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Aaron and Andrew Robinson

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

The Robinson twins, Andrew and Aaron, have played basketball together since they were young kids.  One of the primary reasons the Maryland natives enrolled at Putnam Science Academy was for the opportunity to continue to play on the same team beyond the high school level.

The twins arrived in Putnam last week and before they officially set foot on the basketball court for the Mustangs their dream of playing together in college has been fulfilled.  As first reported by Adam Finkelstein of ESPN and the New England Recruiting Report, the Robinson brothers have committed to play for coach Tom Moore at Quinnipiac University beginning in 2015.  The signing was confirmed by Putnam Science Academy basketball coach Tom Espinosa.

“From everything I know about the brothers and since I’ve gotten to meet them when they arrived they have a very close family bond.  They’re two very respectful young men and fit the mold of the type player coach Moore attracts at Quinnipiac.  I think the entire situation will be a great fit for them,” said Espinosa.

In an interview with the Washington Post on May 2, Andrew said, “We definitely want to try to go to the same school, which is one of the reasons we decided to go with a prep year.  But it (college) depends on the situation.  If it’s a good fit for both of us, we definitely want to do that and go to the same school.”  It appears their dream has been fulfilled.  

Last season the twins played at Springbrook High School in Maryland.  The 6-foot, 5-inch Andrew averaged 17.5 points per game.  His brother, Aaron who scales in at 6-4, tallied an even 11 points per contest.  Andrew had received a number of offers and feelers from low and mid-major Division I programs, while Aaron had been highly sought after by a number of Division II colleges.

Coach Tom Moore has had great success at Quinnipiac while recruiting a number of players from New England Prep Schools.  He’s been a familiar figure in northeastern Connecticut prep gymnasiums.  One of his top returnees this season is 6-9 senior Ousmane Drame who played at Marianapolis Prep School.  He recently graduated another Golden Knight, Ike Azotam who tallied more than 1000 at the Hamden School.

This year’s freshmen crop of players at Quinnipiac includes 6-9 Chaise Daniels, who last season was one of the primary forces in Putnam Science Academy’s drive to national prep school prominence.  The Robinson brothers are the first recruits to commit to coach Moore and the Bobcats for the 2015 school year.

“With basketball season right around the corner, I’m looking forward to welcoming Andrew and Aaron to our program.  They’ll play an integral role in our frontcourt and in the success of our team this year,” said Espinosa.

 

By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to former Putnam High School football and baseball standout Tom Brownell.  As the center on the Clipper football teams, Brownell anchored the line and was a stalwart with the bat on the baseball team.  Today Brownell is a teacher who is a great example for his students.  He celebrated another birthday on Tuesday, September 9.

 The recent move by former longtime Killingly High School Athletic Director John Krot to Parish Hill High School and the hiring in Putnam of Molly Panteleakos as the latest AD for the Clippers raises questions as to why there seems to be so much movement in a position that should be very important to the image of local schools.

Why is it that individuals such as Krot are released after a long tenure in the position?  Why does it occur when for years there’s been apparent satisfaction with the performance and success by the individual?

In other cases such as Putnam, it seems that the Clippers can’t keep anyone in the position for any period of continuity.  What’s the reason that the game of musical chairs happens in Clipperland so often?

In recent years Putnam has witnessed five fannies occupy the AD’s hot seat.  The legendary George St. Marie provided stability as Putnam Athletic Director for more than 40 years.  He was succeeded by Tony Falzarano who stayed in the position for a few years.  Since then the seat has been occupied by Bob Demars, Chris Coderre, Joe Morris, on an interim basis, Pat Devine, Rick Konieczni and now by Panteleakos.  There has to be a reason why people don’t last.

In Putnam it appears that the part-time salary and additional duties are an impediment, although occasional personality conflicts have also caused heartburn.  Falzarano and then Superintendent Donald Nicoletti didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye.  That was the similar case with Coderre and former principal Billy Barry and Superintendent Margo Marvin.

Krot’s case may be a little different because even though he was retired as a teacher he was drawing a five-figure salary doing fulltime work in what was a so-called part-time position.  In one case, Krot’s, the reasoning was budget cuts and in the other, Putnam’s, the salary is so low the position isn’t attractive.

In local high schools athletic directors have a multitude of duties including being at games, attending meetings, doing coach’s evaluations, team schedules and reschedule due to New England weather, attending banquets, arranging transportation for teams and overseeing awards among their many duties.  The number of sports offered even by small schools such as Putnam makes scheduling almost a full-time duty in itself.  Despite this large workload and the fact that most schools boast of high percentage of students participating in sports, athletic directors are relegated to a minor administrative role.  Why?

