2011 Induction Ceremony

The East Longmeadow High School Athletic Hall of Fame held its second annual induction ceremony on Saturday November 19th at the Elmcrest Country Club in East Longmeadow MA. Twenty six new members were inducted. The ceremony was introduced by former high school principal Richard Freccero, and was emceed by former, coach, teacher and administrator Bob Mazzariello. It was well attended by nearly 250 guests, including several of last years inductees: Laurel Redington, Mike Grigley, Bob Mazzariello, Ned Obernesser, Ed Modzelewski.

The 2011 Class was made up of:

Corrie Ackerley, Erwin Belorusky, Tom Benton, Dave Buddington, Doug Burr, Matt D'Amato, David Donn, Noreen Drenthe, Erin Duffy, Coach Frank Dutille, Karie Farrell, Coleen Ferri, Brian Kennedy, Jim Latourelle, Marc Maccarini, Mike Meyers, Richard Mondoux, Contributor Dr. Chuck Redington, Dave Skowron, David Tranghese, Coach Jakie Upshaw, Linda Valade, Kristy Ingulli, Tony Levesque, Paul Votze and Dena Wright. Dr. Jakie Upshaw's niece, Ms. Melanie Upshaw accepted post-humously, Dena Wright's mother Lavada Munoz accepted for her, and ELHS Principal accepted the award for David Donn.

Corrie Akerley was a three-sport athlete, participating in soccer, lacrosse and basketball. In lacrosse, she was a 3 year starter, 3 year captain and 3 year MVP. She was selected All-Western Mass in her junior year. Corrie holds the school records in lacrosse for most goals per season (64), most goals per game (7) and most career goals (103). In soccer she was selected team captain during her senior year and second team All-Western MA. Her team went on to win the Western Mass Championship and came in 3^rd at the States. In basketball, Corrie was selected All-League Valley South and was voted team captain.

Erwin Belorusky was a four sport athlete participating in baseball, football, swimming and track. In football he was noted as an outstanding gridmen and selected as All-Western Mass in his junior year. In swimming, he was a four-year letterman, five-time Western Mass swim champion, winning gold in the medley relay and 100-yard breaststroke. He held the individual school record for the 100 yard breaststroke. Erwin was a two time Massachusetts State champion in the 100 yard breaststroke and 200 yard medley relay. He was also two time New England champion in those same events. Erwin was two time member of the Western Mass All-Star team. He was voted team MVP and team captain in his senior year.

Tom Benton was a three-sport athlete. He lettered in soccer and hockey all four years and lettered in track during his senior year. Tom was captain of his hockey team his senior year and selected All-Western Mass. During the 1961-1962 season Tom’s goals against average of 1.73 helped propel the team to the school’s first championship in any sport. Tom was recruited for and received a scholarship to play hockey at Cornell University. Tom was selected All-Western Mass honorable mention for soccer his senior year. Following his high school career he graduated from University of Massachusetts and served honorably in the U.S. Army.

David Buddington was a three-sport athlete, playing football, hockey and track. As an outstanding football player, David was selected All-League Suburban League fullback and All-Western Mass Wright division second team. He was named MVP for All-Western Mass small schools. David was the first ELHS athlete to be named All-American. He continued his football career as an outstanding four year starter at Springfield College, and was drafted by the Miami Dolphins.

Doug Burr was a three-sport athlete, participating in soccer, basketball and golf. He was voted All-League and All-Western Mass first team in soccer, and led the team in scoring in his senior year. He held the school record for most assists (112) in a season in basketball. He was golf team MVP his sophomore year and captain of the golf team in his senior year. He held the school record (73) for low score in an eighteen-hole match. He qualified for Western Mass and played in the States during his senior year. Doug was the recipient of the John “Red” Stewart award, the Dartmouth Club Book award, the Civitan Club Good-Citizenship award, the American Legion School award and attended Massachusetts Boys State.

