By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC sporty shoutout is sent along to former Putnam school teacher Jeanne Benoit.  As a teacher she was always supportive of the Middle School teams and cheerleading squads.  In retirement she stays active volunteering her time to assist community groups.

The Killingly High School Alumni Athletic Association Hall of Fame conducted the third induction ceremony in the brief history of the organization on Saturday, November 19.  The ceremony was held at the Mansion Banquet Center at Bald Hill in Woodstock.

WINY radio personality Gary “O” served as the Master of Ceremonies as six former athletes and three teams were honored.  Longtime Danielson businessman Warren Rosenberg received the Humanitarian Award for his support of youth sports, high school athletics and generosity to the community.  The award is presented in memory of the late Dr. Lavius Robinson, affectionately known to Killingly athletes as “Doc Robbie.”

The six honorees included the late Steve Kuszaj, Class of ’48 who was awarded posthumously, William Hoss ’49, Richard “Sam” Markley ’64, Dennis Morrison ’70, Missy Kowolenko-Angle ’89 and Ben Labelle ’97 in absentia.

The three State Championship teams honored included the 1983 Boys Outdoor Track team, 1991 Boys Cross Country team and the 1996 Football team. 

The 1996 football team, which included Ben Labelle was represented by three players.  The award was accepted by Steven Exarhoulias, Alan Beausoleil and Mark Lowell.  Exarhoulias along with Lowell and Labelle went on to college careers at Western Connecticut State University.  Beausoleil went on to star at Wheaton College.  Lowell accepted Labelle’s Hall of Fame plaque in honor of his friend and former teammate who was out of state.

Coach Frank Crandall represented the 1983 State Champion Track team and regaled the audience with tales of athletes, Bill Oliverson and Dave Chartier who traveled in from Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. for the event.

Osbrey pulled off the coup of the day, when he contacted the 1991 cross country coach Paul Coutu live on the telephone.  Coutu who is never at a loss for words was completely caught off guard by the surprise call.  Members of the team, Sean O’Leary and Todd Lepine accepted the award on behalf of the team.

Michael Kuszaj accepted the award in memory of his dad.  He held the crowd of approximately 100 in awe with emotional stories of his dad.  “My dad played sports to play, not to win.  His attitude led him and his teams to win, as the winning came naturally,” said Kuszaj.  

Hoss, who enjoyed a college basketball career at the University of Rhode Island and later played in the All Navy Tournament, also extolled the qualities exemplified by his friend Steve Kuszaj.

Markley stole the show when he related a tennis story in which Hoss and his son eliminated Markley and his doubles partner Dexter Goyette in the former Killingly-Brooklyn Springtime Festival Tennis Tournament.  As Markley told the story, the match was never a match as he and Goyette were wiped out by Hoss and Hoss.  In remembrance of the moment he asked Goyette to present a new sleeve of tennis balls to Hoss as a souvenir.

Morrison, who starred in football, baseball and track, stood by as his dad took the microphone and completely captivated the audience prior to his son’s thank you remarks.  Kowolenko-Angle was brief but emotional in thanking the committee and the audience for the honor.  Today she’s an executive with United Natural Foods.

For those in attendance it was a time to reflect and remember.  All of the recipients and teams provided the details for the festivities.

Converse Brothers Lead The Way…

Ian Converse, the former Woodstock Academy standout basketball player, continued his torrid early season scoring pace as he led Worcester Polytechnic Institute to the title in the Ted Coghlin Memorial Tournament.  Converse earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors as he led the 3-0 Engineers to a 73-70 victory over DeSales College.  Converse netted 21 points in the championship game to go with his 20-point performance in the semifinal contest.

Across town in the Worcester Courtyard by Marriott Tournament consolation contest sophomore Adam Converse helped Clark University pick up a 71-70 win over Newbury College.  The burly Converse posted six points for the 2-1 Clarkies.

Running Reward…

Killingly High School female cross country runner Katie Stevens, who finished 16th in the Connecticut State Open and 65th in the New England Championships, was rewarded for all the work she’s put in to achieve the level she’s at today.  Stevens in the presence of her parents and coach Joe Banas recently signed a National Letter of Intent to run at Central Connecticut State University.  In September Stevens will be a member of the Lady Blue Devils cross-country team under coach Eric Blake.

Mr. Baseball in Japan…

After spending three seasons as a utility player for the New York Mets, Norwich Free Academy alum Eric Campbell has decided to play baseball elsewhere.  According to ESPN, Campbell who was a free agent following the conclusion of the season, will sign with the Hanshin Tigers in the Japanese Major League.

During his three seasons with the Mets Campbell floated between the Big Apple and Las Vegas, the Mets AAA franchise.  His combined statistics were .221 batting average, 36 runs-batted-in and seven home runs.  He played all four infield positions, the two corner outfield spots and was the team’s emergency catcher.  He’ll join former Major League players Randy Messenger (Miami Marlins) and Kosuke Fukudome (Chicago Cubs) on the Hanshin roster.

Former Umpires Death Leaves 

Big Void with Friends…

I met Mike “Chip” Chiappone about 40 years ago when I became an umpire on the Eastern Board of Approved Baseball Umpires.  From the first time we met we struck up a friendship that lasted until the day of his death, Wednesday, November 16.

Chiappone was a natural as an official.  He enjoyed being with people, especially young people, which led him to officiate baseball, basketball, football and softball.  Chiappone was a man who could control a tough game and hostile crowd with his effervescent smile.  

I once saw him officiate a heated basketball game between Plainfield and Putnam where he quieted the crowd during a time out by simply turning to the stands with his smile and calmly say a few words to some irate fans.  I don’t know what he said, but whatever it was, it was typical Chiappone.  He had a way with people that very few others, especially in the world of refereeing, had.

In his obituary he was described as, “a kind, generous and gentle man.  He always had a smile on his face and after he spoke with you, you surely would have a smile on yours as well.”     

Mike Chiappone will never know this, but the way he carried himself as an official and as a man had a huge influence on my life. I’ll miss sitting with him at the retired umpire’s table at the annual banquet.  I’d always take away something positive from our meetings.  “Chip” you were a great man, greater than you’ll ever know.  Rest in peace, my friend. 

Dishing Out the Assists…

As a player at Killingly High School Meagan Bianchi was her team’s leading scorer.  Although she was the go-to person on the floor, she was an unselfish player always looking for the open player to pass the ball.

Currently a freshman at UConn-Avery Point, Bianchi has found someone to pass to and it’s paying dividends.  In a recent 101-40 victory over Holyoke Community College Bianchi set the Pointers single game assist record, dishing out an amazing 16 assists.  Her primary target was her high-scoring teammate Tatyana LaFrance-Boyce who tallied 27 points to lead the way to victory.

Bianchi added 14 points and nine steals to her record setting assist performance.  The Pointers are 3-2 on the season and 2-1 in the NCJAA Region XXI.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: “If you spend your whole life waiting for the storm, you’ll never enjoy the sunshine.” Morris West

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