Hontz was a multi-sport star

During his high school career that extended from 2004-2008, Josh Hontz earned 11 total varsity letters: 4 in football; 4 in track and field, and 3 in basketball. He was a standout in both football and track and field.

After his senior season in 2007-2008, Hontz was named Co-Offensive Team MVP with the Olympians and selected as 1st team Wide Receiver by the Anthracite Football league and the Times-News, Pottsville-Republican, Reading Eagle and the Morning Call newspapers. He was named the Offensive Player of the Year by both the Schuylkill County Football Coaches' Association and the Anthracite Football League.

His football career was topped off with him being named to 2nd team All-State in Class AA and then being selected from a group of 34 high school scholar-athletes as the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the National Football Association Scholar Athlete in 2007

His coach, Mark Rosenberger, said "He's the best overall receiver I've seen in my 10 years coaching here".

Hontz has already been inducted twice into the Hall of Fame; first, as a member of the 2004 undefeated football team and then as a member of the 2007 Anthracite League Football Champions.

His success in football was repeated in track and field where he excelled in the javelin, the 110 High Hurdles and the Long Jump. He was the District XI Champion in the Javelin with a top throw of 184-5 feet and placed 3rd in the 110 meter High Hurdles with a time of 15.44 seconds. He was named MVP of the Jim Thorpe Area Track and Field team and was placed on the Schuylkill League Track and Field Honor Roll after winning the league championship in the javelin.

Hontz carried his success in the javelin with him to East Stroudsburg University. In his freshman year there, he was named to the All-PSAC Conference and the East Stroudsburg Honor Roll in Track and Field.

In 2010, he was named to the United States Track and Field and Cross County Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Academic Team. In 2011, Hontz won the javelin during the PSAC Conference Championship with a throw of 222-6 feet; was named to the All District Academic Second Team, and again to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team. In 2013 his 5th place finish in the NCAA Division II National Championship qualified him for All-American Honors and he finished his career by again being named to the USTFCCCA All-Academic Team.

Hontz is presently employed as a Chemistry Teacher in the Hackettstown School District in Hackettstown NJ where he also serves as Assistant Track Coach

The 26th annual JIM THORPE AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet will be held at the Jim Thorpe Memorial Hall on August 15, 2015.

A cocktail hour will begin at 5pm, Dinner starts at 6pm, and the Induction Ceremony at 7:15pm. Entertainment will begin at the conclusion of the Induction Ceremony which will be at approximately 8:30pm. The cost will be $35 per person and includes dinner, selected drinks and entertainment.

The TIMES-NEWS has already published the accomplishments of the 1959 Jim Thorpe Baseball Mountain League Championship team, Mike Paulas, Genia Cooper Wasilewski and Josh Hontz. In the next few weeks before the banquet, inductees Ryan Bennick and Philip Redline, will also be highlighted.

Tickets for the Induction Ceremony and the rest of the evening can be obtained by calling Jack Kmetz at 570-325-4923, Craig Zurn at 570-325-3855/3631, Ron Sheehan at 570-325-4244 or Wilmer Redline at 570-325-3073.