Saturday, November 24, 2001

PROGRAM

*************

WELCOME – Mr. ROBERT E. MELICAN

LUNCHEON

SPECIAL RECOGNITION – JAMES A. HIGGISTON

INDUCTION CEREMONY – INDUCTEES

JOE CUMMINGS

NIKKI DALEY MORRISSEY

MARK FIDRYCH

IVAR HENNINGSON

KRISTIN MATTSON

KEVIN MERCHANT

JOSEPH M. MOLLOY

KATEY PALUMBO

PAUL PISINSKI

MIKE SHERMAN

CLOSING REMARKS – MR. FRANCIS WHITTEN III

Joe Cummings – Class of 1967

  • Cross Country – Four Years – Captain (Junior, Senior)

District III – Division E - All-Star, 1965 and 1966

  • Track – Four Years – Captain (Junior, Senior)

District III – Division E - All Star, 1965, 1966, 1967

Set records for the half-mile and two-mile runs

  • Basketball – Four Years – (Two on Junior Varsity)

In addition to sports participation, he was also the president of the Student Council. A chorus member for four years, and an All-State and All-New England Chorus member as a Junior and as a Senior.

Coaching Career (Algonquin):

-1973 – 1976 Assistant Coach - Spring Track

-1975 – 1977Head Coach - Indoor Track

-1977 – 1978Junior Varsity Coach - Boys’ Soccer

-1979 – 1983Head Coach - Boys’ Soccer were the 1982 Team District Champions

-New England High School Coach of the Year, 1982

-Selected as outstanding contributor to soccer in Central Massachusetts, 1985

-Elected to New England Soccer Hall of Fame, 2000

-President of Central Massachusetts Soccer Coaches and State Soccer Coaches

-Finalist for National High School Coach of the Year

Other:

First president of Northborough Youth Soccer Association (which donated $1500 to ARHS for field development and over $4000 for equipment).

Statement:

“The small-town values of Northborough and Southborough are rooted in me for all time… thanks to the staff and coaches who nurtured me at ARHS.”

Present Status:

President and General Manager - Boston Breakers’ Women’s Professional Soccer Team.

Nikki Daley-Morrissey – Class of 1991

  • Basketball – Junior Varsity – One Year
  • Volleyball – Varsity – Two Years
  • Cheerleading – Co-Captain as a Senior on both the football and tournament squads.
  • Indoor Track – Four Years (three as captain)

Held record for High Jump

High scorer at State Meet as well as for team, 1990

All-Star – High Jump – Mid-Wach League

  • Track and Field – Outdoors – Four Years (two as captain)

Part of team that set Central Massachusetts high jump record in the District Relay Meet

Part of Mile-Relay Team as a Sophomore that set record

First Place, high jump, Mid-Wach League Meet and District Meet

Member of winning pentathlon team (individually – third overall)

All-Star, high jump, Mid-Wach League and Telegram & Gazette

Recipient of District E Athletic Directors’ Award

Most valuable on team (MVP) as Junior and Senior

Other:

Peer leader, Homecoming Queen, 1990; elected most-spirited, 1991; Yearbook Staff; Member of Spirit Committee; Chairman of Tournament Cheerleader Food Drive; Reporter for Smoke Signal; one of two students representing ARHS at Massachusetts Girls and Women Sports Day; won partial Track and Field Scholarship to Syracuse University

Statement:

“… I loved high school! … and the support from the faculty, my peers, my teammates, coaches, community, and my parents. I was fortunate to benefit from and appreciate that as a teenager. I look back in pride and fondness at ARHS classmates and my high school experience.”

Current Status:

Married, October 6th to Patrick J. Morrissey – in Boston. Teacher in the Denver, Colorado school system (second grade), beginning in August.

Mark (The Bird) Fidrych

Entered ARHS in 1970, playing Baseball, Basketball and Football

“If it were not for ARHS athletics, I might not have survived in high school. Sports participation forced me to keep my grades up. Athletics kept me in school – along with a supportive faculty that provided extra help when needed.”

