Christine Hadzicki
PCS Coach and Teacher 1973-2007

Christine is a graduate of Cortland University and taught elementary physical education at Portville Central School from 1973 through 2007.

Chris coached synchronized swimming, cheerleading, and track and field for many years. In addition to coaching, Chris also taught Red Cross Lifesaving and served as president of the indoor and outdoor youth soccer program. She could also be seen selling tickets at home football games, scorekeeping at basketball and soccer games, and lifeguarding and supervising community swim nights at the school pool. She also served on the committee to plan for Portville’s first wooden creative playground which was used by students on school grounds for many years.

Chris loved her years teaching physical education to students, working with many dedicated teachers, and helping young student teachers to be prepared for their teaching careers.

Chris and her husband, Steve are the parents of three daughters, Abbey, Logan, and Kiley all three of whom are members of Portville’s Athletic Hall of Fame. After retiring in 2007, they moved to Cortland to be near their daughters, and their time is filled with travel and being at sporting events that their 8 grandchildren participate in. Thank you for all your years of service to the youth of Portville Central School!

Ray Auman
PCS Class of 1977

Ray Auman is a 1977 graduate of Portville Central School and attended Hudson Valley Community College. Ray served over 9 years in the US Army and was in combat in Panama during Operation Just Cause from 1989-90. He worked for 26 years as a maintenance technician for Air Preheater in Wellsville prior to retiring.

Ray was a standout athlete here at PCS. He excelled in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track. His honors include Border Conference All Star, playing in the Big 30 all-star football, basketball and baseball teams. While on the track team, Ray was a member of two relay teams which broke school records, as well as setting an individual record in the 800 race.

Over the years, Ray has coached tee ball, high school track, softball, and modified basketball. He has also served as an official for boys’ basketball and girls’ softball for the past 34 years, as well as officiating girls basketball, girls soccer, and boys baseball for many years. He is also in his first year as a girls’ volleyball official.

Ray served as a volunteer firefighter in Portville and Angelica and has also been an advanced first aid/EMT for 25 years. He is married to fellow PCS grad, Melanie Reynolds, and they have 4 children, 11 grandchildren, and reside in Wellsville, New York.

Joe DeBarbieri             John DeBarbieri
        PCS Class of 1998        PCS Class of 1998

Joe and John DeBarbieri are 1998 graduates of Portville Central School where they were outstanding athletes in football, track and wrestling, the sport in which they both excelled.

During his sophomore year and junior years, Joe placed 3^rd in the Section 6 Class D Championships. As a senior, Joe was named to the Big 30 Wrestling All Star team and was also runner up as the Section 6 champion in the 145-pound weight class. Additionally, he placed second in the Section 6 pole vault championship as well. His twin brother, John, was the New York State runner up in the 119-weight class at the state championship as a sophomore. In 1997, John was named as the WKBW-TV Section 6 co-offensive football player of the year and was a finisher in the 1600-meter relay at the NYS Track championships. In 1998, John finished fifth in the NYS Wrestling Championships in the 140-pound weight class. Additionally, John was named the Olean Times Herald Big 30 Wrestling MVP. He finished his wrestling career tied for the most career wins in section 6 wrestling, as well as graduating with his brother Joe with the national record for the most wrestling wins for a set of twins.

After graduating high school, Joe went on to Syracuse University and John went to Cornell University. Joe received his doctorate in education in 2023 and is currently the Superintendent of Schools at Baldwinsville Central School District. He has also served as president of the New York State Public Highschool Athletic Association for Section 3, as well as officiating both high school and collegiate wrestling for over 25 years. Joe resides with his wife, Kathryn in Baldwinsville, New York, with their two children, Samuel and Maxwell.

John graduated from Cornell University in 2002. He competed in the 2014 World National Powerlifting Federation in the 165-pound weight class. John also resides in Baldwinsville and is employed by Jacobs in Syracuse.

Kelly Unverdorben

PCS Coach

2023 Inductee

Graduated from Portville Central School in 1987 where she lettered in volleyball and softball. Kelly has been head coach of seven New York State Volleyball Championship Teams, starting with Ellicottville in 2012. After assisting on the Portville 2008 state championship team, Kelly became head coach in 2013, and won 6 more state championships in 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022; other honors include AVCA 2019 and 2021 Regional Coach of the Year; NYS Coaches Association Coach of the year; Certified Beach Coach through UCLA; 200 club medals including 5 trips to the USA Jr. National Championships; taking over 50 teams to the USA Jr. Beach National Championships; and coaching the 2018-19 New York Gatorade Player of the Year, Beth Miller. Coach Unverdorben has coached close to 80 players who have gone on to play in the NCAA at all levels, and has a winning percentage of 93.6%, having a record of 280 wins and 19 losses. As strength and conditioning coach at PCS, she is consistently impressed by the quality of athletes at Portville. Kelly bleeds maroon and white and hopes to be part of PCS athletics for many years to come. She considers all her current and former players as family and feels so grateful to have all of them in her life.

2008 Volleyball State Championship Team
2023 Inductee

Record: 24-4

2014 Volleyball State Championship Team
2023 Inductee

Record: 21-2

2015 Volleyball State Championship Team
2023 Inductee

Record: 22-0

2017 Volleyball State Championship Team
2023 Inductee

Record: 22-2

2018 Volleyball State Championship Team
2023 Inductee

Record: 24-0

2021 Volleyball State Championship Team
2023 Inductee

Record: 21-2

2022 Volleyball State Championship Team
2023 Inductee

Record: 25-0

NANCY BALLENTINE TRAINER
PCS CLASS OF 1987

Nancy Ballentine was an outstanding 4-sport athlete at Portville Central School, lettering in Track for 6 years, Swimming for 4 years, Basketball for 4 years and Cheerleading for 4 years.

As a member of the swim team, Nancy was part of the 200 Medley Relay team that set a school record. In Track, she set the school record in the 400-meter dash, a distinction she held for 37 years. She was also a member of the record-setting 400-meter relay team. She went on to set the County record in the 200-meter dash, was named 5-time County MVP in track, and competed in track at States for 5 straight years! In 1987, she was named Senior Athlete of the Year. Nancy was also a member of the National Honor Society.

After graduating high school, Nancy attended Muskingum University in Ohio where she was a member of the track team and set a school record in the 55-meter dash as well as being named Ohio Athletic Conference Champion.

Nancy says that Coach Hild and her teammates pushed her to be the best and she couldn’t think of a better place to grow up that Portville, New York.

Nancy has two daughters and resides in Alexandria, Ohio with her husband, Brad, where she is a Credit and Collections Manager.

KENNETH WOODRUFF
PCS TEACHER AND COACH

Ken Woodruff taught high school math and coached at PCS for 34 years. He also taught at JCC for 15 years after retirement.  A graduate of Johnstown High School, Ken graduated from Houghton College in 1971 where he was the sports editor and worked for the school’s newspaper and yearbook.

Ken coached basketball, softball, soccer and wrestling at all different levels over his 34 years at Portville. This was highlighted by a girls’ JV soccer record of over 120 wins and just 10 losses.  Also, he was assistant coach for the 1996 girls’ soccer state final team and the 1992 girls’ final four basketball team.

In addition to coaching and teaching, Ken also served as a class advisor for four different classes and was an officer of the Portville Faculty Association for many years. He was also the summer recreation director for the town of Portville for several years.

Notably, Ken started the junior high girls’ basketball, modified girls’ soccer, and JV girls’ softball programs at PCS. Ken has also been a highly regarded high school official in the Big 30 area including part of the Cattaraugus County Umpires for 45 years, Chautauqua Cattaraugus Soccer for 17 years, and Cattaraugus County IAABO Officials for 48, with a goal of 50 years! Ken has also refereed 5 years of Atlantic 10 Women’s basketball and 12 years as an umpire for St. Bonaventure baseball and softball.  He has also officiated midget and pony football for over 30 years.

As an official, Ken has worked in New York State Finals 9 times in boys’ basketball and baseball and girls’ basketball and softball.  He has also been a score board operator for St. Bonaventure Basketball from 1992-present.

Some of Ken’s favorite memories are announcing at school pep rallies, assemblies, athletic banquets and football games.

Ken and his wife of 50 years, Sharon, reside in Olean and have two daughters, Kesha and Shawna, both Portville graduates, along with 7 grandchildren. 

JOSHUA LISAC
PCS CLASS OF 1999

Josh Lisac was a stellar athlete at Portville Central School. He participated and lettered in Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, and Track.

Josh scored over 100 career goals, the first and only male to accomplish this ever at PCS. He was a leading scorer in the Big 30 twice.

He was selected to the Expressway Conference First Team, was MVP Expressway Conference All-Stars First Team, was chosen for the Cattaraugus County Division III All Star Team for three years and was named MVP of the league.

Josh was the first area male soccer player to be selected for the Olympic Development Program (ODP) in New York. He earned a berth in the NY State West Under-19 team and advanced to Region 1 Evaluation and Identification camp at Rider University.

Josh played for St. Andrews International Football, a European soccer tour which included tournaments in Scotland, Wales, and the United Kingdom where he was one of the top scorers in 1997.

Josh participated for six years in the PCS baseball program, where he was pitcher and second baseman of the Far West Regional Class C Championship team, and the 1998 State Finalist team. He was a member of three Expressway Conference Championship teams and a two-time Expressway Conference All Star and was selected to the Big 30 Exceptional Seniors Baseball team.

Josh played four years of basketball. In 1998-99 the team broke the PCS school record with 19 wins in regular season play and advanced to the Section 6 Class C-2 semifinals. Josh was selected for the IAABO All-tournament team. Josh was a three-year scholar- athlete in Section VI Soccer and Baseball.
 

Following graduation from high school, Josh attended West Virginia Wesleyan College, where he played Soccer for four years, receiving the All-Conference Scholar-Athlete Award for three straight years. He was also named WVWC Economics Student of the Year.

When he thinks back to his time at PCS almost all of Josh’s memories are related to athletics, and his favorite memory would be the baseball season of 1998. Josh regrets that he was unable to attend the induction ceremony, but is grateful that his parents are able to accept the award on his behalf.

Josh resides in Norway with his wife, Kristine, and their 2 children, where he is a Software Service Owner at Visma Software.

SARA HAMED
PCS CLASS OF 2000

Sara Hamed was an exceptional ` three-sport athlete at Portville, lettering 4 years in Soccer, Basketball and Softball.

Sara is the leading goal scorer in school history both female and male with 118 goals. Her speed and ability to score was truly special.  Sara was part the NYS Final Championship team in 1995.and the NYS Semi Final Championship team in 1996. Throughout her career she achieved numerous accolades.
In basketball, Sara scored 899 points, had 131 three-pointers which puts her at 5^th all time for the Lady Panthers, 243 steals and 137 assists. She was named to the Expressway Conference All-star teams throughout her career. Sara was part of the Section VI Championship team in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

After graduating high school, Sara attended the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford where she was a member of the soccer team and was named to the All-Conference team and Athlete of the Week several times.

Sara works for the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services and lives with her wife, Lindsey, and their daughter in Portville. She looks forward to her children experiencing growing up and attending school in Portville.

