Saint Bernard Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2017
Saturday, April 22, 2017
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INDUCTEES OF THE
Saint Bernard ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
CLASS of 2017
Charlie Miller, ‘70
Basketball
Vin Cirillo, ‘72
Football, Baseball
Dr. Melvin “Jeff” Spence, ‘74
Wrestling
James Farina, ‘74
Football, Baseball
Jason Cohenour, ‘79
Wrestling
Tracy Andringa Faulkner , ‘82
Cross Country, Track & Field
Robert “Moose” Gilbert, ‘83
Football
Dawn Macauley McGee, ‘85
Track & Field
Tony I. Lowe, ‘86
Football
Cherie Macauley Weldon, ‘88
Cross Country, Swimming & Track & Field
Jill E. DiFrancesca Smith, ‘94
Cross Country, Track & Field
Darryl Giard, ‘99
Cross Country, Track & Field
Robert R. “Bob” Demars, Coach
Asst. Athletic Director, Football & Baseball
Jim Leone, Coach
Football, Baseball & Wrestling 3
Saint Bernard School Administration Most Rev. Michael R. Cote, Bishop of Norwich Henry Fiore, Superintendent of Schools Donald Macrino, Headmaster Ann Griffin, Asst. Headmaster Robert Bernard, Director of Finance Cathy Brown, Director of Middle School Admissions & International Programs Susan Griffin ’77, Athletic Director Kim Hodges, Director of High School Admissions & Marketing Renju Paul, Campus Minister Dana Williams, Director of Advancement
Mission Statement Saint Bernard School, a Catholic co-educational school, co-sponsored by the Diocese of Norwich and the Xaverian Brothers, admits students from grades 6 through 12. Enriched by values attentive to the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Saint Bernard School community is committed to a challenging college-preparatory education for students of all faiths. Saint Bernard School provides a safe and supportive environment which promotes academic achievement and generates growth in maturity, behavior, character and service to others.
A Message from the Headmaster On behalf of the present student body and staff, please accept our congratulations upon your induction into the St. Bernard Athletic Hall of Fame, Class of 2017. It is in the fabric of its members, that great institutions are defined. Your accomplishments as athletes and individuals of character are what have distinguished you for this honor. It is through your example that our young men and women are proud to wear the red and gray and to be called Saints. Thank you for representing this school and its culture so well. Best Wishes,
Donald Macrino Headmaster 4
Charlie Miller, ’70 While at St. Bernard, Charlie was an honor student and played basketball for Coach Jim Powers, Sr. “I feel the life lessons I learned at St. B's were more rewarding than my basketball accomplishments. Coach Powers was a second father to me. He knew of my situation at home and he guided me in the right direction,” he said of his father’s death. His most memorable moment in athletics at St. Bernard was during his senior year. After breaking his ankle early in the season, he was able to come back and start a game at the end of the season, scoring 14 points and contributing to a win. He was the epitome of a hard-working, selfless, “go-to” guy who persevered. After St. Bernard, Charlie majored in Health Education at Southern Connecticut State University. At Southern he played basketball for Ed Brown and Don Perelli, and was named Captain and the Most Valuable Player of his 1974 team. He remembers he was cut from the team his freshmen year and he felt he was good enough to make the team. After getting cut he still went to every practice and watched the team from the bleachers. He remembers two players on the team became academically ineligible and he asked the JV coach if he could replace one of them. The coach said yes and he sat the bench for five games. On the sixth game he went in and scored 10 points, had 4 assists, and 3 rebounds in about 20 minutes. He started every game after that, averaging 10 points and four assists a game for three years. His best game was against Wesleyan after Southern had just opened their new gymnasium. He remembers having 24 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds in leading his team to victory. He said that Southern was a great place to be because “we had 30 kids from St. Bernard there. It made us feel like we were still in high school.” After college he was a health teacher at Cutler Middle School for 33 years. He served as the Head Basketball Coach at Fitch High School for 17 years and after retiring from that coaching position, has gone on to coach at Avery Point, Wheeler High School, and as a volunteer assistant coach at Grasso Tech. Charlie has two children, Kris 37, Sean 35. Charlie feels that his coaching at Avery Point and Fitch were his greatest accomplishments to date and that he loves coaching. “I am deeply honored. I attended St. Bernard at a critical time in my life. My father died my freshman year and, along with my mother Becky, and my family, St. Bernard High School served as the foundation of the man I am today. Thank you. Always a Saint! … I hope that I have helped players and students realize that they have the potential to become whatever they want with hard work and determination. Hard work and a caring for my players, I think, are my best qualities. That is why I am so proud to be inducted into the SBHS Hall of Fame.” 5
