Nate Rosenthal Live Game Blog

By Nate Rosenthal

CHICOPEE – They gathered from all around the country to be in Chicopee this past weekend. This was the return home for many of the prodigal sons and daughters that graced the fields, arenas, gymnasiums and other sports’ venues, while representing the high schools of their beloved Chicopee.

The first class of the Chicopee Sports Hall of Fame, sixty strong, was inducted on Friday, November 13th at the Castle of Knights. A crowd of 530 people witnessed this historic event.

As of late, many cities have created their own halls of fame, but the committee in Chicopee, led by the energetic athletic director, James Blain, had a different twist on their hall. Because of the unique nature of the schools in the city, the committee created three distinct groups from which the inductees would be chosen. The first group came from Chicopee High, pre 1963. This was a time, when they were the “only game in town.” Chicopee Comprehensive High came into existence in 1964 and thus created its own pool of athletes and coaches. The third group is Chicopee High, post 1963, separate and distinct from the original Chicopee High and thus worthy of its own recognition.

The vast majority of honorees have been and will continue to be the athletes themselves, with a number of coaches also making the cut. The committee wanted to ensure that others who may not have been on the field or courts as either a player of coach were represented, so they created a designation for contributors. Those were the people whom through supreme efforts played a role in the advancement of some aspect of Chicopee sports.

The evening got underway with a cocktail party, a chance for the honorees to mingle and take in the enormity of the evening ahead. Alex Vyce (1963) would be inducted as a basketball and baseball player for Chicopee High and a basketball coach for Chicopee Comp. He had this to say, “It is such an honor just to be in the same room with people that I looked up to when I was playing and then seeing people who are the reasons that I made it as a coach. I was just fortunate to be in that position.”

Then there was Al Levakis (1979), who was a baseball and soccer player at Comp. In the 30 years since he left, many of his records are still standing. “I can’t believe, I’m being mentioned in the same breath as some of these people.”

Mary Hill was inducted as a contributor. Instrumental in the formation of girls’ sports at Chicopee High, she did her share of coaching, but it was her continuous work since 1985, after her coaching days that is being recognized. “I am pleased that this all came together, but one must give credit to the parents of the athletes, who were supportive of these programs over the years.”

Another unique set of inductions were those of Richard Kagan (1955) and Harley Kagan (1988), as a father and son. Richard was recognized for his exploits in football, baseball and basketball. “I thank all of the coaches who taught me so much, my teammates that I played with and city that supported us. Son, Harley was a baseball and football player for Chicopee Comp. “To get into any hall of fame is an honor and to do so with my dad is special.”

After a fine dinner, the ceremonies began. Roland Joyal, the Chicopee High principal was the master of ceremonies and he introduced the other speakers, starting with Chicopee Comprehensive principal, Derek Morrison. The keynote address was given by local sportswriter Ron Chimelis, who is a Chicopee Comp graduate. He poked fun at himself for his non-athletic career, and then set the tone of the evening with a history of sports in Chicopee. He brought it up to the present, with an acknowledgment of the Sword game this week that will pit the two high schools against one another with a league championship at stake. Chimelis was followed by news man Dave Madsen, who after a few words introduced the inductees.

The ceremony began with first introduction, that of Bronislaw Stepczyk (1935). This Chicopee High athlete starred in baseball, basketball and football and set the standards for sports in the city. Killed in action during World War II, he was represented by Wayne Stec. Soon after, Richard Kagan, the first inductee to represent himself, was called up. The pre-1963 Chicopee High inductions ended with William Moge, legendary football coach, who was represented by his son, Bill and that of Henry Fay, well known educator who went in as a contributor. His son Jason picked up his father’s plaque and then later returned to get one of his own.

Before the latter day Chicopee High people were introduced, Superintendent Richard Rege had some words of inspiration for all. Sonny Hansley (1965), a football, basketball and baseball star was the first of the post 1963 Chicopee High people. He was also the first inductee, who had won a Stepczyk Award. Hansley came up from Ft. Lauderdale to be a part of the evening. Laura Boutin Hunt (1981) was the first woman inducted. She starred in basketball, scoring 1000 points, but also soccer and softball. Several others followed. In this grouping, Jason Fay (1996) returned to the podium as the youngest of the Chicopee High inductees.

Between this group and the Chicopee Comp group, Joyal introduced Jim Blain and praised him for all of his hard work. Blain, in turn, deflected that praise to his committee, who he asked to stand and be recognized.

The Chicopee Comp inductions got underway with John Graham (1965), who appeared in person. He was a star on the basketball courts and baseball fields. He was followed by brothers Steve Jasinski (1969) and Richard Jasinski (1974). Both played basketball and baseball. Steve went for football in the fall, while brother Richard played soccer.

The biggest hand of the evening went to Dan Dulchinos, who is still coaching the Comp baseball team after 47 years. When he came out to get his award, he was given a standing ovation. “This night has been a thrill for me, being able to see all of these people together. It is like a reunion. To have coached so many of them and to see them recognized is some I will cherish always.”

Winding up the Comp induction for the athletes was Amanda Salacinski (1996), a gymnast. Along with Jason Fay, she shared being the youngest of the inductees. She wanted to know how her team was doing in that evenings championship meet. Ending it all was Mary Hill and Joan Boratis, the latter of whom was the longtime girls’ basketball coach at Comp and predecessor to Alex Vyce. Hill added, “This night brings back great memories and a chance to reflect on how far we have come.”