They are a mix of former high school and professional athletes, college coaches, players and administrators.
They distinguished their town, state and alma mater in a number of ways over the years.
They are now called legends, members of the class of 2015 that Saturday evening was inducted into the prestigious Johnston High School Athletic Hall of Fame. It was an evening when “Panther Pride” peaked as people mourned the loss of the five-year-old club’s beloved creator and founder, Gary V. Mazzie, who passed away last Thursday at the age of 69.
“This is a bittersweet night for us,” said Jim Hopkins, a legendary teacher, coach and administrator and Hall of Famer who emceed Saturday night’s impressive induction ceremony.
“As we all know by now, our friend Gary Mazzie passed away Thursday. I would ask we all rise for a moment of silence for Gary.”
Hopkins, who was Mazzie’s best friend and colleague for four decades, then explained: “Gary’s commitment to make this night a joyous celebration of athletic accomplishments is why we are here this evening. His spirit is among us and we are committed to his wishes by celebrating the induction of the class of 2015.”
Perhaps Saturday’s most unique story belonged to the Bruce Vittner-coached 1975 boys’ tennis team, which captured the Suburban State Championship despite not having a home court and having to play all matches at the opponent’s school.
“There were no official courts in town,” Hopkins told the audience inside Johnston High’s Edward L. DiSimone Gymnasium. “Memorial Park and Lancellotti’s back yard was where they practiced. So, after losing their first match, the team won 15 straight matches then defeated Westerly to win the state title.”
Members of that team who Saturday were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame were Albert Bennett II, Mark Bowder, Mark Capasso, William DeGiulio, Joe Lancellotti, Bill Lancellotti, Jerome Sam, Gerald Schaffert and Vittner.
Another team – the 1974-75 boys’ basketball squad that staked claim to the coveted Class B state championship – was also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The Panthers – coached by the late Robert A. “Bob” Smith, who was ably assisted by Dave Taborelli – compiled an eye-popping 23-3 overall record and defeated archrival North Providence to bring the state championship to Cherry Hill.
“That was a great, great club,” Hopkins said. “They had two All-Staters and four college scholarship players. We’re honored to induct this team into the Athletic Hall of Fame.”
Members of the team were Paul Aiello, Joe Baffoni, Steve Brown, Steve DeSantis, Bernard Fusco, Richard Gelsomino, Anthony Graziano, Mike Leveillee, Dan Mazzulla, Leo Messier, Mike Pagliaro, Mike Shields, Don Sweet, managers Will Baldwin and Kevin Garra, and the coaches, Smith and Taborelli.
Susan A. Baffoni Derensis, a 1975 Johnston High graduate, was the first of eight individuals to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday.
She was described as the first female superstar by then-coach and Hall of Famer Janet Zucchi. She scored 44 points in one game and tossed in 700 points in a limited time because girls’ basketball was new back then.
Jill A. Calabrese Bain, who was valedictorian of the class of 1985, yearbook editor and three-year player/captain of the girls’ basketball team, was a two-time All-Division softball player who made the transition from slow-pitch to fast-pitch and played at Worcester’s Clark University. She also became a Hall of Famer.
Chris Hopkins was scheduled for induction but will receive that honor next year, as he was in New York representing Special Olympics Rhode Island for a nationally broadcast television special about Project Unify, which Johnston has joined.
His brother Joseph Hopkins was inducted into the Hall of Fame Saturday night.
Joe Hopkins, his brother Ken noted, was “an outstanding shortstop” who later became a catcher because the Panthers’ starter was injured. He twice made All-League as a catcher and later played at CCRI, where he earned All-New England honors. The Hall of Famer also played basketball at Johnston High.
Ken Hopkins, the fourth brother to land Hall of Fame honors, played football, basketball and baseball at Johnston High and was All-Division on the diamond. He went on to CCRI where he still holds the career ERA record and where he is now the Knights’ long-time winningest baseball boss.
Raffael Marziale, a 1992 grad, was inducted into the Hall because of his hockey prowess. He was the only freshman on the 1988-89 state champion Panthers and was All-Division as a sophomore. As a junior and senior, he was the state’s leading scorer. He ended his career with 299 career points and was an outstanding player at Salem State College, which won the national title during his freshman year.
The class of 2015 also includes Anthony J. Ponticelli, a 1971 graduate who played football, basketball and baseball and was considered by baseball experts to be the state’s best pitcher. “Ponti,” as he was affectionately known, was drafted by the San Diego Padres and later played in the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees organizations.
Vincent J. Salzillo was a three-sport standout and 1967 Johnston High graduate who joined the Hall of Fame by way of an outstanding career that included All-Division honors in basketball and baseball. He continued his education at URI and received his bachelor’s degree from Roger Williams University.
Two men – Pasquale J. “Pat” Paolantonio and Bruce Vittner – were inducted under the categories of administrator and coach.
Paolantonio was affectionately known as “Mr. P,” and Saturday night received a standing ovation from his fellow inductees.
His career spanned four decades, during which Johnston High School left an indelible print with its many athletic championships and awards. He was always a force behind the scenes, expecting nothing but greatness from his students, teachers, staff and coaches, and he took no credit for any of the school’s many successes.
Vittner was a highly respected business teacher and coach during his career, and a driving force behind establishment of the tennis program. He was an advocate for girls’ tennis, which led to the establishment of the program in the late 1970s.
He is the founder and publisher of Ocean State Golf Magazine and publisher/editor of Southern New England Golfer Magazine, both of which are considered the premier golf publications in the area.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here