Inaugural Class of 2022

In September of 2022, the Nipmuc Hall of Fame will welcome the following 8 individuals and 2 teams!

Individuals

Amanda (Ashe) Gibbons (Class of 1993)

Amanda was a three-sport varsity athlete (soccer, basketball, and softball) while at Nipmuc. Amanda was Dual Valley Conference (DVC) softball MVP in 1992 and a member of the Telegram and Gazette Superteam in soccer that fall. Amanda’s teams won multiple DVC championships in basketball and softball. She is, as quoted by fellow inductee and coach Rolf Rhodes, “one of the top two athletes I’ve ever coached”.

Rachel Bloznails (Class of 2013)

Rachel was a standout three-sport athlete (soccer and indoor/outdoor track). In track and field, Rachel holds school records in the 300m (indoor) and 200m, Triple Jump (outdoor). Rachel’s biggest impact was on the soccer field. A three-time All State and Central Mass all star, Rachel led her teams to back to back league titles in 2011 and 2012. Rachel continued her career at Boston University where she started for the Terriers for four years. Rachel currently plays professional soccer in Sweden.

Allan Byrne (Retired 1992)

Al devoted his career to Nipmuc Regional High School, serving in a multitude of roles (Principal, Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, Guidance Counselor, and Coach) from 1962-1998. Al’s impact on athletics can be directly tied to his time as athletic director (1970-1982) and his coaching. Al coached cross country, basketball, and baseball while at Nipmuc. His most notable team, the 1964 boys basketball team, won the Clark Tournament. (The first of any championship at Nipmuc High School) It would be accurate to consider Al Byrne “the father of Nipmuc athletics.”

Lauren (Coletta) Andrade (Class of 2004)

Lauren, a field hockey and track standout, was a dominant athlete at Nipmuc. Lauren helped lead the field hockey team to four straight league championships (2000-2003) and two district championships (2001 and 2003). Lauren was a five time league all star in field hockey and outdoor track and holds the outdoor track school record in the long jump. After graduating Nipmuc, Lauren went on to a successful field hockey career at the College of the Holy Cross.

Michael Grant (Class of 1995)

Michael Grant’s career at Nipmuc was a decorated one. A member of the soccer, basketball, and baseball teams while at Nipmuc, his teams amassed four league titles, two district titles (soccer) and a state championship (soccer). Individually, Mike was a seven-time league all star and a Central Mass and All State recipient in soccer. After high school Mike continued his career at Amherst College playing both soccer and baseball.

John McDonnell (Class of 1964)

John was the first outstanding basketball player for Nipmuc Regional. He was a four year letter winner and the first 1,000 point scorer in school history. John helped lead Nipmuc to the 1964 Clark Tournament championship, the first championship in school history. In addition to basketball, John was a standout player for the baseball team earning three varsity letters. John came back to coach his alma mater’s girls basketball team from 2003-2006 and led the team to three tournament appearances.

William McInnis (Baseball Coach: 1997-2005 & Field Hockey Coach: 2007-2009, 2015 - 2019)

Bill McInnis has served the Mendon-Upton community as an educator and a coach since 1996. His success as a coach is second-to-none. From 1997-2005, Bill led the baseball program to one of the most successful stretches in school history. Bill’s teams won three state and district championships (2001, 2002, 2005) and seven league championships (1997-1998, 2001-2005). Bill amassed 155 wins while at the helm of the baseball program. Bill also served as the field hockey coach (2007-2009, 2015-2019) where he took the program to eight state tournament appearances and won the 2017 league championship.

Rolf Rhodes (Class of 1980, Retired 2010)

Rolf’s accomplishments as a Nipmuc athlete and coach are equally as impressive. As an athlete, Rolf was a two time all state and All-CMass soccer player. He’s a five time league all star in soccer, basketball, and baseball. As a coach, he led the softball program to 300+ wins, 21 state tournament appearances, 14 league championships, and a 1989 district championship (1st in Nipmuc history in any sport). As quoted by a former player, Coach Rhodes was “one of the best and most motivating coaches.”

Teams

2001 Baseball Team

The 2001 team was the first of back-to-back state championship teams. (1st baseball championship in school history) They finished with a 18-7 record and earned a Dual Valley Conference championship with a 12-2 in-league record.

2005 Girls Soccer Team

The 2005 team was the first of back-to-back state championship teams. (1st girls soccer championship in school history) They finished with a 19-2-2 record and a Dual Valley Conference championship.

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