Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame - Class of 2005 Biographies
Left to Right (King's son, Dipple, Morton, Davis, Johnston, Fisher's son, Lessard)
Ken “Lefty’’ King
Dubbed the premier left-handed baseball pitcher in pre-World War II era in Enfield. Was one of several local ballplayers whose career was interrupted and ultimately ended by the war and tough local economic times. Top starter for the EHS baseball team from 1939-41, and a starting guard/center for the basketball team. His shining baseball accomplishment came in back-to-back, complete-game shutouts (late in the '41 season). Threw a seven-inning complete game shutout against Ware (Mass.) of the Valley Wheel, and 21 hours after the final pitch of that game he took the mound against the best team in the Northern Connecticut League, Windsor Locks. Threw a no-hitter, culminating his effort with 12 strikeouts. Enfield had a stunning 1-0 upset win with King's no-hitter. King's 24-hour totals for the two games: 2-0, 16 innings, three hits, no runs. In his senior year, he led all league pitchers with a 9-1 record with a 1.14 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 74 innings. He also paced the team with a .381 batting average. Facing South Hadley, he threw a four-hit shutout with 15 strikeouts in a 4-0 win. His ERA was below 1.50, and he averaged 1.3 strikeouts per inning. He was named to the All-Conference teams in both basketball and baseball as a senior. Led his EHS basketball team in assists, and had 13 points to key a season-ending 37-35 Valley Wheel win over Monson (Mass.). EHS baseball success continued in winning his first 5 pitching starts of the season, striking out 56 in the process. In the next game against Stafford, he had three hits, but sprained both ankles stealing second base during the game. Two days later, he hurled a 6-3 complete-game win over Agawam. After high school, before enlisting in the service, King earned the number one starter's job for the Springfield Atlantic Refining semi-pro team, the equivalent to a modern Rookie League club. He served in the U.S. Navy Seabees in the Pacific during World War II, and pitched for numerous all-star teams while overseas. He faced several major-leaguers doing their duty during his hitch. After the war, King returned to Enfield to work and raise a family. He and his wife, the former Phyllis Crombie, raised four children, and he worked for 37 years as a union ironworker and business agent. King died in 1986.
Joseph (Jay) Dippel
Raised in Enfield, CT & played Thompsonville Little League as a youth. In 1969, hit record 12 home runs in a season. Named to several Little League All-Star Tournament teams. Quarterback in the Enfield Midget Football Program. In 1969, led the Enfield Ramblers Football team to the State Finals (runner-up). Graduated from Enfield High School in 1975, after lettering all three years in both football and baseball. In his senior year in 1974, was quarterback and a Captain of football team. Accounted for a record 140 points, passing and rushing. Named All-League. Starting varsity pitcher all three seasons at EHS and was a Captain and All-League in 1975. In baseball, he also participated in All-State tournaments. Attended UCONN on a sports scholarship & played football and baseball. He quarterbacked in 1975 & 1976. Played baseball for 4 years at UCONN. He lettered in baseball in 1977, 1978, & 1979 (captain). In 1979, the team was the Yankee Conference Champion, the New England Champion, and NCAA Division I Northeast Region Champion, resulting in participation in the NCAA-Championship College World Series at Omaha, Nebraska in June 1979. Graduated from UCONN in 1979, played baseball for Club Kinheim, the Dutch National Team, in the Netherlands/Holland in 1980 and 1981. Played a long career in the Hartford Twilight League (1975-1992) with the Vernon Orioles. Ran training programs and clinics for boys in Haarlem, Netherlands. Coached youth soccer, basketball and Little League baseball in Enfield. Member of East Granby Little League Board of Directors, and has served as it’s president since 2002. In 2004, established a summer baseball team and continues to coach in the Hartford Jaycee-Courant Baseball League, and in 2005 coached the Junior Division (13-15 year olds) team to the Championship game. A Founder of the East Granby Travel Basketball Association, and is on the Board of Directors. Served as its President in 2003 and 2004. Coached and ran soccer programs from 1995 to 2002 in Enfield & East Granby.
