Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame - Class of 2001 Biographies
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Chris Corkum
1970 graduate of Enfield High School. Started baseball career with Thompsonville Little League in 1961. Played Senior League and American Legion baseball. 1967 Senior League team was league champion. Team leading .450 batting average in 1970. Played varsity baseball at Providence College 1970-73; team was ranked # 2 New England Division 1 in 1972. Playing in Western Massachusetts Tri-County Baseball League since 1979. Compiled .354 batting average in 568 games. Named to league All Star team each year since 1981. League manager of the year in 1991. Led league in hits, doubles, runs scored, games played. Division champions (1984, 1991); League champions (1991, 1994). Connecticut Men's Senior Baseball League since 1990. Has .450 batting average and led league in hits, runs doubles (1991-93). League champions (1992-93); State champions (1992-94). 5-time league all-star; 1991 Outstanding Player in Connecticut. Played 7 years in Hartford Twilight League; .307 batting average. High School baseball coach 1977-82 in Warren (RI), East Granby, East Windsor. Started Chris Corkum Baseball, Inc. in 1984; 30 camps annually in CT and MA. Sports Psychology Instructor in Enfield Continuing Education Program since 1995.
Bill Spellman and Ruth Terwingler for John Spellman
Born and raised in Somersville, Connecticut. Enfield High School class of 1918; standout athlete in football (offense, defense) and wrestling. 1924 graduate of Brown University; starred on football team in prominent Ivy League; named team captain in 1923. Outstanding wrestler and team captain; selected to US Olympic team and won a gold medal in light heavyweight freestyle wrestling at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. Played professional football for the Providence (Rhode Island) Steamrollers from 1925-31 as starting tackle on offense and defense. Team won the NFL championship in 1928. Played for the Boston Redskins in 1932. Was a professional wrestler in the off-season. Listed in NFL record books as a graduate of Enfield High School.
Michael (Mike) Melfa
Began sports career in Enfield playing in unorganized games between the North End and South End. 1939 graduate of Enfield High School. Leading scorer on freshman basketball team. Played 3 years varsity basketball and baseball. Basketball team captain in 1939 and second leading scorer in Valley Wheel Conference. Considered one of the best forwards in the conference. Baseball batting average of .412 in senior year was 7th best in Western Massachusetts area. Assistant baseball Coach at Hartford Trade School 1940-42. Played basketball over 20 years with Mt Carmel-Greys Team, Vic's Restaurant, Springfield Armory, Rinaldi Post, Holyoke League, Triple A Western Massachusetts League. Vic's Restaurant team won Springfield Daily News Tournament in 1941; named to all tournament team. Led Mt Carmel team to 25 game winning streak. Played baseball for Silhouettes, Terrors Club in 1930's - 1940's. Served in US Navy in the early 1940's. Played basketball and baseball for Springfield Armory AAA League in 1947; named all-star first baseman. Second leading hitter in 1947 Holyoke (MA) Knights of Columbus Tournament; team won tournament in 1948. Coached Thompsonville Greys, Enfield American Legion Teams, Little League baseball for 7 years; managed Rotary Club team to 10-12 age championship in 1964. Coached Rinaldi Post basketball teams. Past Assistant Director of Enfield Basketball Summer and Winter Programs; involved with Enfield Youth Boxing Tournament.
Nick "CoCo" Gaetani
Born and raised in Enfield. 1945 graduate of Enfield High School; played football, basketball, baseball and track. Continued to excel in several sports while serving in US Navy 1945-47. Quarterback for 1948-49 Greys AA football team and 1950-54 Rinaldi Post semi-professional football team. Graduated from Arnold College (University of Bridgeport) in 1952. In 1950's, played shortstop for Sunset Restaurant fast pitch softball team; considered the best team in New England. Coached youth baseball and basketball teams winning several Springfield Daily News Tournaments over the decades of the 50's and 60's. Helped establish the Greys AA semi-professional basketball team (1961-61) won New England Basketball Association championship in 1964. Coached numerous Enfield athletes who went on to become well-known in various sports. Outstanding ten pin bowler; competed in many West Coast Tournaments.