BRIAN NITSCHE
PCS CLASS OF 2005

Brian Nitsche was a stand-out athlete at Portville Central School. He lettered 3 years in 4 sports – football, basketball, baseball and track.

Brian’s accomplishments as quarterback of the football team include being named to All-State twice, All-Western New York, two-time Big 30 All-Star, and Big 30 MVP. In track, he was named Sectional Champion in the triple jump and placed fourth at states.

After graduating high school, Brian attended Alfred University where he lettered in football all four years. He was named All-Conference four years, was the captain of the football team his senior year and led the team in interceptions with a total of 14 as free safety.

Brian feels that Portville athletics taught him discipline, teamwork, and leadership; all attributes he strives to be better at today in his job in Outside Sales and Marketing for Ashley Furniture.

Brian and his wife, Mandy, live in Webster, New York, with their daughter and a son on the way! He still calls Portville his hometown and couldn’t be more proud to be named to the Portville Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mr. Norman Foster –

Mr. Norman Foster graduated from Portville Central School in 1948. While a student at PCS, Norm participated in football, basketball, baseball and track.

After graduating from Portville, Norm enrolled at SUNY Cortland where he was a standout multi-sport athlete. He served in the U.S. Marines before teaching physical education and coaching football, track and wrestling at Iroquois Central School in Elma, N.Y., from 1955-65. His wrestling teams won a New York State record 150 consecutive matches and 8 straight Section 6 titles. He moved on to the Amherst School District as a physical education teacher and coach from 1965 until his retirement in 1991.

The first president of the Western New York Wrestling Coaches Association, Norm was inducted into the Halls of Fame for New York State Wrestling, Iroquois Central and the National Wrestling New York State Chapter. He was named SUNY Cortland Western New York Chapter 2000 Alum of the Year.

At Cortland, Norm was the House of Delegates president in 1952-53. He was team captain and earned the Red Letter in football. He also competed in lacrosse, wrestling and track. A Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity officer, Foster earned the Outstanding Senior Physical Education Student Award. He was named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities as a junior. He earned a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1953.

In 1982, Foster was ordained a deacon in the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo. His service includes being the Catholic chaplain at a residential facility for court-assigned young persons as well as ministry work at three state correctional facilities. He has been a teacher for religious education and sacramental programs at parishes in Elma, Amherst and Clarence, N.Y.  Norman also volunteered his time at the Chaplain at Buffalo General Hospital, the Highpoint Nursing Home, and three other nursing homes in the Buffalo area.

Norm expresses his gratitude for all the opportunities made available to him and states that Portville athletics was the center of his life. He received so much encouragement from coaches, principals, teachers and the community.  He recalls special teachers like Red Miner, and principal John Benz as major influences in his high school life. 

He and his wife, Nancy, have six children: Michael, Pamela, Daniel, Norman Jr., and Patrick, and 15 grandchildren.

Mr. Jon Andrianoff –

Jon is a 1999 graduate of Portville Central School. While a student at PCS, Jon participated and lettered 4 years in basketball and baseball. He also participated and lettered in soccer for two years and football for one year.  Jon’s athletic honors include:

 - First Team All-State in Baseball - 1998

          - Member of the Portville Varsity Baseball State Finalist Team – 1998

          - All Western NY Baseball Player of the Year (Buffalo News)  – 1999

          - Big 30 Baseball All-Star Team (Olean Times Herald) – 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999

          - Big 30 Baseball Player of the Year (Olean Times Herald) – 1998, 1999

          - Expressway Conference Basketball All-Star – 1998, 1999

          - Expressway Conference Basketball MVP – 1999

          - Big 30 Basketball All-Star – 1999

          - Member of Portville’s Sectional Championship Teams in Football (1997), Basketball              (1998) and Baseball (1998)

          - Empire State Baseball – Western NY Region Team – 1997 & 1998

          - American Legion Baseball – 1996, 1997, 1998

Jon signed a letter of intent to play Division I baseball for Western Carolina University; however, in 1999, he was drafted in the 19^th round of the professional baseball draft to the Houston Astros. Jon played in the Astros Minor League System with the Martinsville Astros, the Michigan Battlecats and the Pittsfield Astros

Jon currently lives in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, where he is the owner and operator of APJ Exteriors, LLC, a home improvement company. He resides with this girlfriend, Lisa, and is the father of three children, Aurora, Padraic, and Jacob.

Congratulations, Jon!!

Mr. Ryan Jordan –

Ryan graduated from Portville Central School in 1995. While a student at PCS, Ryan participated in and lettered in Varsity Soccer and Varsity Wrestling for 4 years.  He also participated in two Musical Productions under the direction of Mr. Dave Dunbar and was a member of the Portville Chorus for 4 years.

Ryan’s athletic accomplishments include:

Soccer Rookie of the Year in 1991

Cattaraugus-Chautauqua Athletic Association Soccer All-Star for 2 years

Soccer Team Captain

Placed 4th in NY State Wrestling Championship in 1994 at 138 pounds

2x-timeCCAA league all- star

1995 Section 6 Class D Wrestling Champion 

1995 Section 6 Individual Sportsmanship Award Winner

Ryan’s Career Record was 126 - 30 and 1, and he was never pinned throughout his career.

He was a 2-time Expressway Conference Wrestling All- Star and 1995 Expressway Conference Wrestling MVP in addition to being part of the New York State Academic State Champions Wrestling Team. Ryan holds School Records for Wrestling in the following areas:  

most wins, most team points, most 2-point near falls; most 3-point near falls; and most escapes.

Ryan was Captain of the wrestling team his senior year and was awarded the STWOA Wrestling Scholarship in 1995.

Academically, Ryan received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence and Outstanding Academic Achievement in 1995. He was on the Honor Roll all quarters all 4 years; Scholar Athlete Award Winner in 1995, was inducted into the National Honor Society, and was the Portville Chapter of the American Legion Boys State Representative in 1994.

Following high school, Ryan graduated with High Honors from Jamestown Community College in 1997 with an Associate’s Degree in Applied Mathematics. He then transferred to SUNY Fredonia and graduated with a Bachelors in Math Education in 1999.

In 2004, Ryan graduated from Saint Bonaventure University with a Master’s Degree in Education.

Ryan has taught Mathematics and coached Wrestling for at Franklinville High School for 22 years. As a member of the coaching staff, his teams have received the STWOA Team Sportsmanship Award 2 times. He has been the CCAA Division II Wrestling chairman since the fall of 2017 and has also served on the Franklinville Village Board for a total of 9 years, 3 of which was as the Deputy Mayor.

Ryan would like to thank his parents, Neil and Brenda, for their commitment and sacrifice that gave him the opportunity to succeed in athletics and life.  He would also like to thank all of the wonderful teachers, administrators, and coaches at PCS during the 90's who helped shape his life into being a teacher and a coach.  Special thank yous go out to Mike Debarbieri, Matt Milne, Gary Swetland, Dave Noether and Ken Woodruff for all of their time and support on and off the athletic field.    

Ryan resides in Franklinville with his wife, Jessica, and have one daughter, Maria.

Congratulations, Ryan!

Mr. Jeff McMahon -

Jeff is a 2001 graduate of Portville Central School. While a student at PCS, Jeff participated and lettered in basketball and baseball. He was also a member of the golf team. 

As a sophomore, Jeff was named the MVP of the Hinsdale Basketball Tournament, was named 2^nd Team All Expressway Conference All Star, set a school record with 7 three-point baskets in one game, and was a member of the Expressway Conference Championship team.

In his Junior year, Jeff was named MVP of the Hinsdale Basketball Tournament once again, was named to the All-Tournament Team in the IAABO Basketball Tournament at St. Bonaventure, was named to the Big 30 All-Star Team, and was 1^st Team All-Star of the Expressway Conference.  That year’s basketball team, coached by his father, Hall of Famer, Ron McMahon, won the Section 6 Championship and set a school record with 22 wins in a season.

In Jeff’s Senior year, he was co-captain of the Expressway Conference champion basketball team. Jeff’s accomplishments that year included being named as All Star to the Genesee Valley All-Tournament Team, was the Big 30 three-point scoring leader with 70, was named to the Big 30 All Star Team, named Big 30 Scoring Champion averaging 22.4 points per game, was the MVP of the Expressway Conference, and was asked to play on the Exceptional Seniors All Star Team. In his senior year, Jeff was only the second boys’ player in PCS history since 1972 to break 1000 points, and would go on to score a total of 1,220 points over the span of his basketball career at Portville. He won 62 games, the second most in PCS history.

Jeff’s baseball accomplishments included being part of Portville’s 1998 team that advanced to the Class C State Finals, being named Expressway Conference Third-Base All Star as a sophomore, Second-Base All-Star as a junior, and Shortstop All-Star as a senior.  He was also named to the Exceptional Senior All Star Baseball Team in 2001.

Following graduation from high school, Jeff attended the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford where he majored in Mathematics. While a student at UPB, Jeff was a member of the Men’s Basketball team. While on the team, he set a school records with the most three-point baskets in a game with 9.  He also received the “Perseverance Award” there during his senior year of play.

Jeff graduated from Pitt-Bradford in 2005 and went on to receive his Masters from Walden University in 2009. Jeff began his teaching career at Bolivar-Richburg Central School in 2007 where he taught until 2018. He coached the girls’ varsity basketball team at Bolivar-Richburg and was named Great 8 Coach of the Year in 2013 and won the Section 5 Class C-3 Championship in 2015. In 2016, Jeff was selected to coach the Ronald McDonald All Star Basketball game in Rochester.

Jeff began teaching high school math at Portville Central School in 2018 where he remains today.  He and his wife, Molly, also a teacher in Portville, reside in Portville with their daughter, Madigan, and are expecting another child in early October.

Jeff believes that Portville Central School is a special place…a district and community filled with pride and one that guided him along the path that he would pursue later in life. Through his teachers, coaches and teammates, he was instilled with a sense of work ethic, passion, and persistence. He says that he will always looks back on his playing career at PCS with fond memories and that it was truly an honor to be part of the Portville Athletic Hall of Fame! Congratulations, Jeff!!

Mrs. Kiley Hadzicki Leone –

The former Kiley Hadzicki graduated from Portville Central School in 2005.  While a student here, Kiley participated in Track and Field for 6 years, Basketball for 4 years, and Soccer for 3 years.  In Track, she was the Expressway League Track MVP for 3 straight years, was named an All-Star in 8^th-12^th grades, was named Cattaraugus County MVP, and took second place in the 3200 at the NYS Track Meet as a freshman, where she would later take 4^th place in the Steeplechase as a 10^th grader. Kiley holds school records in pole vault, steeplechase and 3200 relay, all of which remain unbroken. 

In basketball, she led the team in scoring and rebounding in 10^th-12^th grade, was named to the first team all stars as a junior and senior, as well as being named a Big 30 All Star. In Soccer, Kiley was name to first team all stars in her junior and senior years and was also named MVP of the league her senior year.  She was also named to the All Western New York Exceptional Senior Team.  Kiley’s academic achievements included being inducted into the National Honor Society, Girls’ State Representative, All Western New York Scholar Athlete Team member, IAABO Scholarship recipient, and graduating Top 10 in her class. She also played soccer in the Empire State Games and was also a competitive equestrian, having been crowned Hunt Seat Grand Champion in Cattaraugus County several times.

