The prestigious Johnston High School Athletic Hall of Fame will hold its traditional two-part induction ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 1, chairman James Hopkins announced this week.
What Hopkins called “one of the greatest nights in Johnston High School history” will feature the always-moving induction ceremony, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. inside the school’s Edward L. DiSimone Gymnasium.
“The public is invited, and there’s absolutely no admission charge,” Hopkins said. “We’d like to have a full house as we honor some of the greatest men and women who have ever worn the blue and white.”
Moreover, Hopkins and the all-volunteer committee that coordinates the Athletic Hall of Fame – which was founded by the late teacher, coach, and athletic director Gary V. Mazzie – announced that the annual induction dinner will again be held at Brookdale Pocasset Bay, 12 Old Pocasset Lane off Hartford Avenue, immediately following the ceremony. Tickets are priced at $35 per person, and $8 for children.
“Everyone is excited about this year’s induction ceremony and dinner,” Hopkins said. “We’ll be honoring a great and well-rounded group of Panthers who all made many outstanding contributions to the athletic program during their years on Cherry Hill.”
Five former athletes whose resumes date back to the mid-1960s, along with the 1976-77 boys’ hockey team and two individuals who enriched the lives of students for a number of years, will make up Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2016.
Stephen J. Gaskin, class of 1974, is the only male three-sport standout to be elected with this year’s class.
Gaskin starred in track and field and also played basketball and football on Cherry Hill. He enjoyed a 12-2 dual record in the Class B 100- and 220-yard events, and was 12-10 in the 440.
Edward A. Skovron, who landed All-Division baseball honors in 1964 and 1965, represents the class of 1965 in this year’s Hall of Fame class. He was also a standout on Johnston’s only overall state baseball championship squad, and today is regarded as one of the nation’s leaders in the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU).
Former All-League Lady Panther basketball standout Christina DeLuca – who starred from 2002 to 2004 and was an All-Division softball player – represents the class of 2004. She is the only female three-sport standout in the class of 2016.
Robert A. Comella, 1976, was a standout in baseball and landed All-League honors in 1975 and 1976, and Jason A. Ginolfi, class of 1993, who was All-Division in football, complete the list of individual athletes to be honored.
Former sports writer Al Alexio, who authored many articles about the Panthers, and Gloria E. Barone, a long-time matron at the school, are also included in this year’s Hall of Fame class.
The 1976-77 boys’ hockey team, which won the Rhode Island Interscholastic League’s Suburban State Championship and posted an overall 19-6 record, will also be induced.
That team includes head coach John Marchetti, assistant coach Steve Barlow, manager Mark. Desrosiers, and players Len Andrews, James Cambio, Frank Croce, Anthony DiChiaro, Brian Forrest, David Mallette, James McDonnell, Philip Octeau, David aRusso, Robert D’Arpino, David DiLorenzo, John Graham, Michael Mallette, Kevin Miller, Raymond Pensalfini, Alan Atkinson, Rick Ciullo, James DeLeo, Robert Fairbanks, Robert Ferro, David Kloza, David Martin, Michael Mollicone, Daniel Petrosinelli, and Mike Rotondo.
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