Gold standard: Amherst Regional names inaugural Hall of Fame class
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The creation of the Amherst Regional Athletics Hall of Fame's inaugural class has been decades in the making.
On Tuesday, current athletic director Karen Keough-Huff released the 15 names to be honored on Sept. 25 as the hall's first-ever class, which celebrates the Hurricanes' athletic excellence spanning back to the 1930s.
"We are really excited to be able to announce the" names and induction date, said Keough-Huff. "We had started a couple of years ago meeting every other month, the committee and I. Then, this past year, we met every month."
The 15 inductees are George Williams, Henry Kolasinski, Perry Roberts, Charles Roys, William Tyler, Lori (Letendre) Lengieza, Malcolm Lester, Carol (Progulske) Doak, Vernon Williams, Jamila Wideman, Robbie Russell, Francesca Vanin, Amber Sayer, Charlie Abramson and Stan Ziomek.
George Williams and Abramson will be inducted as coaches, and Ziomek as a key community member. The remaining 12 are going in for their athletic achievements.
"We're hoping to make this an annual event with a little bit bigger class the first year," Keough-Huff said. "It will probably be eight to 10 (inductees) every year after that."
The first-ever induction ceremony will be held at the Marriott Courtyard in Hadley with a reception at 5 p.m. and dinner at 6. Tickets are $30.
"A hall of fame at the school is long overdue," said Ziomek. The baseball diamond at Community Field has been named after him. "As far as my inclusion in this group that's going in September, it's definitely an honor and a recognition of contributions to various aspects to athletes at Amherst.
"It's very nice. Any time you're honored like this, it means you've done something in the past that's worthwhile for the community."
Keough-Huff said a presenter will introduce each inductee at the ceremony, highlighting their achievements before the honoree's remarks.
There is also a slideshow planned.
At the school, there will be a wall of fame near the school's gymnasium with small plates for each inductee.
Keough-Huff said she greatly enjoyed the process of putting the class together.
"For me, as someone who didn't go to the high school, it really has been so educational," she said. "I've learned so much about the rich history we have in athletics. It's been fascinating. There's great names and more great names that didn't get inducted who will be inducted in the future.
"It's really been a great experience."
For more information contact Keough-Huff at 413-362-1747 or email huffk@arps.org.
GULF COAST HONORS TUDRYN - Frank Tudryn, the long-time Northampton football coach and educator who died in May, has been honored at Gulf Coast High School in Naples Fla., where he coached the last 10 years before his passing.
Gulf Coast renamed its football field Tudryn Field after the late coach, who worked at Northampton from 1971 to 2000 before moving south.
"It's a great way to honor Coach Tudryn and to make sure his name, his legacy and the values he taught the kids won't be forgotten," new head coach Andrew Miranti, who was Tudryn's assistant for seven years, said to the Naples News. "It's going to be different here without him, but this way he'll always be there letting the kids know he's always looking out for them from above."
The school will dedicate Tudryn Field during the annual fall pep rally Thursday, the night before the Sharks' preseason game at home against Miami-Ferguson.
SEALANDER RETURNS - Jeff Sealander has replaced John Opatkiewicz as athletic director at Easthampton. It's a return to a former position for Sealander, who was the Eagles' athletic director for seven years until 2005, when Opatkiewicz took over.
"I'm looking forward to it," Sealander said. "John's been a great help and helping make sure the transition goes as smooth as possible."
Sealander retired as the school's principal in 2009. He took a year off to travel with his wife, Michelle, and work on projects at home. "It's a great opportunity," Sealander said. "I'm happy to be back."
ROGOWSKI REMEMBERED - Ron Rogowski, Easthampton High School's first 1,000 point scorer, passed away last week.
Rogowski, 58, scored 35 points, including the 1,000th of his career, during Easthampton's 66-60 victory over East Longmeadow during the semifinal round of the 43rd annual Western Massachusetts Small School Tournament at the Curry Hicks Cage on March 6, 1970.
Rogowski then had 26 points and 18 rebounds as Easthampton beat Amherst 74-48 on March 7 for the championship. It was Easthampton's first crown since 1956. "He was a terrific athlete and it wasn't limited to basketball," Sealander said of his 1970 classmate. "He was also a terrific soccer player. If there was a sport he wanted to play, he'd play it and he'd be the best player on the field."
Jim Pignatiello can be reached at jpignatiello@gazettenet.com. Mike Moran can be reached at mmoran@gazettenet.com.
Comments
ARHS-Hall of Fame
I have two reactions. First is this is overdue, kudos for pulling it together. Secondly, however, is the process has been pretty closed off to friends of Amherst sports. The only way to participate has pretty much been to head to the Pub on certain nights for fund raising efforts. The current class has Amherst GREATS on there that definitely belong. It's great to see the names again;Lengieza, Lester, Williams, Jamila Wideman, Abramson and Stan Ziomek, etc. But there are other VERY worthy former athletes that should have been inducted in the inaugural class (The Mike McIntoshes, Sean Chalmers', Mario Lopez', etc.). If the ARHS HoF is to continue I would suggest developing a process of engaging some of the supporters in ways other than just raising money. With that much buy-in, it should help in terms of numbers for the reception as well.