Following graduation from high school, Kiley attended SUNY Cortland where she was a standout soccer player for four years.  She was a member of the SUNYAC All-Academic Team and played in Barcelona, Spain. Kiley earned her Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Cortland in Physical Education. She was a middle school physical education teacher for two years at Maine-Endwell School where she also coached varsity indoor and outdoor track and field. For the past 10 years, Kiley has been a Kinesiology Professor at South Plains College in Lubbock, Texas. After starting her family, Kiley made the decision to stay home to raise her children.

Kiley still holds Portville close to her heart because of the dedicated teachers, coaches, including Coach George and Coach Hild, and the entire athletic program. She admits that her older sisters, Abbey and Logan, both PCS Hall of Famers, each set the bar high athletically and academically! 

She believes that Portville Athletics taught her that what you put in is what you get out and she has carried that with her for her entire life. Kiley wishes to thank her mom and dad, Steve and Christine Hadzicki, for always before there for her, and for the time, support, encouragement and love that they have provided every step of the way.

Kiley and her husband, Will Leone, live in Wayne, Ohio, with their son, Lincoln and daughter, Sawyer.

Congratulations, Kiley!!

SEAN KING

Sean King graduated from Portville Central School in 1993. While in school, Sean excelled in both basketball and football. In basketball, Sean scored 979 points, making him the 4th all-time leader in points. In his senior year, he averaged over 18 points a game.

After graduating from PCS, Sean went to Bethany Lutheran College on a basketball scholarship. He was awarded All Southern Division Player for the MCCC and Honorable Mention All-State in the MCCC, averaging 13 points a game. He studied there for two years before transferring to Dakota State University on a basketball and football scholarship. While at Dakota State, he averaged 14 points per game on the basketball team and was 9th all-time in steals. He played free safety on the football team, and was 3rd leading tackler.

Sean graduated from Dakota State with a BS in Education and taught for 4 years at Pine Crest Middle School in Los Angeles, California. Since leaving teaching, he has pursued work as a Screenwriter in Hollywood and has co-written highly rated movies on the Hallmark Channel and is currently in pre-production of another movie taking place during WWII. Sean feels extremely fortunate to have gone through the PCS basketball and football programs. He credits his high school coaches Ron McMahon and Gary Swetland with teaching him the skills and work ethic needed to compete successfully at the collegiate level. He says he will always treasure witnessing athletes like the late Mike McGreevy working in preparation to get into the Naval Academy and eventually becoming a Navy Seal. Watching him and other hall of famers like Brian Miller and Brian Decker pushed Sean to be better and to work harder.

Sean currently resides in Los Angeles, California, but says that Portville will always hold a special place in his heart.

BRIAN BLASK

Brian Blask graduated from Portville Central School in 2001. While in school, Brian excelled at academics and athletics. He played varsity basketball for 3 years, varsity soccer for 3 years, and track for 6 years. In track, Brian still holds the record for 400 meter hurdles and the 3200 meter relay. He competed at the state track championships in the 400 meter hurdles. He is also track and field’s top 10 all time in the 110 hurdles, the 200 meters, the high jump, and the 1600 meter relay. He was also the scoring leader in soccer in the Big 30 during his junior year. He was the starting guard for the varsity basketball team for 3 years and a member of the 2000 Sectional Championship Team. He is also one of Portville’s tops in rebounds, steals and assists. Brian was Salutatorian of his Senior Class, Student Council Vice President and AFS President. He was chosen to Western New York’s All-Academic Team, and received the IAABO Basketball Scholarship in 2001.

After graduation, Brian attended SUNY Geneseo where he graduated cum laude as a biology/chemistry major. He then went on to the New York Chiropractic College where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, earning his doctoral degree. Brian is currently a chiropractor and sales executive for ChiroTouch Software.

In reflecting on his time as a Portville Panther, Brian realized that PCS athletics was preparing him for life and helped shape him into the person and successful adult he is today. Getting up to go to BFS before school to train, in addition to the hard work, dedication and relentless pursuit towards a goal prepared him for life. Brian says he loved playing for coaches like Ron McMahon, Bob George, his dad Mike Blask, Marv Smith, Gary Swetland, Kevin Hanley, Larry Welty, Inga Welty, and Wayne Smith because they truly loved the sports they were coaching and cared about the success of the kids and Portville as a whole. He shared that when it comes to feelings, nothing in his sports career was as amazing as winning the sectional title in basketball in 2000 with one of Portville’s most powerful teams for Coach McMahon! He also said that he wasn’t graduating until he beat that hurdles record and the pain of training for all of his athletic accomplishments was worth the feeling of success! He owes that to his coaches, his parents, and his high school sweetheart and wife, Logan.

Brian and Logan, live in Baldwinsville, New York, where they are raising their 7 year old twins, Emerson and Spencer.

LOGAN HADZICKI BLASK

The former Logan Hadzicki graduated from Portville Central School in 2000. While a student here, she participated in soccer for 4 years, basketball for 5 years, and track for 6 years. Her honors in athletics include being a 1,000 point scorer in basketball with 1,114 points, and still holds the all-time career points scoring record for PCS ladies basketball. She is also the career leader in assists and 2nd in rebounding. She was a first team Expressway All-Star in 11th and 12th grades, and was a member of the Sectional Winning Basketball teams for 5 consecutive years as point guard. In soccer, Logan was the MVP of the Expressway League in 11th and 12th grades. In track and field, Logan broke records in the 3,000, 1,500, 800, 4x400 relay, and 4x800 relay. She went on to compete in 4 events in sectionals from 7th through 12th grade and qualified for states 4 years in a row and was named the Expressway League MVP.

Academically, Logan was a member of the National Honor Society, graduated in the top 10 of her class, was class president for 2 years, student council for 2 years, was a member of the Western New York All-Academic Team, and was the recipient of the IAABO basketball scholarship.

After graduating from Portville, Logan attended SUNY Geneseo where she majored in Education. While there, she was a member of the soccer team for 4 years and garnered many awards. Logan holds the record for most goals in a career, set a record for most points in a game with 4 goals and 1 assist, was named Rookie of the Year for SUNYAC Conference her freshman year, was SUNYAC Division Player of the year for 2 years, was named Geneseo Top Female Athlete of the Year in 2000, and All-Greater Rochester Area Player of the Year in Women’s Soccer. Logan was also selected to the SUNYAC All-Academic Team for all 4 years. Additionally, Logan was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and Education Honor Society. She was also the guest speaker at the Geneseo James Leary Leadership in Athletics Alumni Dinner. In 2010, Logan was inducted into the Geneseo Athletic Hall of Fame for Soccer.

Logan taught at Weedsport Elementary School for 7 years and coached Cross Country, basketball and track and field. She is now a stay at home mom with her twins, Emerson and Spencer, and considers them and her relationship with her husband Brian, and their entire families as her greatest accomplishment in life. She credits Portville Athletics with being a huge part of her life growing up being able to participate with her sisters and being coached by both her mother and father who were always there for them. Logan says that it is an honor to be inducted into the Portville Athletic Hall of Fame this evening with Coach Bob George, as he was her coach who helped in building the foundation that led her to a successful college soccer career. She also credits Coach Chuck Hild for holding her to such high standards as a track athlete.

Logan and her husband, co-inductee, Brian Blask, have been each others’ number 1 fans for 21 years!

BOB GEORGE

Bob George graduated from Portville Central School in 1975 and attended Mercyhurst College following graduation from high school.

Bob was Portville’s varsity softball coach for 10 years, varsity baseball coach for 14 years, and varsity girls soccer coach for 28 years!

As softball coach, Bob coached two teams to sectional finals and had 8 NYS scholar athlete teams and was named Big 30 Softball Coach of the Year in 2013.

As baseball coach, Bob coached the team to 1 sectional championship, 1 trip to the New York state final four, 1 trip to New York state finals, 10 New York state scholar athlete teams, and 1 NY state champion scholar athlete team. He was also named Big 30 Baseball Coach of the Year 2 times.

Finally, as girls soccer coach, Bob George’s overall record was 310 wins, 106 losses and 28 ties. His teams captured 4 sectional championships, made 2 trips to the NYS final four, and 1 trip to the state finals. Of the 28 years he coached, his teams were NYS Scholar Athlete Teams 25 times. Bob was also named Big 30 Girls Soccer Coach of the Year 1 time.

Bob was inducted into the Cattaraugus County Sports Hall of Fame in 2016. He shared that he has always appreciated the dedication and effort he got from all the athletes he coached over the year. He currently resides in Portville and has owned Pizzaland for over 30 years. He is the proud father of daughter, Gia, who is a teacher and following in her dad’s footsteps as a softball coach!

GARY SWETLAND

Gary Swetland grew up in Portville and graduated from Portville Central School in 1979. While in high school, Gary participated in football and track for 4 years. He was awarded the Dale Childs Memorial Award as Outstanding Back in 1978 and also received awards for his outstanding performance in both pole vault and relay teams while in track. He was also voted Most Likely to Succeed at BOCES as a senior.

After graduating from PCS, Gary attended Chadron State College in Nebraska for a year and then transferred to Canisius College where he obtained a Bachelors in International Relations and in Secondary Education. Gary also worked for Burlington Northern Railroad and as a bricklayer for many years during summers. While at Canisius, Gary played football for 3 years and also participated in several intramural sports.

Gary began teaching Social Studies at Portville Central School in 1987 and is still teaching here. He became Portville’s Varsity Football Coach in 1992, a position he would hold until he stepped down in 2018 with a 134-96-1 record. He was the Big 30’s longest-tenured and winningest active coach. The 1979 PCS graduate long since surpassed his high school mentor, Bob Connell, atop Portville’s career wins list in addition to being named Big 30 Coach of the Year 3 times! His teams also were awarded many

During his football coaching tenure, Swetland brought five teams to what’s now New Era Field. His 2003 squad won the program’s first Section 6 title, prevailing 7-6 over Cleveland Hill in the Class C final at the Buffalo Bills’ home.

As track coach, Mr. Swetland has coached student athletes to 24 school records and sent 10 different athletes to the NYS Track and Field Championship Qualifiers. He remains the current track coach.

Gary states that “having been born and raised in Portville, the opportunity to give back to Portville what it gave to me and my family is something of a dream come true.” Gary is married to Beth and they are the parents of Garett, Chase, and Reece. Congratulations and thank you, Mr. Swetland.

ROBERT KORDISH

Robert Kordish is a 1951 graduate of Portville Central School. As a senior, Bob was captain of a football team that went 7-1 and basketball team that won the Cattaraugus County Class B championship.

In basketball, Bob was a three-time unanimous selection to the Times Herald Cattaraugus County Class A-B All-Star Team in 1949, 50 and 51. He broke Portville’s individual scoring record with 31 points on 12-of-16 shooting in a 70-57 win over Cuba in February 1951. He also pulled down a school-record 28 rebounds in the game. In addition, he broke Portville’s single-season scoring record as a senior with 261 points. Bob finished his basketball career with 534 points.

In football, Bob played tackle and tight end, and was a three-time Alle-Catt all-star (Second Team in 1948, First Team in 1949, honorable mention in 1950.) The highlight game of his football career was during his junior season, when he returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a 13-0 win over Cuba. Bob also played baseball for 4 years.

