Massachusetts Chapter 2017 BANQUET & INDUCTION CEREMONY
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NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME Massachusetts Chapter 2017 BANQUET & INDUCTION CEREMONY THE MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME 2017 CEREMONIES Congratulations to WELCOME CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS JOHN PASSARINI Steven Biondolillo, Franklin – 1990, 91, 92, 94, 98, 99 & Master of Ceremonies 2000 Division II State Champions THE COACH WHO NURTURED THE ABILITY Randolph – 1991 Division I PARADE OF HONOREES State Champions IN EACH AND EVERY ATHLETE Past Inductees followed by the Class of 2017 Springfield Central – 1992 Division I State Champions Coach Pass continuing to be there – Katie’s College graduation WELCOMING REMARKS Krista Graff, LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT State Chapter Director, INDUCTEES National Wrestling Hall of Fame Robert Anniballi Thomas Bartosek OPENING REMARKS Patrick Coleman Sean Harrington, Craig Stone President, Board of Directors, Massachusetts Chapter PRESENTATION OF THE CLASS OF 2017 OUTSTANDING AMERICAN Donning of the Jacket Dr. John Passarini, Former Teacher and Coach Presented by Fred Smerlas CLOSING REMARKS Steven Biondolillo Katie Lynch and Coach Pass DINNER SERVICE hatching plans at the Wayland Middle School A triumphant Katie following her Boston Marathon 2001 With heartfelt gratitude to COACH PASS, The Lynch Family THE NATIONAL WRESTLING The Lexington Morning A LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HALL OF FAME Riders and the Massachusetts Wrestling Family: ceremonies, visit our museums on our website at www.nwhof.org and interact with us on It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2017 social media. Bedford Break-Fast Riders Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame banquet and induction ceremony. As you witness and celebrate the impact that the are thrilled to honor our This occasion brings together people from the individuals we are honoring today have made upon Massachusetts wrestling community as well as our the sport of wrestling and in their communities, be cycling friend and hero honorees and their family and friends. We are also sure and take pride and comfort in knowing that honored to have past inductees, who represent this ceremony ensures that their legacies will live the great heritage of wrestling in the state of on for future generations in the State Chapter area COACH JOHN PASSARINI Massachusetts, return annually to join us. of the newly-renovated National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum. - truly an Outstanding Lee Roy Smith Located in the heart of the United States in Stillwater, Oklahoma, your National Wrestling Hall of Fame In the spirit of preserving, recognizing and EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, works together with our Massachusetts Chapter to inspiring. American NATIONAL WRESTLING serve our mission of preserving our sport’s history, HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM recognizing extraordinary individuals for their Very Sincerely, achievements and inspiring future generations. As a Lee Roy Smith focal point of wrestling’s past, present and future, your Executive Director, NWHOF Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors and your State Chapter leaders are proud to provide an educational and entertaining experience for those who attend our THE MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER OF STATE DIRECTOR THE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME Welcome to the Massachusetts Chapter of the Your National Wrestling Hall of Fame is committed National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s 15th Honors to preserving the history of wrestling, recognizing Banquet. The Class of 2017 is remarkable in their excellence and inspiring generations through our accomplishments and have dedicated themselves to the State Chapters and the two museums in Stillwater, BOB, TOM, PAT, CRAIG AND JOHN youth of Massachusetts. I am honored to be able to Oklahoma and Waterloo, Iowa. The newly celebrate their accomplishments with you. renovated Stillwater museum is thrilling visitors with an enhanced digital experience while showing Your Massachusetts Chapter Board of Directors off the abundance of memorabilia including many CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR has worked tirelessly to ensure the inductions are Olympic gold medals. memorable for each honoree and the Massachusetts wrestling family. They have lofty goals and I know the I ask that you join me in celebrating the Class INDUCTION INTO THE wrestling community will see their impact. Not only of 2017 and each of the inductees remarkable Krista Graff will they ensure recognition, but they are committed accomplishments and service to the sport. Enjoy STATE CHAPTER DIRECTOR, to growing wrestling and inspiring our youth. your evening of celebration! NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME There are two individuals who have spent many hours OF FAME working with and guiding the Massachusetts Chapter board. Steve Biondolillo and Greg Wilson, who have both been honored as Outstanding Americans by the Massachusetts Chapter, exemplify the character traits that wrestling