Compiled by The Bedford Citizen
With assistance from the Bedford Athletic Association
Images (c) JMcCT, 2019 ~ Click each image to see a larger version
The Bedford Athletic Association inducted eight athletes, one coach, two championship teams, and Mike Rosenberg into its 2019Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 18. The inductees represented Bedford High School student-athletes from 1979 through 2012, and Rosenberg who was honored for his consistent and long-time commitment to student athletics in Bedford.
Tom McManus, 1976
Presented by Coach Terry Bane
After a year at Shawsheen Tech, Tom entered BHS as a sophomore in 1974 and put golf on the high school’s sports map. Bedford won the Dual County League championship in 1974 and 1975, and Tom also won the individual league title as a junior and senior, when he was also third in the state individual championships. He was named one of six Boston Globe all-scholastics in golf (they were interviewed by a young reporter named Dan Shaughnessy).
The 1979 Sectional Champion Boys’ Soccer Team
Presented by Coach Joe Patuleia
The 1979 boys’ soccer team – Bedford High School’s first sectional champion – was “a very passionate team that was filled with a lot of courage – scrappy guys who wound up realizing the things for which they had been building,” according to Head Coach Joe Patuleia. Team members included Gordon Guay, Peter Coloero, Darren Colonero, Chris Pruyn, Todd Bunner, Eppy Busch, Jim Concannon, Richie Davidson, Steve Davidson, Paul D’Entremont, Svein Gjelsvik, Don Hamann, Mike McEachern, Jim Morris, Steve Morris, Ferenc Nagy, Don Naugler and Neal Ward.
Michelle Busa, 1983
Presented by Pam Wetherbee-Metcalf ’83 in Michelle Busa’s absence
As a senior, Michelle led the Dual County League in soccer scoring and was an all-star. In basketball, she also was DCL scoring leader and was co-MVP, as the Lady Bucs won the league. And in softball, she led the DCL in hitting and was 7-0 from the mound, leading to another MVP award, Lowell Sun player-of-the-year, and a Boston Globe all-scholastic recognition. And that was just one year.
Jeff Eagles, 1987
Presented by Ronnie Sue Bauer reading the words of Coach John Walker
Jeff was a force on BHS Coach Sandy Maczko’s team for four years, the last two as captain. He was Dual County League diving champion each season, qualifying for the state meet, which he won as a senior after finishing second the previous two years. He also won two gold medals in the Bay State Games while in high school. By that time he was also training five days a week at Harvard University with Crimson Coach John Walker.
Herman Rice, 1987
Presented by Mike Johnson
As a junior, Herman returned back-to-back kickoffs for touchdowns at Acton-Boxborough. He was a Dual County League all-star that year and the next, and as a senior captain, Herman was a Division 3 all-star, a Lowell Sun all-star and was selected to play in both the Eastern Massachusetts Shriners All-Star Game and the Harry Agganis All-Star Game. Herman was inscribed in the NCAA record book during his first year at Springfield College. A new rule provided for a two-point score if a failed two-point conversion attempt was returned by the defense to the endzone. Herman recovered a fumble against Worcester Polytech and raced 80 yards. “We had practiced the play. I knew it was going to be two points, but I didn’t know I was the first person to do it,” he said, adding, “Some people still ask me about it.”
Coach Jim Byrnes
Presented by Keith Mangan
After winning just five games in 1994-1995, Byrnes-coached teams began a run of 15 consecutive seasons of qualifying. Hiss basketball career record at Bedford was 253-204, with 24 of those wins coming in the tournament. Beginning in 2002-03, and culminating with the North Sectional championship in 2009-10, the Bucs were 131-49, a winning percentage of more than 72. Jim joined the BHS physical; education faculty in 1999 and is still there.
Over the years, he also coached other sports in spots – boys’ tennis, girls’ soccer, boys’ junior varsity soccer.
