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Ring of Honor Inductees
2023 Rick Daniels
Rick spent 17 years coaching at Downingtown East High School. He retired after the 2023 season, with over 50 years of coaching football at the collegiate and high school levels. In addition to being the first member of the Ring of Honor, Rick is an inductee of the Killinger Foundation - West Chester University Hall of Fame, and the Chester County Sports Hall of Fame.
2024 Larry Estep
Larry was the film coordinator from 1997-2023 and was Coach Matta’s first hire when Downingtown split into two schools. Larry spent countless hours with both the coaches and players during numerous scouting trips, practices, and games. Larry was posthumously inducted as the 2nd member of the Downingtown Football Program’s Ring of Honor.
2024 Tim Weber
Tim Weber's induction into the Downingtown Football Ring of Honor marks a momentous occasion, celebrating a figure pivotal to the spirit and structure of Downingtown's football legacy. As the founding member and president of the Downingtown East Football Association (DEFA), Weber was instrumental in shaping the program from its inception. His visionary leadership not only established solid foundations but also fostered a thriving community around the sport, enhancing the athletic experience for countless young athletes. His contributions extended beyond organizational duties; Weber served as a crucial sounding board and advisor to Coach Matta during the formative years of the program, ensuring its growth and sustainability.
The legacy of Tim Weber is further encapsulated by the personal ties and contributions of his family to Downingtown football. His three sons, Kyle, Shaun, and Danny, all of whom played under the Downingtown banner, are a testament to Weber’s passion for the sport and his commitment to the program. Each son carried forward his dedication, representing the values instilled in them through DEFA and their father's example. This familial thread woven into the fabric of Downingtown’s football narrative underscores the deep, personal impact Weber had on the program, making his induction not just a recognition of professional leadership, but also of personal commitment and familial legacy.
2025 Pat Devlin
Pat Devlin’s legacy in the Downingtown Football Program extends far beyond the records he shattered and the accolades he earned as a standout quarterback. While his success on the field — leading to college careers at Penn State and Delaware and ultimately to the NFL — is well documented, it is Pat’s contributions after his final snap that truly define his place in our Ring of Honor. Pat never forgot his roots, returning to mentor Downingtown quarterbacks through the years, helping them not only become better players but stronger leaders, guiding them with the same passion and commitment he once showed under center.
Pat’s influence is deeply woven into the fabric of our program’s offensive identity. His expertise in developing route adjustments, pass protections, and overall quarterback play has been a cornerstone of our offensive success for over a decade. More importantly, Pat's selfless dedication to mentoring young athletes during their moments of growth and need has left a lasting mark on Downingtown Football. We are proud to honor Pat Devlin for not only the greatness he achieved but for the greatness he helped inspire in others.
2025 Kathy Ducharme
Kathy Ducharme’s impact on the Downingtown Football Program is both lasting and profound. Serving two separate terms as Booster Club President during her sons’ time in the program, Kathy helped lay the foundation for the support system that has helped countless players and coaches thrive. Taking the mantle from the first Booster Club President, Tim Weber, she became the vital bridge between the program’s early years and the strong, thriving community it is today. Kathy's leadership was marked by unwavering dedication, tireless service, and a deep understanding of what a football program needs to succeed.
With football in her blood — her father having been a coach — Kathy instinctively knew how to build a culture of trust, support, and excellence. She championed every player and coach, ensuring that their efforts on and off the field were met with encouragement and appreciation. Kathy's influence extended well beyond her official terms, helping to shape the Downingtown Football community for years to come. We are proud to honor Kathy Ducharme for her remarkable commitment and her enduring legacy in the Downingtown Football Program.
2025 Tyler Kroft
Tyler Kroft’s journey from Downingtown Football standout to a nine-year NFL veteran is a story of talent, hard work, and heart. A three-year starter during his high school career, Tyler’s achievements on the field are impressive — but it’s the person he is off the field that truly sets him apart. Throughout his professional career, Tyler has remained a dedicated supporter of the Downingtown Football Program, giving back selflessly to the young athletes who now walk the same path he once did. His annual Tyler Kroft Football Camp, offered free to the entire community, reflects his deep commitment to celebrating and growing the game he loves in his hometown.
