The WPIAL has shrunk over the past 40-50 years because of schools that have closed or been swallowed up in mergers.

But the WPIAL is trying to make sure some of the top athletes and great teams from those defunct schools will not be forgotten.

The WPIAL announced its 2008 Hall of Fame class yesterday, and it includes three athletes and one coach from schools that no longer exist. Also included is a football team from a school now closed.

The three athletes from defunct schools are Swissvale's Dick Groat, Wampum's Don Hennon and Midland's Norm Van Lier. The coach is Braddock's Chuck Klausing and the team is Donora's 1945 football team.

This is the second year of the WPIAL Hall of Fame, and selections are made by a committee. Nominations are supposed to come from WPIAL schools, but committee members also can make nominations.

"The Hall of Fame committee made a great effort this year to make sure the schools that are no longer in existence aren't forgotten. I think it's nice to see that," said Tim O'Malley, the WPIAL's executive director.

The WPIAL makes selections for the Hall of Fame in five categories -- athlete, coach, team, official and contributor. The 2008 class will be inducted at a banquet June 20 at the Embassy Suites in Moon. The event is open to the public, and information can be obtained at www.wpial.org

Some high-profile athletes from the WPIAL aren't in the Hall of Fame, like Dan Marino or Tony Dorsett. Without getting into specifics, O'Malley said a few WPIAL greats "were not available for the induction ceremonies. We really would like all of those selected to be at the induction ceremonies. They will be on the list for consideration again and, hopefully, they will be available."

Hennon attended the news conference yesterday when selections were announced. He is one of the greatest basketball players in WPIAL history and was an All-American at Pitt. All you need to know about his talent is this: In 1958, Hennon was a first-team AP and UPI All-American. The other members of the team were some of the greatest players in the history of the game -- Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Elgin Baylor and Guy Rodgers.

Hennon scored 2,376 career points at Wampum, which stood as the WPIAL record until Valley's Tom Pipkins broke it (1993).

"We only had 40 to 50 kids in our whole school, so for that school to do what we did is really remarkable," Hennon said. "When I played, winning the WPIAL was the ultimate, even more than a state championship. There have been so many great athletes to come out of this [league] and to be in their Hall of Fame is really unbelievable."

Here is a look at the WPIAL Hall of Fame class of 2008

Swin Cash, McKeesport -- A basketball star who had 2,678 career points and 1,782 rebounds, but also won a WPIAL track championship in the hurdles as a senior, the only year she participated in track. One of only six women to have won an NCAA title (University of Connecticut), Olympic gold medal (2004) and WNBA championship (two with the Detroit Shock).

Dick Groat, Swissvale -- A three-sport athlete in high school who went on to big things in basketball and baseball. Played basketball at Duke in the 1950s and had his number retired. Played one year in the NBA, then nine seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning one National League MVP and one batting title.

Don Hennon, Wampum -- A prolific scorer at Wampum who played for his father, Butler Hennon. He passed up the NBA to become a doctor.

Ron "Po" James, New Brighton -- One of the all-time great running backs from Beaver Country. As a senior in 1967, he scored 200 points, which stood as the WPIAL record for the next 22 years. He went on to play at New Mexico State and for four seasons with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles.

Norm Van Lier, Midland -- Stormin' Norman was one of the best point guards in WPIAL basketball history. Starred with Simmie Hill on famous Midland 1965 team that went 28-0 and won a state championship. Played in the NBA from 1969-79, made the All-Star Game three times and led the NBA in assists in the 1970-71 season.

Colleen Rosensteel, Greensburg Central Catholic -- A 1985 graduate who was a star discus thrower and shot putter. Won seven PIAA championships, still the most of any WPIAL athlete. Competed at the University of Florida and made the U.S. Olympic judo team in 2000.

Candy Young, Beaver Falls -- After her senior year at Beaver Falls in 1980, made the U.S. Olympic team, but the U.S. boycotted the Olympics that year. At one time, held the world indoor record in the 55-meter hurdles and was a four-time NCAA champion at Fairleigh Dickinson.

Michelle Chow, Gateway -- One of the best swimmers in WPIAL history, finishing her career with eight PIAA gold medals in individual events, the maximum an athlete can win. She also won seven WPIAL titles and led Gateway to the PIAA team title in 1985. A former Post-Gazette Athlete of the Year, she went on to swim at Texas A&M.

Chuck Klausing, Braddock football -- The only coach to win six league WPIAL football championships in a row (1954-59). Also had a 56-game unbeaten streak, longest in WPIAL history and second-longest in state history.

Ed McCluskey, Farrell basketball -- Coached Farrell from 1949-77 and holds the record for most WPIAL championships (11) and most PIAA titles (seven). Coached from 1949-77 and had record of 698-185.

Sheron Watson, Norwin girls' volleyball -- Coached Norwin for 21 seasons (1973-93), and won 15 WPIAL girls' volleyball championships, including 13 in a row at one point. She also won 12 state championships.

Ambridge basketball 1967 -- Finished 27-0 and won postseason games by an average of 20 points. Dick DeVenzio (Duke), Dennis Wuycik (North Carolina) and Frank Kaufman (Purdue) played major-college basketball.

Donora football 1945 -- Donora, now part of the Ringgold district, gave up only 13 points all year, one touchdown coming on a fumble-recovery return, and won a WPIAL title. Five players played at Pitt and another, running back Deacon "Dan" Towler, played in the NFL.

Shaler baseball 1980 -- Had two seniors (catcher Doug Maggio and pitcher Wayne Schuckert) who were drafted in the top nine rounds, unheard of for a WPIAL team. Three other players were drafted out of college, and Ken Karcher played in the NFL. Finished season on 25-game winning streak and won WPIAL and PIAA titles.

Cliff Fair -- A basketball and football official on the high school and big-time college level for more than 40 years, who also was the first WPIAL AAAA supervisor of football officials.

Larry Hanley -- A former football coach and athletic director at Gateway, he served the WPIAL in various capacities, including the executive director from 1997-2006.