Vin Cirillo, ’72 At St. Bernard, Vin played baseball for Tom Hayes and Bob Demars, and he played football for Pete Plourde, Art Lamoureux, Bing Bartick, Jim Venditto and Bob Demars. Vin was named to the All-State Defense Second Team in 1970, All Hartford Country Conference Football Team in 1970, and to the All Hartford Country Conference Team in Baseball in 1971 and 1972. Vin was an honor student all four years of his high school career and received the Mathematics Award at graduation. He was also active in the Theater Club, was a senior mentor for incoming freshmen, and a math tutor. Vin tells of his most memorable moment in his high school athletic career as “Pitching a 10inning no-hitter, with16 strikeouts during the State Championship game against Notre Dame of West Haven. Unfortunately, I left third base before I realized a fly ball had been caught and I was unable to tag the base in time to score the winning run. The game was called due to darkness with no score. It was replayed the next day and we lost 2-1. Coach Hayes has been known to retell this story on many occasions and has reminded me of this mishap many times”. After St. Bernard, Vin matriculated at Central Connecticut State University and graduated from Southern Connecticut State University in 1977. At Southern, Vin played baseball for Joe Bandiera. After graduating from Southern with a degree in Health Sciences, Vin went on to become a teacher and coach at Norwich Free Academy where he has been for the past 35 years. He and his wife, Kathleen, have five children: Andrea Spas, 37; Melissa Knowlton, 35; Rachel Woods, 30; Kyle Markey, 32; and Dylan Markey, 22. He said of his induction: “I am thrilled and honored to be inducted into the St. Bernard Athletic Hall of Fame in the Class of 2017. Playing sports such as football and baseball requires a team effort. With that in mind, I’d like to thank my coaches and teammates for their part in my development as a player and athlete. I looked up to all my coaches and appreciate their encouragement and discipline. In particular, Coach Hayes strongly influenced me to become a teacher. I played sports for the fun of it, but along the way, my character and values were strengthened. I have always felt that St. Bernard prepared me well for life beyond high school. In 1991, the Norwich Free Academy honored me with its Teacher of the Year Award. Being inducted into the St. Bernard Athletic Hall of Fame is another acknowledgement that I will forever cherish. My family and I would like to thank you for this wonderful honor.” 6
Dr. Melvin “Jeff” Spence, ’74 Jeff played freshman football in 1971, and JV football in 1972, and wrestled from 1972-1974. He played football for Coach Bob Demars and wrestled for Coach Roy Eaton. At SBHS, Jeff was a Christmas Tournament Champion, an Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC) Champion, a CT State Open Champion, and a Hartford County Conference (HCC) Champion. Jeff was also a member of the Men's Choir in 1972. He said that his most memorable moment in Saints Athletics was being awarded the Coaches Award for Sportsmanship. After St. Bernard, Jeff attended Marquette University, graduating with a B.S. in 1978, went on to Quinnipiac University, graduating in 1996 with a M.S., and then on to Des Moines University –Iowa, College of Medicine, graduating with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2012. Jeff has been a practicing clinician of Physical Therapy for 38 years. He is married to his wife, Donna ,and they have two children ,Christopher Spence and Melissa Bezanson. “I really don't recall why I decided to try out for the wrestling team,” Jeff says. “At the time the wrestling team was a club sport. Coach Eaton was new to St. Bernard's and tryouts began for the first varsity wrestling team. I can still remember practicing on Velcro floor mats and the team eventually having to borrow a wrestling mat for our first home meets. We held our first events without team uniforms. We really were a band of brothers with the first team female statistician. Only the club members had wrestled before. Many of us had never wrestled competitively. We practiced three hours a day seven days a week. Coach Eaton had his hands full. We practiced on Christmas Day. The early success that my teammates and I achieved as founding members of this program was not without hard work, and determination. It was with pride that we represented St. Bernard's with professionalism and sportsmanship. As a sportsman, I embraced the love of the sport of wrestling with my teammates and my opponents. It is still a wonderful experience to go to a local high school event and meet former opponents with the enjoyment of the competitiveness we experienced together. The acceptance of a commitment towards a goal and the persistence to continue until accomplishment is the foundation of success that we all take from sport participation.” Jeff says of his induction, “It is humbling that my personal accomplishments are worthy of the Selection Committee’s nomination into the Hall of Fame. It is a great honor to be remembered by the St. Bernard's academic institution for my role as a member of the ‘72, ‘73, and ‘74 wrestling teams.”
