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RFH 2010, HCS News

Hall of Honor Adds Six More

Sun, Jul 04, 2010

Hall of Honor Adds Six More

An eloquent group of speakers introduced an impressive -- and often emotional -- group of six HCS alumni and former teachers who joined the school's Hall of Honor in ceremonies this afternoon.

The Class of 2010 inductees -- the second in the history of the hall -- included:

  • Tom Blackford introduced by Adam Heck;
  • Nicole Swan Donlin introduced by Blackford;
  • Adonal Foyle introduced by Jay Mandel;
  • Mason Jones introduced by Brian Kiely;
  • Gary Rider introduced by Tyler Leach;
  • and Lisa Margaret Smith introduced by Sue Lamb Myers.

Superintendent Dr. Diana Bowers emceed the program in the auditorium. She captured the spirit of the day and of HCS saying, "You may leave here but it always remain in your heart."

That was evident when most of those who came to the podium spoke of how HCS and the community helped shape them and make them the people they are today.

Adam Heck Calls Blackford 'A Great Friend to All of Us'

Heck, now a successful coach and teacher in Lansing, said Blackford compiled more than 400 wins as a coach because, "He brought out the best in his players. He made us believe in ourselves."

Blackford taught and coached in Hamilton for 20 years before joining the staff of Fayetteville-Manlius near Syracuse. He compiled more than 400 wins and brought home two state Class D basketball championships to HCS.

One of the players who helped Blackford accomplish those numbers was another inductee, Adonal Foyle.

Blackford was also a successful softball coach while at HCS as well. And, oddly enough, one of his stars was yet another inductee, Nicole Swan Donlin.

Before becoming a presenter, Blackford told the crowd at the ceremony, "Thanks for making today a very special day in my life."

Blackford Says 'Nicki Refused to Lose'

The inductee-turned-presenter helped make the day special for Swan Donlin. He said his former player was blessed with exceptional talent, but accomplished greatness at HCS and then at Ithaca College because of her work ethic and passion for the game.

"Nicki refused to lose," Blackford said.

Following Blackford to the microphone, Swan Donlin said she was flooded with memories being back at HCS. Now a businesswoman, mother and wife in Cazenovia, she said her time at HCS and playing sports for the Emerald Knights helped define her as she became a woman.

Turning to Blackfor she said, "You treated us like athletes and not like girls."

Today, Swan Donlin said she is often recognized by people and asked, "Aren't you that pitcher?"

Swan Donlin also credited her mother with her role in her success. She said her mother said two things that still stick with her:

1. "You can do anything you put your mind to."

and

2. "I'm so proud of you."

Mandel Recalls Seeing His Son Play for the First Time

Jay Mandel, who introduced Adonal Foyle, Saturday recalled seeming the young man he and his wife would eventually adopt play for the first time. Mandel, a Colgate professor, said that while Foyle was not a great basketball player, he was an amazing athlete. He said it was hard to referee the game because he was watching Foyle instead.

Foyle recalled arriving in Hamilton, playing for Blackford and facing the onslaught of college recruiters who came to see him play. He also joked about working with teacher Nan Washburn, tho taught him to diagram sentences. 

After starring at HCS and then playing his college ball across the street at Colgate, Foyle was a top draft pick for the NBA, just recently finshing up another season with the Orlando Magic. he has been honored by the league and others for the amount of humanitarian work he has done in his native Caribbean and in San Francisco when he played for the Golden State Warriors.

He said to his fellow inductees, "I am honored to be in such esteemed company" and then turned to the audience and added, "I will always be a part of this community."

From HCS Band Room to Philadelphia Orchestra

Brian Kiely was in the audience a year ago when his father was inducted into the Hall of Honor as part of the first class. He knew then he wanted to nominate Mason Jones for inclusion on the wall next to his father's plaque.

Jones grew up in Hamilton, the son of Colgate professor and a mother who was a pianist. After high school he attended the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, and while still a student there was asked to audition for the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The young horn player was accepted and over his long career in Philadelphia played under the batons of both Leopold Stokowski and Eugene Ormandy. He recorded with the great Canadian pianist Glenn Gould and was among the players for the soundtrack of the Disney classic film, Fantasia.

During his presentation about Jones, who died in 2009, Kiely showed slides of those he played for and played some of his music.

Many of His Players Played as Rider was Inducted

Gary Rider was on the stage of the HCS auditorium Saturday afternoon while many of those who played for him over his long and successful career as the golf coach at HCS ... were playing golf at Seven Oaks. Today was also the day of the annual Rider-Blaine-Halloran Golf Tournament to fund a golf scholarship.

Tyler Leach, who played for Rider introduced him, saying, "If it weren't for the tournament, there would be 30 or 40 more of his former players here."

Leach met both Rider and the game of golf through the village's summer recreation program. He then played for him during his years at HCS.

Through all the years, Leach said Rider always taught not just the skills, but also the history, the rules and etiquette of the game. Leach, who grew up next to Seven Oaks said Rider always involved every player regardless of age or skill level.

Rider taught English ay HCS and was an assistant football coach and made Hamilton's one of the most successful high school golf teams in the region.

"I am being honored for something I love," said Rider. "Wow!"

Lamb Myers Speaks for 30 Classmates for The Honorable Lisa Margaret Smith

"Her whole life is an adventure," said Sue Lamb Myers of Lisa Margaret Smith, a scholar/actor/singer at HCS who went on to become a federal judge and law school professor.

Lamb Myers said 30 members of her HCS class of '73 enthusiastically added their names to the Hall of Honor nomination of Smith, who serves on the federal bench in Westchester County, having previously served as an assistant U.S. Attorney. Lamb Myers said even him school, classmates could tell Smith was destined for great things.

Of Smith, she said, "She had an innate, wonderful desire to to everything and do everything well. She also decided to have fun while doing it."

At HCS, Smith was a scholar and spent much of her time on stage, especially as a singer. She continues to perform with a chorus.

"She can marry you and sing at your wedding," Lamb joked about Smith. Adding, "She's an amazing woman."

Smith recounted her years as an HCS student, first at the old school on Broad Street and then moving to the building on Kendrick ... except there was no classroom for her and other fourth graders, so they were taught that year in makeshift classrooms in the bus garage.

Plaques for each of the inductees will be hung in a newly remodeled alcove near the cafeteria at HCS.

The inductees will ride in the Fourth of July parade tomorrow.

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