Twelve Alumni in all were honored on Saturday October 4th, 2009. a copy of the program can be found here
Five honorees were installed on Oneonta High School’s "Wall of Distinction" and eight honorees were inducted to the "Ahtletic Hall of Fame" on Saturday, Oct. 4, at OHS’ Belden Auditorium, part of the OHS Alumni Association’s homecoming activities. This second class of honorees were selected from 30 nominees.
John L. Carline, Class of 1946
John Carline earned 12 OHS varsity letters, a bachelor’s Oneonta State Teachers College, and advance degrees from the University of Nevada, the Army Command & General Staff College, and a master’s and Ph.D. from Syracuse University. He taught for more than 25 years at the University of West Virginia, retiring in 1993 as director of the Division of Education, professor emeritus. At WVU, he was instrumental in designing, implementing and advancing many cutting-edge educational programs used nationwide. Since retiring, he helped develop Trinity Christian School, a private school in Morgantown, W. Va.
Ronald C. Crosby, Class of 1960
Six years after graduating from OHS in 1960, Ronald C. Crosby became known to the world as Jerry Jeff Walker, an American icon in the country-rock outlaw-music genre. Jerry has released 36 albums and written hundreds of songs during his more than 40 years in the entertainment business.
His most popular song, "Mr. Bojangles," was recorded by more major names in entertainment during the 1970’s than any other song in history. The song, performed by the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, hit the top ten in 1973. Jerry Jeff and his wife Susan started and managed the Tried and True Foundation, which seeks opportunities to help young people gain the skills and training needed for a successful career in the music industry.
Irving McNeil Ives, Class of 1914
Irving McNeil Ives was born in Bainbridge in 1896. He graduated from OHS in 1914 and joined the Army serving through 1919. In 1930, Irving was elected to the state Assembly for Chenango County. He was elected a U.S. senator in 1946, serving until 1959. He is best remembered for the success of his Ives-Quinn Act, passed in 1945, one of the first laws prohibiting racial discrimination in employment.
David C. Hurley, Class of 1958
After graduation and a stint in the Army, David C. Hurley came home to found ski shops on Main Street and at Scotch Valley Ski Resort in Stamford. After selling his ski shops, he went through Hartwick College and was promoted to regional, then general sales manager of The Citation, a new corporate jet. After years at Cessna, Dave started his own corporate jet-leasing business, eventually acquired by PrivatAir, and Dave became its CEO and, currently, is vice chairman. He is chairman of the National Air & Space Museum.
Joseph P. Molinari, Class of 1919
Born in 1901, Joseph P. Molinari’s first job was selling newspapers. He served a clerkship for a local assemblyman as well as in the law office of Everett B. Holmes, then studied law at Union College and Albany Law School. He became a partner in the law firm Molinari & Deery and served as Otsego County district attorney starting in 1935. He was elected Otsego County judge in 1943 and state Supreme Court judge.
Eight honorees were inducted into Oneonta High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame on October. 4, at OHS’ Belden Auditorium, part of the OHS Alumni Association’s homecoming activities.
Clay Bellinger, Class of 1986
Clay played varsity basketball and varsity baseball as a junior and senior. He was selected Senior Player of the Year for baseball. He was voted to STAC League all-star baseball team in 1985 and 1986, was Empire State Game Selection player in 1986 and Oneonta Daily Star Baseball Player of the Year in 1986. He holds the OHS record for most home runs in a season. He received a baseball scholarship to Rollins College and was drafted in the 2nd round of the major league draft by the San Francisco Giants. He advanced from the minor professional leagues to play for three major league teams, including the New York Yankees. He earned two World Series rings while a member of the Yankees. He was selected to play in the 2004 Olympic Games and represented the Greek National Baseball team in those games.
John Bertuzzi, Class of 1972
John Bertuzzi was a three sport athlete, playing three years of varsity football, as a starting quarterback, playing three years of varsity basketball, as a guard, and three years of varsity baseball, as a pitcher and outfielder. He captained each of those teams in his senior year. He was voted OHS Athlete of the Year in 1972. John went on to play football at SUNY Albany where he was the starting quarterback for four years. He was also a pitcher on the SUNY Albany baseball team as a freshman. Following graduation from SUNY Albany, John went on to the University of Michigan for graduate work, where he earned an MBA degree. John is now with Goldman Sachs working as a trader.