Academically, Bob also shined as president of Student Council and the Senior Class. He was inducted into the Portville Chapter of the National Honor Society in 1951, went to Boys’ State for 3 years, played in the PCS band for four years, and was a coach for the Portville Hornets Basketball team.

After graduation from high school, he continued his basketball career at Colgate, where he was a Dean’s List student and majored in mathematics.

In August of 1956, Bob married fellow Portville grad Carol Miller. He was a longtime employee of Eastman Kodak Company where he was appointed manager, EEO and Central Industrial Relations Resources for the Kodak Apparatus Division (KAD). Robert and his wife raised 3 children and reside in Hilton, New York.

DAVID WAUGH

The late David Waugh graduated from Kent Roosevelt High School in Kent, Ohio, in 1983. While at Kent Roosevelt, he excelled in football, wrestling, and track. He was selected 2nd team defense in the Akron Beacon Journal All Metro League and was the second leading tackler his senior year in football. Follow graduation, Dave attended Slippery Rock University and was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. He graduated from college in 1987.

Mr. Waugh started teaching at Portville in 1994. After teaching Special Education for several years, Dave landed in 6th grade, where he remained until the time of his untimely death in 2017. It is also where he joined the Ecology Camp team, which he coordinated for 9 years.

Dave also coached the following sports while a teacher at Portville:

Modified / JV Wrestling for 24yrs; JV/Assistant Varsity Football for 24yrs; and Morning Strength / Conditioning for 15yrs.

Earlier this evening, Portville Central School’s Fitness Center was dedicated and renamed the Waugh Fitness Center to honor his memory.

The way Dave went about his work in teaching and coaching is what made him special. His effort and integrity was second-to-none. No one dealt more directly with “the truth” of an issue, an effort, a result, or an intention better than Dave Waugh. The relationships he built in Portville will last forever.

The Portville Community can never be the same without Dave, but we will forever be better because we had him. Portville Central School can never be the same without Dave. But, we ARE a better school because we had him. The students and student-athletes of PCS are the greatest benefactors. They will make anywhere their lives take them better because of the influence Dave had on their lives.

Dave was married to Shelley, and together they have 3 children – Ben, Matt and Maggie.

JAMIE MOSES

Jamie Moses is a 1994 graduate of Portville Central School.

Jamie played football for 4 years, basketball for 4 years, baseball for 4 years, and track for 2 years. He was the captain of the football, basketball, and baseball teams in senior year.

His high school athletic honors include WNY Division 8 All Star as Football quarterback and deep back; Expressway Conference All-Star in Baseball and Basketball and MVP of the conference in Basketball; Big 30 All Star in Basketball; Cattaraugus County All Star in Baseball; 1993-94 Cattaraugus County Athlete of the Year and WHDL Athlete of the Year. Jamie was also named to the Western New York All-Academic Football Team and was a member of the National Honor Society.

After graduating from high school, Jamie attended St. Bonaventure University where he was a member of the Division 1 Men’s Basketball team. He was also captain of the team his senior year. After graduating from Bona’s in 1999, Jamie played professional baseball in Belgium for the Brasschaat Braves.

Jamie received his MBA from Cornell University where he was a Roy H. Park Fellow, which afforded him 2 years of full tuition and a stipend. This award is given only to Cornell MBA students who demonstrate outstanding leadership.

Currently, Jamie is the Chief Financial Officer of Berkshire Bank in Massachusetts. He lives in Farmington, Connecticut with his wife, Erin Ross Moses, and their children, James, Ella and Andrew. He is the Treasurer of the Farmington Little League and Treasurer of the Stanley Whitman House Museum of Early American History.

In reflecting on his years at PCS, the blood, sweat, tears and thrills experienced as an athlete here will forever be some of his fondest memories. He believes he was lucky to have such great teammates and friends, and the lessons learned on the field and court undoubtedly helped make all of them better husbands, fathers, and men. Jamie is extremely proud to be a Portville Central School graduate!

RONALD J. MCMAHON

Ron McMahon grew up in Baldwin, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. While in school, Ron played basketball for 6 years.

After graduating from Baldwin High School in 1974, with a class of nearly 900 students, Ron attended Clarion State College, where he was a graduate assistant Men’s Basketball coach. Mr. McMahon began teaching and coaching at Portville Central School in 1979. He coached JV Boys’ Basketball for 6 years with a record of 61 and 42; Varsity Boys’ Track for 3 years; Boys’ Golf for 9 years, winning the Alle-Catt League in 1985 with an 18-2 record, and Varsity Girls’ Basketball for 3 years.

In 1988, Coach McMahon became the Varsity Boys’ Basketball coach, a position he would hold for 13 years, compiling 11 straight winning seasons. During his tenure as the Varsity Boys’ Basketball coach, he had a record of 190 wins and 95 losses, for a winning percentage of 67%, best of any coach in PCS boys’ basketball history. His teams won the Expressway League 6 out of the 9 years it was in existence. Also, his teams were named NYS Scholar Athlete teams for 10 years, and in 2000, his team won the Section VI title with a record of 22-2, the most wins for a team in the history of Portville Boys’ Basketball. In that same year, he was also named Big 30 Coach of the Year.

After retiring from coaching in 2001 in order to follow his son’s basketball career at the University of Pittsburgh @ Bradford, he “came out of retirement” for the 2005-06 basketball season to assist Coach Jean Bantelman with the Varsity Girls’ Basketball team. That team’s record was 20-5 and they, too, won the Sectional title that year. Ron’s son, Jeff, was on the sectional winning team in 2000, and his daughter, Kellie, was on the sectional winning team in 2006. He says that, without a doubt, helping to coach his children to those titles were the two biggest thrills in his coaching career.

In reflecting on his career, after retiring in 2011, Ron stated, “It was an honor to both teach and coach at P.C.S. for 32 years. To the thousands of students that I have taught and the athletes that I have coached, this was a dream fulfilled. Thanks for the memories.”

In March of 2011, Ron was inducted into the Cattaraugus County Sports Hall of Fame. Ron and his wife, Coralie still reside in Portville.

FRANCIS “TONY” WILSON

Tony Wilson was a member of the Portville Central School Class of 1943.

While a student here, Tony participated in football, basketball and baseball. He was a football player for Coach Latimer and their teams went undefeated in 27 consecutive games. Their football team won the Tri-County championship 4 years in a row, winning every game. The 1942 team, for which Tony was a captain, was especially monstrous, out-scoring the other squads 242-13.

Tony was captain of the basketball team in 1942. He was known for his good consistent footwork and set shots. He was also a member of band and choir.

When Tony returned from the war, he helped his parents run Wilson’s Fruit Market and took over the business from them. He married and started a family and has lived in Portville all his life. In 1967, Tony became the Postmaster of the Portville United State Post Office. While raising his family he enjoyed playing softball in the local tavern leagues.

Tony was a Portville Sports Booster for many years and coordinated many spaghetti dinners for the PCS football team at the end of their season. Tony was a volunteer coach with Bud Fenton and he continued with the PCS football team in the Coach Bob Connell’s regime. Tony was Bob’s right hand man, spending countless hours helping him at practices, scouting games with him, reviewing films, designing plays and spotting the defenses for the team up in the press box. Tony was also a member of the Big 30 Football Committee for numerous years nominating players for the Big 30 player of the week award.

Tony was a referee for the local high school teams. He officiated high school football and basketball games and umpired high school baseball games. He also was a basketball official at the collegiate level, officiating many St Bonaventure games. During his officiating career, Tony was an IAABO member and held the position of interpreter. Tony was awarded the IAABO Life Time Achievement Award. He was a member of the committee that started the IAABO Classic Basketball Tournaments held at St Bonaventure over 40 years ago. This tournament continues to this day.

Tony is a life member of the Portville American Legion Post #814 and a life member of the Portville Fire Department.

At the age of 93, Tony still talks about various teams he was on and speaks fondly of his past coaches and all of the PCS athletes that he worked with throughout his years at PCS.

Tony states his greatest accomplishment was dedicating his life to service. His service to his country in WWII, serving in the Coast Guard. His service to his community running his local store, donating food and produce to local families. His service to the United States Post Office by being postmaster for 20 years. Even during the 1972 flood, Tony had to leave his home and family to assure that the mail in the Portville US Post Office stayed secure. His service to the youth of Portville, volunteering many hours on the gridiron with them, using his status as a referee to make them better players and helping his fellow coaches with whatever they needed, including his hot pepper sandwiches after scouting cold October games, while sitting at the table using salt/pepper shakers and kitchen utensils to design plays! Most importantly, his service to his family.

Mr. Wilson left high school at the age of 17 to join the Coast Guard and was unable to graduate with his class. Upon returning from World War II in 1946, he did the work to earn his GED. Under New York State’s Operation Recognition, Superintendent Tom Simon is here to recognize Tony’s devotion and sacrifice as a World War II Veteran. At this time, we proudly present Mr. Tony Wilson with an official Portville Central School High School Diploma!! Congratulations, Tony!!!

INGA WENKE WELTY

Inga Wenke Welty graduated from Portville Central School in 1993. While at PCS, Inga was involved

In Soccer, where she was a 3-yr starter at center-midfielder, Inga was a 3-time Cattaraugus County All-Star (Soph, Junior, Senior years), Expressway Conference All-Star in the inaugural year of the Expressway Conference; was selected to play in the All-WNY Senior All-Star Soccer Game at Canisius College; was one of the Big 30’s top scorers her senior season; and was a member of the Cattaraugus County League Champions her senior year.

In Basketball, where she was a 4-year starter as Point Guard, 2-time Big 30 Basketball All-Star her Junior and Senior years, Expressway Conference MVP her Senior year, inaugural year of the Expressway Conference; 4-time Cattaraugus County All-Star; 3-time IAABO Tourney All-Star; was selected to play in the Ronald McDonald Senior All-Star Basketball Game at Buff State; was part of the Section VI Champion & Regional Championship team her Junior year; and played in the NYS Final Four in Glens Falls that year as well.

Inga’s Career Team Record in basketball was 77-12 for a percentage of 86%. She scored over 800 career points and in the two seasons (Jr & Sr) statistics were kept, she amassed 222 assists, 189 steals, and 168 rebounds, while shooting 46% from the field.

In Softball, where she was a Catcher & Shortstop. She was a 5-time Cattaraugus County All-Star; Expressway Conference All-Star her Senior year; and was selected to play in the All-WNY Senior All-Star Softball Game in Buffalo.

Inga’s Career Team Record was 72-27 for a percentage of 72%, with a Batting Average 46%. She had 155 hits with 27 doubles, 20 triples, and 11 homeruns. She also stole over 100 bases and recorded over 130 RBI’s.

Inga’s other high school athletic achievements included being named the 1993 Cattaraugus County Senior Female Athlete of the Year.

