Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame - Class of 1996 Biographies
Back Row Left to Right
Anthony P. Romano
Tony was a four year basketball standout at Enfield High (1953-57). He led EHS to Valley Wheel League Championships in 1955, 1956, and 1957. Tony as the League's second leading scorer, top rebounder, and all-star in 1956 and Valley League top scorer, top rebounder, all-star, and third high scorer in Western MA in 1957. Tony went on to play at AIC (1957-59) and Eastern Connecticut State University (1961-63). In '61-62, he broke ECSU's school record for points in a season with 589 making him the leading collegiate scorer in the State of Connecticut. In 1962-63, Tony led the nation (NAIA) in rebounding averaging 23.1 boards per contest. He also averaged 24.5 points per game. Tony's outstanding season earned him Associated Press Little All-American honors--the only player ever in ECSU history to achieve such distinction. Tony is also a member of the ECSU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Russell Tyler
Russ played three years for the Enfield High School basketball team (1964-67). During his career, he set records for: most points in a career and most points in a single season while also being selected All Valley Wheel. He went on to Brown University where he again distinguished himself as a dominant player. He set school records for most assists in a career and most consecutive made free throws with 30. During his senior season, Russ set single season standards for most points in a season, highest free throw percentage, and assists. He was named ECAC All East First Team and his free throw percentage (87%) ranked him second in all of Division I. A three-sport athlete at Enfield High (football and baseball), Russ was inducted to Brown's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1979 as well as the East Hartford Explorers Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.
Phil Blaney
From 1932-1934, Phil was an offensive (center) and defensive (tackle) standout for the Suffield Academy football team. Phil earned an athletic scholarship to Providence College where he played on their varsity football team for one season. From 1935-1942, Phil was the captain of the Thompsonville Grey's Semi-Professional Football Team. One of Phil's most memorable games was against the Franco American Team from Three Rivers, MA which featured three College of the Holy Cross standouts. Eleven players played the entire game, going both offense and defense. Phil blocked a kick for a safety, the only score in Thompsonville's 2-0 victory. He finished his career with the Grey's by coaching the squad for two seasons (1942-44).
Iggy "Miller" Murawski
Played under the name "Miller" because it was easier for others to say and remember. Started his semi-professional baseball career in 1938 in the Tri-County League. Began his Greater Hartford Twilight career in 1940 and from 1942 to 1947, Iggy pitched for the Savitt Gems. Two of his most memorable games were in 1944 when he pitched a win over the Eastern League Champion Hartford Chiefs and in 1945 when he pitched in an exhibition game against Babe Ruth. Iggy led Pratt & Whitney to back-to-back Twilight League Championships in 1952 and 1953. He finished his Twilight career with over 40 wins and just six losses. Not just a one sport athlete, Iggy played basketball for St. Adalbert's (1937-40). He was inducted into the Greater Hartford Twilight Baseball League Hall of Fame in 1990.
William H. Spanswick
Bill was a four-year varsity baseball standout at Enfield High School (1952-56). In 1956, he led EHS to the league championship with a pitching record of 9-1 which included seven one-hitters, one no-hitter, along with a 56 inning scoreless streak. He earned a scholarship to the College of Holy Cross. After his freshman season, he signed with the Boston Red Sox. In 1963, Bill was named Triple AAA Pitcher of the Year while pitching for the Seattle Rainiers. His elevation through the minor leagues took five years before making it to Fenway Park. In addition to his baseball exploits at Enfield High, Bill also co-captained the league championship basketball team as well as playing varsity football in 1955. He has also coached a variety of town teams and served as pitching coach when American International College advanced to the Division II World Series in 1991.
Craig Janney
Craig began his hockey career in 1972 in the Enfield Youth Hockey Association. He led his teams to state championships in 1977, 1978, and 1979. His 1979 team placed fourth in the National Tournament. He went on to lead Enfield High School to back-to-back state hockey titles (1982-Division II and 1983-Division I). In both championship seasons, he was tournament MVP. For his EHS career, Craig achieved all-state honors each of his three varsity seasons. He accepted an athletic scholarship to Boston College where he earned All-America honors. A member of the 1988 United States Olympic Ice Hockey Team, Craig was drafted in the NHL's first round in 1986 by the Boston Bruins. He continues to date with an outstanding professional career. An unbelievable all-around athlete, Craig also played on numerous successful town and school baseball, soccer, and basketball teams. In addition to the Bruins, Craig has played for the St Louis Blues, San Jose Sharks, and Phoenix Coyotes, Tampa Bay Lightning and New York Islanders.
