NHS inducting first class of Hall of Famers

Tom Long

FIRST CLASS

NHS sports legends among school’s inaugural Hall of Fame inductees

By Brad Emons

The inaugural class for the Northville High School Athletics Hall of Fame is certainly stellar to say the least.

The group of honorees will be recognized at the school’s varsity football game on Friday, Oct. 1 and followed by the induction ceremony on Saturday Oct. 2.

“We are very excited to start an athletic Hall of Fame at Northville High School,” athletic director Brian Samulski said. “Northville athletics has a rich tradition with very talented studentathletes, coaches, teams, and administrators, we look forward to honoring this rich tradition starting with this great inaugural class this upcoming fall.”

Check an upcoming edition of ‘The Ville’ for more information regarding purchasing tickets for the ceremony. Tickets will be available in early August.

For more information, email the Northville A.D. at samulskibr@northvilleschools. org.

Here is a quick peak at the upcoming inaugural class of inductees.

Steve Juday

MURIEL BEDFORD

A 1974 grad, Bedford was an All-Stater in track and field where she held school records in the 440-yard run, 880 (state runner-up in 2:18.0) and shot put. She participated four years in basketball and track, three years in volleyball and two years in tennis. Bedford played basketball at Eastern Michigan where she lettered four times.

DR. TONY BRININGSTOOL

The 1987 grad was an All-State and Dream Team linebacker in football his senior year where he earned Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year and All-American honors in 1986. Briningstool also participated in basketball and track for the Mustangs. At Michigan State he played in four bowl games and on a pair of Big Ten championship teams.

Dan Brown

Tony Briningstool

DAN BROWN

The 1962 grad earned AllState basketball honors leading the Mustangs to the Class B state semifinals. The 6-foot-5 Brown played at the University of Michigan during the Cazzie Russell era as the Wolverines finished as the NCAA runner-up to UCLA in 1965.

SUE CAHILL

The 1980 grad was a standout swimmer who was a two-time state record holder and high school All-American where her school records held for more than two decades. Cahill went on to swim at the University of Michigan where she was the 1982 AIAW champion in the 400 IM.

NICOLE CAUZILLO

The 2003 grad was a standout in soccer, basketball and track. The two-time All-State selection was named Michigan Gatorade Soccer Player of the Year as a senior before going on to play one season at West Virginia before finishing her career as captain at Kansas. She was also a runner-up in the Kansas City Marathon.

DENNIS COLLIGAN

The Wayne native became a fixture at Northville High School serving as both the varsity football coach (1979-85) and athletic director (1986-97) before becoming an assistant and head principal. Colligan retired from Northville Schools, and still remains active as an assistant football coach on Matt Ladach’s varsity staff.

JOHN HORWATH

The 1978 grad earned All-State honors in football in 1978 as a defensive back and also played wide receiver where he held the touchdown record. He was also a sharpshooter in basketball and was a standout in baseball as well. Horwath, who resides in Northville, was also a defensive coach during Northville’s 9-0 undefeated 2015 regular season.

STEVE JUDAY

The quarterback guided the Mustangs to an undefeated 9-0 season in 1961. After graduating from Northville in 1962, Juday went on to Michigan State where he led the Spartans to a Big Ten title and national championship in 1965. He became the first MSU QB to throw over 1,000 yards and was inducted into MSU’s Hall of Fame in 2016.

THOMAS LONG

A standout in tennis for the Mustangs, Long earned four varsity letters where he served as captain and made All-State twice (1961-1962). He was a league, regional and state runner-up. He also qualified for the U.S. Junior Nationals before going on to Clemson University on a full scholarship where he earned the Tigers’ MVP award in 1966 after placing runner-up in singles and doubles at the ACC Championships.

BRYAN MASI

Served 16 years as the Mustangs’ athletic director beginning in 2003 before retiring in 2019. Under his watch, Northville athletics captured seven of the school’s 11 state titles. Previously, the Dearborn native worked in the district as a teacher and coach before taking the A.D. reins. He is currently an assistant football coach for the Mustangs.

CINDY PANOWICZ

The 1985 grad was an All-State hurdler as well as AllState in cross country in 1983. She was selected Northville’s Athlete of the Year in both 1984 and 1985 and was the school record holder in 10 events. She went on to compete at Kansas University.

DARREL SCHUMACHER

Having served as both the head varsity football (19862001) and basketball (2001-08) coach, Schumacher is still going strong after 45 years as an assistant at Northville in both sports. His 1990 football team reached the Class A semifinals, while he was named Regional Coach of the Year in 1993. His 200506 basketball team went undefeated during the regular season with a 20-0 record.

MIKE TURNBULL

Will be inducted posthumously after being named the school’s Athlete of the Year in 1966. Turnbull was a standout in football, baseball and basketball for the Mustangs where he earned numerous All-League and All-Area honors. He was named one of the Detroit News’ top football recruits before going on to Michigan State. Turnbull, an Army veteran, was Admissions Director for Culver Academies (Ind.) for 16 years. His brother is Northville Mayor Brian Turnbull.

1973 BOYS SWIM TEAM

Members of the school’s first state championship team, coached by Ben Lauber, will be also honored after capturing the 1973 Michigan High School Athletic Association Class B-C-D title.

ED GABRYS

Gabrys is being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Gabrys (see related story on Page 38) has served as a registered track and cross country official going on 48 years after coaching track (1974-84) and cross country (1980-1998) for the Mustangs.