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James Farina, ’74 At St. Bernard, Jim played football for Pete Plourde and Dave Pesapane and baseball for Tom Hayes. And he was named to the All-Hartford County Conference (HCC) teams in both football and baseball. Jim was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in the SBHS Varsity Club headed by fellow inductee Bob Demars. His most memorable moments in Saints athletics were two, “Night games under the lights up on the hill in football, leading victories over state-ranked opponents Northwest Catholic and New London. Those victories gave SBHS football The Day Poll Upset Story of the year. The other memorable moment was our baseball team winning the Hartford County Conference which was arguably the toughest Conference in the State.” After high school, Jim went to Stetson University where he earned his B.S. in Finance and he then went to Bryant College where he earned his M.S. At Stetson, Jim played baseball for Jim Ward. Jim Farina has worked for the past 30 years at Pfizer as a Sr. Strategy Manager in Business and Operations. He has been married to Monica Patterson for the past 33 years, and they have two children—Benjamin 27, a graduate of Quinnipiac University in 2011 who played baseball (2nd All time Career Hits), and Terence, 25, a graduate of Wesleyan University in 2014 who also played baseball. Jim served on the St. Bernard Advisory Board from 2000-2005, was the St. Bernard Alumni Fund Raising Coordinator, and has served on the Quinnipiac University Business Advisory Board. Coach Tom Hayes said of Jim, “He was one of the better outfielders who played at St. Bernard's during my twenty-two years of coaching baseball. He had good speed and could cover a lot of ground. I was looking at a stat sheet just recently and I noticed in the year 1973, Jim had a batting average of .410 and only had one strikeout in 40 at bats. He was a good contact hitter.” Of his induction into the Hall of Fame Jim says, “Truly it is an honor that will continue to perpetuate all the many great memories that an SBHS education gave me. In addition, it is sentimentally gratifying to be inducted into this group in the same auditorium named after (Father Russell L. Boisvert). As our Parish Priest, he introduced me to the school/ athletics by organizing a visit to the school and the Football Camp in Franklin. He later became our/my Educational and Spiritual leader as the Principal handing me my diploma in 1974. Father Bosivert finished the cycle by marrying my wife and me. This honor is humbling because it includes me with a group of great athletes, friends and mentors, and just good people. Go Saints!” 8
Jason Cohenour, ’79 At St. Bernard, Jason wrestled for Peter Holmes for one year and Roy Eaton for two years. He earned three Varsity Letters, was the Team Captain for two years, was named All Conference, Southeastern Athletic Conference (SAC) two years in a row, and was the Guilford Christmas Tournament Champion two years in a row. His most memorable moment in his athletic career at St. Bernard was his undefeated dual meet season in 1978-79 with a record of 18-0. His perfect season ended in the Class L State Championship tournament when he lost in the semifinal match by one point in overtime to the eventual undefeated State Open Champion. As a senior, Jason was a high school All-American in the sport of wrestling. After graduating, Jason earned a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration (Cum Laude graduate) from the University of Rhode Island. Early in his professional career, he held sales and sales management positions with NCR Corporation, Motorola and Ram Mobile Data. He was hired by Sierra Wireless in 1996 as VP of Worldwide Sales, was promoted in 2000 to Senior VP of Worldwide Sales & Marketing, and in 2004 was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. In 2005, Jason became the President and CEO of Sierra Wireless, a publicly owned wireless solutions company with 1,150 employees and offices in Canada, the U.S., Korea, China, France, Sweden, Germany and the UK. He was instrumental in guiding the company from a $6M privately held technology start-up to a $600M public company and global leader in wireless solutions for the Internet of Things. Jason also served on the Board of Directors of two other public technology companies and he currently resides with his wife of 25 years, Dana, and their son, Jack, in Blaine, Washington. Of his induction Jason says, “I am thrilled and humbled by my induction into the St. B's Hall of Fame; many thanks for the recognition. Thank you for this incredible and unexpected honor. When I started at St. Bernard, I had no aspiration for this kind of recognition, for a college degree, or for a successful business career. I don’t think I fully appreciated what an aspiration even was. My experience at St. Bernard changed my perspective. The fantastic, passionate teachers and staff at St. Bernard showed me the way, and convinced me that anything was possible…and they were right. My teammates taught me comradery, loyalty and the lasting power of brotherly love. My coaches, especially Coach Roy Eaton, taught me the importance of discipline, teamwork and tenacious loyalty. Somehow he took a bunch of sloppy, teenage, raw material and bashed it into a shape that started to resemble a young man. I will always look back on my time at St. Bernard with great fondness and deep gratitude to the people who helped me on my journey.” 9