Milt Piepul (son John shown)
Matt played running back and linebacker for Enfield High School from 1933 to 1935 before finishing his high career at Cathedral High. From 1937-41, he played for Notre Dame under Head Coach Elmer Layden. During his senior campaign, Milt was captain of the Fighting Irish earning All-America honors. He also played in a senior all-star game before 100,000 fans at Soldier Field in Chicago. Injuries played a major role in a brief NFL career with the Detroit Lions. Milt went on to coach at a number of high schools and college, including American International College where he was also served as Director of Athletics. Milt also played basketball at Enfield High School, Cathedral High School, and one year at Notre Dame. In fact in his one season at South Bend, Milt played basketball for a Head Coach named Ray Meyer.
Carl S. Angelica ( son Mike shown)
Carl graduated from Enfield High School in 1933. A three-sport star for EHS, he went on to Providence College on an athletic scholarship (1933-37) where he continued playing football and baseball. In 1938, he began his teaching career as a physical education instructor in the Enfield Public School System. From 1948 to 1967, Carl was Enfield high's football, basketball, and baseball coach. After his coaching career, he became Director of Athletics for Enfield Public Schools from 1968 to 1975. Carl was also a volunteer coach/instructor for many local and community athletic associations. The football field at Enfield High is named in his honor.
Front Row Left to Right
Angelo D. Lamagna (wife Marian shown)
Angelo's sports career started at a young age partaking in basketball, baseball, track, and boxing. In the 1930's, Angelo was the trainer for the Thompsonville Greys Football Team. In the late 30's and early 1940's, Angelo was a featherweight boxer known as "Kid" Lamagna. After returning from WW II, he became Enfield's Director of Park and Recreation in 1945, a post he would hold for an incredible 40 years. He originated activities such as crafts, games, field trips, etc. Angelo's pride and joy was his youth boxing tournament held each spring (1945-89). Angelo coached St. Joseph's basketball team for 33 years. In 1979, he was awarded the Connecticut's Boxing Guild's Sportsmanship Award. On June 4, 1989 the Neighborhood Center in the center of Enfield was renamed the Angelo Lamagna Activity Center.
Kathleen "Cookie" Bromage
A 1961 graduate of Suffield High School and 1965 graduate of Southern Connecticut State University. Cookie has taught physical education in the Enfield Public School System for the past 30 years where she has coached; field hockey, girl's basketball, and cheerleading. Her field hockey teams have won five Class M State Championships (1983, 1984, 1992, 1993, and 1994). Cookie was named Connecticut Class M Field Hockey Coach of the Year three times in 1983, 1986, and 1992. In 1995, she was named the State of Connecticut's Field Hockey Coach of the Year while also receiving the Connecticut's Sports Writer's Alliance High School Female Coach
of the Year award.
Leah Secondo
Leah's accomplishments have come as both an athlete and broadcast journalist. Leah is a 1980 graduate of Enrico Fermi where she was voted most athletic senior by her peers. A three-sport all-league performer in field hockey, basketball, and softball, Leah also played ice hockey for the Enfield Eagles Girl's Ice Hockey Team from 1974 through 1984. Her broadcasting career began as sports reporter/anchor for WGGB Channel 40 in Springfield in 1984. In 1990, Leah worked as Connecticut's first female sports anchor on WTNH Channel 8 in New Haven. She now is involved in numerous broadcasting ventures including; color commentator for both the UConn Women's Basketball Team as well as the University of Hartford's Women's Basketball Team. She also can be seen on Sportschannel, NESN, and Connecticut Public Television.
Vito J. Tallarita ( wife shown)
Vito came to Enfield in 1929 from Italy at age seven. He became recognized throughout the United States as a prominent boxing promotor, matchmaker, and manager. He boxed as a flyweight from 1937-42 and from 1942-46 in the U.S. Navy as an amateur boxer. His most memorable fights were against legendary boxer Willie Pep. Vito went the distance both times losing decisions. He organized local boxing matches each week in Enfield. Some of his prominent matchmaking included; Marlon Starling's first 20 professional bouts, five fights for Sugar Ray Leonard, as well as promoting numerous closed circuit matches in Springfield, MA. Two of his mot famous closed-circuit promotions were Ali-Frazier and Ali-Foreman. In 1975, Vito was named Connecticut Boxing Guild's Man of the Year.
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