David “Dave” Morton
Raised in Enfield, CT where he played Little League Baseball, Midget Football for the Ramblers and EPSA Basketball as a youth. Dave graduated from Enfield High School (EHS) in 1981 after playing 3-years of football. Was a three-year, two-way (offense/defense) starter and team captain his junior and senior years. In 1980-81, named Scholar Athlete at EHS. Played EHS Varsity Basketball for 2-years. After EHS attended the University of New Hampshire & was a three-year starter at offensive tackle on the football team (1981-1984). Named All-Yankee Conference offensive tackle; All-Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) offensive tackle; University-Division College Sports Information Directors All-American Academic offensive tackle; UNH Scholar Athlete Award (1984) and the UNH Alumni Scholar Athlete Award (1985). Today, Dave enjoys coaching his 3 children, Elisabeth, Zachary, and Sarah in football, basketball, and volleyball.
Susan (Mercik) Davis
Born and raised in Enfield, CT, Sue played in the Enfield Softball League and was selected to the league All Star teams in multiple years. At John F. Kennedy Middle School, played on the field hockey, basketball and softball teams. In the 8th grade she was team captain on all three teams, and named MVP in basketball and softball. A 1987 graduate of Enrico Fermi High School; lettered in field hockey, basketball and softball. Captained field hockey in 9th and 12th grades. Named team MVP her senior year and earned All Conference and All State honors in her Junior and Senior years. Named Most Improved Player in her junior year for basketball. Served as team captain in grades 9 (JV team) and 12. Named Most Outstanding Female Athlete of her graduating class. Sue was awarded a 4-year athletic scholarship to Boston University (Division I) for field hockey. As a freshman she played in all 17 games as a reserve. She started all 17 games as a sophomore, and was named to the All-Region Team & Boston Four All star team. As a sophomore, set the school record for most goals scored (11) in a season, and tied the school record for most goals scored in a game (3). Participated in the Class C and B Olympic Training Camps in 1988-1989. Due to an ACL injury, Sue did not play her junior year and saw limited action her senior year. As a senior, Sue was awarded the Sargent College Scholar Athlete Award and was named to the All Conference Academic team.
Erica H. Johnston
Erica grew up in Enfield, CT and started her athletic career early by winning a runner’s medal at age 4. All-Star pitcher for Thompsonville Little League, and Goalie for the Enfield Sweden Soccer tour in 1988. Attended Enfield High School (EHS) from 1991-95 and lettered in Field Hockey, Basketball, & Softball. Played in CT Nutmeg games 1992-95 for Northern Connecticut and scored winning goal against the West in ’94 & winning the Gold medal. At EHS, scored 78 career goals as a three time state champion in Field Hockey (scored the winning goal in ’94 championship game & selected as MVP. EHS’s first high school All-American in Field Hockey. Selected to the Official Field Hockey Delegation to U.S. Olympic Festival’s; St. Louis, ‘94, Colorado ’95, and selected to U.S.A. Under 18 National Team returning a Silver Medal in ’95. Earned a full scholarship at UMASS from 1995-98. Named Field Hockey All-American '97-'98, 2nd and 3rd team respectively; 3 time Northeast All-America 1st team, finished career 3rd in UMass history with 106 career points, & 3rd in UMass history with 48 career goals. scored 24 goals in ’97; 4th most single season goals in UMass history, 6th most single season points with 51 total points, scored 2 game winning goals freshman year, Atlantic10 All Conference '96-'98. 9-time student athlete of the week, 15-time A-10 player of the week, 3-time A-10 champion, 3-time A-10 all conference team, 3-time A-10 all tournament team, A-10 championship game MVP with 4 goals. U.S.A. “A” & “B” camp, 95, 96, 97 Graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and minor in Criminal Justice in 1999. Assistant Field Hockey Coach, Mt. Holyoke College, '99-current.
Marcel Lessard
Marcel grew up in Enfield, CT and graduated from Enfield High School in 1982. Began bowling at the young age of 8 and was averaging over 200 by the age of 17. Rolled his first perfect game at age 18. On Dec. 8, 1988 he established the Central Connecticut Bowling Association (CCBA) record of an 848 series – which held for 11 years. Bowled 20 perfect 300 point games; three 299’s; two 298’s and seven 800 series. Bowled over 300 seven hundred series games and has a high average of 237. Was CCBA bowler of the Year in 1988 and 1989. Marcel has bowled in professional events including the 1992 TUMS Classic where he finished 21st. Made the final eight in the High Roller Tournament in Las Vegas, which is the most prestigious amateur tournament in the world. This tournament drew approximately 1100 bowlers from across the country. Elected to the Central Connecticut Bowling Association (CCBA) All-Star team five times, and leads the CCBA with 18 titles, and State of CT with fourteen titles. Earned two New England Bowlers Association (NEBA) championships. He is a past President of and a past tournament director of the NEBA. Was elected to the CCBA Hall of Fame in 2004, and Connecticut State Hall of Fame in October 2005.