Tracy Andringa Faulkner, ’82 At St. Bernard, Tracy participated in Cross Country and Track and was coached by Mike Doyle, Carmella Guerin, Rich Kosta, and Doug Sharples. Her most memorable moment in Saints Athletics: “My first time trials when I announced I was going to be a runner, races at NFA, races when my shoelaces came untied, and keeping up with the boy runners!” Tracy’s athletic career at St. Bernard is beyond compare. As a freshman in Cross Country in 1978-79, she was on a team that was undefeated 8-0 in dual meets, and a team that finished first at the New York Westlake Invitational, Holyoke Massachusetts Invitational, Southeastern Athletic Conference (SAC) Meet, Class “L” State Championship Meet, and the State Open Meet. As a sophomore in 1979-80, her team was undefeated 8-0 in dual meets, won the New York Westlake Invitational Meet, won the Holyoke Massachusetts Invitational (second year in a row), won the State Class “L” championship for the 7th consecutive year, and came in 2nd at the State Open Championship. As a sophomore, Tracy won the SAC Championship Meet and was selected All-State in Cross Country. As a junior in 1980-81, Tracy won 10 out of 11 dual meets leading the team to an 11-1 dual meet record. Tracy was 1st in the SAC Championship Meet, 2nd in the State Class “L” Championship and 7th in the State Open Meet. As a junior Tracy was name All SAC and All-State. In her senior year, 1981-82, she led her team to another 11-1 dual meet record with 8 first place finishes. She placed 2nd at the Windham Invitational and 5th at the Westlake Invitational. She led the team to a 2nd place finish at the State Class “L” Meet (she was ill that day and collapsed in pain 15 yards from the finish line, but was able to get up and finish 9th). She ended her Cross-Country career finishing 36th at the State Open, still suffering the effects of her illness of the previous week. Once again, she received All SAC Honors and All-State Honors. Tracy’s Track accomplishments are no less compelling. As a junior she won 1st place at the SAC meet in the 1500 Meter and 800 Meter and at the State Class “M” meet won 1st place in the 1500 Meter and 2nd place in the 800 Meter. As a senior at the State Class “M” meet she won 1st in the 1500 Meter and took a 4th in the 800 Meter. She was named All-SAC and AllState in her junior and senior years in track. After St. Bernard Tracy majored in communications at UCONN, where she ran cross-country and participated in track for Coach Betty Remengino. After college, she served as a Peace Corps volunteer and a journalist. She went on to work with emotionally disabled children and now serves as an activity leader for disabled adults. She and her husband, Menno Andringa, have four beautiful children: Naiomi 23, Maurice 25, Calvin 18 and Nick 13. 10
Robert “Moose” Gilbert, ’83 At St. Bernard, Robert excelled in football from 1979-1982. He played for coaches Dave Pesapane, Art Lamoureux, Jim Leone, Bob Demars, Jim Venditto, Ronin Lacey, Jim Powers, and Chuck Appleby. He was named to The Day and The Norwich Bulletin First Team All-Area Football Teams as a Nose Guard in 1982. He was selected Captain of the St. Bernard Football team in1982. Robert received the John Holt Memorial Award in 1982, and was named the Class Athlete in1983. He also received the Jerome P. Zrenda Scholar Athlete award for the class of '83. His most memorable moment in Saints Athletics: “There are many, but I can remember one memorable moment from each year as part of the Football program: Freshman year: Meeting Coach Leone; Sophomore year: Being the 5'3" 165 lb. sophomore lineman challenging seniors Jim Shutt and Joe Bromley in the Pits, and surviving! (I'm still sore); Junior Year: Earning starting Varsity Nose guard honors and in my Senior year: Being named Captain and having Bishop Reilly hand me the Bishop’s Cup to carry around the field and down to the school after we soundly beat Xavier.” After St. Bernard, Robert attended Marist from 1983-1984; Springfield College 1986-1990; and Long Island University from1990-1993. Robert received multiple college degrees: a B.S. in Medical Therapeutic Rehabilitation/Pre Med; B.S. in Health Science; and a M.S. in Physical Therapy. At Marist, Robert played football, but an injury ended his college playing days. After receiving his master’s degree, Robert began his professional life as a Physical Therapist/ Sports Medicine practitioner, a career he’s had for the past 24 years. Robert married Jennifer Cassell and has three children: Connor, 20; Kale Sean, 18; and Grace, 16. Of his induction into the SBHS Athletic Hall of Fame Robert says, “First of all, I am humbled by being considered for such an honor. St. Bernard High School was such an athletic powerhouse in the late 70's and early 80's that to be able to even step onto the field as a participant was a privilege and an immense source of pride. Secondly, the academic burden was second to none, and if you faltered as an athlete in the classroom, there was no escaping the wrath of your coach. To be a student athlete at SBHS was an achievement unto itself. Further, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of such a prestigious school is one of those later in life moments that simply puts a smile on your face and kindles that sense of pride from the past. I thank you for the honor and the memories.” 11
Dawn Macauley McGee, ’85 At St. Bernard, Dawn participated in Gymnastics, and Track and Field. She was a four year varsity competitor in both Gymnastics and Track and Field. She was the captain of both teams; she came in second in the State for 300m hurdles, and she won the Ronald McDonald House Scholar Athlete Award. She was a member of the National Honor Society; she won the Holy Cross Book Award, the Scholarship Award, and served as her classes’ Salutatorian. She was a writing tutor, junior and senior senate member, and member of Peer Ministry. Most memorable moments in Saints Athletics: “It was my senior year and I was anchoring the 4x400m relay against NFA. We were trailing by about 30m as my teammate crossed the line to hand me the baton. I transferred the coolness of the baton to my right hand, glanced ahead to where the NFA girl was fleeing and all became quiet. The sunlight was warm and golden and, in the moment, I felt like I could see motes dancing in the air. I was suffused with warmth and felt joy bubbling up from deep inside and knew, without a shadow of intellectual doubt, that I was exactly as I was supposed to be and the world was rife with possibilities. And then I took a breath, sound