The Cazenovia Athletic Association will induct nine new members to its 2016 Hall of Fame class. The induction dinner will be Friday, Sept. 30, at the Hampton Inn, Cazenovia, starting at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception. The individuals being inducted cover many decades of athletic feats on the fields, courts, track and diamond.
Lieutenant Colonel John Dargle, a 1957 graduate of Cazenovia, played basketball and football. Dargle was recognized on The All Tri-Valley First team and First Team All Syracuse Herald–Journal All New York Upstate Football Team. He attended the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was a member of the football team for four years
Norm Webber, a 1967 graduate of Cazenovia, was a standout three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball. Webber was a three-year starter on the Tri-Valley Championship teams his sophomore and senior years. He was Honorable Mention All-State his junior year, selected Tri-Valley All Star football team and Herald-American Upstate All-Star Football his senior. Webber was a standout on the varsity basketball team and a member of the 1966 basketball team being honored this year. He was named MVP of the team his senior year. He was also a member of the varsity baseball team being named MVP senior year. Webber went on to pursue his football career while attending Dartmouth College.
Mike Driscoll was a 1959 graduate, a standout three-sport athlete. Driscoll was a three-year starter for the varsity basketball team. He was the leading scorer on the team all three years and is widely believed to be the all-time leading scorer in school history prior to the existence of the 3-point line. Driscoll was also member of the football team and baseball teams
Jill Hardesty-Johnson a 1976 graduate, a four-sport athlete while at Cazenovia High School. She was a standout athlete, when girls’ sports were gaining significance. She played volleyball, basketball and track and field.
Brian Gara, a 1982 graduate, where he excelled in baseball, hockey and football. Gara was a four-year varsity hockey starter, playing on the Section III Co-Champions his sophomore year. He was a member of the football team being named to Tri-Valley League Specialty team as a placekicker/punter. Gara was a standout baseball player, starting on the baseball team for three years. He was named to the Tri-Valley All-Star team two years as a pitcher and one as an infielder. He continued playing baseball while attending Lehigh University.
Dennis Colligan, a 1989 graduate, participated in soccer, hockey and golf. Colligan was a four-year varsity golfer, three years as the number one golfer on the team. He earned Section III, All league First Team three years and All CNY his senior year. Colligan was also a two-year starter on the hockey team earning All league his senior year. He was a two-year varsity starter for the soccer team. He was named CNY Player of the Year.
Suzanne Potter Gardiner graduated in 1990. Gardiner was a two-year starter for the 1988-89 soccer team that were Section III Champions and represented Section III in the state finals. She received All-State honors junior and senior year, and was an All-American her senior year. She continued her soccer career while attending Colgate University.
Alvaugn Brown, a 1993 graduate, was a standout football, hockey and track and field athlete. At the end of his football rushing career, he placed in the top five of all-time rushing yards in school history. He also set school records in the triple jump, long jump, 100 meter and 200 meter.
John Fontana: coach, teacher and motivator are a few ways Coach Fontana is described by his fellow coaches and players. Beloved by his players, Fontana coached football, basketball, soccer and baseball, at all levels, for both girls and boys’ teams.
The CAA is honoring three individuals for their service to the athletic world of Cazenovia, Harvey Stevens, Terry Kavanaugh and Max Buckley.
The following teams will be honored for their exceptional play: The 1966 boy Basketball, 1996 Football team, and the girls Varsity Soccer Teams of 1987, 1988, 1989.
Tickets are still available to attend the dinner taking place at the Hampton Inn, Cazenovia on September 30, cocktail hour at 6 p.m. with dinner to follow at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $35 a person, RSVP to Katie 315-655-5804
