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About the Athletic Hall of Fame |
The Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame, Inc. (est. 1996)
In July 1995, Bill Chaves Jr. presented the idea of an Athletic Hall of Fame to the Town Council of Enfield, CT (pop. 45,000). The support was granted and a non-profit, self funded organization was formed from the grass roots. Bill Chaves drafted a life-long friend, Mike Cotnoir to act as his Co-Chairman on this venture. In May, 1999, Bill Chaves moved to Colorado and became the University of Northern Colorado Assistant Athletic Director. Bill is now Assistant Athletic Director at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. We are committed to carrying on his vision and goals of this organization.
The Hall of Fame's primary goal is to provide a common ground of recognition for past and present individuals and teams who have made a significant athletic contribution to the Town of Enfield, CT. The Senior Ccnter (299 Elm Street, next to Police station) is the current home of the Hall of Fame and the commemorative plaques. We hope to someday have our own building.
Initially, a committee of 16 members was formed and monthly meetings were held to determine the course of the Hall of Fame. Since this is a non-profit, self funded venture, some public solicitation of funds was needed to get the ball rolling. Rosen Enterprises/McDonald's of Enfield, Hallmark Cards, Inc., World Gym of Enfield, and the Enfield Police Benevolent Association were our initial big supporters.
A nomination Sub-committee was formed to solicit and go through hundreds of nominations. To be considered for induction, all nominees must have a completed athletic biography on file with the HOF subcommittee. This subcommittee and biographies are a critical pieces of our organization process. Since we cannot research all candidates we rely on the public to provide a great deal of names and information about possible inductees and teams. George Daly, Jr. was our first chairperson on this subcommittee. George did a wonderful job in 1996. Sadly, He passed away 3 days before the first-ever induction ceremony on August 2, 1996. Today we recognize George's athletic spirit and dedication to the HOF by awarding the George Daly award annually.
The Hall of Fame holds an annual fundraising golf tournament. It is usually an 18-hole shotgun/scramble with cart, lunch, full buffet dinner, prizes, awards. Everyone is welcome. Years past we have had over 120 golfers at the tourney. The celebrity in the 1998 event was Ex-Red Sox pitcher, Bill "Spaceman" Lee. If you are interested in playing or sponsoring a hole ($100), please see any member below.
The Hall of Fame in the past has held a charity autograph auction during the Enfield July 4th Town Celebration on the Town Green in July. In addition the Hall of Fame committee will from time to time, hold raffles and auctions of items to raise funding. Many personally autographed items have been available for a good price. If you have interest in donating an item , please contact Mike Cotnoir. From 1995-2005, we have given out $12,000 to EHS and FHS graduating seniors going onto college. Scholarship application details can be found at the High School Guidance offices.
Other interesting past fund raising events included hosting a book-signing with Rebecca & Ruth Ann Lobo. The Lobo's donated over 3 hours of their time in 1997 to sign copies of their book, "The Home Team" and meet the public. Also, "An Evening with Peter King" was another smashing successful event hosted by the Hall of Fame. Peter King, Lead NFL Sportswriter for Sports Illustrated and CNN/SI TV reporter answered questions from the public for more than 2 hours on the NFL. King was a 1997 inductee and a 1975 EHS graduate. Peter did a wonderful job as our September 17th, 1999 Induction Ceremony emcee.
Hall Of Fame Display Opens at Senior Center
All the years of hard work and dedication to the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame has finally paid off. The HOF displays will have a permanent home in the new Senior center at 299 Elm Street.
The Town of Enfield has allowed the Athletic Hall of Fame to move to this sparkling new location next to the Enfield Police Department. The Hall of Fames display cases and plaques are currently on display for all the public to see in the "Game Room" at the Senior Center. The HOF officially opened its displays at an Inaugural reception held on June 11, 2003. Attending the event were Town Councilman Lou Fiore , Senior Center Director, Susan Lather, current HOF Chairman Mike Cotnoir, HOF founding father William Chaves, a host of HOF Inductees, HOF committee members, and lots of family and friends. Memorabilia of the Towns Athletic heritage are being sought for consideration to be displayed at the HOF.
