Nominees sought for Johnston High Athletic Hall of Fame’s class of 2016

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Dave Taborelli, who once served as an assistant coach with the legendary Bog Smith during some of Johnston High School’s best basketball seasons, has undertaken another huge role in Pantherland.

This one, however, has far reaching importance, and involves the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

“With Gary gone, everyone on the committee is stepping up to help get through this tradition period,” Taborellli said, speaking of the late Gary Mazzie, the former Johnston High teacher, coach, athletic director, and Hall of Fame founder who lost his battle with cancer last year.

Taborelli – speaking on behalf of the all-volunteer committee – this week issued the annual “call for nominations” for the Hall of Fame’s class of 2016.

Letters of nomination – along with the candidate’s credentials – should be sent to the Johnston High School Athletic Hall of Fame, c/o Athletic Director Keith Cory, 345 Cherry Hill Road, Johnston, RI 02919.

Athough no specific deadline was announced, the committee would like to have nominations as soon as possible. No date has been set for the annual two-part induction ceremony, but Taborelli and Jim Hopkins – a legendary teacher and coach, longtime friend of Mazzie’s, and Hall of Fame member – said it is typically held in October.

“We want to honor the best of the best every year. We want to bestow the ultimate honor upon those Panthers who have at one time or another brought honor, fame, and glory to Johnston High School,” Taborelli said.

The Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee will deliberate and choose the inductees for the year. Nominees may be individuals, coaches, teams, or contributors.

There are two different criteria for an athlete or coach to gain induction to the Hall of Fame.

The athlete must have graduated from Johnston High, although exceptions may be made for students from other schools who play their entire high school career in Johnston. Any Panther selected first team All-State is automatically qualified, as long as citizenship does not eliminate the candidate. Citizenship at Johnston High is the primary consideration; however, subsequent developments may impact the state of the nominee.

Also, non-athletes may be considered, especially if they have made signification contributions to the athletic program. There will also be an automatic waiting period of five years after a student’s graduation before he or she may be considered for induction.

Consideration will also be given to second team All-Staters, those named All-League, those who participated in multiple sports, and those who hold other noteworthy awards or achievements. The athlete’s entire body of work will be reviewed and discussed by the committee.

The criteria for coaches begins with recognition as “Coach of the Year” by the coaches associations, and also includes state championships, longevity, contributions to the athletic department and school, and other awards and achievements.

Any and all nominations must include the nominee’s name, address, telephone number, email, achievements like All-State and All-League, team captain status, honors during an athlete’s career, and other achievements. The selection committee includes Taborelli, Steven DeMeo, Jason Achille, Richard Hagopian, Hopkins, Carolyn Thornton Iannuccilli, Alan McGillvray, Toni-Marie Achille, Janet Zucchi, and Dennis Quaranta.

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