While in high school, she was also involved in the following:

• JV Softball – 1 season
• Varsity Softball – 4 seasons
• Modified Boys Soccer – 3 seasons
• Modified Girls Soccer – 1 seasons
• Modified Girls Basketball – 4 seasons
• JV Girls Basketball – 8 seasons
• Varsity Girls Basketball – 9 seasons so far! (over 100 victories)

Following graduation, Inga also achieved the following:

• Founder and director of the Michele Foss Bartholomew Scholarship Fund that has awarded $84,000 to area female seniors going on to college after graduation
• Director of Panther Hoop School (basketball camp) for area youth for the past 14 years
• Commissioner of the Olean Women’s Softball League and Director of the Olean City Cup Tournament

Inga states that, “it was a privilege and an honor to wear maroon and white. I was fortunate to be on some extremely successful winning teams with talented teammates. I was also lucky to have been influenced by coaches such as Ray DeLand, Linda Larder, Bob George, Ken Woodruff, and Chuck Hild. These people not only taught what it takes to be successful in competition, but also lessons regarding the importance of academics and being respectful young women. I hope when all the former and current players I have coached reflect upon their high school athletic career, they feel as though I’ve instilled those same philosophies.

I am most proud of the Lady Panthers that call me “mom”….my daughters, Kayla, Karly, Mia, and Mallory. Their love for athletics is immeasurable and the joy that Larry and I get out of watching them compete in a Portville uniform is rewarding. They truly are our greatest blessings and we could not imagine raising them anywhere but here!”

Mrs. Abbey (Hadzicki) Albright

Abbey is a 1998 graduate of Portville Central School. While a student at PCS, se participated in soccer, basketball and track, and was a member of 8 sectional championship teams. Abbey’s honors in soccer include 81 career goals, 80 assists 1st team Expressway League, Expressway League MVP, first team All-Western New York, and first team All-State. In basketball, Abbey accumulated 917 career points and was a member of 3 consecutive Sectional Championship teams, first team Expressway League, Big 30 All Star, and recipient of the IAABO Basketball Officials Scholarship. In track, she broke the 3200 meter relay record, the 800 meter record, was Expressway League All-Star for 4 years, was a member of both the 3200 relay and 800 meter sectional winning teams, placing 6th at states in both races, and was named MVP of the Expressway League All Stars. Abbey was a member and Vice President of the National Honor Society, Scholar Athlete for 4 years, High Honor Roll 7-12 with a GPA of 96%, and had perfect attendance for 3 out of 4 years of high school.

Following high school, Abbey attended St. Bonaventure University for 2 years and SUNY Cortland for 2 years, where she played soccer and graduated in 2002.

Abbey has been a high school math teacher at Cortland High School for 15 years. As a member of the NYS Master Teacher Program, she spoke at Governor Cuomo’s State of the State Address in 2014. She also coached varsity soccer at Cortland for 6 years where her team earned 2 sectional titles.

Abbey is married to Ben Albright and has 3 sons, Caden, Cal and Camden. The accomplishment she is most proud is her family and watching them achieve academically and athletically!

Congratulations, Abbey!

Mrs. Janna (Norton) Davis

Janna is a 1992 graduate of Portville Central School. While a student at PCS, she participated in basketball and softball. Janna’s honors in basketball include MVP of the IAABO basketball tournament, Big 30 All-Star, WHDL Sportscasters Club Award, starting player on the Section 6 Class C Championship basketball team, and Cattaraugus County first team All-Star for 2 years. Janna was also the first female in Portville history to score 1,000 points in basketball. Her softball achievements include being named as Cattaraugus County All-Star for 3 years and pitching 3 no-hitters. Janna was also on the Honor Roll for 4 years.

Following high school, Janna attended the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford where she played basketball, scoring 782 points.

Janna was honored and privileged to be a part of the PCS girls’ basketball program and their trip to States in 1992, surrounded by an outstanding team of athletes including fellow hall of famer, Amy Gephart, who assisted her in becoming a 1,000-point scorer. Portville Central School pride is something she remembers with great fondness.

Janna is employed by Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES as a counselor. She and her husband, Tom, have 2 daughters, Morgan and Taylor, whom she is very proud of.

Congratulations, Janna!

Ms. Amy Gephart

Amy is a 1992 graduate of Portville Central School. While a student at PCS, Amy participated in volleyball, basketball and softball. Amy’s honors include being named to the Cattaraugus County All-Star Team in volleyball, basketball and softball for 4 years. Amy is the only female in PCS history to accomplish that. She was also named to the Big 30 All Star team for basketball her senior year. As part of 1992’s section-winning basketball team, Amy was named to the All-State Team and was also chosen to play in the Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities Basketball Game. In softball, she was named as an All-Western New York Team First Team All-Star.

Following high school, Amy went to Lock Haven University on basketball and softball scholarships.

Amy feels that the coaches and fellow players at Portville saw something in her that she didn’t see in herself. She is privileged to have played sports here, emphasizing that it takes a team to win championships. She is honored to be selected as a member of Portville’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Amy has worked at Cutco for 17 years and is engaged to Jennifer Quintata. She would like to thank her mother, family and friends.

Congratulations, Amy!

Mr. Charles “Chuck” Hild

Chuck is a graduate of Hempfield Area High School in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. He received his Bachelors Degree from Slippery Rock University and his Masters Degrees from St. Bonaventure University.

Mr. Hild began teaching at Portville Central School in 1979 and retired as Elementary Principal in 2013. While at Portville, he coached girls track for 25 years during which his teams amassed a record 284 wins and 25 losses. The team also won 12 league or county championships and 5 expressway conference titles. During his 17 years as coach of the girls’ swim team, the teams forged an overall 132-51 record with nine league or county titles. In all, 16 of his athletes went on to compete in the New York State championships in both track and swimming. In the words of one of his former athletes, “Coach Hild taught his athletes to win with grace and lose with dignity. He taught us to respect our opponents and ourselves. We learned that self-discipline, perseverance and determination produce results and even though there can only be one first place, the pursuit in attaining that goals is what is important.” Chuck was honored as Coach of the Year and is a member of the Cattaraugus County Athletic Hall of Fame.

Mr. Hild is most proud of the fact that he was given the opportunity to be a teacher, coach, and administrator at Portville Central School and hopes that he left a positive impact on the students, faculty, staff and the entire Portville Community. He also wanted to mention how fortunate he was to have both Ann White and Christine Hadzicki as his long-time assistant coaches.

Chuck and his wife, Arlene, split their time between their home in Olean and Florida.

Congratulations, Chuck!

 Mr. Michael O’Brien

Mike O’Brien is a 1958 graduate of Otto Eldred High School where he was an all star in football and baseball. While attending the United States Naval Academy, he participated in wrestling and tennis. While attending St. Bonaventure University, where he graduated in 1965, he participated in football, tennis and soccer.

Mr. O’Brien was a long time teacher, coach and administrator at Portville Central School. He was an integral part in developing the ladies’ sports program while athletic director. Besides coaching, Mike prided himself on attending all athletic events, concerts and plays. He also kept scorebooks, tended the clock and officiated baseball and basketball. He was also a started in track for many years.

Mr. O’Brien’s honors over the years include: U.S. Naval Academy Blue and Gold Officer and Commandant Award recipient, Cattaraugus County Hall of Fame member, Portville Central School Wall of Fame member, Rotary Club President, Cattaraugus County Legislator, County Chairman and Vice-Chair, YMCA Board of Directors, JCC Advisory Board of Directors, Portville Unsung Hero Award, and Cuba Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year, among several others!

Mr. O’Brien’s proudest accomplishment was his 50+ year marriage to his late wife, Joanie. He is also very proud of his years spent at Portville and fondly remembers the 1975 Super Sectional Basketball game where a huge Lancaster team narrowly defeated us, but the entire Portville student body and fans stand and gave the Lancaster team a standing ovation when the game was over. That and so many other instances showed the class of Portville Central School.

Congratulations, Mike!

Eva White Schellenbach

Eva White Schellenbach graduated from Portville Central School in 1986. While at Portville, she excelled at swimming and was a part of the team for six years. Upon graduation, Eva held all 8 individual swimming records and was a member of the 2 relay teams that also held records. She was a silver medalist in the 400 meter IM at the Empire State Games and was a 10-time county champion in individual events. She qualified for, and swam in the Sectional Swimming Championship Meet for 6 years; qualified for, and swam in the New York State Championship Meet for 2 years. While competing at the state level, Eva was a two time top ten finisher in the 100 butterfly and two time Top 16 finisher in the 200 IM. She was the swim team captain and was the first seventh-grade athlete to obtain a varsity letter in a sport! Eva was also a member of the National Honor Society, the Yearbook Editor, served on the Student Council, was a member of the Pep Club, was a stat for both basketball and softball, and was an aide to the Athletic Director, Mr. Ray Deland, for 4 years.

After graduating from Portville, Eva attended Valparaiso University on a 4-year Division 1 athletic and academic scholarship. While at Valpo, she swam for 4 years, gathering school records and meet records. She was a 2-time conference champ in the 200 butterfly and was the conference champ in the 100 butterfly for one year. She also participated in softball and intramural cross country running while a student at Valparaiso. Upon graduating summa cum laude, with two masters degrees, Eva became a teacher, coach and author. She resided in Japan for several years and was the Japanese National Champion in the 50-meter butterfly, silver medalist in the 3 events, and bronze medalist in 4 events. Eva has received several Teacher of the Year Awards, volunteer awards, and coaching awards.

Eva has taught academic subject to both college and high school students and has assisted speakers of other languages to effectively communicate in English. She has also taught swimming adults and children alike and is currently the Swim Instructor Coordinator and Head Swim Coach at the Jeff Rouse Swim and Sports Center in Stafford, Virginia. Eva feels that the greatest sense of accomplishment is watching her students and athletes go on to succeed in life.

Eva resides in Stafford, Virginia with her husband, Mastery Gunnery Marine Corps Sergeant Michael Schellenbach and their two pets. She looks back fondly on her days as a swimmer at Portville Central School and wanted to thank her high school swim coach, Chuck Hild, for his dedication and for giving her the opportunity to work as an assistant under him, as these experiences have given her the foundation upon which to build her coaching career. She also wants to thank her parents and her siblings, Al, Michael, Harold, and Samantha for their support over the years.

Terry Miller

Terry Miller graduated from Portville Central School in 1977. He competed in wrestling for 4 years and football for one year. While wrestling under Portville Hall of Fame Coach Robert Klucik, Terry was the Section 6 Wrestling Champion for 2 years and placed 3rd place two times in the New York State Wrestling Tournament. Terry was also a member of the National Honor Society.

Terry and his family operated the youth wrestling concession stand for many years, generating funds for the sport. His family also organized and hosted the first annual Curling Tournament in the southern tier, that was so popular, it has been moved to Good Times of Olean and is now one of the biggest winter events in the area. The proceeds from this tournament go to Portville sports programs.

Terry has been married to his high school sweetheart, Barb, for 38 years, and they have 4 grown children, who also competed in sports at Portville. He is proud of the dedication and effort he and his wife put forth in supporting and dedicating themselves to raising their children and their involvement in sports. In looking back through the years of watching Millers and relatives of the Millers compete in Portville athletics, Terry says “it is easy to be a proud Portville Athlete!

Ronald Mosher

Ronald Mosher graduated from Portville Central School in 1952. While a student athlete at PCS, he participated in football, basketball and baseball, excelling and earning letters in all three sports. He was named an all-star in basketball in 1950, 51, and 52, and in football in 1949, 50, 51, and 52. He also attended Boys’ State in 1951. Ron was a member of the United States Air Force for four years and graduated from Brockport State University in 1960. While at college, Ron competed in baseball, track, and was the table tennis champ in 1959.

