and Robert D’Anniballe, Sr.

Allyn Curry was a firm foundation throughout his career with the Baron basketball team: As a freshman, he received the Father Paul Hoffert, TOR, Memorial Student Athlete Award; as a junior, he was named “most underrated player;” as a senior he was chosen team co-captain.  After graduating in 1967, Curry worked in human resources for several national corporations. He now provides career counseling to graduate business students at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Paul Rue’s love of sports shone frequently during his years with the Barons:  He was one of the most accurate shooters, top scorers, and top rebounders on one of the top teams in Baron basketball history.  Although one of the shorter members of the team, Rue was known for stealing rebounds from opponents several inches taller.  He is still active in athletics today, teaching shot put and discus with the Steuben Striders and participating in those events in the Senior Olympics.

John Holley earned his reputation for persistence time and again during his college career.  He was the first freshman to be named MVP. As a sophomore, he was the Barons top rebounder. His junior year, he led in scoring.  And when he was paralyzed the summer before his senior year, he worked through a difficult recovery to return to college in a wheelchair and finish his degree. After working in media for 20 years, Holley moved to the Pacific Northwest, where he worked for several non-profits before retiring.

Walt Osborne poured his time and effort into the mid-1960s Barons basketball team from his freshman year when he received the “hardest worker” award through his senior year when he served as co-captain with Curry.  That year especially—getting a new coach, learning a new system, unexpectedly lacking a top player—Osborne was instrumental in bringing the team together.  He continued in that role after graduation, regularly hosting reunions with teammates.  Osborne passed away suddenly in 1990 from heart disease.

Robert D’Anniballe, Sr. supported the community of Steubenville in many ways: Operating Ambulance Service, Inc., Checker Transportation, and other local businesses, as well as raising funds to build the Teramana Cancer Treatment Center.  He also served on the Franciscan University of Steubenville Board of Advisors and supported Baron athletics.

The Ninth Annual D’Anniballe Rugby Ruckus, named in his honor following his death in 2005, will take place between the Barons and Duquesne University following the induction ceremony, at 7:00 p.m. at Harding Stadium.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony are $15 in advance or $20 at the door.  Register by September 13 by calling the Franciscan University Alumni Office at 740-282-5210 or by visiting www.franciscan.edu/alumni.

The Baron Hall of Fame was re-established in 2008 after a 28-year hiatus.  Recent inductees have included Baron greats such as head basketball coach Hank Kuzma, point guard Gary Vogelsberger ‘65, and the entire 1957-58 Baron basketball team.