Ray Fisher - "2005 George Daly Special Recognition Award"
Grew up in Thompsonville, CT and attended Enfield High School. At EHS, played varsity basketball during the 1930's. Played football for the Stafford Olympics Semi-Professional Team, Thompsonville Greys Semi-Professional Team, the Whiteley's Aces Team, and the Rambler' s Football Team. As a young Welterweight boxer during the 1930's, fought matches in Connecticut. Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In addition to Enfield High School, played basketball in the YMCA League and in the Civilian Conservation Corps Basketball League. Played baseball in the prestigious Springfield Daily News Tournament, and softball for the Whiteley Aces and the Kaman Aircraft Softball team in the Industrial League. Made significant contributions to the local sports scene during the 1950's, 1960's, 1970's and 1980's by coaching Little League baseball, farm league teams for 4 years, and major league baseball teams for 9 years. 5 of his little league team’s were champions. Served as the little league All-Star coach for many years. Ray was one of the original organizers & coach of the Enfield Jets hockey team. Also, one of the original organizers/coaches of the Maciolek Post Junior football team. Assisted Hall of Famer Angelo Lamagna in creating and implementing the Thompsonville Youth Center Boxing program (active for 14 years). Worked with Hall of Famer Vito Tallarita in organizing post-World War II outdoor amateur boxing.
TEAM AWARD: 1930's Hazardville R.C.A. Girl’s Basketball/Baseball Teams
This team was an outstanding girl's basketball team that won the State Championship in the 1930's. Their home games were played in the Hazardville Institute. Most team members were also top players in baseball.
Basketball –The 1935 Team consisted of Coach Dick Copeland; Manager Charles Luce,Lena Angelica, Gertrude “Girlie” Davis, Frances Dubiel, Ethel Firtion, Helen Firtion, Phyllis Firtion,Ruth Firtion, Carolyn Locke, Marie Lord, “Babe “ Miller, Moselle Rivers, Harriet Smith.
This 1935 team won the Championship of Northern Connecticut Girls Basketball League by defeating the Colt’s Patent Firearms girls of Hartford. Final score 15-12. “Coach Dick Copeland’s team showed the way to the colts all during the first half holding the colts to but one basket while the RCA was tallying five double deckers. Davis and E. Firtion led the assault. Girlie Davis played a fine game for Hazardville and also scoring the most number of points. Miller and Davis were the outstanding players being in every play and playing heads up basketball throughout. H. Firtion, Smith and Angelica also featured for the local team. Due to the strike at the Colts factory a number of the strikers were present at the game and annoyed the Colts’ girls’ team considerably.”
This was the second league title the Hazardville Girls won that season, the other being the Northampton, MA League Championship. They won the Connecticut Valley girls basketball championship by defeating the Northampton girls 37-14. The Firtion sisters scored 26 points. The All-Tournament team consisted of: Pat Wotjaszyk, Indian Orchard, c; Gloria Bisallion, Northampton, rf; Girlie Davis, Hazardville, lf; Ethel Firtion, Hazardville, rg; and Babe Miller, Hazardville, lg. Sponsored by Merrill Brothers the team compiled a 38-4 w-l record in 1935-36 winning the Northern Connecticut Championship and the Western Massachusetts title by defeating the Pittsfield, MA maidens in the Westfield, MA “Y” tournament.
Baseball – The 1930 team went 18-1 under Manager George Campbell; Coach Ryan; Mascot L. Starr.
The only team to beat them was a co-ed team from Northampton, MA made up of two girls and seven men.
The team featured a team batting average of .431 with four girls of the team batting over .500. M. White pitched all of the games and allowed an average of about 6 hits a contest. The ace of the team seemed to be B. Berozsky who did all of the catching and it was claimed that she was one of the best girls catchers in the country. Davis was particularly strong with her base running having emulated Ty Cobb to the extent of stealing 2nd, 3rd and home in one game. Players were: B. Berozsky, Gertrude Davis, Ethel Firtion, Helen Firtion, D. Leger, H. “Babe” Miller, V. Pranka, S. Skower, L. Tomalo, J. White, M. White.
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