came crashing back, my legs unfurled and I was off to the chase, buoyed by my perfect moment. My other clear memory is of the day Art Lamoureux stepped up to be our gymnastics coach. In the middle of the season, our coach was diagnosed with cancer and needed to take a health sabbatical to start a rigorous treatment. In the middle of the season, unable to find a replacement and, I'm quite sure, having only a rudimentary feel for the difference between a vaulting horse and an actual horse, Mr. Lamoureux became our coach. He did it with a steadiness and an enormous sense of humor. … As an adult, I recognize what he did as a graceful act of leadership and I thoroughly appreciate it even to this day.” After St. Bernard, Dawn majored in religion at Williams. There, she participated in Cross Country, Winter Track, and Spring Track. She ran for Dick Farley and Pete Farwell. At Williams, she was a four-time All-American Division Ill in the 400m hurdles. She still holds the record at Williams College for the 400m hurdles. After Williams, Dawn went on to medical school and is now a practicing physician specializing in OB/GYN. She has been practicing since 1997, and has been at Northwestern Memorial Hospital since 2006. Dawn is married to Dr. Edwin C. McGee, Jr. and they have two children, Billy (14) and Finn (11). Of her induction Dawn says, “The people and the experiences I had at St. Bernard's are very much still an integral part of my life. An induction into its Hall of Fame gave me a chance to reflect on those moments and turn them over in my head like shiny pebbles in a way I have not had the opportunity to in quite some time. I am honored and humbled to be remembered by St. Bernard's in this very special way.” 12
Tony I. Lowe, ’86 While at St. Bernard, Tony played football, basketball and ran track. The coaches he played for were Dave Pesapane in football, Richard Kosta in track, and Rich Pagiluca in basketball. Tony earned significant athletic honors at St. Bernard. In football he was named a CT High School Coaches Association All State Defensive Back; he was selected as a Second Team New Haven Register All-State Defensive Back, and he was named Honorable Mention New Haven Register AllState Team Running Back. In the 1984-1985 season Tony was named to the Hartford County Conference (HCC) All League team, and the WNLC All Area team. He was also named to the Norwich Bulletin and The Day All Area teams. In track Tony was a member of the 1985-1986 Connecticut State Class M Boys Indoor Championship Track Team, and was a member of the Class M 1st Place 4 x 220yd Relay Team. He earned a 4th Place Finish in the Class M 55 Meter Dash in 1986. Tony held the 55 Meter School Record, and was named to the CT Interscholastic Track Coaches Association All-State Team in 1986. When asked of his most memorable moment in high school athletics at St. Bernard, Tony simply stated, “there were too many for me to pick just one!” After high school, Tony attended the University of Rhode Island (URI) on a Full Academic/ Athletic scholarship where he majored in Business Finance. At URI he played football and went on to be a four-year starter and captain of the 1990 Team. After college, Tony worked at Northwestern Mutual Financial Network from 1997-2007 and founded Lowe Carting & Recycling and Lowe Moving in 2003 where he now works full time. He married Kim Lafferty and has two children, Payton and Bryan. Of his induction into the SBHS Athletic Hall of Fame Tony says, “I feel honored and blessed to have been a part of the St. Bernard family. With the exception of my parents, Asbury and Marion Lowe, no other experience has done more to shape me into a student, leader, planner, neighbor, citizen, volunteer, business owner, coach, uncle, Christian, husband, or father! Thank you!”
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Cherie L. (Macauley) Weldon, ’88 While at St. Bernard, Cherie participated in cross-country, track and swimming. She did her running for coach Bob Mondani. Cherie was named All-Conference [All County Conference], AllState, and All-New England in cross-country and track. She was also a member of the National Honor Society, a Connecticut Scholar-Athlete, and the Valedictorian of her class. In her own words, the most memorable moments in her high school athletic career were: “Winning the State Open Championship in cross-country my senior year; running the 4x400 with my sister as anchor; and beating out the boys in swimming [the girls swam on the boy’s team in those days.]” After St. Bernard, Cherie went to Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and majored in mathematics. At Williams, Cherie ran cross-country, indoor track and outdoor track. In college, her coaches in cross-country were Robert Colantuono and Larry Bell, and in track, Peter Farwell and Larry Bell. At Williams, she was named an All-American in cross-country and an All-American in track. Cherie is a practicing attorney and is married to Marcus Weldon. Together they have five children: James, 22; Harriet, 19; Rory, 11; Hugh, 9; and Luke, 7. Bob Mondani has said of Cherie, “ I remember coming up to the field that first day of cross country practice in Cherie’s junior year and I was so happy to see her sitting on the bench to participate in cross country. I knew Cherie from track and I knew that she was a real competitor. She just would never quit and I doubt to this day even knows how to spell quit! She also was a real leader and she was another coach on the team. She encouraged her teammates and pushed them to get better on a daily basis. She was a great asset to our teams and she was a pleasure to coach.” Of her induction into the Hall of Fame Cherie says, “ It is an honor to be inducted to the St. Bernard Athletic Hall of Fame alongside such other wonderful athletes and coaches. I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to compete along with my fantastic teammates, learn from such dedicated coaches, and develop a life-long love of running and swimming while at St. Bernard.”