After graduating college, Ron was a teacher and coach at Hinsdale Central School and Cuba Central School. He coached all different levels of football, wrestling, baseball, basketball, boys and girls track, and even volleyball for 5 different schools over the past 50 YEARS before retiring in 2010! While coaching at Cuba, his team varsity football team had 20 straight wins, and he was named Big 30 Coach of the Year. In between coaching and teaching, Ron also managed to complete 7 marathons in the 1980’s along with numerous 10K races. And was named the NHPA Horseshoe World Champion in 1994! At present, he is an avid golfer and bowler.

Ron has been married to fellow Portville graduate, Barbara Benz Mosher, for 63 years and they are parents to 9 children. Previously, Ron was inducted into Cuba Central School’s Hall of Fame and the Allegany County Hall of Fame!

Coach Michael DeBarbieri

Coach Michael DeBarbieri graduated from Wellsville Central School in 1972. While a student athlete at Wellsville, Mike participated in football, wrestling, and track, lettering in all three sports. He was a member of the football all star team and placed third in the Section 5 Class A wrestling tournament.

After graduating from Wellsville, Mike attended Lock Haven University, wrestled for the Bald Eagles for 4 years. After teaching in Bolivar, Mike began teaching at Portville Central School in 1985 and retired in 2010. While at Portville, Mike taught various subjects including elementary, physical education, and health, as well as coaching cross country for 2 years, assistant coaching football for 16 years, and serving as head wrestling coach for 28 years. He also served as the Athletic Director for several years.

Mike’s honors include Section 6 Wrestling Coach of the year 6 times, Induction into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, serving as a Section 6 football committee member, and as Section 6 wrestling chairman for the past 15 years.

Mike resides with his wife, Sue. They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Mike truly loved being able to help student athletes progress, perform, and have fun in athletics. He enjoyed coaching here for 28 years and feels that the many coaches he worked with at Portville over the years were outstanding. He is also grateful to the community for being so supportive and is deeply honored by this induction.

Coach Kevin Curran

Coach Kevin Curran graduated from Allegany Central School in 1972. After graduating from Allegany, he attended Lock Haven University and later graduated from St. Bonavenuture University with administrative certification.

Kevin began teaching at Portville Central School in 1980. He was an assistant football coach his first year at Portville before taking the head football coaching position in 1981, a position he would hold until 1991. In 1984, his team went undefeated in the Border League, going 8-0. In 1985 and 1986, the football teams won the section 6 championships, and in 1986, they made their first appearance at Rich Stadium. Kevin also coached varsity girls’ basketball from 1980-1983, ending with 3 successful seasons and advancing to the 1982 New York State Public School Athletic Association Finals in class C after winning the section 6 title.

He served as Athletic Director for 11 years and also served as the Cattaraugus County track chairman, Section 6 Divisional Football Chairman, helped in the creation of the Expressway Conference, and also was instrumental in forming the now-popular Trap Shooting Club here at Portville.

After leaving in 2000 to become a principal at Scio Central School, Kevin returned to Portville in 2004, where he served as principal until his retirement in 2010. Kevin states that he has many proud memories of coaching and teaching at Portville and while savoring the championships and honors, he feels that the many opportunities he had to see the faces of kids achieving goals at an individual or team level was most rewarding. Kevin was married to the late Judy Curran and still resides in Portville. Kevin’s daughters, Kaitlin and Kristin, are both Portville grads who now have families of their own.   

Tom Yanetsko

Tom Yanetsko is a 1976 graduate of PCS. While a student athlete at PCS, he lettered four years in football, basketball and track, having been named an All Star in all three sports. He was also an honorable mention as a New York State All Star in football. Tom was a member of the 1975 undefeated basketball and football teams, having served as captain of both for 2 years straight.

After graduation from Portville, Tom went to Northwood University on a football scholarship, where he also played basketball.

Tom is an avid softball player and was named MVP of the Olean City Cup. He is also a member of the NYS Softball Umpires Association and the Cattaraugus County Basketball Referee Board and is a certified basketball official.

Tom attributes PCS athletics to making him the person he is today. He is still a strong supporter of PCS athletics and reports that he still bleeds maroon and white! He cherishes the memories and friendships he made through his participation in athletics.

Tom currently works as a supervisor at Dresser Rand and resides in Olean with his wife, Meme. He is the father of four children, Tom, Joshua, Melanie and Mackenzie. Congratulations, Tommy!

Jeff Nix

Jeff Nix is a 1976 graduate of PCS and served as class president. While a student athlete here, he lettered four years in basketball and golf. Jeff's athletic accomplishments at PCS include playing on the undefeated basketball team in 1975, the same year he earned a Section VI Championship shield and was named the Times Herald Catt. County All Star, an honor he would receive again in 1976. In his senior year, Jeff was named the Big 30 Basketball MVP, the Buffalo Evening News MVP, and was named to the NYS Sportswriter's All-State Team. Jeff still holds the school record for most points scored in a game, with 46 points against Ellicottville. He earned a Section VI Championship Shield in Golf as well.

After graduation from Portville, Jeff went to Canisius College where he was a member of the Men's Basketball Team.

Jeff is currently the Assistant General Manager of the NBA's Detroit Pistons. Previous to his position with the Pistons, Jeff coached with the New York Knicks for 8 years, the University of Notre Dame, Xavier University, Loyola College, St. Francis University, and Canisius College. He also assistant coached the NBA All-Star Game in 2000. Jeff has coached alongside coaching greats, Pat Riley, Lenny Wilkins, Don Nelson and Larry Brown! He was also featured on television's NBA Inside Stuff.

Jeff heads up a non-profit organization called “Camouflage Kids” which assists children of our military members, which he believes to be his most significant contribution in life and one that he is most proud of.

Jeff is also extremely proud of having been raised by his parents, Cliff and Margaret Nix along with his siblings, Deb, Scott and Gary, whom he refers to as the key to his life's happiness.

Jeff believes that Portville and PCS are the backbone to his success, and lists his mentors as the administrators and coaches of Portville, particularly, his late basketball coach Ray DeLand, and personal friend, Robert "Doc" Rasey. Jeff states that through his 35-plus years in professional, collegiate, and high school athletics, there is nothing better than being part of a team and bonding in the locker room, no matter what the level, even at a little gymnasium at Portville High School! Congratulations, Jeff!

Melissa Gundlah Hintz

Melissa Gundlah Hintz graduated from PCS in 1982. She was one of the first female athletes to participate in a varsity sport as a junior high student, having opened the door for other young athletes to participate earlier. Melissa lettered in track, swimming, and as a football statistician. Her accomplishments include County Champion and MVP in multiple track events, Section VI Champion in the 200 meter, and competing in the New York State Track Meet where she ran against future Olympian Diane Dixon. She also competed in the Empire State Games, was a Western New York AAU track member, and held track and swimming records at the school for many years. Besides athletics, Melissa was an excellent student, and was a member of the National Honor Society, among many other clubs. She was also a Foreign Exchange student, having traveled to Italy during the summer of 1981.

After high school, Melissa went to Drake University where she participated in track for two years before an injury sidelined her. She was on the Dean’s List at Drake and won the Presidential Scholarship.

Melissa is currently a Media Director at Trone Brand Energy, an advertising agency in High Point, North Carolina. She is very active in her church and volunteers for many organizations.

Melissa believes that her athletic career at Portville suited her well in her career, as it taught her teamwork, perseverance, dedication and good sportsmanship.

Melissa recalls the great coaches at Portville whom were like second parents to many of the athletes. She is forever grateful to her track and swim coach, Chuck Hild, for his encouragement and dedication.

Melissa and her husband, David, reside in Kernersville, North Carolina, and have two daughters, Sara and Spencer, whom she refers to as her greatest accomplishment in life. Congratulations, Melissa.

Sherry Gardner Slifer

Sherry Gardner Slifer graduated from PCS in 1983. She played volleyball, basketball and softball, having lettered in all three sports. Her honors include being selected to the Catt. County Volleyball All Star Team, Catt. Co. Basketball All Star Team, and the Catt. Co. Softball All-Star Team. She also started on the 1981-82 basketball team that reached the New York State finals. Sherry was an excellent student as well and was a member of the National Honor Society.

After high school graduation, Sherry attended Clarion University on an ROTC Army Scholarship, where she played one year of softball. She was a Distinguished Military Graduate in ROTC, and in 1987, was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. She was a Medical Service Corps Officer, and graduated from the US Army Airborne School, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, and was selected as the Fort Knox Female Athlete of the Year in 1995.

PCS Athletics taught Sherry the true meaning of teamwork, dedication and commitment. She believes that her athletic success can be attributed to all her great teammates and dedicated coaches throughout her years at PCS.

Sherry would like to dedicate her induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame to her mother, who lives in Florida, and her late father, Keith, who avidly supported her and siblings in all sports activities, and believes that her father would have been so proud to see his daughter and son inducted into the Hall of Fame this evening.

Sherry and her husband, Gordon, reside in Canton, Ohio, with their children, Danielle and Connor. Congratulations, Sherry, and thank you for your service to our country.

Jon Gardner

Jon graduated from PCS in 1985, and lettered in Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track and Golf! His honors in football include 1st Team Border Conference All Star twice in two different positions, Big 30 Player of the Year, All Western New York, and All State. He was the MVP of the Homecoming game in 1984 and captained and quarterbacked Portville’s last undefeated football team. Jon made 4 interceptions in his first varsity start on defense as a sophomore. In basketball, Jon made the IAABO all-tournament team and the NYS Small School All Star team, and is still in the top 20 scorers of all time at the school. In baseball, he made the All County Team and was a Sectional Qualifier in Golf.

After graduation, Jon attended Bucknell University on a 4-year football scholarship. He was a 3 year varsity starter there and a 2 time honorable mention in the All Colonial League.

Jon states that he was blessed to play for some of the greatest coaches and athletes that will ever grace the fields and courts at PCS, specifically, Coaches Kevin Curran, Robert The Bear Connell, Kerry Snow, Ray Deland, and Ron McMahon. He also attributes his success to the great administration and teachers at the school, including Mike O’Brien, Mike McCann, Helen Worth, Linda Monsell, and Dave Shelc. Most importantly, he thanks his mother, Joan, for all her sacrifices for him and his sisters over the years and for making the trip from Florida to be here this evening. He also wishes to thank and recognize his sisters, co-inductee, Sherry, and his eldest sister, Sue, as well as his later father, Keith, who is watching and smiling down from above this evening. Finally, he wants to thank his wife, Suzanne, for her love and support over the years.

Jon is the proud father of three children, Derek, Shayne and Addison, who he has had the privilege of coaching over the years and watching their competitive spirit and drive. All 3 children have competed at the National level in Snowboarding in Colorado. He looks forward to the family attending the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea or the 2022 Winter Olympics in China to hopefully bring back a medal to the U.S.!

Jon and his family reside in Riegelsville, Pennsylvania. He has received multiple sales awards in his medical sales career. Jon is also a ski instructor at Big Boulder Resort in the Pocono Mountains in the winter. 

