Mastic Beach, NY - January 4, 2017 - Mark your calendars for Saturday, January 14, as the William Floyd School District along with the William Floyd Alumni Association will induct its 10th class of honorees into the William Floyd Athletic Hall of Fame, an honor reserved for those who have distinguished themselves as individuals, as a team or in the community in relation to William Floyd athletics. This year’s list of inductees include five individual athletes, a league champion girls cross country team, a community youth sports organization and a “Floyd Fanatic” recipient.
Headlining the list is the 1986 Suffolk County Champion girls cross country team for winning the first county championship in the program’s history. The team was coached by Paul Scanaliato and included players Mary Clauberg, Maureen Curtain Fromfield, Tracy Martinell Henry, Karen Campbell Neill, Teri Rule, Christine Trocciola and Diane Vilardi.
The East End Memorial Soccer Tournament committee is gaining induction for their annual soccer tournaments which have given children opportunities to play soccer and in the process raised more than $550,000 in student scholarships.
Receiving the one and only “Floyd Fanatic” award is Jonathan Gustavsson, a William Floyd Colonial “superfan” who has not missed a football game, Kujan Brothers wrestling tournament or basketball playoff game in more than two decades.
The outstanding individual student athletes gaining induction are Tom Banducci (1978), baseball, an All-County pitcher and the first Colonial to be drafted by a major league team in the amateur draft (L.A. Dodgers, 22nd Round, 1978); Lance Brown (1983), All-League football player and four-year varsity letterman in track; Matt Kenneally (1989), an All-State and County champion wrestler and cross country athlete; Bernadette (Hoffman) Barile (1990), an All-State (softball), All-County (field hockey) and an All-League (basketball) athlete; and Robert Taiani (1991), an All-County football player who notched 14 ½ sacks in an eight-game season during his senior year.
“On behalf of the William Floyd School District, I salute this year’s class of honorees,” said Kevin M. Coster, Superintendent of Schools. “Their talent, dedication and commitment have made them champions – both on and off the field. They truly embody the William Floyd spirit.”
This year’s class joins the ranks of 58 individual athletes, five coaches, five community award recipients and nine championship teams, including the 1962 baseball team, the 1969 boys cross country team, the 1972 boys cross country team, the 1981-82 girls basketball team, the 1987 bowling team, the 1991 softball team, the 1994 boys basketball team, the 2001 football team and the 2002 wrestling team.
“We have had the privilege of honoring many individual athletes, championship teams, coaches and community organizations since the first Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony 10 years ago,” said Jackie (Intonato) Eglevsky (1964), President, William Floyd Alumni Association. “The Athletic Hall of Fame, along with our two other capstone events – Distinguished Alumni and Outstanding Educators – has helped us to reconnect with many members of the William Floyd family.”
To be considered for the individual honor, nominees must be alumni of William Floyd High School and have exhibited both excellence and sportsmanship during their time as a William Floyd student athlete. The annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony, sponsored by the William Floyd Alumni Association, is designed to recognize former outstanding athletes and role models of the past while strengthening the bonds between the community, the district and its alumni.
The ceremony will take place in the William Floyd High School senior cafeteria at 12 pm on Saturday, January 14, 2017. The cost to attend the luncheon is $35 per person, children six to 12 cost $17 and children under six are free. Tickets are available at the door and can also be purchased online.