“Chiegpee Aibletio Sal of Fame “Just once today try to be the miracle someone else just prayed for.” ~ Paul Kononitz Good evening and welcome to the Castle of Knights. Tonight we proudly induct the seventh class of coaches, athletes, contributors and teams into the Chicopee Athletic Hall of Fame. This event has been made possible by the men and women that have worked tirelessly on our organizing committee. Our goal is to host an induction that is worthy of the accomplishments of our honored guests. Please take the time to search out our committee and thank them for their efforts. The proud and storied history of Chicopee athletics dates back to the early part of the twentieth century. As time has passed and much has changed, the tenets of Chicopee athletics have not. Our programs were built on hard work, dedication, toughness and a true love for competition in an educational setting. One hundred years later, we can proudly say that those characteristics are still evident in today’s athletes, coaches and administrators. With two state of the art high schools, a first rate park system, excellent student athletes and fine coaches, the future of the athletic programs at Chicopee High and Chicopee Comprehensive High Schools are both very bright. With the Hall of Fame, we continue the tradition by preserving our past while looking to the future. Please feel free to visit each school and view our Hall of Fame wall located near each gymnasium. ‘Together, all of us can continue the great tradition of Chicopee athletics. As you enjoy the festivities tonight, please be sire to take note of how we can improve for next year and send us any comments you may have. The organizing committee is always seeking new members and would appreciate extra help. We sincerely hope that this induction ceremony will exceed your expectations. 2015 Inductees Chicopee High School ‘Maggie Anischik - 1987 Julie Wightman Ereckson - 2004 Chicopee Comprehensive Emily Asselin - 2005 Rob Desormier - 1986 Edward Londraville - 1966 Rick Matuszczak - 1966 Dannielle Meder - 2005 Joseph Nolan - 1967 Kyle Powers » 2004 James Stefanik - 1997 Mark Sylvander - 1997 Frank Szydlo - 1968 Team Football - 1968 Football - 1969 Contri John Douglas Griffin Michael Halpin - 1976 Jeremy Hartbarger - 2000 Brenda Jacques - 1997 Jeff Kolodjay 1995 Rick Labonte - 1976 James Lafleur - 1986 Raymond Peloquin - 1983 Rachel Pluta Valdes - 2002 ‘Team Golf + 1983 Golf - 1984 Contributor John Douglas GriffinEDWARD LONDRAVILLE - 1966 HOCKEY, SOCCER Ed eamed letters in soceer and hockey during his athletic career as a Pacer. He was a four year starter on the varsity soccer team. His junior year saw him lead the team in awarded him an Ail Western Mass Selection. His versatility as a forward and a defender eamed him the Alfred Allen trophy as the team’s MVP. Ed’s CHS hockey career saw him asa three year defenseman, playing on back-to-back Berry Division champs. RICK MATUSZCZAK - 1966 E BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, SOCCER Richard ’Ricky” Matuszczak enrolled at CHS in the fall of 1962 - the same year that Comp opened its doors for the first time. He really enjoyed the great rivalry while playing against CCHS during his high school sports career. Rick was captain of both the soccer and baseball teams his senior year, and was an All Western Mass Selection in both sports. Joe NOLAN - 1967 FOOTBALL, TRACK & FIELD Joe earned varsity letters for football in his sophomore, junior and senior years at Chicopee High, and was selected captain of the team in his senior year. He played an iron man role as offensive and defensive halfback as well as playing on the kick and punt return teams, Bill Moge called Joe, “the quickest and best all-around football player in Western Mass.” He also said Joe was the finest running back at Chicopee High school in over a decade. Joe was selected to the Springfield Republican and Holyoke Transcript First Team honors and was also selected for the All Western Mass honor as well in his senior year. He was also the recipient of the "Best Football Player” trophy at CHS his senior year. The Track & Field team saw Joe as its captain his senior year. He also lettered in this sport for three previous years. He ran the 100 & 200 yard dash as well as the 400 yard relay. Joe was accomplished in the shot put, javelin and poll vaulting events. FRANK SZYDLO - 1968 BASKETBALL, SOCCER Long time sports writer, Gary Brown, nicknamed him “The Blonde Bomber” during the Christmas BAsketball Festival, December, 1965. Crediting his coach as finding a “magic” touch, this christened him as the starting sophomore point guard along with three other class- mates. During the next season, Frank was cited by the legendary coach, Bill Moge, as the tour nament's most valuable piayer and leading scorer, gaining Chicopee High School its first ever Western Mass basketball till Frank went on to become one of the top ten scorers and eamed Valley League, Western Mass honors in basketball and AL Pioneer Valley honors in soccer. MAGGIE ANISCHIK - 1987 BASKETBALL, SOCCER, SOFTBALL. Asa freshman at Chicopee High, Maggie was a varsity starter in soccer and softball. She was selected Second