Matt D’Amato was a four-year varsity goalie for ELHS. The team won the league championship in 1969 and was awarded the good sportsmanship award in the Wright division. Matthew was captain of the hockey team and selected as MVP his senior year. He was All-League and All-Western Mass Wright division second team goalie. Matthew, considered “brilliant” in the net, holds the school record for lowest goals scored upon.

David Donn was a three-sport athlete participating in cross-country, basketball and tennis lettering in all three sports. David was selected All-Western Mass in tennis all four years and was undefeated in match play for his sophomore, junior, and senior years. David was the first western Massachusetts athlete to win 3 consecutive Western Mass singles championships and was a State finalist in each of those three years. He continued his tennis career at the University of Richmond, leading the “Spiders” to 2 Division I tournament appearances. He was All-Atlantic 10 and was honored as Student Athlete of the Year in 2004.

Noreen Drenthe was a four year varsity starter for the girls soccer team. In her senior year she was team captain and was voted team MVP as well as Division II MVP. Noreen earned All-State honors and was a four time All-Western Mass selection. She was also four time All-League selection, athlete of the week, identified as a player to watch and earned academic honor roll status. Noreen compiled a school record of 50 goals and 30 assists in her career. Noreen was selected as outstanding player of the year in Division III for two years.

Erin Duffy was a three-time selection for All-Western Mass in both soccer and lacrosse as a sophomore junior and senior. She was captain of the soccer team her junior and senior years and captain of both basketball and lacrosse her senior year. She received the Robert Smith Award from the Western Mass Soccer Officials Association as a Division II Soccer Tournament MVP in both her junior and senior years. Erin was selected to the All-State soccer team in both her junior and senior years. Channel 22 selected Erin as athlete of the week on October 26^th of her senior year. On defense, Erin lead her team to 15 shutouts during her senior year including 4 shutouts in tournament play, winning the State Championship that year. After high school Erin went on to play Division III soccer at Wheaton College and was selected first team All-American three times.

Francis Dutille was one of the original teacher-coaches at the new high school in 1960. Frank started the track program from day 1 and started the cross-country program after pushing for 13 years to incorporate the program into the high school system. Frank compiled a track record of 170-85 and coached the teams to three undefeated seasons and three Western Massachusetts Championships (’69, ’70, ’73). Frank retired from coaching in 1985, after which he officiated track at the National level, involving himself in Olympic trials, Para-Olympics, Special Olympics and many college championships. He continued to help the track team by officiating their meets until he retired from ELHS in 1996 after 36 years of service. Many of his athletes still hold high school records. Frank was inducted into the Massachusetts Track Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997.

Katie Farrell was a three-sport athlete, participating in gymnastics, swimming and track and field. She served as captain of the gymnastics team in her junior and senior years and was co-captain of the swimming and diving and track and field teams during her senior year. She held school records in diving, long jump, triple jump, 4x100 meter relay and the 100-meter hurdles. Katie was All-Western Mass in all three sports and was selected as Western Mass Gymnast of the Year in her senior year. She finished second at the States in the triple jump.

Coleen Ferri was a three-sport varsity athlete excelling in soccer, basketball, and softball. She was captain of all three teams during her senior year. Coleen was a leader on the soccer team that played in the Western Mass semi-finals during her senior year. She was selected All-Western Mass for all three sports and her softball team won the Western Mass Tournament in her senior year. Coleen continued her softball career at American International College where she was team captain her senior year. She was selected as All-New England her junior and senior years.

Kristy Ingulli Colt was a two-sport four-year varsity athlete in soccer and track. She led the soccer team in scoring all four years as a starter. She served as team captain her junior and senior years and was named MVP her sophomore, junior, and senior years. She was selected as All-Western Mass division I second team and Coaches All-League second team. As a track and field athlete, she distinguished herself placing first in the triple jump three consecutive years at the Western Massachusetts Track and Field Championships. Kristy set the ELHS record for the girls the track and field 300-meter low-hurdles in 1989 and was a member of the mile relay team that won first place at the WMFCA Relays.

