WHS Sports Hall of Fame Announces Newest Inductees

The WHS Athletic Hall of Fame sent out the following release:

It is the 20th Anniversary of The Watertown High School Athletic Hall of Fame. On this special anniversary the Hall will induct six athletes, two special recognition awards and two teams into the Hall on May 11.

Many nominees were presented to the Board of Directors over the past months. The Board of Directors reviewed all candidates that were nominated. Watertown has a long and proud history of athletic achievement and the Board of Directors takes great pleasure in presenting The WHS Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2012 as follows:

• Mr. Frank Sollitto Special Recognition Award -WHS Teacher, Football & Tennis Coach
• Mr. Art Venezia - Class of 1962 Special Recognition Award - School & Community Service
• Mr. Chuck Papalia Class of 1953 All-Scholastic Football Lineman
• Mr. Ron Testsa - Class of 1958 Varsity Athlete in Football
• Mr. Norn Hoffman - Class of 1960 3 year Varsity Athlete in Basketball and Baseball
• Mr. Greg Murphy - Class of 1986 All-Middlesex Basketball – 2nd player scoring over 1000 points
• Ms. Renee Gaudette - Class of 1999 Middlesex League Girls Basketball All-Star
• Mr. Bob Murgo - Class of 2000 All-Scholastic Basketball Player
• The 1953 WHS Varsity Track Team - Undefeated Middlesex League & State Champions
• The 1997 WHS Varsity Field Hockey Team - Undefeated Middlesex League & State Champions

The Inductees will be formally inducted at the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Banquet to be held May 11, 2012 at the Hellenic Cultural Center located at 25 Bigelow Avenue, Watertown. The event will start at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour followed at 7 p.m. with dinner. The awards ceremony will begin at 8 p.m. As in prior years, this event will sell out so plan to get your tickets early.

Tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased by contacting Sal Ciccarelli at 617-924-3332 or by mailing your check to WHS Athletic Hall of Fame 228 Boylston Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Donations and program book ads are also welcomed.

Visit our website at www.watertownhalloffame.org for more information about the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductees from prior years.

The WHS Athletic Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization which was established in 1991 and is dedicated to the promotion of Watertown High School Athletics. The Hall also honors those great athletes and great athletic moments in Watertown High's athletic history. The Hall honors our inductees at our banquet and by adding their name to the wall plaque outside the Watertown High School Dr. John J. Kelley Memorial Gymnasium entrance. The donations and money raised at the banquet will go towards the maintenance of various scholarships awarded to the young scholar - athletes and towards general support of the WHS athletic program that is under pressure from cuts in more traditional funding sources. Athletic achievement goes hand in hand with academic achievement in helping our young men and women prepare for their post high school life.