Team All Western Mass sophomore year for softball. She was also selected fto the Coaches A’ Star Team for softball during her sophomore, junior and senior years at CHS, as well as the Coaches All League Team and All Western Mass First “Team for soccer. Maggie was also a member of the All Western Mass Championship bas- ketball team, Her senior year saw Maggie as captain of the soccer team as well as captain of the softball team as a junior and senior. JAMES STEFANIK - 1997 GOLF Jim was selected First Team All Western Mass during each of his four years at CHS, He was also selected to All State his junior and senior years. During his senior year, Jimr served as captain of the golf team.MARK SYLVANDER - 1997 BASKETBALL, CROSS COUNTRY, TRACK & FIELD AtCHS, Mark participated as a 400M runner, 800M runner, triple jumper, long jumper and a 4x40 relay member on the track and field team. He quatilied fo Western Mass in all of his participation events. Mark won the Western Mass as the 400M runner in 1996 and 1997. He set the still-standing 400M record with a time of 48.12 seconds. Mark also garnerec All State and New England status with seconds and thirds both years, He was the 1997 team captainas well He was also a member of the CHS basketball and cross country program for two years. JULI WIGHTMAN ERECKSON : 2004 GOLF Juli was a four year starter at CHS, playing in the #2 spot on the boys team after joining, in the fall of 2000. At 16 years old, Juli shot in the mid to high seventies on a regular basis. She was named Division I League All Star First Team all of those years. She won three Western Mass Golf Championships during her high school career, along with an in- dividual state championship and a team state championship. In 2003, Juli was the state Girls Champion. Serving as captain of the CHS golf team during, her junior year, Juli was also class president all four years at the high school. KYLE POWERS - 2004 BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL, Kyle was a four year letter winner for the CHS basketball team. He was selected Second ‘Team All Western Mass es a sophomore and First Team All Western Mass junior and sen- ior years, while becoming one of the few two-year captains for Coach Mike Labrie. Kyle finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in CHS history with 1,477 total career points -a record that stands today. Another record he holds, that has yet to be broken, is being the school’s all-tme leader in rebounding and career minutes. His senior year he was recognized by the MA Coaches Association as Western Mass Player of the Year as well as receiving the Bd Kocziel Award for his accomplishments in basketball, Kyle was also a two year letter winner for the CHS football team and one year letter winner for the school's baseball program. DANNIELLE MEDER - 2005 SOCCER, TRACK & FIELD Danielle wasa two sport ahlete, excelling in both track & field and soccer the four years she spent at CHS. She was the three time Western Mass Champion in the 300 meter low hurdles anc a three year participant in the state meet, qualifying in the 300 hurdles, long, jump and ‘triple jump. Dannielle was the indoor track record holder in the 55 meter, 300 meter and long jump, and currently retains the record for the 300 meter and long jump. In outdoor track, she holds the school record for the 300 low hurdles, the 100 high hurdles, the triple jmp and the 4100 relay. Danielle was a three time Republican All Scholastic Team pick, Known for her speed, she was a starter in varsity soccer all four years, and a captain her senior year. She was a senior All Star pick, an All League Selection and was chosen for the soccer All Scholastic Team. Other major highlights incl.de the Republican All Academic Sports Team in bath her sports, MeScholar Athlete Award, Stepczyk Scholar Athlete Award, Republican athlete of the Week. JOHN DOUGLAS GRIFFIN CONTRIBUTOR “Doug” moved to Chicopeein 1974, began coaching baseball and basektball for the ATAC organization, leading his 1978 basketball squdl to the North Division Championship and his 1981-82 team captured the league and playoff championship in a one point thriller. He was instrumental in developing ‘he Chicopee youth football program, run dhrough the St. Maxy’s Saints and Chicopee Braves organizations, In 1986, Doug was voted Coach of the Year by his peers. He continued to volunteer ins services as an assistant tootball coach at Comp for the 1992-93 season. Prior to his retirement in 2012, Doug returned to youth football and served as an assistant football coach for te Suburban Superbowl Champions, the Chicopee Braves, who were coached by Doug’s youngest son, Matthew. (One of the many highlights of his coaching career, Doug was the first to introduce female participation on the Football squad to the Western Mass region. ‘To quote one of his female athletes, Chris Darry-Rose Elrod, “Coach Griffin is a great inspiration, fantastic mentor, and a man! am deeply grateful for.” Chicopee Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Congratulations to all especially Rob Desormier and Jeremy Hartbarger Not only were you both great athletes, but more importantly, you both were and