Ledyard To Celebrate Its Football Heritage

For years, the UConn athletic department did not have a Hall of Fame. There were team photos and trophies loosely displayed here and there in the old Field House, and later throughout Gampel Pavilion. But no central location to honor the Huskies' glorious past men's and women's teams and individual athletes.

"Too political," the Hall of Fame opponents said. "You'll tick off people who don't make it."

The pro-Hall of Fame committee, however, saw potential in honoring the past, both in raising school pride and the residual benefits of raising funds through Hall of Fame induction ceremony ticket sales and subsequent athletic department endowment donations by recipients.

The proponents won out, and in 2002, the Husky Heritage Sports Museum was born inside Gampel Pavilion, honoring UConn's 12 national championship teams along with the dozens of former Husky athletic standouts. 

Hard to argue that a Hall of Fame offers anything but positive vibes to any college or school. Ledyard High football coach Jim Buonocore agrees, and also believes the time is right to launch the Ledyard High School Football Hall of Fame.

The first LHS class will be announced at the Thanksgiving football game. Members will be inducted during the Colonels' post-season banquet in January in 2012.

Players must have graduated at least five years earlier to be considered as nominees. Coaches must have at least 10 years of experience with statewide recognition at LHS, and must be inactive for three years. Other outstanding contributors who were neither coaches nor players also could be considered.

"This has been an idea that I have thought about for the past year or so," Buonocore said. "It really boiled down to having the time to really put this thing together. We will have a Hall of Fame case that will be located in the main hallway leading to the gymnasium that will house all the names of the inductees."

The team banquet and Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on the same night to honor past and present Colonels.

"I expect this event to be a great night for Ledyard football," Buonocore said. "Already, I have received positive feedback from alumni and the community about this endeavor. I believe this will be very successful."

Speculating on possible candidates for the inaugural class, former coach Bill Mignault, the state's all-time leader with 321 wins and and Colonel coach for the program's first 42 years, is an obvious favorite to head the list. 

Other candidates may include the late Mike Daggett, a star running back in the early '90s, Luis Vasquez, a '04 grad who went on to start at defensive end for Arizona State, B.K. Mignault, Mignault's grandson who holds the LHS record for career touchdown passes, Rich Shelden, an All-State lineman in the '90s and Bydrow Williams, a '93 All-State back.

For questions about nominating a candidate or the voting process, contact Buonocore at jbuonocore@ledyard.net or at (860) 464-9600 ext. 224.

LHS Shines In Strength, Agility Competition

In other Ledyard football news, the Colonels Blue Team won a recent strength and agility competition with RHAM and Bacon Academy competing.

Josh Lawrence was the overall winner at 220-plus pound division with a squat of 365, power clean of 255 and bench of 245. At 200-220 pounds,  Darren Alexander won with a squat of 375, , clean of 205 and bench of 245.

At 180 to 200 pounds, Mike Spellman excelled at 360 in the squat, 275 in the power clean and 265 in the bench. At 160-180, Alex Hintz-Valdez squatted 315, power-cleaned 215 and benched 225. In the 160 and under division, Slade Baxley narrowly beat out Alex Manwaring for overall winner due to his competition best 12-second obstacle course run.

"Overall, it was a great day for Ledyard football," Buonocore said. "Many obtained their personal best in the respective lifts. There was a lot of excitement and whenever you can get your kids to compete in the off-season, that is a huge plus."

The Husky Heritage Sports Museum, by the way, is open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is considered a jewel in the Husky athletic department physical plant.