Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame - Class of 1998 Biographies
(from right to left)
Rich Fenton
A football star that showed potential the first time he touched the ball. As a nine-year old quarterback, Fenton ran his first play from scrimmage for the Enfield Ramblers 75 yards for a touchdown. He continued his football prowess at Enfield High where he was names All-Capital District Conference quarterback in 1971. Rich, a 3-sport star at EHS, also excelled at basketball and baseball for the Raiders. He went on to the University of Connecticut where he was the starting free safety. He set the team record with six interceptions in a season as well as the most in a game with three. His accomplishments helped the team win the 1973 Yankee Conference Championship. He was named All-Conference and All-New England. In 1977, Fenton went to training camp with the New York Jets and in 1978 played for the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League.
Matt Pliszka
In the mid-1940's, a 16-year old Matt Pliszka was dubbed the "most promising and outstanding athlete of the town". A three sport star (football, basketball, and baseball) at Enfield High, Pliszka averaged 20 points per game during the 1945-46 basketball season and set the all-time single game scoring record at EHS with 47 points. Pliszka signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1946 and progressed through the minor leagues until enlisting in the military service in 1954. During the off-season, Matt played basketball for Bigelow-Sanford and Vic's Restaurant, both semi-professional teams. He also devoted over 30 years in assisting in the operation of the Enfield Adult Parks & Recreation basketball League.
Dick Vining
A 1946 graduate of Enfield High, Vining played football, basketball, baseball, and track and was named most outstanding athlete his senior year. Dick went on to the University of Connecticut playing three years of baseball. In 1951, he was captain and MVP of the team. After military service, Vining began his teaching and coaching career at the collegiate level. With stops at Orange C.C., SUNY- Farmingdale (1957-67), LIU (1968-74), and US Merchant Marine (1975-77), Dick settled into his current position at C.W. Post. In 1969, Vining was named Division II National Coach of the year has been speckled with championship teams as well as former major league players including: John Blanchard (Yankees), Terry Crowley (Orioles) and Fred Cambria (Pirates). Vining is the winningest college baseball coach in the history of New York State with over 800 victories. Vining has also taught baseball in China, Holland, and Czechoslavakia.
Lisa Carrara
A 1984 graduate of Enfield High, Lisa began her athletic career as a field hockey, softball and basketball player for Kosciuszko Junior High School. She continued her athletic prowess at EHS in the same three sports earning the maximum of nine varsity letters in three years of participation. Carrara tallied 21 goals and 12 assists while scoring the lone goals in both the state semifinal and championship field hockey victories in 1983. Lisa's performance catapulted EHS and charter Hall of Fame inductee, "Cookie" Bromage into their first of what is now five state field hockey championships. Lisa went onto to Quinnipiac College where she was a four-year starting catcher leading the team in several offensive and defensive categories. In 1988, Carrara won the Women's 8-ball billiards tournament and placed in the top 10 at the New England Tournament.
Fran Slattery
Possibly the most selfless and dedicated coach the town has ever seen. Fran's longevity with Enfield's baseball and basketball leagues is unrivaled. He coached 20 years (from 1965-85) in the Hazardville Little League where he led teams to championships in 1967, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1976, and 1980. He was named Senior league all-star coach three times (1978-80). In 1979, his team was Connecticut State Champions while his 1980 team was state runner-up. Since 1980, Slattery has managed the Enfield American Legion baseball team producing several tournament championship teams. Fran also was player/coach in the Park & Recreation (1963-94) winter basketball league where his teams won 9 titles and over 300 games. Slattery is also involved in coaching basketball for St. Martha's. In 1983, he guided St. Martha's to the State Championship. In 1990, Fran was named The Enfield Jaycees "Outstanding Citizen".
Al Davis, Jr. - "1998 George Daly Special Recognition Award"
Al Davis has devoted much of his life to the athletic programs of Enfield. His love for coaching softball has spanned over four decades (1960-96) with numerous league titles. His Merchants fast-pitch team were Enfield Champions from 1962-65. Davis led his slow-pitch softball team to three consecutive (1980-82) Bangor (Maine) tournament championships. Davis also has coached and directed both the Enfield Winter and Summer Basketball Leagues. He coached the Enfield Athletic Club (EAC) from 1972-75 as well as the EAC semi-professional team from 1976-78. Davis still continues to administrate several Park and Recreation programs and leagues. Since 1991, Al has been the Youth Basketball Director.
Bill Peltola ( not available for photo)
A 1977 graduate of Enrico Fermi High School, Bill played both baseball and ice hockey for the Falcons. Peltola, a thirdbaseman and pitcher (7-1), earned all league and Journal Inquirer all-area honors as a senior. He took his baseball talents to the University of Southern California (1978-81) where he was a member of the 1978 National Collegiate Athletic Association baseball Champions. In 1980, Peltola registered a 6-2 mark with a 2.90 ERA earning him all-PAC-10 first team honors. After his junior campaign, he turned down a draft offer from the Milwaukee Brewers to stay in school. Peltola was then drafted after his senior season ny the New York Yankees. He spent three solid years in the Yankees system before being released in 1983.
Paul Robeson ( deceased)
A true renaissance man, Robeson is arguably the most widely recognized inductee of the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame. A 1919 valedictorian graduate of Rutgers University, Paul lettered in track, basketball, baseball, and football. In 1917, Robeson earned all-america honors in football. Coaching legend, Walter Camp, stated that Robeson was the "greatest defensive end in football history". Paul was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame. Robeson then earned a law degree from Columbia University and eventually became a renowned actor & singer. He toured the world in the stage production of "Show Boat" and became internationally known as the greatest bass singer in the world. Paul and his family lived on Enfield Street in a house known as "The Beeches" from 1941-53. His son, Paul Jr., attended and graduated from Enfield High School.
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