Penn Hills native Joe Battista took his place in the American College Hockey Association Hall of Fame on April 25, an honor that highlights his impact on the national athletic organization he helped found in 1991.

Battista was inducted during the ACHA's annual convention in Naples, Fla. The other member of the Class of 2008 is Michigan-Dearborn standout player Jesse Huben-schmidt.

Battista served as the second ACHA president from 1993 to 1995.

The association has grown from a group of 20 teams in one division in the early 1990s to more than 400 men's and women's teams in five divisions.

"It's great to know that there are many opportunities for thousands of athletes to represent their school on the ice," Battista said.

"Putting the ACHA together was a lot of work, but it was a lot of fun. We're still growing."

He is most well known for his work as the head coach of the Penn State ACHA Division I men's hockey team.

Battista led the Icers to the ACHA Division I National Title in 1990, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003. The team was runner-up six times, including 2004, 2005 and 2006.

He compiled an overall record of 512-120-27 in 19 years at Penn State.

Battista won his 500th game with a 6-5 victory over Arizona State during the 2005-06 season.

He is a two-time ACHA Men's Division I Coach of the Year (1999-2000 and 2001-02).

Today, Battista is the executive director of the Nittany Lion Club, an athletic alumni association with more than 21,000 members.

The members of the Nittany Lion Club make possible grant-in-aid support for more than 500 student-athletes and provide operational support for Penn State's 29 varsity sport program.

In addition to earning hall-of-fame honors, Battista made a presentation at the American Hockey Coaches Association, which met at the same time and in the same place as the ACHA convention.

He talked about the role of a coach in booster fundraising, long-term financial development and alumni relations.