Hall of Fame
When it comes to scoring, no women’s basketball player in the history of the Lady Cat program has scored more points than Ms. Denise Gallo. Ms. Gallo, a two-time Kodak Honorable Mention All-American, poured in 1,962 points and etched her name at, or very near the top, of nearly every Pitt-Johnstown women’s basketball record list. She even stands atop of NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball National Records for free-throw percentage in a game, and consecutive free-throws made in a season.
Ms. Gallo, a former Connellsville High School standout who averaged 21 points per game and finished her career with 1,621 points on her way to garnering Honorable Mention USA Today All-America honors, joined Head Coach Jodi Gault’s program in 1992-93. As a freshman, she helped the Lady Cats post a 25-5 record, win a second consecutive East Region championship and advance to the Division II Quarterfinals.
As a sophomore in 1993-94, Ms. Gallo began to make her mark on the program by breaking three school records. She scored 42 points and connected on 18 field goals against Saint Vincent College to break the previous records of 40 and 17 field goals-made. In addition, her 20.6 points per game that season eclipsed Lisa Britt’s single season scoring mark.
Ms. Gallo, a native of Connellsville, continued to impress as a junior where she eclipsed the 1,000-point milestone and was named Kodak Honorable Mention All-American for the first time. She also earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team at the Bellarmine (TN) Tournament, and she was named the Most Valuable Player at Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cat Classic.
In 1995-96, Ms. Gallo, who was the team’s leading scorer in 20 of its 29 games, closed out her stellar career by leading Pitt-Johnstown to its 11th NCAA Regional tournament berth, securing a spot on the East Region All-Tournament Team, and being named Kodak Honorable Mention All-American for the second straight year. She set the NCAA record for free-throw percentage in a game by hitting 18-of-18 against Alderson-Broaddus (W.Va.) on Feb. 12, 1996, while her 53 consecutive made free-throws also set an NCAA record. Ms. Gallo’s 647 points in 1995-96 also snapped Britt’s record that stood since 1980 and her 22.3 points per game broke her own school-record set two seasons earlier. Her 187 free-throws made and 217 free-throws attempted as a senior are also Lady Cat Basketball records.
Ms. Gallo, who was also a standout for Coach Clyde Horner on the Pitt-Johnstown women’s track and field team, holds Pitt-Johnstown’s all-time scoring record with 1,962 points, as well as the career record for free-throws attempted and made in a career (458-578).
After graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business, Ms. Gallo spent several successful years in the mortgage industry honing her financial skills and learning about the importance of strong customer service.
In 2005, Ms. Gallo created VADA, LLC and purchased an RV park she felt might have “potential,” and transformed the failing park into a profitable, customer service award-winning RV park. For three straight years, the campground has won national customer service and overall excellence awards. In the first year after converting the campground to a KOA franchised property, Ms. Gallo led her team to win a President’s Award and the Founder’s Award, both based on customer ratings scores and KOA’s quality review inspection scores.
After ten years of hard work, a dedicated staff, and help from friends and family, the park is now a profitable KOA franchise. Ms. Gallo’s campground participates in KOA care camps each year, donating free camping and raising money to send children who are undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment to special camps across the country.
Ms. Gallo resides in Connellsville and Nokomis, Fla. with her partner Deene Yenchochic.
“I had a basketball under my arm since I was six years old and to have my dedication to the sport recognized in this Hall of Fame is truly a blessing and an honor I will cherish forever,” Ms. Gallo said. “It was a sincere privilege to wear the Lady Cat uniform alongside my coaches and teammates. Now that privilege lives on being honored alongside the other athletes in this Hall of Fame.”
