Hall of Fame
Women’s Basketball Division II Bulletin Honorable Mention All-American, Janet Hess, finished her Lady Cat basketball career ranked among the program’s all-time leaders in scoring and assists. Under the leadership of Head Coach, Jodi Gault, she was a part of the 1992 and 1993 NCAA East Regional Championship teams.
Ms. Hess, a native of Creekside, Pa., had an outstanding career at Marion Center High School. She scored 1,863 points, dished out 750 assists, and led her team to a 105-20 overall record. In 1991, she committed to Pitt-Johnstown, one of the top women’s basketball programs in the country.
During her freshman campaign, the Lady Cats won the Mideast Conference Title, were the NCAA East Regional Champions, and were ranked as high as number 5 in the nation. The following season she helped lead the Lady Cats to a 2nd straight East Regional Crown. Ms. Hess was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament where she averaged 22.5 points, 7 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Ms. Hess, a two-year Lady Cat team captain, and a two-time Mountain Cat Classic All-Tournament Team selection, was named Women’s Basketball Division II Bulletin Honorable Mention All-American following the 1993-94 season. At the time, she became the program’s 20th 1,000-point scorer. During her senior season in 1994-1995, she led Pitt-Johnstown to a 19-8 overall record. In her four seasons at Pitt-Johnstown, the Lady Cats posted an 88-24 (.786) overall record.
The recipient of the 1994 University of Pittsburgh Golden Panther Scholar-Athlete Award, Ms. Hess ended her career ranked 10th on the Lady Cat All-Time Scoring List (1,340 points) and fourth on the All-Time Assists List (524). She still ranks 15th on the scoring list, fourth on the assists leaders’ list, and is the program’s leader in rebounding for point guards, with 417.
Ms. Hess served as a student assistant for Coach Gault in 1995-96 and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She was hired by the Harmony Area School District as a middle school History teacher, where she was employed from 1996-2006. During that time, she also served as the varsity girls’ basketball coach where she was named Indiana Gazette Coach of the Year during the 2000-2001 season. Additionally, she was honored by the Indiana County Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
In 2006, she relocated to Houston, Pa., and was hired by the Burgettstown Area School District. Currently, she teaches sixth-grade English Language Arts and Social Studies. She has also served as a grade-level representative and a mentor teacher at various times in the district.
Ms. Hess is a member of the Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA), Allison Park Elementary Parent Organization, and is a volunteer coach in the Chartiers-Houston Youth Girls’ Basketball Association. She and her spouse, Becky Siembak, reside in Houston, Pa. with their children Harper and Hudson.
“Competing for a prestigious program under the guidance of Coach Gault fills me with immense pride and a deep sense of gratitude,” Ms. Hess said. “The invaluable support and friendships I experienced with my coaches and teammates at Pitt-Johnstown profoundly influenced my personal and athletic development. Receiving this honor is truly humbling, and I am appreciative of the university for the opportunities it offered me to thrive both in basketball and in my academic pursuits. The experiences I gained at UPJ have left an indelible mark on my life. Finally, I would like to thank my parents, Nancy and Edward Hess, for their unwavering support throughout my athletic career. Without their guidance and encouragement, I would not have had the opportunity to pursue my passion.”