Tyler’s impact extends beyond the camp field. No matter where his NFL career has taken him, Tyler and his family have always made Downingtown a priority, bringing their energy and support back to the community year after year. He has been instrumental in the development of the tight end position within our program, working individually with players during the offseason and mentoring them with the same dedication he shows his teammates at the highest level. Tyler’s first question every weekend is always about the team — a reminder that no matter where life has taken him, Downingtown Football will always be home. We are proud to honor Tyler Kroft for his enduring legacy and unwavering support.
2026 Dr. Frank Brennan
Frank Brennan was a constant and trusted presence in the Downingtown Football Program since its beginning in 2003. From the sidelines, he has served as a dedicated member of the program, providing care, guidance, and support to generations of players. His steady presence in critical crossroads of the program and his commitment to the health and well-being of our athletes will never be matched again. Frank was a constant support to Coach Matta and the rest of the coaching staff over the years. He provided a sense of calm, confidence, and empathy for anyone who had the pleasure of being a part of this program.
Beyond his role on the sidelines, Frank’s connection to Downingtown runs deep through his family, as all of his children competed in athletics at Downingtown East. His son Drew created one of the program’s most memorable moments, kicking a field goal as time expired in a playoff game. Whether as a doctor, parent, or supporter, Frank Brennan embodied loyalty, service, and pride in the Downingtown Football program, and we are proud to honor his lasting impact on the program.
2026 Jeff Hauser
Jeff Hauser’s footprint on the Downingtown Football Program was laid in 2003 as a member of the first Downingtown East football team. Jeff helped to establish the foundation of a program built on Family, Accountability, and Toughness. Inducting Jeff into the Ring of Honor is not just built on what he did as a player, but also on how his impact did not end when he stopped playing. Jeff has remained a constant presence in Downingtown for over two decades, serving as a coach, supporter, mentor, and friend. He is always finding ways to give back to the program he helped start.
As the first Director of the Blue and Gold Camp, Jeff helped create what has become one of the premier youth football experiences in southeastern Pennsylvania, impacting generations of young athletes and strengthening the program’s connection to the community. Beyond his visible contributions, Jeff has also been a trusted confidant to Coach Matta throughout his tenure, offering guidance, loyalty, and unwavering support behind the scenes. Jeff Hauser embodies what it means to be a part of Downingtown Football’s Ring of Honor.
2026 Ron Lister
Ron Lister has been one of the foundational pieces of the Downingtown Football Program since his start in 1983. Ron Lister was the backbone of the program, developing young players and growing their love of football. His impact is truly remarkable; in all of his years leading and developing players, he never experienced a losing season. More importantly, nearly every standout player in the history of the program began their career under Ron’s guidance, learning the fundamentals of the game and what it means to be a part of this program.
What made Ron special was his ability to strike the perfect balance between accountability and fun. He created an environment where players were pushed to grow, while also developing a genuine love for the game and for one another. As Rick Daniels once said, “you win with people,” and Ron Lister embodied that belief every day by building relationships, fostering camaraderie, and making football fun. For so many in the Downingtown Football community, their earliest and most meaningful memories of the game trace back to Ron’s leadership. The Ring of Honor would not be complete without him, and we are proud to recognize his lasting legacy.
2026 Class of 2014
The 2014 team holds a unique and defining place in the history of the Downingtown Football program. Following the only losing season in program history, this senior class was faced with rebuilding a new culture for this program. The culture they chose to build was a culture of accountability and brotherhood. They set a new standard for how to be accountable to one another because they loved each other and knew it was what was best for the team. They left individuality behind and became one.
The standard that the 2014 team has set became the blueprint for every team that has followed behind them. Not one player who has played since 2014 doesn’t know of the sacrifices and commitment these seniors made for the preservation of the program. Their impact isn’t just measured by their resilience (winning two playoff games after two devastating losses), but in the sustained excellence that came after them. Every subsequent team has had a winning season and won at least one playoff game each year. The culture that defines Downingtown Football today can be traced directly back to the leadership of the 2014 team, and we are proud to honor the group that reset the standard and changed the trajectory of the program.