Published in the October 2, 2015 edition
AMONG THOSE individuals inducted Saturday to the 2015 Melrose High School Athletic Hall of Fame were: (from left to right) Hannah Brickley (2010), Donald Gautreau Jr. (1988), George LeBlanc Jr. (2000) – represented by father George Sr., Duane Teixeira (2006), Eric Scofield (2006), Dick Kelliher (1961) and Larry Abbott (1969). Missing from photo: inductees Shey Peddy (2007) and Joseph Mercer (1989). (Steve Karampalas photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — The Melrose Athletic Hall of Fame inducted their Class of 2015 on Saturday, Sept. 26 at Memorial Hall in Melrose.
Nine former Melrose High athletes were inducted along with the 1982/3 league champ Melrose Red Raider Football team who, until 2014, were the only MHS team ever to make it to a high school Super Bowl game in Foxboro.
Representing the 2015 class as individual inductees are: Hannah Brickley (2010), Donald Gautreau Jr. (1988), George LeBlanc Jr. (2000) Duane Teixeira (2006), Eric Scofield (2006), Dick Kelliher (1961), Larry Abbott (1969), Shey Peddy (2007) and Joseph Mercer (1989).
MEMBERS OF the MHS 1982-3 Red Raider football team pose after they were inducted into the 2015 Melrose Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept 26 at Memorial Hall in Melrose. They are pictured with the wife of the late 1982 MHS football coach Bruce MacPherson, Louisa. In this photo: front row kneeling (l-r): Ray DiGiovanni, Peter Maher, captain James Kelliher, James Morris (holding photo of player Anthony Spinale). Second row standing (l-r): Chris McCormack, Dennis Lawhorne, Louisa MacPherson, Jim “Skip” Del Genio, Russell Willwerth, Eric Johnson. Back row standing (l-r): Ken Brown, Kurt Dygert, Frank Morelli, Bob Oxley, John Crowther, Doug Prentice, Brian Kelleher, Bob Smith, Robert Czarniawski, James Muse, and Mark Farrell. Missing from photo: Chris Hickey, Steve Mastrangelo and John Mercer. (Steve Karampalas photo)
Members of that 1982-83 Red Raider football team who were there to accept their induction included: Kenny Brown, John Crowther, Rob Czanarski, Jim “Skip” Del Genio, Kurt Dygert, Mark Farrell, Eric Johnson, Brian Kelleher, Jim Kelliher, Dennis Lawhorne, Peter Maher, Chis McCormack, Frank Morelli, Chris Hickey, Jim Muse, Bob Oxley, Doug Prentice, Russell Willwerth, Jim Morris, Bob Smith, John Mercer and Peter Kelly.
Remembered fondly that evening was the late Bruce MacPherson, former MHS head football coach who helped guide the team to the Super Bowl. Representing Mr. MacPherson that evening was his wife, Louisa. MacPherson passed away in 2007 at age 64. In 1982 he was aided by assistant coaches Glenn Pires, Cliff Somerville, Scott Crowell, Emerson Dickie and George Lirakis.
In attendance on Saturday were Mayor Rob Dolan and State Representative Paul Brodeur, who congratulated the inductees for creating memorable moments for the community. The Mayor noted that in November 1982, the Red Raider football team (then 10-1) effectively “shut Melrose down” with so many residents traveling to Foxboro to watch the Raiders take on #1 Natick and witness (what some call) the best high school Super Bowl ever played in Massachusetts (Melrose fell in overtime 35-34).
A sold out dinner followed at Memorial Hall where all recipients took stage to speak of their MHS athletic experiences.
The Melrose Athletic Hall of Fame is always looking for candidates. Criteria for induction consideration is: 1. Any person may nominate someone for consideration. 2. Nominations may be made in letter form. 3. Graduates are eligible 5 years after graduation from Melrose High School. 4. Coaches are eligible 2 years after last coaching year. 5. Nominees need not be nominated annually, all nominations remain active. 6. Achievements while at MHS and later in life will be considered.
Applications can be obtained on the website: www.mhsathletichof.org.
