More than 200 people drove out to the Rusty Rail in Canastota last Friday night to celebrate the 10 individuals and four athletic teams that were inducted into or otherwise honored by the Cazenovia High School Hall of Fame. Ranging in history from the 1937 Cazenovia Corn Huskers football team to a 2009 CHS graduate, the honorees all were a “pretty incredible” group of athletes that brought home to Cazenovia a combined 15 sectional championships and 12 all-league honors, as well as represented three high school All Americans, two coaches of the year and one national collegiate champion.

“What a great thing it is to be a Cazenovia Laker,” said Michael Byrnes, athletic director for the Cazenovia school district. “This occasion does not happen in every community.”

This sixth Cazenovia Lakers Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place on Sept. 25, and was witnessed not only by a majority of the honorees, but also their coaches, family and friends.

The eight individuals inducted into its 2015 Hall of Fame class were: Richard Butler, Leland Avery, Timothy Ryan, Suzanne Ryan, Steven Paluseo, Heather Stec, Kara Cannizzaro and Tom Neidl.

Richard Butler was a 1955 graduate of Cazenovia. Richard achieved All-League honors in three sports football, basketball and baseball. Richard excelled at baseball where he was a four-year starter and played every position. He was “the best all-around athlete in Cazenovia in the 1950s,” said his friend Shain Emerson. Butler said the 1950s seem to have happened “just a few weeks ago,” and that he accepted his induction with “great pride and honor.”

Leland Avery graduated in 1967, and was the most decorated wrestler in Cazenovia history, a three-year sectional champion and two-time state finalist. He also lettered in track. Leland passed away in 1994, nd was represented at the ceremony by his nephew Todd Avery, who said his entire family was “very honored” for the recognition.

Timothy Ryan, a 1968 graduate, was an All-American football player while at Cazenovia. He was also a sectional champion in track and a member of the baseball and basketball teams, and lettered in all four sports. According to his former teammate and lifelong friend Bill Zupan, who is also a Hall of Fame member, Ryan “had a fierce determination to win” but also “lifted everybody up on the team … [and] made everybody around him better.”

Suzanne Ryan, a 1970 graduate, was an all around athlete at Cazenovia when womens athletics was just beginning. She led three teams to sectional titles, volleyball, basketball and softball, and was also a member of the tennis team. “She mad sports accessible for girls long before the law was changed,” said her friend Sally Webster, who introduced. “She was a gifted and determined athlete. … She just wanted to play, and play she did.”

“I’m overwhelmed with tonight,” Ryan said.

Steven Paluseo a 1973 graduate, was a three sport athlete, who excelled as a goalie for the hockey team as a four year starter. He also played cross-country and baseball. Paluseo, who was unable to attend the ceremony, did send a statement of thanks to the event, read by his friend Mark Costello, in which he said he was “humbled and honored to be recognized.”

Heather Stec was a 2004 graduate. Heather was a standout basketball player, All CNY team, two-year All League and continued her basketball career at Siena College. Stec also excelled on the track where she placed ninth at the New York state track meet in the pentathlon; she ran cross-country as well. Stec set six school records at Cazenovia, four of which still stand. After college, she played professional basketball in Europe for two years, during which her team won the Danish National Championship. Stec is now an assistant basketball coach at Merimac College. “This is such an awesome achievement,” she said. “Out of all the awards, this is definitely the coolest.”

Kara Cannizzaro, a 2009 graduate of Cazenoiva, was a four-year starter for the lacrosse team. She was a two time High School All-American lacrosse award winner – the first in Cazenovia history – and All-CNY team for two years. Kara was also MVP of the cross- country and indoor track teams, and holds multiple school records still in indoor track. Cannizzaro is “the greatest female lacrosse player to come out of Caz,” said Master of Ceremonies Jack Stevens. Cannizzaro’s coach, Mark Evans, agreed, and said she “has rewritten the record book in Cazenovia varsity lacrosse.” Cannizzaro continued her dominating career in college, where she was nominated for an ESPY award for best college female athlete while at the University of North Carolina.

Tom Neidl was inducted for his unparalleled career as Cazenovia football coach. The football program under Neidl achieved 10 league titles, seven sectional titles and one regional title. He is the winningest coach in Cazenovia history, with 178 wins in his 25-year coaching career. “Tom always set the bar high for his players; he demanded excellence,” said former coach Paul Stoecker, who introduced Neidl.

“It’s been a great run right through,” Neidl said. “But it’s not about me, it’s a body of work by all the coaches.”

The Cazenovia Athletic Association also honored two individuals with service awards for their contribution to Cazenovia athletics at the ceremony: Bob Kelly, for starting what is now Cazenovia High school hockey team, and John “Bucky” Bennett for being “The Voice” of the Lakers.

The association also honored four Cazenovia athletic teams for their outstanding records: the 1937, 1955 and 1956 football teams and the 1962 wrestling team.

The 1937 Cazenovia football team, coached by Max Buckley, had a perfect 7-0 season during which they were not only undefeated, but also unscored upon all season.

The 1955 football team had five wins, one tie and zero losses during its season, when it became the Tri-Valley co-champs. It has the second best defense in recorded Cazenovia history. The 1956 football team, which had many of the same players, was undefeated with no ties and was the outright Tri-Valley League champions. State Assemblyman Bill Magee, who was a member of both teams, thanked the committee for the recognition. “We certainly do appreciate it,” he said.

The 1962 Cazenovia wrestling team had four sectional champions on the same team, three of whom won it in 1962 within their respective weight classes. The team had an undefeated and untied season, during which they were the CNY and Tri-Valley champions.

Plaques and photos all the new inductees can be viewed on the Hall of Fame wall in Cazenovia High School.