Mr. Lance Chaffee

Lance is a 1969 graduate of Portville Central School. While a student at PCS, he participated in Football for 4 years, Basketball for 3 years, Track & Field for 4 years, and Baseball for 1 year. He was also a member of band and the National Honor Society. Lance’s honors in high school include being selected to the first team Big 30 football team on offense; first team league all-star his senior year in football; MVP of homecoming football game in 1967; second team league all-star in basketball his junior year and first team league all-star his senior year; obtaining school track records in triple jump, hurdles, and the medley relay; recipient of the Dutch Griffin Memorial Award as the most outstanding football player of the year, and the Jim Sprague Memorial Award as outstanding basketball player of the year. He ultimately received a full athletic scholarship to Louisiana State University to play football, and caught a pass for a touchdown during the 1971 Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, against a tough Nebraska team!

Lance’s accomplishments following high school and LSU include obtaining his Master’s degree in Library Science from the University of Buffalo and becoming director of the Olean Public Library, a position he currently holds. His hobbies have included playing in the Old Timers Basketball league in the 80’s, and running marathons in the 90’s. He placed first in the Buffalo Marathon Relay Team Masters Division in 1995 with his brother and co-hall of fame inductee, Lee Chaffee; first place overall at the Chautauqua Institute marathon in 1990; and first place overall YMCA summer run series in 1996. He is a member and President of the Kiwanis Club of Olean and has received the distinguished Kiwanian award twice.

Lance has coached swimming and rec soccer and was a swim official, board member, and President of the Enchanted Mountain Aquatic Club from 1992-2000.

Lance states that “growing up in Portville and being afforded the opportunity to play sports at Portville Central School was an experience beyond compare. The community and school were so supportive of all the sports teams, and the coaches were genuinely interested in developing their players’ skills, character, and leadership abilities. Many life lessons were learned in developing relationships and building the necessary teamwork required to be successful in sports, and in life.”

Lance and his wife, Brenda, reside in Allegany. They have two grown children, Logan Quist-Chaffee and Lindsay Horn.

Congratulations, Lance!!

Dr. Lee Chaffee

Lee is a 1966 graduate of Portville Central School. While a student athlete at PCS, he was a member of the football team for 4 years, track and field for 4 years, basketball team for 2 years, and the cross country team for 2 years. He was co-captain of the football team for several years, an Alle-Catt League football all-star in 1965, co-captain of the basketball team, WNY State Outstanding Scholar Athlete, and record holder in the high jump, discus, shot put, and medley relay. He received the Billy Kelly Award and the Cattaraugus County Basketball Officials Scholarship. Lee was also class valedictorian in 1966, a member of the National Honor Society, and vice president of the student council.

Lee attended Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, graduating summa cum laude in 1971. While at Dartmouth, Lee participated and lettered in football, wrestling and track. Following graduation from college, Lee lived in Israel where he served as the chief physical therapist for the Israeli National & Olympic Swim Team. He placed third in the 1974 Israeli National Cross Country Championships, and second in 1984. In 1987 Lee received his Master’s degree in Human Movement from Boston University. He continued to run in marathons, having placed first in the Senior Men’s Buffalo Marathon relay team with his brother, Lance. He also placed 3 rd in the Senior Men’s 10K race in the Empire State Games in 1990. Lee’s other interests include Martial Arts, where he received Outstanding Competitor of the Year in South Carolina in 2005. In 2010, Lee obtained his doctorate in Physical Therapy from the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in Provo, Utah.

Lee and his wife, Smadar, reside in Galax, Virginia, and have 3 grown children, Amit, Matan, and Ben.

Lee coached as an assistant for Portville in football, track and swimming during the 1970’s and volunteered with the track team from 1987-1991. He states that he was privileged to work with coaching legends, Bob Connell and Ray DeLand, in addition to Wayne Barton, Denny Dorman and Gary Swetland. Congratulations, Lee!

Mr. Brian Miller

Brian graduated from Portville Central School in 1993. While a student athlete at PCS, Brian played football for 4 years, basketball for 4 years, and track and field for 4 years. He was a 3 time competitor in the New York State Track & Field meet in the pentathlon. He is a Portville school record holder in the 400 meter, the 110 high hurdles, the pentathlon, and the 1600 meter relay. In 1992, Brian was selected as a member of the Division VIII All-Star Football Team as a kicker, defensive back, and end; the Big 30 Football team as defensive back and kicker; First-Team All-Western New York All-Star Football Team as kicker; and the Olean Times Herald All-Star football team for defense. In 1993, Brian was selected for the Big 30 Independent All-Star Basketball team; the Expressway All-Star 2 nd Basketball Team; and placed 10th in the Pentathlon at the Nike National Scholastic Indoor Track and Field Championships.

While in high school, Brian also was a member of the student council, was a participant in Boys State, received the 65-66 Football Club Sportsmanship Award, completed 8 consecutive field goals (2 short of the state record); received the Kane Invitational Outstanding Male Athlete Award, the PCS Mr. Defense Award in basketball, and is currently 9 th overall in scoring in PCS basketball.

Following high school graduation, Brian attended Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio. He lettered in football, Indoor Track & Field, and Outdoor Track & Field. He also competed 7 times in the Division III National Track Meet, when was a 2 time All-American Decathlete. He received 22 all-conference awards for track and field from the Ohio Athletic Conference, and was a 3-time recipient of the “Sparky Adams Most Valuable Male Athlete” award for Track & Field.

Brian says he is most proud of just being the son of Kurt and Caroline Miller, brother to Bob and Brent Miller, husband to wife, Rochele, and father of three beautiful daughters, Madison, Jillian, and Delaney. He and his family reside in Hinckley, Ohio, where he is the principal at Willetts Middle School in Brunswick, Ohio. Congratulations, Brian!

Mr. Brian Decker

Brian graduated from Portville Central School in 1992. While a student athlete at PCS, Brian participated in Football for 4 years, Basketball for 4 years, Track & Field for 2 years, and Baseball for 2 years. He was named the Cattaraugus County Male Athlete of the Year in 1992, participated in the Big 30 Classic football game, set school records in the high jump, 1600 meter relay, and the pentathlon. He went to States 2 times in pentathlon and the high jump, and is the 8 th all-time leading scorer for the boys’ basketball team. Brian was also a member of the National Honor Society.

Following high school, Brian attended Edinboro University, where he was an All-American football player and all-American track & field star. He was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the year while at Edinboro and was inducted into the Edinboro Hall of Fame in 2011.

Brian states that his success at PCS and beyond can be attributed to a work ethic that was learned in the gym, the weight room, and the athletic fields of Portville Central School. He was surrounded by 5:00 a.m. workout partners, hard-working team mates, and dedicated and committed coaches. He further states that without the friendship and drive of fellow Hall of Fame Inductee, Brian Miller, he could never have achieved the success that he did. Most importantly, he states, was having the privilege of chasing his older brother around, teaching him to compete. Thank you, Aaron Decker!

Brian’s accomplishment that he is most proud of is being husband to his beautiful wife, Kelly, and father to their two young sons, DJ and Rhett! Brian and his family reside in New Albany, Ohio, where he is Director of Sales at The Hartford. Congratulations, Brian!

Dr. Meredith (Yates) Boulay, DVM

Meredith Yates Boulay graduated from Portville Central School in 1997. While a student athlete at PCS, she participated in volleyball for 5 years, basketball for 4 years, track & field for 6 years, and also played club volleyball in the off season.

Meredith set records in both shot put and discus, scored the most points in a girls’ basketball game, was named as Cattaraugus County MVP in volleyball in 1995 and 1996, competed and placed 4 th in shot put at the 1997 NYSPHS Class C Championships, and was named the Cattaraugus County Exceptional Senior Basketball player in 1997. In addition to athletics, Meredith excelled in the classroom, serving as class valedictorian, National Merit Scholar, and as the Big 30 Academic Top Female Scholar. Additionally, she was name to All-State Band, was the Davies-Foy Big 30 Female Scholar Athlete, and was named as the Outstanding Field Events athlete in Cattaraugus County Class C & D.

After graduation from high school, Meredith attending Syracuse University, where she was a member of the crew team, and received her Bachelor’s degree, graduating in 2001 summa cum laude as a Remembrance Scholar and a Syracuse University Scholar. She then attended the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine where she was a member of the intramural volleyball team, having graduated in 2005 as salutatorian. She is very proud to be a veterinarian and finds real meaning in helping both her patients and her clients.

Meredith states that for six years, she rotated through sports seasons…from volleyball to basketball to track, and so on in a way that completely superseded any monthly calendar…and while she loved them all, volleyball was her passion. She hopes that her main contribution to PCS athletics was to be an example of that oft-referenced “well-rounded” type. She hopes that people saw her working hard at each of her respective practices and contests. Meredith believes that PCS athletics taught and gave her more than she could possibly ever hope to return.

Congratulations, Meredith!

Coach Bud Fenton

Originally from Ohio, Merwin “Bud” Fenton attended Ithaca College and after graduating in 1941, joined the US Navy during World War II. In 1948, he started his career as a physical education teacher at Portville Central School. Bud Fenton coached the football and baseball teams at PCS in addition to serving as athletic director. During his time as the varsity football coach, he led his teams to 40 victories in 11 seasons at PCS. In his initial year, Fenton took the Panthers to Bradner Stadium for the championship, but they lost 12-7 before 3,000 fans. Coach Fenton was the type of teacher and coach that inspired kids and expected them to work hard. He was a community leader in establishing Pop Warner Football and Little League baseball in Portville.He retired from Portville in 1971. He was a member of many organizations over the years including the Cattaraugus County Athletic Association for 24 years. On September 28, 1998, at homecoming weekend at Ithaca College, he was inducted into the Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame. Merwin Bud Fenton passed away on September 6, 2001, in Englewood, Florida.

Coach Ray DeLand

Originally from the Dunkirk area, Ray DeLand was a graduate of Fredonia State Teachers College and St. Bonaventure University. He began teaching at Portville Central School in 1962 and began coaching boys’ basketball for the Panthers in 1966. During his 23 year career as the boys’ basketball coach, he guided his teams to a record of 281wins and 167 losses. The Panthers won the Section 6 championship in 1975. In a span of six years (1970-1976), the Portville boys’ basketball team amassed 100 wins and 25 losses. In addition, Coach DeLand also coached the PCS girls’ basketball team for five years, guiding the team to the New York State Final Four in 1991-92. The team went 20-3 that year. His five-year mark with the girls was 86-21. In addition to coaching, Mr. DeLand also served as the district’s athletic director for many years. During a 40-year career as a teacher and coach, Coach DeLand molded the lives of hundreds of young student athletes, primarily at Portville Central School where he spent 28 years before retiring at the end of the 1992-93 school year. In 2006, he was inducted into the Cattaraugus County Sports Hall of Fame. Ray DeLand passed away in 2010 in Florida where he had made his home in retirement.

Coach Bob “The Bear” Connell

Bob Connell grew up in the Boston, Massachusetts area. He graduated from Saugus High School in 1943 where he was an All-Scholastic football player. After high school he served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. Bob then went on to attend college and play football in the Ivy League at Columbia University in New York City.