Sharon R. LaBrecque
Lifelong resident of Enfield. Grew up with active participation in Parks & Recreation programs. 1974 graduated of Enrico Fermi High School. Varsity letters in Field Hockey, Basketball, Softball. Named field hockey Best Defensive Player in senior year; most improved player and best foul shooter in basketball. After losing its first game, softball team was undefeated for next 3 seasons and qualified for first CIAC Class L State Tournament. Recognized for most runs scored, stolen bases, batting average (.527). 1978 Cum Laude graduate of Springfield College. Varsity letters in field hockey (4 years), softball (2 years), lacrosse (2 years). Field hockey team won Northeast Division Regional Tournament each year and 3rd place nationally in 1975 AIAW US Field Hockey Tournament. Played on Hampshire Association Field Hockey team; Northeast Region Team won National Tournament 1979-80. Named first team defense player. Tryout for 1980 US National Field Hockey Team; did not compete in Olympics due to US boycott. Official in Field Hockey, Volleyball, Softball; coached Field Hockey and Gymnastics in East Windsor. Currently D.A.R.E. Officer for Enfield. Recognized for work with children of Enfield.
Joseph D. Lamana
Born and raised in Enfield. Played baseball, basketball at A.D. Higgins School and baseball with Springfield (MA) Sandlot League where team won league championships. Attended Cathedral High School (Springfield MA). Played football 3 years. Team lost only 2 games and was undefeated in 1943. Drafted to military service at start of senior year and served in US Navy. Returned to finish high school at Suffield Academy. Lettered in football and baseball. Entered Boston University and played football for 4 years at freshman and varsity levels. Became Physical Education Teacher, Assistant Football, Basketball coach, and head Track coach at Enfield High School. Named Head Football coach from 1963-1974. 1968 Football team was undefeated and co-champions in Suburban League and 1972 team was ranked 3rd in State Football Ratings. Achieved .600-.675 winning percentage. Named Golf coach from 1975-1985. Retired from teaching. Recognized by Governor Ella Grasso for good character instilled in his players who graduated from Connecticut State Police Training School.
Jeffrey (Jeff) Wheeler
1981 graduate of Enfield High School. Played soccer (2 years); baseball (1 year) and basketball (3 years). All time leading scorer in basketball with 1,081 points in 3 years at Enfield High School. Named to Central Connecticut Interscholastic League all-star team all 3 years; Team captain 1979-81; All Area Second team (1980); All Area First Team (1981). Played basketball in Parks & Recreation Summer League; 1981 team were League Champions; named Most Valuable Player. Played basketball for Traveling Tournament Teams; named to All Tournament Team in Torrington (CT) Tournament. 1985 University of Maine graduate. Lettered in basketball four years and was 3 year starter scoring over 900 points. Team captain 1984-85; lead team in assists; named to All League Team; Carrier Classic All Tournament Team; New England All-Star Team. Basketball instructor at Syracuse University, St Bonaventure College, Holy Cross College. Star player in Winter Basketball Leagues in Enfield, Greenfield (MA), Westfield (MA), Northampton (MA).
Robert (Bob) Bromage
Enfield High School (EHS) Varsity baseball coach since 1967. 1961 graduate of Berlin (CT) High School; played varsity baseball 4 years; team won league championship each year and State Tournament one year. Attended Wilbraham (MA) Prep School; played football, basketball, baseball; captain and Most Valuable Player in baseball; scouted by 12 Major League Baseball teams. Played one year in Sagueny River League (Alma, Quebec); broke league record by striking out 24 batters in a 9-inning game. 1966 graduate of Springfield College; played 3 years varsity baseball before arm problems ended his college career. Played in Hartford Twilight League and Western Massachusetts Tri-County League retiring from active play in 1974. Coached Kinheim, Netherlands professional baseball team to a second place finish in 1977. Enfield High School team awarded Sportsmanship Award from Umpires Association in 1994. Named Connecticut High School Coach of the Year in 1995. Over 80 of his players continued with college baseball careers and 3 were signed to Major League contracts. Coached 1999-2001 EHS baseball teams to the Connecticut State tournament. The 2001 EHS baseball team won the League championship and finished 2nd in the State tourney.
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