Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame - Class of 1997 Biographies
Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame - Class of 1997 Biographies
Back Row Left to Right
Grey's Club - "1997 George Daly Special Recognition Award" ( Al James Pres. shown)
One, if not the first, organization to sponsor athletic teams and sporting events. Founded in 1924, the Grey's sponsored a semi-professional football team whose first coach was Francis "Roxy" Burke. Without team uniforms, the Grey's has to fight off ridicule from other more organized teams, but it did not take long since their prowess on the field was second to none. The team registered a 15-0 mark that season and played before large crowds at Mt. Carmel. Over the years, the Grey's Club have sponsored successful teams in basketball, softball, billiards, and duckpin bowling. The Grey's are the first recipients of this honor which is in memory of charter Hall of Fame Committee Member, George Daly.
Don Whittle
A 1976 graduate of Enfield High School, Don was a three sport (soccer, basketball, and baseball) star for the Raiders. During his senior year, he was named the team's Most Valuable Player in all three sports. Don moved on to the University of Hartford where he again showed his all-around athletic prowess by again becoming a three-sport star in college. This feat has not been accomplished in 11 years at Hartford. Originally recruited for soccer, Don led the 1979 Hawks team to an ECAC Division II-III berth in the New England Championship Game as the team sported a 15-2-1 record. That season, Hartford finished ranked number 12 in Division II and Don earned All-New England honors. That same year, Don was UHart's starting centerfielder while pitching 21 innings. On the basketball court, he was named to the all-tournament team at the Hartford-Trinity Invitational Tournament.
Ken Gwozdz
A 1965 graduate of Enfield High School, Ken was a senior captain in basketball, baseball, and soccer. He was selected All-Valley Wheel in basketball during his senior campaign. A 1969 graduate of the University of Hartford, Ken was named Athlete of the Year in both 1968 and 1969. He was captain of both the baseball and basketball teams in 1969 and was named All-New England in basketball in 1968 and 1969. Ken also received All-ECAC basketball honors in 1969 as well as Associated Press Honorable Mention All America honors. In 1993, Ken was inducted into Hartford's Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame.
Auggie Gwozdz
A 1967 graduate of Enfield High School, Auggie played on various basketball all-star teams as a senior. he went on to play at the University of Hartford where he received the "Unsung Hero Award" from New England College Coaches and Sports Information Directors. In 1972, he was a key contributor for Hartford in its first-ever and a major contributor in its 52-15 record over his three year career. In 1973, Auggie has a tryout with the NBA's Buffalo Braves but opted to play in Luxembourg, Europe where he averaged 35 points per game leading his team to the league championship. He also played for Smith and Sons Jewelers, a semi-professional team, from 1977-84 where they captured four New England titles. Auggie has also won numerous town titles with various teams. He currently coaches basketball in Ludlow, Mass.
Paul DaSilva
A 1974 graduate of Enfield High School, Paul "Big D" DaSilva's basketball career has been marked by marked by record setting performances. Beginning with John F. Kennedy Junior High and continuing with Enfield High, The University of Hartford, and Luxembourg in the European Professional Basketball League, DaSilva distinguished himself as a team leader and great player at all layers. Paul was EHS' first 1,000-point career scorer, while earning Journal Inquirer All-Area Status each of his each of his three varsity seasons as well as All-State and All-League honors. Paul earned a full scholarship to the University of Hartford where in four years he graduated as the school's fourth all-time leading scorer and rebounder. During his collegiate career, he played in every possible game (99 straight), thus earning him the nickname, "Iron Man". Paul finished his brilliant career by playing one season in Luxembourg, again he led his team in both scoring and rebounding.
Front Row Left to Right
Charlie Ragno
A 1966 graduate of Enfield High, Charlie played football (wide receiver/defensive back/kick returner), basketball (guard), and baseball (shortstop). In 1965 and 1966, he was named All-Suburban League in football and All-Valley Wheel in baseball. Upon graduation from EHS, Charlie played shortstop at William Penn College in Iowa where he batted .393 as a freshman. He transferred to Springfield College where he completed his three remaining collegiate seasons. In 1971, Charlie was named All-New England as a centerfielder leading Springfield in batting. He went on to sign a professional baseball contract and played three seasons of minor league baseball for South Portland (Maine) in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. In 1972, he was the starting center fielder as South Portland won the league championship. Charlie finished his career by playing for the Vernon Orioles (1973-76) in the Hartford Twilight League.
