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By Ron P. Coderre
This week’s RPC sporty shout out is sent along by the Putnam Town Crier Santa as he prepares to distribute the presents that have been left under the sports department Christmas tree. It appears that there are numerous gifts this year for the good sports that grace the fields and courts of Putnam and vicinity.
For Tom Espinosa, Putnam Science Academy’s successful basketball coach, a new gymnasium for the Mustangs.
Many more 50-mile runs in support of the Deary Memorial Race for the area’s top long distance runner Scott Deslongchamps.
A return to the days of old when baseball was king for Thompson’s Jim Sali.
Continued growth and success with the Tourtellotte Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame for hardworking Joe Lindley.
A return trip to the CIAC Football playoffs with a win attached to this request for Quinebaug Valley Pride coach Joe Asermelly.
More than 300 students and athletes at Putnam High School for Superintendent of Schools Bill Hull.
A coaching victory for Putnam Science Academy “honorary coach” Jeff Rawson and his guest assistant coach from Arc Quinebaug Valley.
A long tenure on the bench with many coaching victories for Putnam women’s basketball coach Mandi Hogan.
More National Anthem singing opportunities for Putnam’s version of Ronan Tynan, Maurice “Moe” Coderre.
A winning football season with some Eastern Connecticut Conference dominance for Killingly High School good guy, coach Chad Neal.
Great summer weather for a successful golf season for Jim West at Connecticut National Golf Club, Mike Pizzetti at Quinnatisset Country Club, Dave Hall at Raceway Golf Course and Eric Sarette at Vineyard Valley and Woodstock Golf Club.
As much success with the gavel as he’s had on the basketball court for Putnam Mayor Tony Falzarano.
A football victory for Woodstock Academy football coach Clay Killingsworth.
An abundance of players for TriTown American Legion coaches Paul Faucher and Dan Durand.
Strong legs for a couple of 60 plus year olds Bob Auger and John Smutnick in the Florida Senior Baseball League,
How about another 34 more years on the Plainfield basketball bench for coach Bob Arremony.
A trip to the runner’s fountain of youth for Putnam’s long distance iron man Martin Fey and his sometime running buddy Jimi Gothreau. Ditto for Alan Rondeau.
A healthy 2014 for three good sports Stan Lesniewski, Tom Auclair and Alan LaBoeuf.
Another year as utility infielder with the World Champion Boston Red Sox for East Lyme’s pride and joy John “Johnny Mac” McDonald.
A steady flow of players to assure victories for Tourtellotte’s women’s basketball coach Carla Faucher and her Athletic Director Deb Spinelli.
The start of construction on the Regional Community YMCA for Betty and Laurence Hale and the people of Northeastern Connecticut.
Another CIAC basketball championship for Woodstock Academy basketball coach Greg Smith.
For Woodstock Academy women’s basketball coach Willie Bousquet a road map to find his way around Woodstock and back to the ECC towns.
For Linda Lemmon, Putnam Town Crier publisher and “chief cook and bottle washer,” enough time and energy to maintain the crazy pace she keeps each week in getting the paper and sports section ready for press.
For Charlie Puffer a Super Bowl championship for his New England Patriots.
For Thompson legend Don Hoenig and Putnam legend John McCormac time to sit back and revel in the past successes you enjoyed on the links.
A head coaching job for Putnam Science Academy assistant basketball coach Josh Scraba.
A steady stream of recruits for Marianapolis basketball coach Andrew Vitale and while we’re at it, how about some baseball recruits for baseball coach Dave Austin and women’s basketball players for coach Lauren Moore.
A shot for Q School or whatever it takes to get on the PGA Tour for Thompson’s Matt Smith.
A job caddying for his son Matt for Dale Smith.
An opportunity to beat Linda Spooner in a local road race for Pauline Frascone.
Many more year of delving into local history, especially sports history for Putnam’s Willie Zamagni Sr.
A shot at playing professionally in some league when he graduates from Quinnipiac University for former Marianapolis standout Ike Azotam.
A strong winning program and start of a hoop tradition at Killingly High School for coach Jim Crabtree.
A resolution to the water problem on the “new” gymnasium floor at Killingly High School for Superintendent Kevin Farr and the Killingly Town Council.
Some exciting races and great sports events on television for G. David Landry, Chelsea Leverette, Erin Crosby, Louise Law, Erin Szela and all the wonderful staff at J.D. Cooper’s Sports Bar and Winner’s.
And a plethora of good sports stories in 2014 for Ramblings Points & Comments as we attempt to give you the stories and personalities behind the stories.