Recipients – Special Awards

Each year the Hall of Fame board may choose to recognize individuals, organizations or teams for their contributions or accomplishments to Berks County sports. Though they are not officially inductees into the Hall of Fame the board feels it is important to acknowledge them.

Karlie Heistand Kisha - Inspirational Athlete Award

Karlie is a 2014 Hamburg Area High School graduate She was a two-time finalist for the Reading Eagle Female Athlete of the Year award. An All-Berks selection in field hockey, cross country and track as a senior. She is a 2018 University of Connecticut graduate. Karlie helped the Huskies win NCAA field hockey championships as a freshman and as a senior when they went undefeated. They also reached the Final Four in her other two seasons. She was named a third-team All-American as a senior in 2017 and to the NCAA All-Tournament Team in 2015 and 2017. She was named to the All-Big Easy second team three times.
Karlie was selected to the U.S. national team in January 2020 and has 72 international caps
Played on the U.S. team that defeated Japan 2-1 in the semifinals of the FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier in India in January 2024, which clinched a berth in the Paris Olympics. Karlie was diagnosed with thyroid cancer five weeks before the 2024 U.S. Olympic team was selected. She underwent surgery May 17, 2024, to remove her thyroid and lymph nodes. Karlie rejoined the national team in Belgium a week later and started running two days later. She returned to action in the FIH Hockey Pro League 16 days after her surgery and was named to the 16-member U.S. Olympic team on June 10.

1985 Central Catholic High School Boys Basketball Team PIAA State Champions - Team of Distinction
1994 Wilson High School Girls Swimming & Diving Team PIAA State Champions - Team of Distinction