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Jill E. (DiFrancesca) Smith, ’94 At St. Bernard, Jill participated in Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track. Her coach throughout her high school career was Bob Mondani. Jill’s lists of accomplishments in her athletic career are impressive. In Cross Country she was named All-New England, AllState, and a Class “M” State Team Champion in 1991. In 1992, she was named the Class “SS” Individual Champion, All-State , and a Class “SS” State Team Champion. In Outdoor Track Jill was a Class “M” (4x400m) State Champion in 1991, and a Class “M” Team State Champion in 1991. In Indoor Track she was named All-New England and AllState in the 4x800m in 1991. Jill was a member of the National Honor Society while at St. Bernard and also participated in the school’s Folk Group. Jill’s most memorable moment in Saints Athletics was “after returning from the New England Cross Country Championship, a few members of the boy's cross country team ran across the football field in their underwear holding a sign that read ‘Congrats Girl's Cross Country.’ This was a result of their earlier claims that no one on the girl's team would make All-New England status. They said if any became All New England they would streak the field.” After St. Bernard, Jill attended Boston University, majoring in communications. At B.U. she participated in Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track. Jill has been a teacher for the past 14 years. She is married to her husband Matthew and together they have three children - Taylor (18), Faith (8), and (Payton 7). Of her induction Jill says, “Induction into the Hall of Fame is a wonderful opportunity to remember an amazing time in my life. It was a time that I was able to share with my teammates and our dedicated coach, Bob Mondani. We were all doing what we loved. We were a family who shared unforgettable moments and the memories of our time together will always hold a special place in my heart.”
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Darryl Giard, ’99 At St. Bernard, Darryl competed in Cross Country and Track for Doug Sharples and Troy Sessoms. Darryl was named All-State in Cross Country, All-State in Indoor Track, All-State in Outdoor Track, All-New England in the 1-Mile in Outdoor Track, and he finished 11th at the National Championships in Outdoor Track. He is a State Class Champion in Indoor Track in the 1600 Meters, State Class Mile Champion in Outdoor Track, a Runner-Up in the New England Mile in Outdoor Track, a State Class Champion in the 800 Meter, and an Eastern Connecticut Conference (ECC) Champion in the 1600 and 800 Meter. He was named The Day’s and The Norwich Bulletin’s Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year. Besides the performance-based honors Darryl received he was also chosen the "class athlete" in 1999. Darryl holds the following school records: the 2-Mile with a time of 9:17.4 breaking Todd Renehan’s 1981 record [Todd was a High School All-American]; the Mile with a time of 4:16.9 breaking Mark Connolly’s 1968 record [Mark was a High School All-American] 800 Meters with a time of 1:58.8 breaking Brett Bruno’s 1981 school record. His most memorable moments in Saints Athletics: “Winning the ECC Cross Country Championship in 1997 as a junior and an underdog coming into the race, and finishing 2nd in the mile at New England's in 1999.” After St. Bernard, Darryl attended Rutgers University on a full athletic scholarship. He ran Cross Country and Track and Field in college for Coach Mike Mulqueen. He was the GLEN KURYLA AWARD winner in 2003 as most outstanding freshman cross country runner at Rutgers and was a 3-time Big East Academic All-star. Darryl received his B.A. in History from Rutgers University in 2003, his Masters of Arts in Education in 2004 from Sacred Heart University, his Certification Program in Educational Administration in 2008 from Sacred Heart University, and his Superintendent’s Certification from Central Connecticut State University in 2016. After college, he was a middle school social studies teacher for 8 years (2004-2012) in New London, CT and Memphis, TN. He was an Assistant Principal at Bolton Center School 2012-2016 and was recently named the Principal of Bolton Center School in December of 2016. “Being inducted into the Saint Bernard's Athletic Hall of Fame means a tremendous amount to me. It is something I will forever cherish and look back upon with great memories. I want to thank my family, Coach Sharples, and Coach Sessoms for all they did to support me during my high school years as a student athlete.” 16
