Hall of Fame
Ed Hammers was a star football and baseball player for the Red Raiders. From Huntingdon, he lettered four years in both sports.
In football Hammers broke into the starting lineup his freshman season in the fall of 1965 and led the team in rushing with 495 yards on 95 carries. He also scored three touchdowns.
In 1966 Hammers earned All-Pennsylvania Conference honorable mention honors by breaking the school record for yards gained per rushing in a single season with 745 on 158 carries. He also broke the school record for the longest rush by going 98 yards for a touchdown against Bloomsburg. On two occasions that season he gained more than 150 yards in a single game. He picked up 165 against Bloomsburg and 153 against Brockport.
The following season Hammers was named to the All-Conference first team and also earned an additional honor of being named to the All-Pennsylvania first team by the Associated Press. That team included players from Division I teams including Penn State and Pitt.
Hammers led the team in rushing with 695 yards on 153 carries. He also ranked among the nation’s leaders in scoring with 73 points. He scored 10 touchdowns and 13 extra points that year. In addition, he set a school record for the most yards gained rushing in a single game with 179 against Brockport.
In baseball, Hammers started in every game for four years despite being hobbled by an injury in 1968. He played both third base and shortstop. For his career he hit .314 with 58 base hits in 185 at-bats. He hit five homers, drove in 32 runs and scored 40. Hammers was noted for his power. He had the distinction of hitting a home run onto the railroad tracks in centerfield at Eckles Field. In 1969, Hammers hit a career high. 369 batting average with 14 hits in 38 at bats. He also walked 17 times to raise his on-base percentage to .564.
After graduation Hammers taught elementary school in the Huntingdon School District.
