Athletic Hall of Fame inducts its newest class

Full house at Memorial Hall to celebrate

Published September 27, 2019

INDIVIDUAL HOF inductees honored (from left): from left John Titus, Annalisa DeBari, Olivia Downey, Zeke Vainer, Joe Musselman, Jim Slattery, Henry Turner, Steve Mulvihill and Peter Christopher. Missing from photo: Jim McSweeney. (Steve Karampalas photo)

MELROSE—It was a night of celebration and remembrance on Saturday, Sept. 21 at a packed Memorial Hall in Melrose where the 2019 Melrose Athletic Hall of Fame inducted its latest class—their 17th, who now join hundreds of Melrose High School athletes who represent the finest athletic achievers in school history.  

The event was kicked off at the Melrose High School Learning Commons in a free-to-the-public certificate presentation. 

THE 2012 MHS state champion volleyball team from left: asst. coach Andrea Bastieri, asst. coach Steve Wall, Sydney Doherty, Amanda Cain, Stephanie Crovo, Ashley Harding, head coach Scott Celli, Rachel Johnson, Amanda Committo, Jen Cain, Alyssa Abbott, Brooke Bell, Allie Nolan, Annalisa DeBari, Cassidy Barbaro, Kayla Wyland, Jill MacInness and Maeve Moriarty. (missing from photo, Meri Lessing, Sarah McGowan) Steve Karampalas photo.

The honorees were: the 1923, 1941 & 1942 hockey teams, the 2012 state champion volleyball team, Jim Titus (class of 1950), Jim McSweeney (class of 1989), Jim Slattery (class of 1990), Peter Christopher (class of 1992), Henry Turner (class of 1996), Steve Mulvihill (class of 1997), Joe Musselman (class of 2003), Olivia Downey (class of 2013), Zeke Vainer (class of 2013) and Annalisa DeBari (class of 2014).

Memorial Hall was the perfect venue as guests enjoyed dinner from Henry’s Catering and beverage service from Bobby C’s restaurant. Master of Ceremonies Nick Scofield presided over the event, which saw heartfelt speeches, including a standing ovation drawn from the Hall of Fame’s senior inductee John Titus, an Air Force and American Airline pilot who encourage young MHS athletes to “reach for the stars.” 

Want to donate to the MHS Athletic Hall of Fame? It survives only on generous donations from community members and local businesses. Contact Bill DeSimone, Treasurer, at (617) 678-5837.