Brian Kennedy was a multi-sport athlete, playing varsity football and varsity basketball. Brian was co-captain of the basketball team in 1967. Brian achieved All-Western Massachusetts status in 1966 and was All Valley-Wheel in 1966 and 1967. Brian was recognized by the High School Basketball Illustrated Report in 1966 as one of the East’s outstanding high school basketball prospects and was featured in their Pre-Season Survey issue. He continued to play basketball for St. Francis Xavier and was co-captain of the basketball team during his junior and senior years. Brian was named honorable mention All-League in his college freshman and junior years.

Jim Latourelle was a two-sport athlete, playing both basketball and baseball. Jim played varsity basketball and baseball for three years and was voted basketball MVP during his senior year and baseball MVP during both his junior and senior years. He held the record for most points scored (38) in a single game. He was selected All-Leagiue and All-Western Mass during his junior and senior years. His 1968 baseball team was the Valley-League co-champion. Jim led the team in 9 departments his senior year; runs, hits, rbi’s, triples, home runs, stolen bases, pitching wins and saves. He was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 1968 and continued his baseball career at Springfield College.

Anthony “Tony” Levesque holds the all-time scoring record for hockey with 178 career points, breaking a record that stood for 26 years. He was Coaches All-Star first team sophomore year and All-Western Mass hockey junior and senior years. He was Captain of the first varsity Lacrosse team. Tony became a starting pitcher for the varsity baseball team his sophomore year. Tony went on to play hockey and lacrosse at North Adams State College.

Marc Maccarini was a four-year varsity football letterman, 2-time team MVP, senior Captain and was selected first team All-Western Mass offense in his junior and senior years. Marc set the single season (127) and career (276) points records at ELHS after he set the town record for touchdowns in a season (21) in eighth grade.

He ran for over 3,000 yards at ELHS and averaged 9.4 yards per carry his senior year. He was also recognized by USA Today as the leading high school rusher in the nation for his single game effort of 360 yards on 13 carries. Marc was also a four- event track and field athlete. He continued his track and field and football careers at Deerfield Academy and Trinity College where he was a three-year varsity football letterman, NESCAC Champion, senior captain and was selected to the ECAC first team offense.

Michael Myers was a varsity starter in singles tennis all four years of his high school career. He compiled a career individual singles record of 54 wins and 2 losses. He was the captain in his junior and senior years and team MVP for three years running. Michael won the Western Mass team title in his sophomore and junior years, while the team won Western Mass and competed in the state championships. He was selected All-Western Mass first team senior year. He competed in the semi-finals in the individual tournament his senior year. He continued his career in tennis at Springfield College where he was a four-year varsity player, and conference MVP. Michael is a co-founder of the Enfield Tennis Club. He and his wife Karen manage the club and live in East Longmeadow.

Richard Mondoux was an outstanding hockey player. He had 130 career points in 63 games, a record that stood for 26 years. In 1968-69 he was the Wright-Faye division scoring leader with 46 points. Richard scored what is possibly the fastest goal in high school sports with a goal at the 6 second mark in a game against Ludlow, and again at the 9 second mark of the first period and finally at the 13 second mark of the third period in a game against Pittsfield, both goals unassisted. Richard received the 1970 hockey MVP award.

Dr. Chuck Redington was the founding president of both the East Longmeadow Soccer Association and the East Longmeadow Athletic Hall of Fame. He and Dr. Henrich procured and physically built soccer fields at Mapleshade, Center Field, and American Saw for ELSA for the enjoyment of the youth of East Longmeadow. The ELSA program became a prime source of soccer talent for the high school. Chuck was a FIFA official and trained in-town youth to referee ELSA games. Chuck was a starter for swim meets at the high school. A Title 9 supporter, he was responsible for initiating the change in Women’s Varsity Basketball scheduling of games to Friday nights throughout western MA. thus greatly increasing attendance and support for the women’s basketball program. A professor at Springfield College, Chuck and family arrived in East Longmeadow in 1969.