  • Graduate of Worcester Academy – 1974
  • 1974-1983

-Signed with Detroit Tigers – June 9, 1974

-Nicknamed “The Bird” by Jeff Hogan, his minor league pitching coach

-Played in first major league game, May 15, 1976

-Started All-Star game for the American League, July 13, 1976, in Philadelphia before 63,974 fans

-Elected Rookie of the Year in 1976 for 19-9 – won-lost record and 2.34 earned run average

-On cover of Sports Illustrated, June 6, 1977 – along with Big Bird and again on April 28, 1978 alone

-Tore rotator cuff in 1977

-Traded to Boston Red Sox, 1981; retired in 1983

Current Status:

-Self-employed (construction) and owns and operates small farm

-Married in 1986 to Ann Pantazis; daughter Jessica Lee born in 1987

-Honorary Chairman of Wertz Warriors (fund-raising organization for Winter Special Olympics, Michigan)

-Takes part in other charity functions (golf, fishing, hunting, softball) for the Genesis Fund, The Jimmy Fund, and others

-Participates in trade shows, in television commercials, radio and television talk shows

Ivar Henningson – Class of 1985

Football

  • Four-year starter on Varsity
  • Co-Captain as a Senior and team MVP
  • Shriners’ All-State football game, Senior year

Basketball

  • Three-year starter on Varsity
  • Co-Captain as Senior
  • Team finished second in State Final Championship Game, 1984 – played at the Centrum

Baseball

  • Three-year Varsity starter
  • Co-Captain as a Senior and team MVP
  • Undefeated as starting pitcher – Senior year
  • Played on American Legion Team for three summers
  • Highest batting average on team

Other:

  • Voted most athletic male in his class
  • Recipient of U.S. Marine Corps Student Athlete Achievement Award – Senior year
  • Played for Middlebury College – Four years – Captain his Senior year
  • Ran Boston Marathon, 1990 and Mount Ranier Summit Race, 1995
  • Avid skier
  • F.W. Olin Graduate School of Business, Babson College, MBA, 1999
  • Traveler to Europe. Witnessed Fall of Berlin Wall and Revolutionary Protests in Czechoslovakia
  • Studied in the Soviet Union while in college
  • Has worked in internet sector since 1990
  • Biked across England, Wales, and Ireland, 1989
  • Played and managed soccer team, co-ed – in Seattle, 1993-1997

Statement:

“During high school and for a long time afterwards, sports helped define who I was, providing me with a strong sense of accomplishment and confidence. Athletics kept me in shape, kept me out of trouble and ultimately helped me get into a great college. But, I believe, the greatest benefit to participating in athletics at ARHS was the set of life lessons that I learned from my coaches and teammates. Most of my coaches hammered into me the importance of good sportsmanship. (‘Do your talking with your shoulder pads not your mouth,’ still echoes in my mind.) I learnedfrom many of my teammates as well, especially those that were not just striving to win, but striving to play their best regardless of the score. I learned about motivatingmyself and others; especially fromonefatherly, tough, and fair coach named Frank Kronoff whose players left their bodies and hearts out on the field because they loved and respected him and wanted to show it. I am … honored to be inducted into the ARHS Hall of Fame, but it strikes me as a very individual achievement, and, perhaps, the most important lesson that I learned in my four years at ARHS is that sports… are about teams, not individuals … confident yet unselfish contributors, working together to win.”

James A. Higgiston – Principal – 1959-1973
  • Varsity letter winner – Milford High School, 1927
  • B.S.E.E., Notre Dame, 1931
  • M.E.D., Boston University, 1941
  • C.A.G.S., Boston University, 1959
  • Teacher of Mathematics and Faculty Manager of Athletics, Milford High School, 1931-1941
  • Assistant Principal, Milford High School, 1941-1948
  • Acting Principal, Milford High School
  • Principal, Peters High School, 1949-1959
  • Principal, ARHS, 1959-1973
  • Past President, Massachusetts Secondary Schools Principals’ Association, 1966-1967
  • President of Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association
  • Helped found the Midland League

Community Activities:

  • Trustee – Southborough Town Library, 1952-1992
  • Past Grand Knight, Valencia Council, Knights of Columbus, Milford
  • Charter member, Board of Directors, Southborough Lions’ Club
  • Marlborough Rotary Club
  • Charter Board Member, Southborough Little League - 1953
  • Supervisor for three years, Christian Doctrine classes, St. Anne’s, Southborough
Kristin Mattson – Class of 1988
  • Varsity Soccer – Four years
  • Varsity Softball – Two years
  • Varsity Basketball – One year
  • Varsity Track – Two years

Sophomore record holder, Javelin Throw

  • Voted most athletic by classmates – Senior year

Other:

National Honor Society

Attend Quinnipiac College on soccer scholarship, majored in Physical Therapy

Kevin Merchant – Class of 1979
  • Baseball

Two years – Junior Varsity; Two years – Varsity

Highest batting average on the team – Junior year, .390 (also had 18 RBI’s and .463 slugging average)

Team finished second in Midland League with a 16-4 record – Junior year

Played first base, third base, and right field as a Senior, batting approximately .400 (team won Midland League Championship)

  • Basketball

Freshman team had 15-0 record

Junior Varsity Team won 18 and lost one game

Varsity team, Junior year, won Clark Tournament and finished second in Midland League with 18-4 record

Individually led team in scoring, 14.6 points per game steals (72), and assists

Senior year, team won Clark Tournament and Midland League Championship with a 23-1 record

Individually led team in scoring, 20.5 points per game (and had 3.8 assists per game and 3.8 rebounds per game) earning him place on Midland League All-Star team and the Telegram & Gazette All-Star team

Team was District finalist

Cited by Coach Phil Philip as being the best all-around guard he ever coached (in terms of offense, defense, assists, and leadership qualities)

Attended Babson on Basketball scholarship, Lettering as a Freshman

Current Status:

  • B.S. degree, Babson College, 1983
  • Married Naomi in 1985, daughter Sarah born in 1994
  • MBA – Framingham State College, 1989
  • Works for Fidelity Investments, Marlborough in Acquisitions Management
  • Junior Varsity Basketball Coach, 1986
  • Assistant Girls’ Soccer Coach, Northborough Youth Soccer

Statement:

“My Algonquin experience… has been unmatched… my neighbors, teachers, coaches, and friends have all molded a lifestyle that I wish everyone could experience… and one I hope my daughter can duplicate. Algonquin… has molded by character forever. The friends I made at Algonquin are my closest friends to this day, and any career or athletic accomplishments pale in comparison to the satisfaction I received from having them in my life. I love being part of theNorthborough community and very proud to have attended Algonquin. I was lucky enough to be part of some great teams…”

Joseph M. Molloy – Class of 1980
  • Central Massachusetts – All-Class - Cross Country Champion, 1979
  • Central Massachusetts – All-Class - Outdoor Two-Mile Champion, 1980
  • School record holder for Cross Country Course and two-mile (Outdoor) run

Later Achievements:

  • West Point Cross Country team captain, 1983
  • Competitor on several All-Army and U.S. Armed Forces Cross Country - Track and Field and Marathon Teams
  • Marathon Bronze Medallist - 1986 World Military Track and Field Championships, Rome, Italy
  • Boston Marathons, 1986 and 1989, top thirty finishes

Current Status:

  • Physical Therapist - U.S. Army, pursuing a Doctorate in Exercise Physiology at Auburn University
  • Resides in Columbus, Georgia, with wife Callie (outranking her – he’s a major, she’s a captain), another World-Class runner

Statement:

“Coaches Bill O’Connor and Joe Cummings played roles in the character development of their athletes. Their influences on our lives have extended far beyond the track. We are better people for having known them.”

Katey Palumbo – Class of 1993
  • Softball

Two-year captain; Four-year starter (SS)

All-America; All-State; League MVP

Three-year “Middlesex News” All-Star

Two-year “Worcester Telegram & Gazette” All-Star

Three-year Mid-Wach League All-Star

Three-year League batting champion (.539 career avg.)