are wonderful human beings. It was an honor to be your coach. God bless you and your families - Love, Coach Dan DulchinosCHICOPEE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL - 1968 - 1969 The Chicopee High School 1968 and 1969 football teams were both undefeated and won back-to-back AA Conference Championships. Head Coach Bill Moge and assistants Alex Vyce, Bill Osolinski, Sonny Hansley and Joe Hohol used a strong wishbone offense and an aggressive defense to guide the Pacers to their consecutive tiles. ‘Outstanding depth and talent were keys to their success. Ron Kumeiga, Ray Kos, Ken Rurak and Steve Topor earned All Western Mass honors both years, Numerous other teammates earned All Conference and All Western Mass honors to help the athletes from the classes of 1969-1972 win back their back-to-back titles. The class of 1971 completed a remarkable three seasons with a career record of 2411 Do You REMEMBER...??? LOISELLE PHARMACY =. 201 EXCHANGE STREET ROGER'S VARIETY 249-251 BROADWAY (OPPOSITE LINCOLN GROVE) DUNLOP FLORIST 2 GRAPE STREET 110 COURT STREET TAUCHER’S SUPERMKT. HIGHPOINT MTR. INN = 450 MEMORIAL DRIVE HASTINGS STATIONERS ON THE SQUARE (EXCHANGE AND CABOT STREETS) Congratulations, Ed cS Londraville — and all the Inductees With love, Chuck and Di Joyce, Brian, Carolyn and Denise And from your greatest fans...Mom and Dad! FOOTBALL - 1969She ‘Chicape “Comprchensive Dfears MIKE HALPIN - 1976 FOOTBALL, TRACK Mike was selected First Team All League and All Western Mass in football during his junior year at Chicopee Comp. He was captain of the football team his senior year, but due to an injury, was only able to play in the first three games of the season. In 1978, Mike was nominated to the Western Mass Chapter of the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame. During his four year athletic career at CCHS, Mike competed in the shotput and discus, lettering all four years. He qualified for Valley League, All Western Mass and the States Championships. RICK LABONTE - 1976 SOCCER During his athletic career at CCHS, Rick was a two year starter for Coach Bill Davis. He was selected to the High School Soccer All New England, Alll State, All Western Mass Teams as a senior. Al this lime, Rick would like to Utantk Couch Davis, Coach Bobala and the entire 1975-76 Boys Soccer Team for an incredible journey to the 1975 Western Mass Championship game., and would like to accept this award on behalf of his teammates. They were a special group. RAY PELOQUIN - 1983. BASKETBALL, TRACK & FIELD During his four years at Comp, Ray played basketball and competed on the track team . He received the Coaches Award three times for Basketball and one for Track & Field, Lettering his senior year in basketball, he was also a four-time letterman for track. Ray broke the existing 10 year old discus record with a tos of 151’8”, then, two weeks, later, smashed his record with a toss of 164'8”! That record still stands today - 32 years later. Ray placed first in the discus at the Western Mass Track Championships that year and was nominated for the Bronislaw J. Stepczyk Award, Special thanks go to Ray's greatest fans - his mom and dad, who attended countless games and meets; Mr. Steve Jarvis who volunteered countless hours of his time training both the shotput and discus throwers at Comp. He pushed Ray to be the best.ROB DESORMIER - 1986 BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL Rob was a three year starter at linebacker, earning him All League recognition. [n 1985, he anchored the middle of a defensive unit which led Western Mass with four shutouts and helped the Colts become undefeated in the Double A Conference and earn a berth to the ‘Wester Mass Division I Super Bowl Championship. Rob was also the recipient of the WREB Player of the Year Award, being the only defensive player to ever win this. Rob was a two year varsity letter recipient and part of the 1986 Valley League Champions and Western Mass Division I Championship team of 1985-86, Rob started every baseball game in left field for two seasons with the Colts without committing, a fielding error. He was amongst the team leaders in runs scored and stolen bases. He led the team in baiting average, baiting 434 in regular season play in 1986, helping the team win the Valley League title. He eared All Western Mass honors and was named the team Co-MVP. JAMES LAFLEUR - 1986 HOCKEY, SOCCER Jim was a member of the CCHS Colts soccer and hockey teams, He shared the role of captain of the soccer team while leading the team and the league in scoring. During his tenure as cap'ain of the hockey team, he tallied 89 points playing right wing on the Colts’ high powered offensive line, notably known as the “French Connection,” while helping lead the Colts to their frist Western Mass Championship in 1986, JEFF KOLODJAY - 1995 GOLF During his high school a-hletic career, Jeff was chosen MVP all four years. He was nomi- nated to All Western Mass Golf Team four consecutive years, and made the All State ‘Team three years, Jeff's winning match record was over 90% for all four years, playing as the #1 man on the team from freshman year on. BRENDA HARTBARGER JACQUES - 1997 