Robert R. “Bob” Demars, Coach Bob graduated in 1962 from Norwich Free Academy, where he played Football and Baseball for Larry Bouley, Rene Ledoux and Jim Giordano. Besides athletics, he was involved with Student Council, the Varsity Club, and served as the Senior Class Vice President. After NFA, Bob attended Central Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut, and the University of Connecticut for his bachelor’s, master’s and sixth year academic preparation. He was an education major with an emphasis in history and social studies. Bob began his teaching career at St. Bernard where he taught from 1968-1989, teaching Science, English, U.S. History, World History, Western Civilization, Civics, Sociology and Consumer Education. He coached Football, Baseball and served as the Assistant Athletic Director. Bob was the Moderator of the Varsity Club and the Senior Class. His most memorable moments in Saints Athletics: the Football State Championship in 1978, and several state and conference championships in Baseball. While at St. Bernard, Bob introduced and moderated the Varsity Club Toy Drive for Needy Children, the Senior Class Faculty Children's Christmas Party, and served as a Special Olympics Volunteer Coach. The Class of 1974 established a Book Scholarship in his name. In 1988, Bob developed a teaching manual published for the NIE and The Hartford Courant “Teaching Consumer Education (Actively) Through The Newspaper “ and he was a presenter at the NIE--Hartford Courant State Conference. Bob left St. Bernard to go to Putnam in 1989 to take over as Putnam’s Director of Athletics and teach social studies. While at Putnam, Bob was named the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) Special Olympics Coach of the Year in 1994, he was the Director of the State Unified Special Olympics Softball Tournament for five years, he was inducted into the Norwich Hall of Fame in 1996, he served as the President of QVC Athletic Directors for seven years, he served on the Connecticut Association of Athletic Directors (CAAD) Executive Board for five years, and he was named the Putnam High School Educator of the Year in 2008. Bob also was an assistant coach at Avery Point in Baseball from 1980-1990. Bob retired from education in 2008. He is married to Patricia Archambault, with whom he has three children: Kathy, 50; Betsy, 48; and Abby, 38. Bob says his Hall of Fame induction “justifies the time and efforts my parents, Coaches Bouley, Ledoux, Pete Plourde, Tom Hayes, Jim Powers Sr. and Mike Doyle, put in helping to shape me and my teaching-coaching philosophies. It is also a tribute to my wife and daughters for all of the long road trips, sitting through games in the rain or cold, late meals, and missed activities. It turned the time I spent away from home working with someone else's sons and daughters, in to an investment in the future growth of our extended family.” 17
Jim Leone, Coach Jim is a 1973 graduate of Norwich Free Academy. At NFA Jim played Football and Baseball and was the captain of both teams his senior year. He played his high school athletics for Jim Giordano, Merrill Thoresen and Rene Ledoux. Jim was named All-CDC (Capital District Conference) two years in a row in both sports and he was named Honorable Mention AllState in Football his senior year. After NFA, Jim went on to Trinity College and played football and baseball for four years. He played his football for Don Miller and baseball for Robbie Shultz. After Trinity, Jim came to St. Bernard and began his teaching career, now in his 37th year. His most memorable moments in Saints Athletics: Being part of the 1982 baseball game beating Plainville on the way to a State Championship, and coaching the 2008 State Championship game against Northwest Catholic. [Jim is 1-0 as a Head Coach in State Championship Playoffs.] Jim was selected as Connecticut’s Assistant Coach of the Year for Baseball in 2012 and went on to be selected to the Top 5 Assistant Coaches Nationally the same year. Jim is married to his wife Donna (Wilber) ‘75 and they have a daughter, Marie (Leone) Londregan ’08. Jim says, “The St. Bernard family has been my life since I started teaching here in 1979 and trying to inspire students to love and live the faith. The people I started teaching with, Pat Austin, Jim Powers Sr. and Art St. Germain personally inspired me. I saw many great teachers around me really affecting the lives of students they were teaching. With some of my former coaches (especially Merrill Thoresen really affecting me) teaching and coaching seemed to be a great thing to do. I found that to be true and still do. It really has been a pleasure to coach with so many great guys over the years that produced some great teams and athletes! Tom Hayes, Jim Powers Jr., Mike Garvey, Bill Buscetto, Dave Pesapane, Bob Walsh, Tony Baginski, all head coaches of football, wrestling, and baseball, who were wonderful people I loved being with on the field, in the dugouts, or on the mat.” Of his induction into the SBHS Hall of Fame Jim says, “I want to congratulate all the inductees and thank those responsible in the Hall of Fame for considering me to be worthy of this honor.”