Three-year Junior Olympic participant

District E Athletic Directors Outstanding Athlete Award

Scholarship – St. John’s University (NY)

-Senior (1993) Co-Captain

  • All America, All State, Mid-Wach League MVP, District E A.D. Student Athlete Award, Mid-Wach All-Star, “Worcester Telegram &Gazette” All-Star, “Middlesex News” All-Star (1st Team), Jr. Olympian

-Junior (1992) Co-Captain

  • “Worcester Telegram &Gazette” All-Star, “Middlesex News” All-Star (1st Team), Mid-Wach All-Star, Jr. Olympian

-Sophomore (1991)

  • “Middlesex News” All-Star (1st Team), Mid-Wach batting champ (.593 avg.)
  • Mid-Wach All-Star, Jr. Olympian

-Freshman (1990)

  • Mid-Wach League batting Champ (.491 avg.)
  • Basketball – Four-year starter

-Senior (1993) Co-Captain

  • Mid-Wach League All-Star
  • Second in league scoring

-Sophomore (1991)

  • Mt. Wachusett Tournament All-Star

Current Status:

  • University of Miami, Florida, 1997, graduating with honors (on Dean’s List each semester in colleges – two years at St. John’s University)
  • Excelled at second base while at St. John’s, a starter for two years and an All Big East Scholar Athlete in 1995
  • National player of the week finalist, 1995
  • Studied in Edinburgh University, Scotland
  • Traveled extensively in Ireland and Europe, meeting Christopher Hogan (an Australian) whom she married
  • Traveled in 2000 to Southeast Asia and Australia (earning a certificate in teaching English as a second language)
  • Taught one-year in Central Turkey (2000-2001)
  • Working at Fidelity Investments in Marlborough

Statement:

“I have grown in many ways since leaving Algonquin eight years ago. I have come to realize that much of the person I am today is the result of what I learned in thosefour years. Throughathletics, I developed a strong work ethic and ability to focus on goals and set out to accomplish them. This ability is a direct result of the values instilled in me through my athletic and academic career at Algonquin. The most important lesson I took away with me from Algonquin is that through hard work, focus, and determination, all things are possible…”

Paul Pisinski – Class of 1960
  • Varsity Football

Three years for Northborough High School; One year at Algonquin

Played both defense and offense for four years, starting and playing in every game

Captain, Senior year

Recipient of the Bruce Carlson Memorial Scholarship Award

  • Track

Senior year (at Algonquin)

Took First Place in every meet – Shot Put

One of Team Co-Captains

Statement:

“Because of outstanding faculty members at Algonquin, I was well-prepared in mathematics, the sciences, and social studies particularly, which made college easier to cope with. The Regional school offered many opportunities for me to develop as an individual – academically and athletically. The merger was good for both communities.”

Mike Sherman – Class of 1973
  • Wrestling Team – Junior Year
  • Basketball – Freshman Year
  • Track & Field – Four Years
  • Football – Four Years
  • Varsity Club – Three Years
  • Student Council – Four Years

Current Status:

Head Football Coach Executive Vice President and General Manager of the Green Bay Packers

Special thanks to all of those responsible for making this event such a huge success!

The Hall of Fame Selection Committee

Francis Whitten III – ChairmanJean Fedak

Vincent DamoreRichard Walsh

Laura SartoriGreg Young

Alison HartCheryl Mercer

Jack Wallace

The Athletic Council – Hall of Fame Committee

Laura Sartori - ChairpersonSarah Callaghan

Jen WardleBetsy McDonald

Jessica SheltonJessica Hart

Megan CapobiancoAlison Hart

Kristen LewkoMeaghan Foster

Sherri GermainAubrey Hiers

Amy Levesque

Cover: Jon Matthews

Invitations:Jason Stockwell

Program Profiles: Neil Cronin and Susan Baburins

Program Assembly: Cindi Callaghan

Plaques: Len Gleckel of Crown Trophy

Catering: Tom Lowe

Cafeteria Staff: All the Cafeteria Staff involved

Beverages: T.J. Fluherty of Polar Beverages

Sound System: Dennis Wrenn

Project M.O.V.E.: Nancy Kennison

Booster Club: Cheryl Mercer

Decorations: Susan Sartori

Music: ARHS Jazz Ensemble