After graduating from Columbia, Bob became a regional sales manager for the BF Goodrich Company, which eventfully brought The Connell Family to take up residence on School Street here in Portville in 1955. In 1960, at the age of 36, Bob made a career change and began teaching history and coaching a number of sports at PCS. He coached Boys JV Basketball in the early sixties and was head baseball coach in 1966. Bob was also Boys Head Track & Field during most of the Seventies. But it was on the sidelines of the gridiron where Bob “The Bear” Connell made his mark, coaching Portville’s boys in the great game of football for over 25 years.Bob was Head Coach for 17 years from 1963 to 1979 accumulating a record of 90-45-5 for a winning percentage of .667. He lead the Panthers to 5 League Championships, 2 undefeated Teams and was voted Big 30 Coach of the Year in 1975.Coach Connell was an innovator both on and off the field. He established a number of initiatives and events at PCS over the years to help increase school spirit and raise student morale. He also created the Sports Booster Club in 1963 to help support and provide additional funding for all Portville sports teams. He helped form the Border League in the late sixties, creating great football rivalries with nearby schools in New York and Pennsylvania.Coach Connell loved Portville Football. He loved the school and the town. He was very proud that he and his wife Bemmie were able to raise their five children in this remarkable community. Most of all, Bob Connell was proud to have been a teacher and a coach to the wonderful young men and women of PCS. 

Robert Klucik

Robert Klucik, is his long-time friend and colleague, Mr. Mike O’Brien. Mr. Klucik currently resides in Florida and was unable to be here this evening. Bob Klucik is a 1955 graduate of Gowanda Central High School. After high school, he attended college at the University of Buffalo where he earned a degree in school counseling and played on their soccer team. In addition to Mr. Klucik being a guidance counselor for Portville Central School, he coached cross country, football, track and wrestling. During his tenure as wrestling coach, his teams amassed 128 wins and only 10 losses, with 83 of those wins coming consecutively from 1965 through 1971! His wrestling teams also garnered 7 county championships, 6 sectional championship titles and 10 open tournament championships. Coach Klucik was also president of the Cattaraugus County Wrestling League for 7 years. One of Coach Klucik’s proudest moments was when a former wrestler joined the Marines and when they could not break him physically and when they asked him why, he said, “I wrestled for Klucik!” After leaving Portville, Mr. Klucik served as Superintendent of Richburg Central School. Bob and his wife, Sally, reside in Ave Maria, Florida, and have 2 children, Laura and Rob.

Jean Rasey Bantelman

Jean is a 1982 graduate of Portville Central School. While at Portville, she participated in basketball, track and field, swimming, volleyball and softball. Jean earned a partial Division II scholarship to Nazareth College where she played basketball for 3 years and still ranks 5th in field goal percentage and 10th in field goals made in a single season. She earned several awards at Nazareth including French’s Player of the Week and ECIC All Star. While at PCS, Jean was named to the All-Tournament State Basketball team and first team All-State. Jean was also a First-Team League All-Star in Volleyball, qualified for sectional swimming meets, and held the 100-yard butterfly record for one season. While in track, Jean competed in the mile, the 2 mile, 1,500, 1,600, 800, and 1,600 meter relay team, as well as shot put, discus and high jump. She briefly held records in both the 1,600 and 2 mile events. Jean was named the Cattaraugus County Female Athlete of the Year in 1982. As a girls’ basketball coach, Jean led the team to a sectional championship in 2006. “Mrs. B” has been a special education teacher here at Portville Central School since 1996. Jean believes that participating in athletics taught her valuable leadership skills and have helped her in her teaching profession and that you cannot always be the best at everything, especially in life. She is the proud mother of 4 daughters, Mary Anne, Ashley, Rachel and Emily.

Gene Bingman

Gene is a 1967 graduate of Portville Central School. While at Portville, he participated in football, basketball, baseball, track and baseball. He won the Olean Times Herald Gary Sage Memorial Award, while being on Big 30 All-Star teams for football and basketball. He was also the MVP for football. Gene won long jump at the county track meet. Gene also held school and county records for long jump. Gene was offered 24 college athletic scholarships, and eventually accepted a full football scholarship at Louisiana State University. He is a life member of the Hinsdale Fire Department and was awarded the outstanding Board of Director Award in the Empire State Quarter Horse Association. Gene has many stories of his days of playing athletics, and said that if you played for Portville, you never wanted to let the fans down. You always did your best to BE the best. He believes that you can take the boy out of Portville sports, but you can never take the Portville sports out of the boy! Gene and his wife, Wendy, reside in Hinsdale.

Jerry Scutt

Jerry participated in football, basketball, baseball, track and field at PCS. He placed 3rd in high jump at the New York State Track and Field meet in 1969. Jerry was named league MVP for basketball in 1969 and 1970. He received the Courier Express Billy Kelly Award as well as the Dale Child’s Outstanding Running Back Award. In 1970, Jerry received the Portville Sports Booster awards for both football and track and field. After graduating from Portville in 1970, he played football at Colorado State University before enlisting in the US Army in 1972. Jerry also holds state lumberjack titles in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Connecticut, Wisconsin, and Michigan. He states that his proudest sports accomplishment was when he set the world record in 2-man Cross Cut in Hayward, Wisconsin in 1986. Jerry and his wife, Kathy, reside on Lillibridge Road here in Portville.

Melissa Scutt Longo

Melissa Scutt Longo graduated from Portville Central School in1990. She participated in swimming and diving, cheerleading, basketball, and track and field at PCS. Melissa held PCS Track and Field records in high jump, long jump, triple jump and pentathlon. She also held the diving record. Melissa won Counties in both track and diving. She was the Section VI champion in high jump. Melissa also represented Portville on a Big 30 Track and Field team that traveled to Europe. After high school, she went on to Ohio University, where she participated in Track and Field and graduated in 1994. Melissa is a Health and Physical Education teacher at Custer City Private School. She has coached area gymnastics and track teams and says that she is most proud of her family and the love and support they have always shown. Melissa and her husband, Steve, have a daughter, Kara, and reside in Bradford, Pennsylvania.

Claude Alton "Jazz" Peterson

Jazz was an athlete at Portville Central School from 1930-1933 where he participated in 2 seasons of track and football.In 1932, at a Cattaraugus County track and field event held in Olean’s Bradner Stadium, Jazz set a record time of 52.1 in the 440 yard dash.That record stood at the county level for 43 years and at Portville Central School for 61 years! Jazz left school in 1933 to join the Civilian Conservation Corps as a means of supporting his family.While recovering from a heart attack in 1969, he decided it was time to earn that long overdue diploma.He approached Jerry Sullivan, an English teacher at PCS, and the process began.Claude Jazz Peterson graduated in 1970 to a standing ovation. Claude passed away in 1983, but his legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of many Portville residents.

Paul Dorman

Paul participated in basketball, baseball, track and cross country at PCS.Paul played college basketball at Charleston Southern University before transferring to Slippery Rock. In 1971, while a player at Portville, Paul was named first team all-conference and was theBig 30 runner up scoring leader, averaging 23.7 points a game.In 1972, he was named the Olean Times Herald Basketball Player of the Year, while being the Big 30 scoring leader with a 27.8 point average.He was also named to the third team Buffalo Evening News All-Western New York Basketball Team as well as first team all-conference. Paul became the first player in PCS history to score over 1000 points.Paul is most proud of having been able to raise two sons who have far-surpassed any athletic achievement that he accomplished, and also, having been married to his great wife, Marla, for 27 years.

Dennis Dorman

A 1949 graduate of Cromwell High School in Minnesota, Dennis participated in basketball and “6-man” football during high school.He went on to play basketball at the University of Pittsburgh.Denny also played military basketball in Europe.During his 28 years of teaching physical education at PCS, Denny coached basketball for 8 years, baseball for 2 years, and assisted with football.He was a pioneer in starting the youth basketball programs at Portville Central School in 1964. Dennis held leadership roles as athletic director and the Cattaraugus County Coaches president for 2 years each. Mr. Dorman expressed that he is most proud of the years that he played college basketball, that we was a 3-year vet of the Korean War, and his 10 years of coaching at PCS. Mr. Dorman and his late wife, Virginia, could often be seen at many PCS sporting events over the years and he still resides in Portville, delivering Meals on Wheels and serving on the Library Board.

Linda Larder

Linda graduated from Penn Yan Academy in 1965.She participated in field hockey, volleyball, softball and basketball during high school.Linda attended SUNY Cortland where she played softball.When Linda first started teaching at Portville in 1970, the only athletic opportunity available to the girls of PCS, was a one night a week intramural program.Linda then became the pioneer of female athletics at Portville by scheduling interscholastic games for girls with surrounding schools.They started with volleyball, basketball and softball.She coached those 3 sports as well as synchronized swimming and cheerleading.She served as secretary to the Cattaraugus Athletic Board and served as Section VI chairperson for volleyball for 2 years.Linda has expressed that she is most proud to have been able to help develop these programs and to encourage female athletes to become confident, successful members of their community!After retiring from teaching in 1983, Linda retired to her beautiful home town of Penn Yan, New York.

Brandi Unverdorben Payne

Representing the class of 1988, Brandi participated and lettered in volleyball, basketball and softball at PCS.Brandi was captain of all 3 sports.She attended SUNY Brockport where she played basketball.While at Portville, Brandi was all-league MVP for softball in 1986 and for basketball in 1987.She was also named to the all-league all-star team for 3 seasons in volleyball, 4 seasons in softball, and 4 seasons in basketball.Brandi was named to the Cattaraugus County Basketball Officials Holiday Tournament All Star team for 2 seasons.In 1988, Brandi received the Portville Sports Boosters awards for basketball and volleyball as well as the Richard Waldeck Memorial softball award.Brandi’s proudest accomplishment is her family.She is married to former NFL star, Seth Payne, and has one daughter, Daylin. Today, Brandi is a volunteer volleyball and strength and conditioning coach right here in Portville.

CONGRATULATIONS 2011 ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES!

1. To help preserve, strengthen and add distinction to the athletic program at the Portville Central School
2. To honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who, either through participation, support or interest, have made outstanding contributions to the high school’s athletic program
3. To recognize individuals who have demonstrated both in school and in succeeding years the worth of athletics, who have well defined goals, who have provided mature leadership, and who have had an impact on society.

1. Coaches
2. Athletes –male or female
3. Boosters – those who have provided meritorious service

1. For athletes, a fifteen-year waiting period from the time they graduate.For coaches/boosters, a fifteen year waiting period from initial contributions to Portville athletics.
2. They have achieved success as an athlete or as a coach/booster during their tenure at Portville Central School.
3. Noteworthy accomplishments as a citizen will be considered.
4. Consideration will be based on post-high school contributions such as:

a. Athletics

b. Career field

c. Community service

d. Politics

5. Nominations would be submitted by June 1 and the induction ceremony will be held at halftime of the first football game.

1. Nominations may come from any source to any committee member.
2. No more than five inductees will be admitted per year.
3. Nominations in any given year unlimited – committee will reduce to ten for a vote.
4. After June 15 of each year, the committee will vote for a maximum of five inductees.
5. All final selections and voting procedures are strictly confidential.

1. Induction ceremony will be held at halftime of the first football game.
2. A recent picture of the inductee will appear on the plaque for the hall of fame, which will be permanently mounted on our hall of fame area at the Portville Central School
3. A personal plaque of recognition listing the inductee’s accomplishments