Silver Anniversary Class Inducted Into Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame

FEEDING HILLS, MA — In 2020, the Enfield Athletic Hall of Fame committee conducted balloting for the 25th time, electing a class of honorees to mark the organization's 25th anniversary. Due to complications from the coronavirus pandemic, however, their induction ceremony was delayed several times. Finally, last Friday the honorees, their families and friends were able to gather at the Oak Ridge Country Club to receive their plaques and reminisce about their outstanding sports careers.

Each new Hall of Famer was accompanied to the stage by a previous honoree. Karen Golden, a standout multi-sport athlete at Enfield High School, was unable to attend the festivities, and was represented by her high school field hockey coach, 1996 charter inductee Cookie Bromage.

Joe Olko, a champion golfer in the 1940s and 1950s who passed away in 2013 at 95, was represented by his daughter, Janice Giordano, who was escorted by 2004 Hall of Famer Bob Linn. Baseball player and coach Mark Dube was accompanied by his high school coach, 2001 honoree Bob Bromage.

Jim Hayden, a star multi-sport athlete in the 1970s, was presented by his brother, 2008 inductee John Hayden, who flew in from California for the occasion. Basketball standout Beth Pion, a member of the Becker College Hall of Fame, received her award from Cookie Bromage.

A half-dozen players and coach Andrea Russo attended the dinner on behalf of the undefeated 1970-71 Enfield High School girls basketball team. The 1986-87 Fermi High School wrestling squad, which placed second in the State Open, had a turnout of 14 team members, plus coaches Ben Aleks and Jim Olson.

Bob Cressotti received the George Daly Special Recognition Award for his selfless volunteer dedication to sports in the community, particularly his work with Special Olympics.

Plaques will be displayed on the Wall of Champions in the corridor outside the Enfield High School gymnasium.

The next class will be inducted in fall 2023. Nomination forms are available on the Hall of Fame website.

To register for free Enfield news alerts and more, click here.