On June 11, 2022, four Middletown Blue Raiders were inducted into the Capital Area Chapter of the PA Sports Hall of Fame. Pictured left to right, Owen Hannah (’68), John Wilsbach (’83) and Ben Olsen (’95), as well as the late Dolores Bimle, were selected for their accomplishments below.
Owen Hannah, Class of 68, Basketball
Owen Hannah was a two-sport athlete at Middletown and a member of the ‘68 State championship basketball team. After MAHS, Hannah attended California University of PA. He served as a supervisor of officials and referees in several leagues including the Big 10, Atlantic 10, Patriot, PSAC and more. Hannah worked numerous tournament games in Division I, II, and III basketball over a distinguished career.
John Wilsbach, Class of ’83, Sports Broadcasting
John Wilsbach is a longtime radio and TV announcer for the Harrisburg Heat soccer team since 1991, broadcasting over 600 games. In 2013, he took ownership of the franchise for three years. For over 40 years, Wilsbach has been the broadcaster of Middletown Blue Raiders football and basketball. He has been the broadcaster of Lebanon Valley College football and basketball since 2005. Wilsbach also broadcasted the Philadelphia Kixx for several seasons, was the fill-in for the Hershey Bears, announced for the Big 33 game, and also announced for numerous other teams in Central PA.
Ben Olsen, Class of ’95, Soccer
Voted in 2014. Star soccer player at Middletown Area High School. He was the ‘93 Parade Magazine National Player of the Year and the University of Virginia Soccer America Player of the Year. Olsen played 11 seasons and had 29 goals with D.C. United leading them to the 1999 Championship. Olsen also played with Nottingham Forest, the U.S. National Team, the U.S. Olympic Team and the 2006 World Cup Team. He was the coach for D.C. United in 2010-20 winning 113 games and earning Coach of the Year in 2014. Olsen is currently President of Club Operations for the womens’ pro soccer team Washington Spirit.
Dolores “Shortie” Bimle, Coach & Official
Dolores Bimle launched and coached Middletown’s first girls’ softball team in 1974. She was a PIAA official in girls’ varsity basketball, field hockey and softball, for a combined 97 years of service, including 11 years in field hockey and basketball for NCAA Division 3. Bimle spent 39 years as a physical education teacher.