Joe Hughes, Class of 1976
Joe played and excelled in three sports, soccer, basketball and baseball, earning eight varsity letters. He earned All-STAC League recognition eight times. Joe earned four varsity letters in soccer and earned All-STAC League recognition all four varsity years. He was the starting goalie for the 1st OHS STAC championship soccer team. Joe earned two varsity letters in basketball and earned all-star recognition in both varsity seasons. Joe earned two varsity letters in baseball and All- State recognition both varsity baseball seasons. Joe was named OHS Athlete of the Year in 1976. Joe went on the lead Florida International University to the College World Series and was named First Team All-American third baseman his senior year. He was College World Series Regional Tournament MVP and a first team All-American while at Florida International University. Joe was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 18th round in 1980 and played professional baseball in the Oriole system, as well as in Venezuela, where his team won the Venezuelan World Series. Currently, Joe teaches, serves as Athletic Director and varsity baseball coach at OHS.
Harold (Hal) Hunt, Coach
Hal Hunt was first and foremost a baseball coach, coaching at OHS for 34 years, 1928-62. He also coached football, 1945-51. Hal’s record as a baseball coach was 297-108, and including two undefeated seasons, 1929 and 1959. Hal’s baseball teams won seven Iroquois League championships and the Southern Tier championship in 1932. Hal was inducted into the Section IV Coaches Hall of Fame in 1974. He was awarded a citation from the Cooperstown Hall of Fame as Section IV All-Star coach in 1939, 1949 and 1950. In 1968, he was awarded the first OHS Varsity "O" Patron of Athletics Award for his support and dedication to OHS athletics. Hal was also an excellent history teacher, and whether coaching or teaching, he was always a worthy role model.
Rick Page, Class of 1975
Rick was a three sport athlete at OHS, earning eight varsity letters, three in soccer, three in baseball and two in basketball. He earned All-STAC League all-Star honors for soccer in 1973 and 1974. Also in 1974, he earned All- State honors, STAC League MVP and All-American honors in soccer, Rick played varsity basketball on the 1973-74 and 1974-75 teams. He played varsity baseball, as the starting shortstop on the 1973, 1974 and 1975 teams. In 1974, he was named All-STAC League shortstop with a .463 batting average, in 1975 again named All-STAC League shortstop winning the batting championship that year with a .533 batting average. In 1975, Rick was named OHS Athlete of the Year.
Joe Pidgeon, Class of 1956
Joe Pidgeon earned nine varsity letters as an athlete at OHS, four in football, two in basketball and three in baseball. He played starting fullback and punter, kicked off and played on the defensive side of the ball. He was captain of the 1955 football team and earned All-Iroquois League honors that year. In 1956, he made the National Prep Football Magazine All-American Honor Roll. Joe played two years of basketball and three years of baseball, where he also earned All- Iroquois League All-Star honors as a catcher. Joe was named OHS varsity Athlete of the Year in 1956. Joe went on to play football and baseball at Morrisville Ag & Tech for two years.
Kelly Sosa, Class of 1988
Kelly was a four-sport athlete who excelled in soccer, basketball, track & field and badminton. She earned four letters in soccer and was co-captain of the 1997 soccer team which won the Sus-League championship , the Section IV championship, were Regional champions and New York State semi-finalists. For her soccer achievements, Kelly was chosen Daily Star All-Star in 1994 and 1995, Player of the Year in 1997, Sus League All-Star 1st Team in 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, and Class B 1st Team All- State in 1997. In track and field, Kelly lettered at OHS for six years and was named to the Sus League Track and Field All-Star team. Kelly played basketball for four years . Her basketball team earned the Sus-West League championship, Section IV championship, Region 1 championship, and the NYSPHSAA, Class B championship in 1996-1997. In 1998, Kelly teamed with Louise Hecker to win the Section IV doubles badminton championship. Kelly went on to play three years of soccer at Princeton University. She earned all-Ivy League honors three times during her college soccer career. Without ever having played high school lacrosse, Kelly was a walk-on in her senior year and played goalie on the Princeton lacrosse team.
Kristen Zeh, Class of 1999
Kristin started on the varsity soccer and varsity basketball teams at OHS for four years, winning four Susquenango League championships and three Section IV, Class B championships. She was named to the All-Sus Team four times and was named the 1st Team All-State defender her junior and senior year. During Kristin’s tenure as a basketball player at OHS, her teams compiled a record of 94-6, including three undefeated regular seasons and a Section IV record of 56 consecutive wins. They won three Sus League championships, three Section IV Class B championships, two New York State Public High School championships and one New York State Federation championship, the only one ever won by a girls basketball team from Section IV. For basketball, Krissy was named four times to the 1st team All Susquenango League, three times named to the All-State team and, as a junior, she was named the Class B Player of the Year in New York State. She was named 1st team Oneonta Daily Star 4 times and the most valuable player three times. She was named to the Binghamton Press All Metro 1st team three times. Krissy is the all-time leading scorer at OHS, boys or girls, with 1,698 points. During her career at St. Rose, the team went on to the Division II NCAA tournament twice, reaching the finals once.