Manhasset High School Hall Of Fame Induction Returns

Amanda Olsen

aolsen@antonmediagroup.com see HALL OF FAME on page 6

On Saturday, May 20, the Manhasset High School Athletic Hall of Fame will induct its latest round of honorees. These seven people exemplify both peak athleticism and the characteristics of good sportsmanship. The ceremony will take place in the High School Gymnasium from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Manhasset High School Athletic Booster Club.

This will be the first induction since the COVID pandemic, and the Hall’s committee is eager to resume the in-person celebration of notable local athletes. The delay allowed the committee to compile a great profile for each nominee.

“These people were elected three years ago. but because of COVID it was put on hold, so we’re now catching up a little bit. There’s a committee that looks into the selection process. Since we did this process the last time three years ago, of nominating and electing them, we’ve been able to find some records and piece things together… We looked at elite student athletes and coaches, some (of whom are) unfortunately no longer with us.” Said Bob Anastasia, one of the committee members.

Once someone is nominated, the committee gathers as much information as they can about the athlete or coach, and then they begin narrowing the list for that year.

Allen Dawson began his teaching and coaching career in 1949. For more than twenty years, Al coached Varsity Football, Basketball, Track, and Cross Country. In 1971, Al gave up coaching at Manhasset to become the Head Track coach at C.W. Post College. Due to his abounding success, he was invited to serve as a coach for the United States Olympic Track team.

Although Arnie Sims is most known for his coaching career that won the first Basketball State Championship in 1986, most do not remember his passion for teaching and his unwavering guidance as the Middle School Football and Varsity Baseball programs. Arnie’s teams advanced to the Nassau County title games on five occasions. In recognition of the magical season, Arnie was awarded ‘Coach of the Year’ honors by Newsday and Cablevision. Arnie was the recipient of the ‘Coaches Recognition Award’ from the Nassau Zone of the NYSAHPERD. He was also selected to coach the 1993 Long Island Empire State Basketball Team.

George Robinson was one of the finest athletes to go through Manhasset High School. Although his ‘name’ is predominantly associated with Basketball, most followers don’t know that he was a part of the Varsity Lacrosse team for 3 years that gained recognition in the early 1980s. As a sophomore, he was part of the ’84 Nassau County Championship team that went into 3 OT’s, and won in sudden victory against Ward Melville. As a junior, he received All-Division honors and was a part of the attack that was again Nassau County and Long Island Champions, and fell short in the Downstate Tournament to Yorktown. As a senior, he was recognized as an All-County player.

Meghan was a varsity soccer player whose team won great accomplishments for a ‘starting program’. In lacrosse, Meghan was a part of a team that in her junior and senior years, achieved 2x Nassau County Small School and 2x Long Island Championships. It was in basketball that she excelled the most, playing for Coaches Chuck Collyer and Suzanne Collins Kenney. She achieved All-County honors as a sophomore and the team achieved second place in Conference IV; won the Barbara Hoffman Tournament, yet fell short in the 2nd round of playoffs. Meghan is presently the Varsity Girls Coach, who won the 2022 State Championship. This marks her 2nd Hall of Fame induction, as she is a member of the Manhasset Lacrosse Hall of Fame (2015).