Taraborelli to be inducted into JHS HOF

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David Taraborelli, many Panther people will attest, is steeped with as much history as Johnston High School’s storied sports programs.

For starters, Taraborelli was a starter and key player for the first-ever JHS team to win a Rhode Island Interscholastic League championship. He was, the Panthers record book so documents, a member of the 1963 state championship baseball team.

Moreover, Taraborelli has been part of many JHS sports successes, like serving as the valuable assistant coach to the legendary Bob Smith who coached the Panthers to basketball championships back in the 1970s.

One of the most meaningful and glamorous championships came during the Bicentennial Celebration when the Panthers upstaged perennial powerhouse Central High School’s Golden Knights to win the ri76 Tournament which was played at Our Lady of Providence and is now part of the Rhode Island Veterans Administration Hospital complex.

He’s also a two-time JHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, his initial election coming when the 1963 state baseball champions were inducted some 10 years ago and his second being with the induction of the 1974-75 basketball Panthers into the prestigious club.

However, ever since the Hall was founded – and established by former teacher, coach and athletic director the late Gary V. Mazzie, Taraborelli has worked tirelessly to promote and maintain the Panthers club that honors greatness among deserving JHS alums.

On Sunday, Oct. 27 Taraborelli will be inducted again – this time as Chairman and former Coach Jim Hopkins wanted it known, “Dave has been instrumental in all aspects of the Johnston High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

“Dave will be inducted into the Contributor Category that includes coaches, athletic administrators and even journalists who have made outstanding contributions to the JHS athletic program,” Hopkins went on, “We are all happy that Dave will received this honor for his countless contrivtio9ns to Panthers athletics through the years.”

A total of 12 individual, as well as the 1995 state Class B State Championship team will be honored at the annual Hall of Fame dinner on Sunday, Oct. 27 at Cranston Country Club. The induction will take place at 2 p.m. in the Edward L. DiSimone Gymnasium.

Dinner tickets are $35 per person and may be purchased by going on-line at jhshalloffame@gmail.com.

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