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St. Bernard Athletic Hall of Fame Members Class of 1987 Charles W. Farrell ’64 Thomas Martin *’65 Albert Dittman ‘66 Joseph P. Maryeski ‘66 Leonard J. Santacroce ‘66 Michael Spellman ’67 James F. Powers, Jr. ‘67 James F. Powers, Sr.* – Coach Edward Sheflott *– Booster Stafford Lacey *– Booster Louis DeAngelis, M.D. * -Team Doctor Class of 1988 Jack J. Crowley ’63 Robert J. Muehlberger ‘64 Danny Dirocco ’66 Thomas T. Murray ‘69 Gary J. Guerin ’71 Arnold A. Pinkston ’76 Tom Hayes – Coach/Athletic Director Horace Deshefy – Booster Harry Lakowsky - Booster Class of 1989 Bernard Bartick ’62 Walter L. Pasqualini ‘62 Stephen A. Zrenda ‘63 Frank J. Dellaporta ‘64 Ronan Lacey ’64 James R. Dugan* ‘67 Brian M. Hermes ’67 Kenneth G. Stepanik ‘69 Michael A. Turgeon ’74 Leo “Pete” Plourde – Coach/ Athletic Director Joseph Fleming *- Booster Arthur Hornberger *– Booster Joseph Maryeski - Booster Thomas Murphy – Booster Jack Scarpa *– Booster Marge Fleming * Class of 1990 John M. Hazlin ’64 John T. Bobinski’ 65 Barbara Iversen ’65 John E. Andrews ‘68* Robert Austin ‘68 Thomas W. Deshefy ‘69 Michael McGuirk ’69 Edward Sweeney ‘71 Anthony Bono – Booster Helen Bono *– Booster Paul J. Crotty *– Coach Bob Foley *– Booster Ellen Lakowsky – Booster
Bill Lennon - Booster Tony Nassetta – Booster Class of 1999 Warren “Doc” Leone* ’65 Mark Connolly ‘69 Michael St. Louis, M.D. ’72 Harold Pressley ’76 Susan Connolly Griffin ‘77 Susan Hoagland Makowicki ‘80 Todd Renehan ’81 W. Michael Doyle – Coach Carmella “Sis” Guerin – Coach John Butler *– Booster Kelly Parker *– Booster Class of 2006 James Moore ’62* (Posthumous) John Wakim, D.M.D ’68 John Satti ’74 Wally Spence ’76* (Posthumous) Betsy Connelly Beattie ’80 Wayne Patterson ’82 Andrea Pinch Gaines ’82 David Turgeon ’83 Brooke Fordyce ’89 Elizabeth Alina ’92 Lynn Valentine ’94 Athletic Director: Arthur F. Lamoureux, Jr., CAA ’62 Douglas Sharples – Coach, Cross Country Roy Eaton – Coach, Wrestling Joseph Mugovero* (Posthumous) - Booster Ronald Demars* (Posthumous) – Booster Class of 2008 Anthony Desmond, ’62, Baseball Priscilla Lutz, ’67, Cheerleading Joseph Peters, M.D., ’74, Baseball Robert Walsh, ’75, Wrestling Michael Satti, Esq. ’79, Wrestling Karolyn Welsh Busconi, ’81, Track, Scott Sawyer, Esq., ’84, Basketball Michael Buscetto III, ’89, Basketball Robert Mondani, Coach Cross Country James & Doris Shutt – Booster Roger Street – Booster Edward Deparche *– Benefactor Class of 2010 Edward Frappier,'64 - Football David Dydo,'74 - Track David J. Wilson,'76 - Wrestling William J. Bono,'77 - Football Samantha McCarthy Krajec,'78 – Cross Country James J. Shutt, Jr.,'81 - Football
Richard L. Brent,'81 – Wrestling, Gymnastics Matthew J. Walker,'82 - Baseball Ellen Hill Turner,'83 - Basketball Kevin Jaskiewicz,'84 – Basketball, Baseball Richard Radicioni,'85 - Basketball Tammy S. Schondelmayer,'85 - Softball William Buscetto,'91 – Football, Baseball Yvonne Barnes Blaxter,'92 – Cross Country Frederic S. Smith, ’64 - Coach Softball/ Basketball Joseph Dimaggio, Booster Class of 2015 1970 Girls’ Basketball Team (Coach Carmella “Sis” Guerin, Capt. Kathy Alviani, Kathy Austin, Debbie Bletcher, Joanne Cannamela, Gail Chapman, Lynn Chapman, Pam Faria, Debbie Kileen, Kathy Krysiewicz, Ann Mooney, Ann Plourde, Monica Powers and Pam Secchiaroli) Sean Duerr, M.D. `65 - Football, Baseball Kevin M. Kenyon, `71 - Cross Country, Track John R. Connolly, `73 - Cross Country, Track T. Scott Williams, `73 - Football, Swimming Susan M. St. Louis, `77 - Basketball, Tennis, Track Jacqueline J. Facchini, `79 - Basketball, Track, Swimming Timothy A. King, `79 - Football, Track Sandra L. McCarthy Puckett, `79 - Cross Country, Track Robert E. Murphy, Jr, `81 - Wrestling Susan M. Dutilly, `84 - Golf Kim-Ann Jaskiewicz, `87 - Softball, Basketball Megan Traver Sweet Stuart, `87 - Basketball James B. Wells, `87 - Football, Coach Gladys Cleary Rolls - Booster, Asst. Softball Coach James J. Venditto, Jr., `62 - Football, Asst. Football Coach, Vice Principal *Denotes Deceased
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Sponsors Dinner Sponsor Matthew’s Catering Company
Plaque Sponsor Tom Harrington ’71, of Sportee’s
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Sponsors Program Sponsor Craig Gilbert, ‘78, of Independence Physical Therapy
Photo Sponsors Karolyn Welsh Busconi, '81, HoF, '08 Charles W. Farrell, '64, HoF, '87 Priscilla L. Lutz, '67, HoF, ‘08 Megan T. Sweet Stuart, '87, HoF, '15
Friends
Saint Sponsors Horace W. Deshefy, HoF ‘88 Thomas W. Deshefy, ‘69, HoF, '90 Anthony R. Desmond, '62, HoF, '08 Susan M. Dutilly, ‘84, HoF, ‘15 Susan M. St. Louis, '77, HoF, '15 Barbara A. Ward, '68
Jack Crowley, '63, HoF, '88 Albert E. Dittman, '66, HoF, '87 Gary J. Guerin, ‘71, HoF, ‘88 Joseph ‘74, HoF ‘08 & Maureen ‘77 Peters Todd Renehan, '81, HoF, '99 Scott W. Sawyer, ESQ, '84, HoF, '08 Michael A. Turgeon, '74, HoF, '89 Stephen A. Zrenda, Jr., '63, HoF, '89 21
Glory Days Saint Bernard School has partnered with Charter Oak Scanning to bring you Glory Days! Alumni are now able to purchase DVDs of Saints football games from the 1965 season through the 2006 season and relive their moments on the gridiron. These DVDs make a great gift at $24.95 per game, or you can buy a whole season at a special price. A contribution of 20 percent from every DVD sold will come back to our school! View the available games and seasons and make purchases through Charter Oak Scanning at https://charteroakscanning.com/st-bernard-football/
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