Cindy Turcotte
A 1978 graduate of Enfield High School, Cindy was a standout in both basketball and softball. She earned all-CCIL honors in both her junior and senior season in basketball and during her junior campaign in softball. During her senior season, Cindy led both teams to the state tournament as the basketball turned in a 14-6 record, while the softball team (16-1) entered the state tournament ranked number-two. Cindy went on to pitch collegiately at Central Connecticut where she posted a career 38-13 mark on the mound for the Blue Devils including a 10-2 record her senior season. With that performance, she was the starting and winning pitcher in the New England Intercollegiate Softball Association All-Star Game. In 1995, Cindy became the first softball player to be inducted into Central Connecticut State University's Sports Hall of Fame.
Michael Burke (sister Janet Griffin shown)
Born in Enfield, Mike led a varied and colorful life with unique ties to the world of professional sports. Prior to his marvelous career in athletics, Mike Served with the Italian and French underground during World War II and was awarded the Silver Star and Navy Cross for meritorious service. The movie, "Cloak and Dagger" starring Gary Cooper was based on Mike's life. After returning to the United States, Mike was the first General Manager of Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey circus. He was then named vice-president of diversification for CBS, which included his being named President of the New York Yankees. He later went on to serve as President of Madison Square Garden, the New York Rangers, and the New York Knickerbockers. After semi-retirement in Ireland, Mike wrote his autobiography, "Outrageous Good Fortune". Upon his death, Mike was buried back in his hometown of Thompsonville.
Peter King ( not available for photo)
A three sport athlete (soccer, basketball, and baseball) and 1975 graduate of Enfield High School, Peter is most renowned for his work in sports journalism. Upon graduating from EHS, Peter earned a degree in Journalism from Ohio University where he was named "Top Senior Journalist". Peter is currently a senior writer for Sports Illustrated as well as the magazine's football columnist. Prior to taking a position with SI in 1989, Peter wrote for Newsday and the Cincinnati Enquirer. His popularity and expertise has vaulted him into several television opportunities. For two seasons (1994 & 1995), he was Monday Night Football's halftime correspondent. In 1996, he moved his talents to CNN/SI Network's NFL Preview Show. Peter has authored five books including "Inside the Helmet: A Player's Eye View of Pro Football".
Amy Romano
A 1984 graduate of Fermi High School, Amy was a three-sport (field hockey, basketball, softball) star for the Falcons. She is arguably the best softball pitcher the Town has produced. During her senior season, she pitched every game and led Fermi to an 18-0 regular season record, while earning all-league recognition in all three sports and all-state honors in field hockey and softball. Amy continued her field hockey and softball career at Assumption College. She again excelled as a pitcher compiling 40 collegiate wins including a no-hitter against Winthrop College. In field hockey, she was named All-Northeast Region her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. Amy's collegiate career was capped off by being awarded the school's senior student athlete award signifying her as the top student-athlete at Assumption. Amy currently teaches in the Enfield Public School System and is the daughter of 1996 charter inductee, Tony Romano.
Ray Legenza
Ray is a high school coaching legend in the State of Connecticut. A 1944 Enfield High graduate, he began his coaching career in Naugatuck in 1953. He coached baseball for 23 years and football for 15. His baseball teams compiled an amazing 378-86 record, four state titles and 12 league championships. Legenza gained national fame when his baseball teams won 64 straight games from 1970-72, a feat that is enshrined at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. In football, Ray's teams had an overall record of 90-33-9. He was named National High School Baseball Coach of the Year in 1971 and was awarded the Gold Key by the Connecticut Sportswriters in 1976. After high school, he served in the military, then chose college (UConn) over signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He went on to earn seven varsity letters at UConn. In 1984, Ray was inducted into the Connecticut High School Coaches Hall of Fame.
Edmond Kukulka
Edmond played basketball and baseball for Enfield High School in the early 1930's. In 1934, Edmond signed a professional baseball contract with the St. Louis Cardinals as a pitcher. Early in his career, he played with such baseball legends as; Dizzy Dean, Paul Medwick, and Frankie Frisch. An elbow injury ended his rise through the farm system. He returned home to Thompsonville to play baseball for the Bigelow-Sanford Carpet team in the 1940's. Edmond led Bigelow to an AAA Championship in 1948 and then moved on to play in the Hartford Twilight League where he played from 1949 to 1962. In 1988, Edmond was inducted into the Twilight League's Hall of Fame. In addition to baseball, he also played basketball for over 30 years starting with high school and moving on to St. Adalbert's semi-pro team, Bigelow-Sanford, and Hamilton Standard teams.
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