Isn’t someone in charge of so many students and activities worthy of holding an administrative position equal to others who lead academic areas?  We’re not saying athletics are more important than academics but people in those positions should be accorded the due respect for the work they do and the responsibilities they incur.

Putnam has given the position token clerical assistance.  Isn’t it necessary to have someone who can make a decision ready to answer the phone or respond to an e-mail, especially when it’s raining in the fall or spring or a snow storm threatens in the winter?  Think about it.

Woodstock Academy appears to have a handle on the situation by making the position fulltime.  Although the Academy hasn’t been immune to the athletic director parade, they’ve provided support on an ongoing basis in the person of Anne Rathbone.  Maybe others should be looking at the model.  In the long run it’s probably as economical as filling in many duties with teachers or paraprofessionals.

The current economic climate may not be ideal for budgets, but the well-rounded student that schools aspire to produce requires the same support system on the field and court as they receive in the classroom.  It’s simply an opinion but the suggestion should be food for thought for all local Boards of Education.  As well asking, why have so many competent athletic directors vacated the position?

Plush

It wasn’t that many years ago, relatively speaking, the Vineyard Valley Golf Club was an actual vineyard.  The Gus Loos design nine-hole layout, since then, was converted into one of New England’s most unique golf courses.  Originally the course struggled to find its identity until golf professional Eric Sarrette assumed operation of the facility.

A trip to Vineyard Valley, on Rt.244 in Pomfret, is worth the ride, as Sarrette and his staff have put in many hours of hard work in making the venue the best that it’s been in many years.  Sarrette, along with his grounds crew of Bob Derrico and Darren Harvey, have put the ribbon on the package that will make golfers very pleased they played the steep hilly layout.

The tee boxes are in superb condition, as are the greens and the finely cut out approach areas.  Although the fairways lack irrigation, the grounds crew has worked wonders in delineating the fairway and the rough.  Adding to the condition of the course is the little things such as flowers located in appropriate spots, a great driving range, practice chipping area and clean golf carts in good running condition.

A trip to Vineyard Valley for an enjoyable round of golf is worth the trip.  You won’t be disappointed. 

Late Season Tournaments

Looking to squeeze in a late season golf tournament?  Here are a couple of suggestions for the month of October.

The St. Joseph School Golf tournament is scheduled for Thursday, October 2 at Connecticut National Golf Club.  Registration is 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon.  Cost is $400 per foursome or $100 for individuals.  The usual amenities and contests are offered including a car for a hole-in-one provided by King Cadillac.  Enjoy golf, lunch, dinner and an exciting auction.  For more information call St. Joseph School – 860 923-2090 or visit www.schoolofstjoseph.org.

The Rectory School Golf tournament is scheduled at Connecticut National Golf Club also and is being held on Sunday, October 12 with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.  Entry fee is $150 per golfer and $125 for alums who have graduated between 2004 and 2014.  Tourney includes golf, continental breakfast, box lunch, reception, gifts and fairway surprises.  For more information contact Nancy Gingras at 860 963-6740 ext. 340 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

 RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Energy is contagious…Smile.  It affects everyone around you and makes a difference in your own attitude.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

 

 

 

PUTNAM —  The Complex Performing Arts’ will present “Fairytale Courtroom, “ theatre by Kids for Kids,” Sept. 12, 13 and 14 at the Bradley Playhouse.

The production is at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 and Sept. 13 and at 2 p.m. Sept. 14. All seats for this production are general admission, but you may make reservations with a credit card by calling 860-928-7887 or order on-line atwww.thebradleyplayhouse.org. You may also purchase tickets at the box office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday from 10:00 - 6:00, or at the door.

Come see the Big Bad Wolf and the Wicked Witch, who are on trial for wreaking havoc, having tried to prevent the general public from living happily ever after! Hear personal accounts of what happened as told by Snow White, Dorothy, Sleeping Beauty, the Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood and many others. The audience is the jury, so who knows what will happen! It’s directed by Seana Hendrickson.

The Bradley Playhouse and the Complex Performing Arts Center are working together to bring the “Theatre for Kids by Kids” to this century old vaudeville theatre. Not only does it give the young actors a chance to perform on the Bradley’s stage, but it opens up the opportunity to share these performances with a wider audience, and in the process build the future generation of thespians to perform in main season stage productions.