By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Putnam’s Brian Renaud.  A former certified message therapist, Renaud has met many famous athletes throughout his career.  Today the man with the funny hats and Colonel Sanders goatee enjoys walking for exercise and spending quality time with his family.

Putnam Science Academy has had much hoopla lately with Mamadou Diarra headed to UConn and Hamidou Diallo being courted by many of the major Division I schools from throughout the country.  But sometimes the news about other players without the neon names heading to successful programs is just as exciting.

Sean Delaney, the Mustangs’ reserve from Stormville, N.Y., recently received some great news when he was offered a scholarship from NCAA Division II NYIT.  The Bears of coach Robert Isme appear to be a very good fit for the 6-foot, 4-inch and 180-pound Delaney, who can play a small forward or a shooting guard.

Last season on a very deep and talented Putnam Science Academy team, Delaney contributed some key minutes for the 37-4 Mustangs.  The rugged Delaney appeared in 34 of the team’s 41 games as they clawed their way to the semifinals of the National Prep School Championships.  He averaged four points per game and proved to be a capable rebounder when he was inserted into games by coach Tom Espinosa.  In addition to being able to slash to the basket, Delaney possesses a better than average three-point shot.

“Sean was a solid contributor to our success last season.  Despite the fact that he came off the bench, he never gave up and worked hard every day.  In practice he helped to make our big guys better by challenging them all the time,” said coach Espinosa.

Last season the Bears, who are based in Old Westbury, Long Island, N.Y., posted a 14-15 record in the East Coast Conference.  They are losing four players to graduation from this season’s team.  Delaney should have an opportunity to make some noise as he competes for playing time at NYIT.

“The Putnam Science Academy family and coaching staff wish Sean good luck as he moves on to the next step in his basketball career.  He should find some playing time as a freshman,” concluded coach Espinosa.

Local Scholar-Athletes Honored…

The CIAC honored 348 Connecticut high school senior student-athletes on Sunday, May 1 in a ceremony at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.  Two seniors, a boy and a girl, from every school were honored for exemplary performance in the classroom as well as on the athletic field and court.  In selecting these individuals, the committee was looking for student-athletes whose personal standards and achievements are a model to other students.  In addition, these honorees also possess high levels of integrity, self-discipline and courage.

Student-athletes from six local high schools --- Ellis Tech, Killingly, Plainfield, Putnam, Tourtellotte, and Woodstock Academy --- were among the large group of seniors who were honored.  Rhiannon Sulik and Jonah Benoit were honored from Ellis Tech.  Killingly was represented by field hockey standout Alyssa Rainey and football and baseball player Cory Sipos.  Tessa Marandola and Kyle Coady were the Plainfield honorees, while track standout Elyse Bergeron and soccer and baseball player Nicholas Foucault were the Putnam honorees.  Three-sport female athlete Christina Kopacz and basketball player Furu Sherpa represented Tourtellotte Memorial High School.  Woodstock Academy scholar-athletes were Kara Heilemann and Jack Archambault, a member of the Centaurs cross-country and baseball teams.

From the Where Are They Now files…

Michael Morin, a 1974 graduate of Putnam High School, was a recent visitor to the Putnam area from his home in Worcester.  Morin, who was a standout basketball player for coach Tony Falzarano, is retired from a 20-year stint in the U.S. Army.  He closed out his career with the rank of Master Sergeant (E-7).

While in the Army, Morin was part of the success of Operation Desert Storm.  He was awarded the Bronze Star.  Much of his military career was spent overseas in Germany.

Currently, Morin and his wife live in Worcester, where he volunteers much of his spare time assisting with the operation of his local American Legion Post.  He also works part-time for a local painting contractor.

Tigers Athletic Hall of Fame…

The Tourtellotte Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame will induct six new members on Saturday, June 25, according to information released by Chairman Joseph Lindley.  The ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the Ryscavage Auditorium at the high school.  Following the ceremony, each inductee will have a permanent plaque displayed on the wall at the entrance to the high school gymnasium.

Each week, for the ensuing six weeks the Putnam Town Crier sports will feature a profile of one of the individuals being inducted.  This week’s feature is Earl Rosebrooks, of the TMHS Class of 1987.

During his years as a Tiger athlete Rosebrooks was a three-year varsity performer on the baseball and basketball teams.  He is most remembered as a member of the Tourtellotte 1987 State Class S Championship team that was coached by the late Jim Naum.

A member of the varsity in 1985 – 1986 – 1987, Rosebrooks garnered most of his accolades and recognition during the memorable championship season of 1987, when he was one of the main cogs in the run to the title.  Rosebrooks was named the Connecticut Class S Tournament Most Valuable Player.  He also led the Tigers to the Quinebaug Valley Conference – North Division Championship, where he garnered the North Player of the Year Award.

A Connecticut All-State player, Rosebrooks was also named the WTIC Coca-Cola Basketball Player of the Year and received the Loren Keyes MVP Award from the Connecticut High School Coaches Association.  As a junior, Rosebrooks was honored by the school as the Tourtellotte Most Improved Player.  Finally he was named the 1987 Norwich Bulletin Class S Player of the Year.

On the baseball diamond Rosebrooks played for legendary coach Tom Auclair for three seasons.  He was an infielder and outfielder and one of the Tigers’ top hitters.

Following high school Rosebrooks went to UConn.  He’s currently one of the principals in the family business, Fluid Coating Technologies located in the Putnam Industrial Park.  He’s a certified personal trainer and spends his spare time training individuals at a gym in Dudley.  Rosebrooks has been serving as the president of the Putnam Business Association since January 2015.  Rosebrooks and his wife Kim live in Thompson.

Closing The Book on Brown…

Many questions have popped up recently regarding 7-1 Zach Brown,, the basketball phenom who disappeared from Putnam Science Academy as quickly as he arrived.

According to the Hartford Courant and Scout.com, Brown and UConn are parting ways.  Brown, who’s attended Miami Beach High School and Miami High as well as PSA, is currently back in Miami and playing AAU basketball.

Putnam Science Academy basketball coach Tom Espinosa saw Brown briefly at an AAU tournament in Brooklyn, N.Y.  He reports that Brown is working hard hoping to right his basketball career that’s had a very crooked path.  It looks like Brown and his advisers are turning their attention South for colleges, possibly the University of Alabama.

“Zach is one of the most talented big men I’ve ever coached.  He’s had a difficult life as a child, which he and his advisers are attempting to rectify.  He deserves a shot some place but he must make a full commitment if he is to succeed,” said Espinosa.

RPC’s Closing Thought Of The Day: “Obstacles are things a person sees when he takes his eye off his goal.”  E. Joseph Cossman

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