BASKETBALL, SOCCER, SOFTBALL Brenda played varsity softball, basketball and soccer all four years and was selected Second Team All Western Mass for softball. She was an All League selection for softball and soccer. Brenda was awarded co-MVP for softball all four years at Comp. She was also named. Athlete of the Week her junior year and was selected to the Alll Star soccer team her sen- ior year. Junior and senior years saw Brenda as captain of the basketball and softball teams, and captain of the soccer team her senior year. This young woman was ako the recipient of the Fitzpatrick Trophy for Soccer, the Maureen, Curry Rege Scholarship and the Lt. Bronislaw Stepezyk Award. JEREMY HARTBARGER - 2000 BASEBALL, FOOTBALL Jeremy played varsity football for three years and served as captain of the team during his senior year. He was selected All Conference his senior year, and voted MVP for his two touchdowns and an interception in the Sword Game. While a student at Comp, Jeremy also played three years of varsity baseball. He was se- lected as an Alll League player his sophomore year and to the First Team All Western ‘Mass his junior and senior years. He was also captain and voted MVP his senior year. Jeremy held the school record for runs scored and stolen bases. He was selected to the Senior All Star Team and he was proudly part of Coach Dulchinos’ 500th career win, Jeremy is honored to share this day with his sister, Brenda Jacques, RACHEL PLUTA VALDES - 2002 BASKETBALL, SOCCER, TRACK As ajuniot, Rachel led the Comp girls soccer team in scoring, highlighted by a game-winning goal with 13 minutes left inovertime, to secure the victory and clinch the first Division I West- ern Mass Tournament playoif berth for CCHS girls soccer since 1994, Rachel then went on to score three goals for a hat tritk, to secure a victory against Sci-Tech in round #1 of the towmament. Rachel was the fourth highest scorer in the Grieve Division her junior year. As a senior, Rachel Jed the entire Division Tin scoring with 17 gaols and 6 assists. She scored 90% of her team’s goals, once again propelling CCHS to their second straight Western Mass Tournament appear- ance. Rachel made the Reptblican’s All Western Mass Second Team both junior and senior years; was the Chicopee Register’s Athlete of the Month senior year; earned the Athlete of the ‘Week Honor Roll Award by the Republian twice as a junior and then again as a senior. She was honored as Ouistanding Female Athlete by the Mass Interscholastic Athletic Association Rachel qualified for the Western Mass Tournament in track her four years at Comp. She was a three year starter as a guard for the girls varsity basketball team, who, as written by the Chiopee Register, was “a big gun whose three pointers often stuck the dagger in the heart of Comp's opponents.”EMILY ASSELIN - 2005 TENNIS Emily was the #1 singles player for Chicopee Comprehensive High School’s Women’s ) ‘Tennis Team for three years in a row. Her most memorable high school wins include ! defeating the fifth seeded pleayer at the Western Massachusetts High Schoo! Tennis ‘Tournament and defeating Agawam’s #1 player who had an undefeated record prior V to their match. Emily was named to the All Western Mass Division I Team. She also won the entire Massachusetts Bay State Games at Harvard University in her senior year. JOHN DOUGLAS GRIFFIN CONTRIBUTOR “Doug” moved to Chicopee in 1974, began coaching baseball and basekthall for the AJAC or ganization, leading his 1978 basketball squd to the North Division Championship and his 1981- 82 team captured the league and playoff championship in a one point thriller. He was instrumental in developing the Chicopee youth football program, run through the St. Mary's Saints and Chicopee Braves organizations. [n 1986, Doug was voted Coach of the Year by his peers. He continued to volunteer his services as an assistant football coach at Comp for the 1992-93 season. Prior to his retirement in 2012, Doug returned to youth football and served as an assis- tant football coach for the Suburban Superbowl Champions, the Chicopee Braves, who were coached by Doug’s youngest son, Matthew. (One of the many highlights of his coaching career, Doug was the first to introduce female par- ticipation on the football squad to the Western Mass region, ‘To quote one of his female athletes, Chris Darry-Rose Elrod, “Coach Griffin is a great inspira- tion, fantastic mentor, and a man Lam deeply grateful for.” SOCHA SIGNS IN CHICOPEE SINCE 1938 SPORTS GIFTS TRUCK, TRAILER & VAN GRAPHICS POSTERS, BANNERS & SIGNS SOCHASIGNS.COM 413-592-3227 GOLF . 1983. 1984 ‘The Chicopee Comp golf team being honored at this ceremony was the Valley League Champ, Western Mass Division T runner-up and Division I State Champ in 1983 IN 1984, the team was Valley League, Western Mass Division I Champ, and Division [State runner-up. From 1982-1984, the team had a match record of 36-5-1 ‘The 1985-84 teams consisted of Dean Godek, Patrick Rahilly, Jeff Guiel, Brad Klinkowski, Kevin Klinkowski, Mike Sweeny, Sean Rahilly, and Todd trzyk. Both teams were coached by Jim Kijak. Today’s Question: Do you think they can still do this? (1986 CCHS Swim Team members)