promotes, including commitment, MIWCA discipline, honor, perseverance, responsibility and sacrifice. Thank you Steve and Greg for giving your Massachusetts Interscholastic time, talent and energy to the Massachusetts Chapter! Wrestling Coaches Association THE MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER OF THE MASSACHUSETTS CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME MISSION STATEMENT INDUCTEES THE NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME The mission of the Massachusetts Chapter of the The DAVE SCHULTZ AWARD is presented by 2017 HONOREES National Wrestling Hall of Fame is to promote and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame to the top Robert Anniballi (Natick) Lifetime Service to Wrestling strengthen the sport of wrestling in Massachusetts. wrestler from each state who displays outstanding Thomas Bartosek (Canton) Lifetime Service to Wrestling We do this by preserving the history of Massachu- character and academic performance. Patrick Coleman (Norton) Lifetime Service to Wrestling setts wrestling, recognizing our excellence, and Dr. John Passarini (Waltham) Outstanding American inspiring future generations to learn from our In addition, the Massachusetts Chapter selects ex- Craig Stone (Lynnfield-North Reading) Lifetime Service to Wrestling great sport. ceptional student-athletes who aspire to wrestle in college for JAMES PECKHAM SCHOLARSHIPS. As a state chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Massachusetts Chapter carries forth the The MASSACHUSETTS WRESTLING ROOTS goals of our national organization by celebrating the and the BAY STATE PRIDE awards are presented CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM RECOGNITIONS to individuals who have made other contribu- excellence of wrestlers, coaches, officials, and other Franklin – 1990, 91, 92, 94, 98, 99 & 2000 Division II State Champions contributors to Massachusetts wrestling. tions to the Massachusetts wrestling community. Coach-of-the-year, outstanding wrestler, and Randolph – 1991 Division I State Champions LIFETIME SERVICE TO WRESTLING: an individual various honors are presented to recognize stellar Springfield Central – 1992 Division I State Champions who has dedicated at least twenty years of meaning- performances by athletes, officials, and coaches. ful service to the sport of wrestling. We take great pride in the Massachusetts State MEDAL OF COURAGE: a wrestler or former wres- Chapter programs, including our website tler who has overcome insurmountable challenges (http://nwhof.org/massachusetts/), our spring or made heroic sacrifices. awards ceremony, and our induction banquet. PAST HONOREES All of these things preserve our wrestling heritage CLASS OF 2015 CLASS OF 2014 CLASS OF 2013 OUTSTANDING AMERICAN: a former wrestler and celebrate the individuals who have made Manny Costa, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Mark Donovan, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Steven H. Biondolillo, Outstanding American who has applied lessons learned from wrestling to notable contributions to Massachusetts wrestling. achieve notable success in another area of life. Mike Pyle, Outstanding American Chip Dunn, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Rick Bowe, Massachusetts Wrestling Roots Bruce Rich, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Brian Gallagher, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Carmine Colace, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Our inductees are enshrined in the State Chapter Steve Tassini, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Larry Tremblay, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Glen Doherty, Medal of Courage Neal Zonfrelli, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Greg Wilson, Outstanding American Ray Miro, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Gallery of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Nick Zacchilli, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Museum in Stillwater, OK. In the museum, our inductees take their rightful place alongside other CLASS OF 2012 CLASS OF 2011 CLASS OF 2010 wrestling greats from across the country who have Gary Chase, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Fran Cranston, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Stephen Henry, Lifetime Service to Wrestling contributed to the sport of wrestling. Deke Conklin, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Colin Kilrain, Outstanding American Frank Millard, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Tom Darrin, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Joe LeVasseur, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Fred Scyocurka, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Warren Farrell, Massachusetts Wrestling Roots Dennis Puleo, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Otis Tholander, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Phil Gormley, Lifetime Service to Wrestling John Puleo, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Brian Urquhart, Lifetime Service to Wrestling CLASS OF 2009 CLASS OF 2008 CLASS OF 2007 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dave Baldanza, Lifetime Service to Wrestling John Putnam, Lifetime Service to Wrestling Norm Bouley, Lifetime Service to Wrestling