The Berks County Football Coaches Association will induct Jasen Esposito, Bruce Harbach, Bill Hess, Jack Prutzman and Al Wolski into its Hall of Fame as its Class of 2022 at its annual banquet Saturday, June 4, at Green Valley Country Club, it was announced Sunday.
In addition, the seven-member Class of 2021 — Wilson’s Alex Auston, Kerry Collins and Jake Slemmer, Central Catholic’s Chris Mayer, West Reading/Daniel Boone’s Rick Scalese, Gov. Mifflin’s Matt Scornavacchi and Wyomissing’s Ross Tucker — also will be recognized. There was no banquet last year or a Class of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Here’s a look at the Class of 2022:
Jasen Esposito
Esposito, a Holy Name and Kutztown University grad, was an All-Berks pick at guard and defensive end for the Blue Jays in 1997 and ’98, then a three-year starter at left tackle for the Golden Bears. He was a first-team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East pick as a senior in 2002.
In 2003, he signed as an undrafted free agent with the New England Patriots before spending two seasons (2004-05) on the practice squad of the Buffalo Bills. He also played for the Frankfurt Galaxy in NFL Europe.
He has been an assistant coach at Holy Name and Berks Catholic since 2008.
Esposito is vice president of Go Big Recruiting, a service that helps high school athletes gain exposure to college coaches.
Bruce Harbach
Harbach, a Wilson grad who is the head coach at Schuylkill Valley, has had success as a player, assistant coach and head coach, notably winning two PIAA titles as the coach at Lancaster Catholic.
He played quarterback for the Bulldogs and was a two-time All-Berks pick before playing in college at Slippery Rock and West Chester.
He has been an assistant coach at Wilson, Reading High and Conrad Weiser, among other schools, as well as West Chester University and Albright.
In 16 seasons at Lancaster Catholic, Harbach guided his teams to a 141-63 record, two state titles (2009, 2011), four District 3 titles and seven straight Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 3 championships.
He led the Crusaders to undefeated regular seasons in 2005, ’06, ’10 and ’11.
Bill Hess
Hess, a Holy Name grad, has been involved in athletics at Holy Name and Berks Catholic as a player, coach and administrator for 34 years.
He was the starting center on Holy Name’s 1987 Inter-County League championship team, which set the program record with 11 wins.
He served as the athletic director at Holy Name, then Berks Catholic from 2005-21. He was named Head of School at Berks Catholic last year.
During his time as an administrator, he has served as president of the Berks Inter-County Football League and as the BCIAA football chairman.
Hess has been an assistant football coach for 30 seasons. He also has served as a head softball coach and assistant baseball coach.
Jack Prutzman
Prutzman, who played for Reading High from 1953-55, was one of the county’s top offensive linemen and a team captain for the Red Knights.
He was named to the Reading Eagle All-Century team in 2000 and to its 1950s All-Decade team.
Prutzman went on to play football and wrestle at Ursinus.
He taught health and physical education at Reading High and served as an assistant football coach for the Red Knights from 1961-71.
He is a member of the Reading High Hall of Fame, the Berks Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Ursinus Athletic Hall of Fame.
Al Wolski
Wolski coached Reading High from 1995-2003, going 65-28 during his nine seasons.
Under Wolski, the Red Knights won Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 titles in 1998, 2000 and 2003, and played in the District 3 title game in ’03.
He left Reading High to take over as head coach at State College High, where he went 87-42 and won three Mid-Penn Conference Commonwealth championships from 2004-14. He led the Little Lions to a state title game in 2009.
Wolski was a three-year starting lineman at Phoenixville and played collegiately at South Carolina and West Chester.
