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By Ron P. Coderre
This week RPC extends a sporty hello to Nick Mainville of Putnam Bank-Price Chopper office. Mainville, who enjoys an occasional round of golf, admits that his sports passion is refereeing ice hockey. Mainville can be found at rinks around Southern New England officiating games at every level from peewee’s and juniors to industrial league contests.
If there was ever one individual who dominated a sport at Tourtellotte Memorial High School it was soccer phenom Marie Spinelli. During her years as a Tiger student/athlete, Spinelli garnered every adjective possible in describing her soccer play. In addition to lassoing all the adjectives, she also took home every possible award in the area and state.
Spinelli, who attended Tourtellotte from 1991 through 1995, was a three sport standout, playing softball, basketball and soccer. On the pitch however, was where she was dominant. She was named all-state for four consecutive years, as she led the Lady Tigers, coached by her mother, Deb Spinelli, to Quinebaug Valley Conference titles each season. As icing on the cake, she was named QVC Player of the Year and Tourtellotte soccer Most Valuable Player in her sophomore, junior and senior years.
In addition to her great individual play and accomplishments, Spinelli was very much a team player. She led the Lady Tiger booters to the State Championship in 1993, where she scored the winning goal, to beat Ellington 2-1, and was named the MVP. The following season once again the team rode her shoulders to the State finals where they lost a heartbreaker 1-0 in the championship contest.
Prior to moving on to a starry college career, Spinelli was part of the Connecticut Olympic Development team, a number of “elite” teams and the USYSA National Champions in 1995 and 1996.
Her initial entry into collegiate soccer was at the University of Hartford, where she played her freshman and sophomore seasons. In 1995 Spinelli was named the America East Conference “Rookie of the Year.” She transferred to UConn for her junior and senior seasons, where she continued to enjoy overwhelming success.
Spinelli was part of a regular season undefeated Husky team in 1998, which captured the Big East title. The team moved on to the NCAA Tournament, where they made it to the Elite Eight before being eliminated. That season, they were ranked 6th in the nation.
From 2000 through 2008, Spinelli continued her career playing semi-professional and professional soccer. She was a member of the WPL A-League Springfield Sirens in 1999, 2000 and 2001. She then signed with the New England Mutiny of the WPSL, where she competed from 2002 through 2008.
Her soccer bio fills pages in the annals of Tourtellotte athletes. She was enshrined in the TMHS Athletic Hall of Fame in the Class of 2012.
Area Legislator Honored…
State Representative Daniel S. Rovero of the 51st Assembly District was honored by the Connecticut YMCA Association on Tuesday, October 23 in a ceremony that took place in Waterbury.
Rovero, a former standout athlete at Putnam High School in the 1950’s, was nominated by James O’S Morton, president and CEO of the Greater Hartford YMCA, as Legislator of the Year. He was one of four legislators to receive the honor. According to Morton, Rovero was selected for the honor because of his effort locally to bring a full-service YMCA to Northeastern Connecticut.
Rovero is part of the Major Gifts team, which is raising money under the leadership of Pomfret resident Nancy Weiss. He has been instrumental in securing a number of significant gifts that have helped the Community Campaign to reach $2.153 million toward its goal of $2.5 million. He and his wife, Judy have also been supporters of the campaign.
State Representative Rovero is completing his first term in Hartford. He’s running unopposed for re-election on Tuesday, November 6.
Meeting With A Star…
Benjamin Coderre celebrated his 8th birthday in a very special fashion. Along with his father, David Coderre and grandfather, RPC, Ben travelled to South Bend, Indiana for his first Notre Dame football game. In addition to rooting the Irish on to a 17-14 victory over Brigham Young University, Benjamin was part of some interesting side bars on the trip.
The morning of the game, while going to breakfast at the Double Tree Hotel in downtown South Bend, Ben crossed paths with a very famous entertainer and big Notre Dame football fan, Jon Bon Jovi. The pair had the opportunity to chat, high five and have a photo taken.
Benjamin also had the opportunity to visit and dine with his uncle, former Putnam High School football star Michael K. Castagna and his cousins, Matthew and Kristie Castagna of Winnetka, Ill. He also visited the famous Sears Tower, where he rode the elevator to the 103rd floor and stood on the glass bubble more than 1000 feet above the ground below.
So Long To A Good Friend
Who’s Retiring…
RPC sends along congratulations and best wishes to Shrewsbury, Mass., resident Bob Jacques, who’s retiring following a 23-year career with Waste Management and Wheelabrator. Jacques, who was the company’s Development Manager, was a good friend of numerous individuals throughout northeastern Connecticut.
Despite being a Massachusetts resident, he volunteered on many local fundraising projects. He was a familiar figure at almost every charitable golf tournament, something he hopes to continue in retirement. He’ll still be very visible in the area, as he and his lovely wife, Francine are members at Quinnatisset Country Club. Jacques is one of the truly “good guys” to have graced our area in the past three decades.
One Final Note…
While in Putnam for the YMCA donor update event on Monday, October 22, retired University of Connecticut men’s basketball coach Jim Calhoun was in big demand following the program. He was most gracious in chatting with the many folks who wanted to shake hands and congratulate him on his great career. He posed for photo ops with kids who were on hand as well as adults, who were like kids when having their photos taken.
Since taking on the role of Regional Community YMCA Honorary Chairperson, with his wife Pat, the Calhouns have been most generous to the project with their time, interest and resources.
RPC’s ClosingThought For The Day: “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” Mother Teresa