Barrington High School Greats Inducted into Athletic Hall of Fame

Eight athletes, two contributors, one coach and one team were added to the hallowed honor rolls of Barrington High School sports Saturday night during the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Ceremony. The event was sponsored by the Barrington Booster Club and BHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee at the Rhode Island Country Club.

A gathering of 200 people recognized the Class of 2011, which featured some of the greatest student-athletes and coaches to ever don the Navy Blue and Gold. Saturday marked the third year of inductions into the Hall of Fame.

Inducted were: Kurt Colella (Class of 1977), the late Monica Gilman (Class of 1993), the late Anthony Iasa (Class of 1957), the late John Pattee (Class of 1939), Bill Reynolds (Class of 1963), Kevin Ryan (Class of 1983), JoAnn (Stout) Niziolek (Class of 1978) and David Thurber (Class of 1972).

The late Donald McGregor was inducted as a coach along with contributors James Anderson (Class of 1983) and Eleanor Lemaire. The undefeated and state championship girls’ basketball team of 1969-70 was similarly feted and included Janet Burrows, Karen McAvoy, Sue Macdonald, Carolyn Pagnano, Karen Sylvia, Diane Chace, Karen Merklinger, Kathy Weller, Mary Beth McGirr, Mary Beth Green, Nancy McGirr, Cheryl Urban and Coach Grace Johansenn.

This year’s inductees were featured in visual presentations highlighting their storied careers at Barrington and generally echoed the same message: They were grateful for the academic and athletic opportunities offered to them during their high school years, which greatly contributed to their successes in future years.

Family members spoke on behalf of three of the four deceased inductees, while Frank Murgo (a longtime coach at BHS, a 2009 Hall of Fame inductee and a current member of the Hall of Fame Committee) delivered a witty memorial to McGregor.

George Finn, director of athletics at BHS and a Hall of Fame Committee member, served as master of ceremonies. Introductory speeches were delivered by Elizabeth Palko (president of the Barrington Booster Club and chairperson of the BHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee) and Joseph Hurley (Barrington High School’s principal).

A total of 23 athletes, three coaches, four contributors and three teams have now been inducted into the Hall of Fame during its first three years of existence.

In addition to Palko, Murgo and Finn, members of the Hall of Fame Committee include Josh Bickford, Ralph Caruso, Stacy Degre, Anthony DeSisto, David Hughes, LeeAnn Markowski, Karen McAvoy, Edwin McKinlay, Richard Paolino and Mike Raffa.

Barrington Booster Club officers this year include Palko, Kevin Ryan (president-elect), Mike Orefice (treasurer), Anthony DeSisto (corresponding secretary) and Cindy Butts (recording secretary).