David Skowron was a two-sport athlete, participating in both football and swimming. He was selected All-Western Mass during his sophomore junior and senior years in both football and swimming. He was captain of the swimming team his senior year. He won the Western Mass 100 butterfly as a sophomore and broke the school record in the 100 fly as a senior. David continued to show excellence during his swimming career at Gettysburg College.

David Tranghese (1974) played football all four years of his high school career. He lettered during his sophomore, junior and senior years. He was a 2 time “All Conference Team” selection. As a senior he was an “All Western Mass” selection as a running back. He scored 35 touchdowns as a 3 year varsity starter and lead Western Mass in touch downs with 18 his senior year. David also played varsity baseball his junior and senior years and was voted team MVP and was an “All Western Mass” selection on the 1974 team that played in the Western Mass finals.

Dr. Jakie Upshaw was born in Marietta, Georgia. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Concord College, she began teaching physical education and coaching girl’s basketball at the Marietta High School. She continued her education and received her Master’s Degree at Vanderbilt University; during this time she taught physical education in several high schools and colleges in her home state. Jakie moved to Massachusetts to pursue her Doctorate degree at Springfield College and began teaching at East Longmeadow High School in 1960. “Doc,” as the students called her, loved her work with the students of this school and made many endearing and long lasting friendships. She taught physical education and coached basketball, tennis, field hockey and gymnastics. When she retired in 1983, Jakie returned to Georgia where she lived until her death in 2007.

Linda Valade-Ross played field hockey her junior and senior years and was co-captain of the cheerleading squad her sophomore year. Katie was also a member of the gymnastics team her sophomore, junior and senior years acting as co-captain her sophomore year. She competed in all four women events in gymnastics at the local, State and New England levels. Linda earned many awards including State and New England titles on the balance beam, uneven parallel bars and floor exercises. She continued her gymnastics career at Springfield College where she was selected as the Most Valuable Gymnast in 1965.

Paul Votze was a four-year member of the ELHS football team earning three varsity letters. Playing on both sides of the ball, he played running back and linebacker. He captained the team in his senior year. Between his sophomore and senior years his team amassed a record of 27-0 in league play, winning the Suburban League title in each year and winning the Super Bowl in 1972. As a senior Paul was selected as team MVP and awarded the Norman Dagenais award as MVP of the Suburban League. He earned All-Suburban and All-Western Mass honors during his senior year. Paul also received the National Football Foundation’s Western Mass Chapter scholar-athlete award. Paul went on to play football and lacrosse at Trinity College where he was a member of the 1978 NESCAC championship football team.

Dena Wright was a four-year athlete in field hockey, track and swimming. She was voted first team, All Western Mass in swimming for 4 years. She broke long-held school records in the 500 free (held 1991-1996), 200 IM (held 1993-2006) and the 100 butterfly (held 1991-2001). She teamed up with the other members of the legendary “Rock House” relay to break long-held records in the 400 free relay (held 1991-1999) and the 200 free relay (held 1991-2000), serving as the anchor in each. She was also awarded the coveted Raymond R. De Forge award at the Western Mass Swim Championship in 1993 as the Western Mass scholar athlete. Additionally, she served as a captain of the team in her senior year and was given the Most Valuable Person award by her teammates. Throughout her high school career she ranked in the top 5 swimmers in her events at the State meet. She also served as the vice president of the Student Council for 3 years, participated in the televised “As Schools Match Wits” team, was a member of the National Honor Society, received the Hugh O’Brien award and was chosen to represent East Longmeadow at Girls’ State 1992. Upon graduation from East Longmeadow High School, she was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point. She is married to Major Ken Braeger, currently serving in Afghanistan, and they have four children—Sydney, Kate, Aden and Quintin.