The Oneonta High School Athletic Hall of Fame / Wall of Distinction
The first annual induction ceremony was held Saturday October 6, 2007 in the Belden Auditorium, during Homecoming and Alumni weekend.
The inductees to the Athletic hall of fame:
Helen Sanford
Mark May
Tim Pidgeon
Rich Kniskern
Nick Lambros
Jim Anderson
Jan Norton
Anthony Drago
Ed House
The inductees to the Wall of Distinction:
Albert "Sam" Nader
Ricky Parisian
Clyde Wright
Geoffrey Smith
Malham Wakin
Athletic Hall of Fame Committee for 2007:
Vince Foti, Chair ‘53; Kathryn Dailey Sason ‘73; Joe Hughes ‘76; Ed Kilpatrick ‘42; Joe Pidgeon ‘56; Jeff Gardner; Bud Pirone ‘56; Nancy Scanlon; Mark Simonson ‘76; Mike Vagliardo
Wall of Distinction Committee for 2007:
Jack Bresee, Chair ‘42; Tony Drago ‘39; Corinne Bresee Smith ‘98; Donna Foti; Ron Brazier ‘58; Betsy Mitchell Brazier ‘59; Brett Bresee; Kathy Hewlett ‘74; Mary Drago ‘73; Doris Gallagher; Ed Kilpatrick ‘42
Articles from the Daily Star: By Mark Boshnack, Staff Writer
A longtime dream of the Oneonta Alumni Association will become a reality this fall, members of the organization said Monday.
For the last several years, the group has wanted to recognize alumni, President Madolyn Palmer said.
With increasing membership and scholarships well-established, she said, the time was right this year for the 7-year-old group to take the step.
Two walls of honor will be dedicated at an event Oct. 6 during Alumni Weekend at Oneonta High School. Both will be located near the school’s main entrance.
Five people were named to the Wall of Distinction to honor alumni achievements, not including sports, officials said.
The selection committee started with 36 candidates, chairman Jack Bresee said. It was very challenging because this was the first time alumni were selected for the honor, he said.
The job was made easier by having an "excellent committee," he said. The criteria included outstanding and noteworthy achievements in leadership, community service, academics or arts.
"It’s nice that we can finally honor some of the distinguished alumni who came out of OHS," Bresee said.
Among those chosen was former Oneonta Mayor Albert S. Nader, class of ’38, who was also the main force in bringing professional baseball back to the area in 1967. His political career began in 1949 and extended until 1970 and included two terms as mayor.
"I am very humbled by the selection, especially when you consider all the graduates and all the men and women of distinction who have come through here," he said.
Others named with information provided by the Alumni Association include:
W. Clyde Wright, class of ’27. The late businessman was an active participant and supporter of local athletic programs and was a major benefactor to community projects such as the National Soccer Hall of Fame. In 1965, he spearheaded fundraising for the present YMCA, to which he and his wife, Mildred, donated the pool.
Ricky J. Parisian, class of ’78, who died in the line of duty as an investigator with the New York state police in 1994 while trying to
stop an armed robbery at a local grocery store. He was a member of the Oneonta police department from 1983 until becoming a trooper in 1986. He was later promoted to the Special Investigations Unit in White Plains.
Geoffrey Smith, ’65, has been president and chief executive officer of Medical Coaches since 1976. He has been active in the community and has served on the boards of many businesses and organizations.
Brigadier Gen. Malham M. Wakin, ’48, is emeritus professor of philosophy at the United States Air Force Academy, where he started
teaching in 1959. He was on active duty from 1953 until 1995, when he retired. He holds a number of military decorations and continues to lecture around the world.
There were nine chosen for the OHS Athletic Wall of Fame from 46 individuals and one team. The players and coaches were selected primarily for athletic achievement at Oneonta High School, but in some cases, later achievements were recognized, committee Chairman Vince Foti Sr. said.
Those honored include longtime athletic director and physical education teacher Anthony Drago, class of ’39.
"It’s an honor," Drago said, especially for being chosen in the first group.
Drago came to the school in 1956, Foti said. He was head basketball coach for eight years, compiling a record of 114-50, including an undefeated season in 1959-60. The high school gym was named in his honor in 1986.
Also chosen was Nick Lambros, class of ’55. "I’m thrilled," he said.
He is being recognized for his career as athlete and coach. He played on varsity basketball and baseball teams while a student. He returned as a junior varsity basketball coach in 1965-66 and was named to the varsity position three years later.
He coached the Class B sectional championship team in 1971. He left later that year to start his coaching career at Hartwick College. He retired as the college’s head basketball coach in 1998.
The committee found the following information on the other recipients:
Ed House, ’43, was a member of four varsity teams _ football, track, baseball and basketball _ and earned 15 letters. His records for pole vault and high jump stood for many years.
Helen Sandford did not graduate from OHS but was the high school’s physical education teacher from 1967-2004. As girls varsity soccer coach from 1970-2004, her teams won 440 games, the most wins for any girls soccer coach in the state.
Mark May, ’77, played high school football, basketball and track. While he attended the University of Pittsburgh, he was named national outstanding lineman in 1980. He was chosen as a college All-American the same year.
May was selected in the first round of the National Football League draft by the Washington Redskins in 1981 and appeared in three Super Bowls. The team won the Super Bowl in 1982 and 1987. He also played for the San Diego Chargers and Phoenix Cardinals before going on to a broadcasting career at ESPN. He was named to the college football Hall of Fame in 2005.
Rich Kniskern, class of ’70, set records for the football team, where he played full back and defensive end. He scored 30 career touchdowns and 196 total points during his high school career and guided the team to a 1968 Iroquois League championship.
Jan Norton Coogan, ’78, "was an outstanding athlete when opportunities for women in sports weren’t what they are today," Foti said. Besides playing on the women’s soccer and basketball teams, she played four years on the men’s tennis team because there were no other options. She was named the school’s athlete of the year in 1978.
Jim Anderson, ’55, played football, basketball and baseball. After high school graduation, he played on the Syracuse University national championship football team.
Tim Pidgeon, ’83, was on the football, wrestling, baseball and track teams. He attended Syracuse University where he played as a middle linebacker.
The names of those not selected on both lists will be eligible for the next two years and will be supplemented each year by additional nominations, Palmer said.