Eleven of HHHS' Accomplished Athletes Inducted Into Hall of Fame

There was a strong feeling of Aviators pride as a crowded room of guests cheered as one by one each inductee to the Hasbrouck Heights High School Hall of Fame for 2011 was introduced.

It was a reunion for most as some of the guests, including some of the inductees, no longer reside in Hasbrouck Heights. It was an opportunity for many to catch up and talk about their days of wearing orange and black.

John Tessaro, president of the Hall of Fame said about 265 people were in attendance Thursday night at the Landmark in East Rutherford to celebrate the induction of 11 members – George Spagnolo, ’54; John Beitl, ’62; John J. D’Amato, ’74; Peter Reno, ’81; Craig M. Messery, ’86; Denise Tripodi, ’87; Bryan Ille, ’95; Frank D’Amico, ’99; Allison McCarthy, ’00; Renee Wilson, ’00 and Guy Gagliardi, ’01.

Tessaro said the event is held every other year, the last induction was back in 2009. In addition to the individuals the following teams were inducted to the Hall of Fame: 1955 Football Team, 1974 Cross Country Team and 1998 Girls’ Track Team.

Inductions were conducted throughout the evening beginning with George Spagnolo, Class of 54, who earned three varsity letters in football. He played on the 1952 and 1953 league and state championship football teams. He was one of the original coaches and organizers of the HH Pop Warner Football League and an organizer of the alumni football game.

Upon accepting the honor, Spagnolo looked back fondly on his years in Hasbrouck Heights and told the audience, “I had the honor and privilege to play football and became an Aviator which I still am today. I cherish my football years and my team mates and still proud to wear orange and black.”

Lifelong resident John Beitl, Class of 1962, played basketball all four years while in high school and later went on to begin documenting the history of the high school football team. They say he has only missed 10 games since 1958. He has collected articles and has compiled them into books documenting football history and years later began to do the same for the junior football league.  He still continues to document football and attends many athletic events today.

As he addressed the audience, Beitl recalled the days growing up in Hasbrouck Heights playing football and stick ball with friends. The crowd laughed when he told them that in high school they would have a pep rally and bon fire where they would burn their longtime rivals Wood-Ridge dummy.

Beitl, the football historian, reiterated that Hasbrouck Heights has a phenomenal football record and told the audience that from 1923 to 2010, the Aviators have had 533 victories, 265 losses, 24 ties, 7 undefeated teams, 25 league titles and 16 state titles.

John J. D’Amato, class of 1974, was a three sport athlete earning eight varsity letters in football, basketball and track and field. He was a defensive back on the 1972 Group 1 State Champion team. He earned two varsity letters as a starting forward for the basketball team. D’Amato, who now lives in Maywood, is currently a volunteer assistant coach for Head Track and Field Coach Robert Brady, coaching the boys and girls high jumpers.

“I’m very happy to be here tonight seeing very old friends, teammates and coaches and I’m truly humbled at accepting this award,” said D’Amato. He thanked his family for always being so supportive and were always there with encouragement or “a swift kick if I need it.”

Peter Reno, Class of 1981, a lifelong resident, was a 3-time letter winner in football, basketball and track. He served as team captain for all three sports. He accomplished a lot in track and going undefeated and was named first team all league in the 400 meters his junior year. He set a league meet record in the 100 meters which stood for 20 years.

Craig Messery, class of 1986, a 4-year varsity letterman for wrestling with an overall record of 85 wins and 11 losses.  Messery earned numerous titles and won many championships over the years including state titles. He earned honorable mention from the Bergen County Coaches Association  for 1980s Top Ten Wrestlers of the Decade. Messery is in his fourth year as the head wrestling coach at the high school

Denise Tripodi Faussette, Class of 1987, was a member of the girls track and field team in 1985 and was a two-year captain in 1986 and the first Girls League Tack Championship Team in 1987. She earned numerous county titles and broke a county record in 1987.

Bryan Ille, Class of 1995, was a 4-sport varsity letter winner in football, basketball, bowling and track. Among his accomplishments in football he was named first team all league, first team all county and first team all area. He was co-captain of the basketball team and earned honorable mention to the All League. Among his accomplishments in track and field he won the group 1 section 1 title in javelin, was second team All League, second team All Area and honorable All County.

A 3- sport athlete, Frank D’Amico, Class of 1999, earned many accomplishments and awards during his years in high school. He was the captain of the 1998 football team which went to state finals. In basketball he was captain junior and senior year and was second team All League in 1999. He was the baseball team captain earning second team all league that same year. Other titles he earned include Scholar Athlete of the Week, Most Outstanding Athlete and earned 10 varsity letters.

Allison McCarthy, Class of 2000, excelled in soccer, basketball and track in high school. In soccer she was the school leader in goals with 62 and 42 assists and earned county and state recognition and athlete of the week titles. She was a 4-year varsity point guard on the basketball team earning honorable mention All League and was named Shopper Athlete of the Week. In track she was on four league championship teams, two county group championship teams and one state sectional championship team. She coaches at area schools including HHHS

Renee Wilson, Class of 2000, excelled in soccer, basketball and track and field. She lettered all four years in soccer. In basketball she lettered three years and was captain during her junior year and was named second team All League. She had numerous lettering all four years in spring tracks and had many notable accomplishments. She was recognized as the first athlete in HHHS history for field events qualifying and participating in Penn Relays for Discus in 2000.  

Gary Gagliardi, Class of 2001, is said to have had a distinguished career in the high school track program. He was a 2-time medalist in the State Meet of Champions, 7 time Group 1 state champion, 3 time All County, winning six major meets. He holds five major meet relay records and by the time he graduated he held 11 indoor and outdoor school records. He received honorable mention for the Bergen Record All Decade Track Team.