Former Fox Chapel football coach Tom Loughran was one of seven coaches chosen for the Pennsylvania State Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame. The ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. May 24 at Cumberland Valley High School Performing Arts Center.

Loughran retired in December 2022 after serving as the Foxes’ coach for eight seasons. During Loughran’s career, he spent 40 seasons as a coach and won 210 games. Loughran led Fox Chapel to a playoff win over Upper St. Clair in 2021, which was the Foxes’ first playoff win since 1997. He finished with a 32-48 record with the Foxes.

But most of Loughran’s career was spent at South Park. While he was with the Eagles, Loughran won 184 games and led South Park to two WPIAL and PIAA titles in 1997 and 2005. He took South Park to the playoffs 14 times.

The other coaches selected included Mark Evans (Eastern Lebanon County/Manheim Township), Tom Gravish (Bellefonte/Jersey Shore/Williamsport), Mike Lippy (Littlestown), Mike Mischler (Erie Cathedral Prep/Iroquois), Terry Smith (Gateway).

“The PSFCA Coaches Hall of Fame represents the very soul of high school football in Pennsylvania,” PSFCA executive director Gary Cathell said in a news release. “This year’s inductees devoted their lives to shaping young people, building character and upholding the values that make our game so meaningful. Their commitment extended far beyond the sidelines and left a lasting imprint on every student-athlete they coached.

“These seven coaches didn’t just win games — they changed lives. Through decades of leadership, mentorship, and service, they strengthened their schools and communities while setting a standard of excellence for generations to follow. It is a privilege to honor their extraordinary legacies with induction into the PSFCA Coaches Hall of Fame.”

Shady Side boys reach playoffs

The Shady Side Academy boys basketball team is headed back to the WPIAL Class 3A playoffs. The Bulldogs fought off some early struggles and found enough wins in Section 3 to grab the last playoff spot.

Shady Side Academy (8-13, 4-5) most recently picked up a 57-30 win over a winless Steel Valley. Jacob Johnson led the Bulldogs with 12 points, while Cam Mallory added 11.