Gibbons
Editor’s Note: Due to a technical error, most of Matt Rynkiewicz’s biography was not received. His complete biography now appears.
WEST PITTSTON — The Wyoming Area football Ring of Pride hall of fame induction ceremony will take place this coming Friday, Oct. 11, during the halftime of the game against Lake-Lehman sponsored by the Wyoming Area Football Alumni Association (WAFAA).
This year’s seven inductees include Carmen Ambrosino ’66 (Exeter H.S.); Brian Hines ’87; Victor Pacchioni, III ’97; Tony Pacchioni ’99; Brett Gibbons ’04; Matt Rynkiewicz ’06; and Tyler Serbin ’08.
Gibbons joins his father Dr. Jerry Gibbons (’09) into the Ring and brothers Victor and Tony Pacchioni join their sibling Dave (’17) into the Ring of Pride.
The WAFAA was founded in 1997 and in 1998 they created the Ring of Pride where each year former football team players or those associated with the football program are inducted into the hall of fame. The Ring of Pride is up to 125 members, including the class of 2024 inductees.
The WAFAA is a nonprofit organization whose mission statement is to promote excellence and leadership skills for Wyoming Area football student/athletes on the field, in the classroom and in the community.
The WAFAA not only recognizes those that have contributed to the football program’s 58-year history, but also raises money for the Wyoming Area scholarship program benefiting graduating student-athletes totaling over $100,000 since 1998.
In the past, the WAFAA has funded projects such as new lockers at the football field house, new weight equipment in the weight room, championship rings for the 2019 state championship team, the summer athletic program, state championship signage on the field, a mural above the field house and a mural at the weight room celebrating the 2019 championship football team’s accomplishment.
WAFAA has also funded additional football equipment and gear for the players and coaches.
This past summer, the WAFAA honored former Warrior head coach, Paul Marranca, by renaming the workout/weight room facility, the Paul J. Marranca Performance Center, during a ceremony on Thursday, July 18.
The WAFFA then held a reception for Coach Marranca at The Banks Banquet facility, Pittston, after the dedication ceremony.
This year’s 2024 Ring of Pride inductees include:
Carmen Abrosino (1966, Exeter H.S.)
• Football (letter 3-years)
• Basketball (letter 2-years)
• Hugh O’Brien Award Leadership Award
• Academic Honors (9-12 grades)
• National Community Service Leadership Award
• Paul Harris Fellowship Awards (Wilkes-Barre & Pittston Rotaries)
• American Medal of Honor/Lifetime Achievement Award (Italian American Assn. & Pittston YMCA)
Brian Hines (1987)
• Football (letter 3-years)
— All-Scholastic, UNICO Captain
• Wrestling (letter 3-years)
— Wyoming Valley Conference & District Champions
— 2-time District Champ (Individual)4-time States
— Hooper Award
Victor Pacchioni, III (1997)
• Football (letter 3-years)
• Basketball (letter 1-year)
• Baseball (letter 2-year)
• Track (letter 1-year)
• Full-academic scholarship to Wilkes University
• Wilkes – Football (letter 4-years)
• Multiple commendations for bravery in line of duty (Sgt. County of Lehigh)
• Pistol Marksman Award (County of Lehigh)
Tony Pacchioni (1999)
• Football (letter 3-years)
— Wyoming Valley Conference Champs (’96, ’97, ’98)
— District Champions (’98 – 1st in school’s history)
1st Team All-Conference
• Baseball (letter 4-years)
— Wyoming Valley Conference Champs (’98)
• Scholarships – Future Business Leaders of America Honor Roll
Brett Gibbons (2004)
• Football (letter 3-years)
— District 2 AAA Champions (QB)
• Trinity University, San Antonio, TX
— Football, Baseball
• 2nd generations Ring of Pride inductee (Dr. Jerry Gibbons, 2009 – father)
• Educator/Mentor Teacher (2021, Spotsylvania, VA)
• New Administrator of the Year (2022, Spotsylvania, VA)
Matt Rynkiewicz (2006)
• 12-time Letterman – Football, Track/Field, Swimming, Baseball, Ironman Recipient
• Football
— Member of 2003 District Champs team
— Two time 1st team All-Conference
— 2nd team All-State
— 1st Team Times Leader
— 1st Team Citizens Voice
— Times Leader MVP – All Decade team
— ESPN’s Top 150
— Selected for East/West Game
— Lock Haven University scholarship recipient
• Track & Field
— Two-time District Champ – Shotput
— PA State Medal recipient
— 10 time District Medals
— Currently hold WA Shot Put record
• Swimming
— 1st Team All Conference
— 3-time Sliver Medalist – 100m Breaststroke
— Top 16 Breaststroke – PA
• Pittston Area Football (2016-2018)
— Assistant Head Coac
— Freshman Coach
• Baseball
— Coach – Pittston Twp. Little League
— Assistant Coach – Grind Travel Baseball
• Basketball – Youth Coach
Tyler Serbin (2008)
• Football (letter 2-years)
— 2nd Team PIAA All-State Running Back (Jr. year)
— Athlete of the Year (Times Leader – Jr. year)
— WNEP Dream Team (Jr. year)
— Falcone Award Recipient – WA/PA, 2006)
— Inaugural Spirit Award (scholarship)
• Scranton Miners Semi-Pro team (3-years)
• Pittston Chamber of Commerce Board of Director (2021-2023)
