Former Warrior greats achievements recognized at induction ceremonies
THE 13TH induction ceremonies of the Wakefield Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame took place on Saturday night at the Crystal Community Club. From left to right are inductees Andrew Conley, Mike Buckley (accepting the honor for his later father, Peter), Mike Sorrentino, Lee-J. Mirasolo, Peter Rossi, Rick Boyages, Mike Boyages (Head Coach of the 1999 Super Bowl champion football team), Dennis Melanson and Dave McCarthy.
By DAN BYRNE
WAKEFIELD — For the 13th time, the Wakefield Memorial High School Athletics Hall of Fame Committee inducted distinguished former Warriors, a coach, a team, and a contributor among the ranks of great student athletes from the town into the Wakefield Memorial High School Athletics Hall of Fame.
The committee, led by Chairman Tom Merchant, deemed each of the eight individual inductees, as well as one team, to have contributed significantly to the athletics program at Wakefield Memorial High School. No doubt the 12 previous ceremonies included nothing but honored and worthy inductees but Saturday night’s event was filled with guests which could top the list in the realm of Wakefield Warriors athletic greatness.
After a fine buffet dinner was served at the Crystal Community Club, Merchant welcomed the nearly full room to the evening’s events. After a brief introduction, each inductee was presented with their award for induction and gave a short speech about how they were able to achieve such greatness. They also thanked their family and friends for the support they provided as well as the committee for electing them into the WMHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
The first Warrior to be enshrined was former ice hockey, field hockey and softball standout from the class of 2004, Lee-J Mirasolo. Mirasolo was known for her hard work and dedication and she made sure to thank all her role models and mentors including her parents and grandparents, her teammates as well her coaches growing up giving them credit for allowing her to reach the level of success she attained. She credited the award to everyone who fights for equality and who made sports for women a possibility.
She said, “I learned that sport is a tremendous vehicle for which to carry life lessons and I want to drive that vehicle or ride in it for the rest of my life.”
Next to be inducted was former varsity boys’ ice hockey coach from 1980-2006, David McCarthy. Coach McCarthy gave credit to his assistant coaches for helping make his career a success. He thanked his wife for allowing him to pursue his craft and take on the life of a hockey coach’s wife. One anecdote coach McCarthy shared was his proposal to his wife in the parking lot of a hockey area.
Following coach McCarthy was long time Wakefield Daily Item Editor and Sports Editor Peter Rossi. Rossi talked about his many years of covering sports for the Wakefield Daily Item and all the great teams and players he covered. He then thanked the committee and wished everyone a fine evening.
Former 1960 football, basketball, baseball player and track star Peter Buckley was the next man enshrined in the hall posthumously. Buckley has passed away but his son, Mike, was there to accept the award in his honor. Buckley’s son, Mike, who came in from the Midwest and didn’t know anyone in Wakefield, thanked the committee and members of the community he met for making him feel part of the family. He went on to make sure to assure everyone his father was a very decent man.
Following Buckley was former tennis and basketball star Rick Boyages. Boyages was introduced by his older brother and current WMHS Director of Athletics and Student Activities Mike. Rick Boyages thanked his coach Sonny Lane and read a statement from the former Warriors head basketball coach who could not attend. In the letter Coach Lane expressed his fondness for the years and experiences he had coaching Rick Boyages. Boyages mentioned how his life has taken him many places in his coaching career and he credits those men who influenced him that spent such a long time in one place, citing strong core values and hard work as key ingredients to a successful career.
Class of 1997 star basketball player Andrew Conley was inducted following Rick Boyages. Conley spoke about how it was a little strange for him to be standing up there alone, citing the fact that he had been at the same podium in 2009 when his team, the undefeated state champions from 1997, was inducted. He dubbed the ‘96-’97 Warriors “a real team.” He gave credit to his teammates for all the success he enjoyed. He specifically mentioned Mike Sweeney as a player that aided him in his greatness. He thanked his family and friends for their support and said being inducted into the WMHS Athltic Hall of Fame was a “great honor.”
Dennis Melanson, ice hockey, soccer and baseball player from the class of 1985 was the next person inducted on Saturday night. Melanson talked about how he felt humble to receive such a recognition and credited his two coaches, Dave McCarthy of hockey and Dick Kelley of soccer, for their life lessons and accountability. Melanson thanked his family and friends along with the committee.
The final person inducted on Saturday night was class of 1998 football and baseball standout Michael Sorrentino. Sorrentino was gracious to receive the recognition for the dedication and hard work he devoted to Wakefield athletics. He thanked his family and friends, teacher and coaches for their Hall of Fame guidance saying, “Guys, this is for all of us.”
THE 1999 Super Bowl champion football team was inducted into the WMHS Athletic Hall of Fame during the 13th induction ceremonies last Saturday night at the Crystal Community Club. In the front row are Andy Brown (left) and Bill Morrison. In the second row (from left to right) are Assistant Coach Perry Verge, Head Coach Mike Boyages, Assistant Coach Tom Crusco, Justin Chapman, Mark Sullivan, Dylan Conn and Assistant Coach Al Lisitano. In the back row (from left to right) are Paul Uva (hidden), Kirk Irons, Steve Boccelli, Justin Costello (slightly hidden), Mike Spivey, Steve Sorrentino, Wayne Ulwick and Bob Caira (hidden). (Dan Byrne Photo)
The final induction of the night was the 1999 10-0-1 Super Bowl Champion football team. Head coach Mike Boyages led the speech, recognizing his assistants, most of who were in attendance, including Al Lisitano, Perry Verge, Jim Coger, Tom Crusco and Paul Uva. Boyages also thanked the late Ron Wood for his assistance and leadership in the team’s championship season.
Coach Boyages chronicled the season of “Destiny’s Team” as he referred to them, especially the Thanksgiving Day game against undefeated Melrose. The game was played under foul weather conditions and ended famously in a tie which produced the odd “coin-flip tiebreaker” which Wakefield was the beneficiary of winning, thus granting it passage to the Super Bowl, where it defeated Acton-Boxborough, 13-7.
In a fitting conclusion, Coach Boyages invited the 15 or so players in attendance to come join him on stage, one last moment for the team from 1999.
It was a proud night for all those honored at the event and an enjoyable evening for everyone in attendance.