Steven Mead, 1991
Presented by Peter Dion ‘88
At Bedford High, Steve skated with the Buccaneers for four varsity seasons. He was a Dual County League hockey all-star for three years, a two-year captain and was a Lowell Sun all-star junior and senior years. He also played varsity football, as well as baseball as a freshman and sophomore. Steve played hockey at the next level at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. After making the transition to NCAA Division 3, he had an outstanding career, including two seasons as team captain. Steve still participates in the college’s annual alumni game. He became involved with youth sports leadership, serving as president of Bedford Babe Ruth Baseball and Softball for a few years before joining the board of Lexington-Bedford Youth Hockey where he remains the volunteer director of coaching.
Michael Ingram-Rubin, 2010
Presented by Coach Michael Rubin
Mike began playing on Coach Dave Wilson’s team at John Glenn Middle School where he began getting connected with some of the teammates who ultimately would share a sectional championship. After a year on the junior varsity, he played three varsity seasons. As a BHS junior, the Bucs went on to win the Division 3 North Sectionals and earn their first trip to the Garden since 1974. After a distinguished career at Fitchburg State — with just three years of eligibility, Mike is in the career top 10 in three-point baskets (fifth), assists (seventh), steals (seventh) and free throws (10th) for Fitchburg — turned to coaching, and is now the fulltime METCO coordinator for Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and has developed summer training programs for kids ages 7 to 18.
Kristen Baratta, 2012
Presented by Mike Dirrane
In grades 10, 11 and 12, Kristen was a varsity starter in three sports for eight seasons, including six as a Dual County League all-star. Her senior year, 2011-12, she was captain of the soccer and basketball teams and was chosen a Massachusetts All-Scholastic in soccer and first-team Lowell Sun all-star honors in basketball. She closed out her career with her eighth varsity letter, in lacrosse, and was District A nominee in the Boston Globe’s Richard Phelps Scholar-Athletes All-Scholastics.
The 2012 State Champion Girls’ Tennis Team
Presented by Keith Mangan
To the casual observer, the 2012 BHS girls’ tennis regular season record did not suggest a deep run in the MIAA tournament. The Lady Bucs finished with nine wins and seven losses in Dual County League competition – the premier interscholastic tennis league in Massachusetts. In the post-season, however, much of the competition was less intense. Sidney Arsenault was the team’s lead singles player all season; second singles was Co-Capt. Sarita Biswas; Hannah Mandini played third singles. The first doubles pair was Maya Biswas and Sarah Cowles. There were two second-doubles pairs: Melissa Landman and Allegra Scharff, and Dottie Arsenault and Hailey Millar. Tess Gong also saw action during the campaign. The only seniors on the team were the co-captains and Scharff.
Olivia Jameson, 2013
Presented by Ed Jameson
In high school competition, Olivia rewrote several records: Dual County League 200-yard and 500-yard freestyle, and BHS 50-yard, 100-yard, 200-yard, and 500-yard freestyle, 100-yard butterfly, 100-yard backstroke, and the 200-yard medley relay. As a senior, she won the state championship in the 200-yard freestyle and was an all-scholastic in both Boston newspapers and The Lowell Sun.
Mike Rosenberg
Presented by Amy Hamilton
I am grateful to the selection committee and the Bedford High School sports family for inclusion in the Sports Hall of Fame, and for the privilege of sustaining and strengthening high school sports in the town for 45 years.
I was never a good athlete, and I never had the physical or mental toughness to become one. But I love the culture of competitive sports. I believe they build trust, integrity, and community. And I think I’m a pretty good writer, so since 11th grade I have found a niche in the sports universe.
At various times since 1974 I have sold ads and taken pictures for the BHS fall sports program; covered games and seasons for The Minuteman and The Lowell Sun; announced football plays from the press box; planned public celebrations for state championship teams; advocated as an elected official for sports programs and facilities; and coached Babe Ruth baseball for 17 years, I was president of the BAA for a few years in the 1980s and in 2006 the association endorsed my ideas for a Sports Hall of Fame. I have met and befriended hundreds of wonderful people of all ages and backgrounds along the way, and those relationships are the greatest gift.
FACES IN THE CROWD
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