By Ron P. Coderre

Putnam High School athletics, which are struggling with numbers, took a severe blow last week when sophomore basketball standout Dan Porcic announced he would be attending Putnam Science Academy beginning in September.

The 6-foot, 3-inch guard has been an integral component of the Putnam Clippers since his freshman year.  In moving across town to Putnam Science Academy, Porcic is headed toward much stronger competition.  The Clippers, who finished 11-10 this season, compete in the Constitution State Conference – East where the teams are generally composed of technical schools.

Putnam Science Academy has been on a basketball upswing since the program was established under coach Tom Espinosa.  Last season the Mustangs finished 37-4.  They reached the National Prep School Championship semifinals, where they lost by two points to perennial power St. Thomas More.  They play a strong independent schedule, traveling throughout New England and the East coast.

Under a new administrative regime, led by Dr. Tieqiang Ding, Putnam Science Academy will maintain its postgraduate basketball program but is planning on establishing a varsity program for younger talented players.  It’s conceivable that’s where Porcic will ply his trade in the upcoming season.  He’ll enroll and reclassify into the Class of 2019.  

Porcic comes to PSA with solid credentials.  As a Clipper last season he averaged 20.3 points per contest including scoring 30 or more points in three games.  He was also one of the team’s leading rebounders, corralling 5.4 caroms per game to go along with 2.1 steals and 1.5 assists per contest.

According to coach Espinosa, the Porcic family is very familiar with Putnam Science Academy and its basketball program.

“Dan wanted more of a basketball challenge.  The family made inquiries regarding admittance and came to the conclusion that this was the route they wanted for their son.  Dan will be part of a very talented varsity team,” said Espinosa.

Porcic was named to the Constitution State Conference first team during the two seasons he played at Putnam High School.

 

 

The following charges were listed in the Putnam Police Department logs.  The people charged are innocent until proven guilty in court. The Town Crier will publish dispositions of cases at the request of the accused. The dispositions must be accompanied by the proper documentation. The Putnam Police Department confidential Tip Line is 963-0000.

April 4

Reid Kudzal, 22, Battey Street, Putnam; second-degree assault.

April 7

Dominique Gremo, 30, School Street, Putnam; operating under suspension.

April 8

Isaiah Snell, 21, Walnut Street, Putnam; second-degree failure to appear.

April 9

Edward Chrabaszcz Jr., 43, Woodstock Avenue, Putnam; disorderly conduct, interfering with an emergency call.

Edward Chrabaszcz Sr., 64, Woodstock Avenue, Putnam; disorderly conduct interfering with an emergency call.

April 14

Erin Simmons, 36, Center Street, Putnam; disorderly conduct, third-degree assault.

 

 

By Ron P. Coderre

A Marianapolis Prep School sports institution for more than three decades will soon be stepping aside from an athletic leadership role with the Golden Knights to assume a larger role with the school’s Alumni and Development initiatives.

In an announcement by head of school Joseph Hanrahan last week, Eric Gustavson, who’s served as the school’s athletic director for 30 years, will relinquish that role to current assistant athletic director Lauren Moore.  Although the beloved Gustavson, affectionately known as “G” by his friends and students on the Marianapolis campus, will no longer be the AD, he will maintain a marked presence on the sprawling Thompson Hill campus.

“It is time for Eric to serve Marianapolis in a new capacity as the school looks to its future initiatives, especially our athletic program and facilities.  The school will be forever grateful to Eric for his role in enhancing the athletic program at Marianapolis.  He is certainly a legend and an iconic teacher and coach in our community,” said Head of School Hanrahan.

Gustavson arrived at Marianapolis in 1982 fresh out of Ohio Wesleyan University.  Shortly after  his arrival on campus he assumed the role of boys’ varsity soccer coach.  After 34 seasons at the helm he stepped down in 2013 with a school record 347 wins, 200 losses and 75 ties.  In 2013 he was recognized by his soccer coaching colleagues, being named Connecticut State Coaches Association “Coach of the Year.”  

He was appointed as the Golden Knights athletic director in 1986 at a time when the school had approximately 200 students and about a dozen athletic programs.  Today the school boasts 400 students and approximately 50 athletic offerings to its student-athletes.  He’s held the hand of the athletic teams as they’ve transitioned over the years from the Quinebaug Valley Conference to the Eastern Connecticut Conference in the high school ranks.  He’s guided the programs back to prep school competition in the Southeastern New England Prep School Athletic Council and eventually to the New England Prep School Athletic Council.

“It’s been a wonderful experience, and to witness the growth of the school and the athletic program.  I’ve been proud to be a part of it.  When I started in the ‘80s, athletics was secondary.  Now, it has been made a real part of the Marianapolis experience between residential life, service and academics.  What I’ve enjoyed most is that our athletes always give it their all with tremendous sportsmanship; that it isn’t all about winning,” said Gustavson.

Marianapolis recently concluded the construction of a $2 million track and multi-sport turf field, which will be dedicated on May 21 during the school’s 90th Alumni Weekend.  The administration and Board of Trustees are currently in the planning phase for the construction of a fieldhouse to meet the increasing demands of its athletic teams.

Gustavson will remain on the Marianapolis faculty teaching history.  He’ll also become an integral part of the Alumni and Development office, working with alumni and parents around the country and the world.  

“I’m happy and proud to be able to assist the school in raising funds so that we can continue to grow athletics to be everything we have strived for,” he noted about the new role he’ll assume in September.

Gustavson lives in Putnam with his wife Ann Marie, the proprietor of Roland’s Cleaners in Putnam.  The couple has two sons, Abraham a 2007 graduate of Marianapolis and Benjamin who graduated in 2011.

 

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