2008 Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame Committee
Michael T. Cotnoir, Chairman
Tim Jensen, Co-Chairman
Kris Couture, Secretary
Fran Slattery, Treasurer, HOF 1998
Howie Bromage, HOF 1999
Chris Corkum, HOF 2001
Sue Davis, 2005
Paul DaSilva, HOF 1997
Marian Dippel, HOF 2002
Stan Dynia
Sam Fiore
Nancy Geaglone
Bob Keller, HOF 2000
Mary Keller, Town Recreation Dept. Director
Eddie Lapponese
Scott Marek
Carl Neuschaefer
Tony Secondo
Jerry Wingen
Patrick Crowley, Town Council Liaison
Scott Kaupin, Town Council Liaison
If you are interested in learning more about the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame, please write to P.O. Box 3311, Enfield, CT 06083-3311 or e-mail Mike Cotnoir at HALEBOP92@AOL.COM or Fran Slattery at FRANSLATS@AOL.COM.
Hall of Fame Sponsors, Contributors, and Supporters
The following have contributed to the success of the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame, either financially, goods, or in kind services: State Line Doors, The Chiropractic Family Wellness Center, Enviro-Heat, Inc., Burns, Brooks & McNeil, Dairy Queen, Ed Steben Glass Company Inc., Enfield Federal Savings & Loan Association, Freshwater Veterinary Hospital, The Hartford Courant, Karen Jarmoc Consulting, World Gym of Enfield, CT Water Co., Enfield Little League, Thompsonville Little League, Abbey Printing, Adams & Eliason Law Offices, Arcouette Auto Center, Berger & Santy, P.C., Bickford's Family Restaurants, Bob's Stores, Corky's Auto Parts Inc., Miller Oil Co., Enfield National Polish Home, Chris Scarfo, State Line Package Store, Town House Styling Studio, Tracey Insurance Associates, Inc., Johnny's Roadside Market Garden, Southside Auto Sales, Mt. Carmel Society, Enfield Police Benevolent Association, Enfield Honda, Nissan, and Pontiac, Rosen Enterprises/McDonald's, The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Enfield Ford, Marek Jewelers, Jostens Awards Division, EHS Athletic Booster Association, Enfield Carpet, The Growth Company, CNNSI, Journal Inquirer, Enfield Press, Jarrett Insurance Agency, Fran Slattery, Craig Janney, Cindy Turcotte, Rebecca & Ruth Ann Lobo, Steve Camerota, Enfield July 4th Town Celebration Committee, Enfield Jaycees, Al Harrison, Phoenix Home Life, Rick Maier, Debbie Rausch, Tony Secondo, Mary Lou Strom, Media Play, Marty Demers, Jean Butler, Cong. Nancy Johnson, Mr/Mrs. Mike Tippo, Springfield Falcons, Hartford Wolfpak, Staples of Enfield, TUSC - The Ultimate Sign Company, Reminder Community News, St Anne's CC, Sam's World of Wide Shoes, Printing Express of Windsor, Surroundings Inc. of Broad Brook, Twin Oaks Auto Body, Guy Carpenter, Rich's Oil Service, Gov. John Rowland, Hallmark Cards, Town of Enfield, Cox Communications, Sandy Zukowski, Arnold Dean, Mr.& Mrs. Bill Chaves, Jr., Hall of Fame Committee, Enfield Town Council, Rep. Steve Jarmoc, Rep. Kathy Tallarita, Peter King, William Davis, Sal Fiore, Bob Lackenbach, Ron Maier, Sam McGill, Riley's School of Dance, Artioli Dodge,Sean McGuire, and Michael Cotnoir.
Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame. All Rights Reserved
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