BARTLETT HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS HALL OF FAME CEREMONY

OCT. 7, 2006

The 2006 inductees are individuals who achieved excellence in athletics while attending Bartlett.

Anthony Szamocki, Class of 1936

Anthony (Tony) Szamocki excelled in basketball and baseball while at Bartlett High School, serving as team captain in both sports his senior year.

Tony was a stand-out first baseman, considered the best ever by legendary coach George Finnegan, who placed Tony on the All-Time baseball team. He was a varsity team member for four years.

Likewise, Tony was a force on the basketball court, using his height to great advantage, especially on the defensive end of the court. He was a varsity team member for three years.

He was a member of the undefeated 1934-1935 basketball team that compiled a 21-0 record. It is said to be the only time in the school's storied basketball history, spanning more than 100 years, that a boys' team went undefeated.

In 1935 he received recognitiion by being named to the league All-Star Basketball team.

After graduating from Bartlett High, Tony went on to become a National Golden Gloves Boxing Champion. In 1941 he fought his way to the New England Light-Heavyweight Amateur Championship.

In 1942, his jabs and solid punches led to his being crowned as the National Hurst Light-Heavyweight Champion.

As for his personal achievements, Tony Szamocki served as the Town of Webster's Police Chief for 26 years.

Three sons, Norman, 55, Michael, 48, and John, 43, and one daughter, Donna, 45, survive him. Another daughter, Sandra, is deceased.

Al Suss, Class of 1937

Al Suss was voted best male athlete by his 1937 Bartlett High School classmates for starring in football and baseball.

In football, he was a shifty running back and an excellent blocker.

In baseball, he played on the varsity team for four years, batting well over .400 his last three seasons. He captained the 1937 team to a 14-4 record, and was named by Coach Finnegan to his All-Time baseball team as an infielder.

While at Bartlett, Al was active with the yearbook production and with the Sportsmanship Brotherhood.

After graduation, Al suss had some memorable moments in professional and semi-professional baseball.

During the summers of 1937-40, he played in the Canadian League for the Quebec Senators, and for Montpelier in the Northern League. He made two all-star teams in those years, drawing interest from three Major League teams; the Boston Bees, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees.

In 1942, he played for the All-Rhode Island team that went to the National Semi-Pro Tournament in Wichita, Kansas. Each state was represented, as well as many military bases with Major League players on the rosters, including Hank Greenberg and Ralph Houk. Al was one of 16 All-American players selected for batting .429 in nine games.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1943-45. He saw considerable action on the Italian Front and, for gallantry before the war was over, Al received the Bronze Star.

In 1946 he went to work for the Norton Company in Worcester, where he was also a standout on the company's baseball team, and retired at age 65. Al died in 1999.

Howard Lorenz, Class of 1938

Howard Lorenz was a genuine two-sport star for Bartlett High School in a noteworthy career that spanned three years in the mid-to-late 1930s.

He demonstrated superb prowess in football and basketball, playing on varsity teams for three years in both sports.

He is considered to be among Bartlett's outstanding defensive ends and also contributed mightily as a sure-handed receiver. In a noteworthy achievement, Howie caught the winning touchdown pass against archrival Wells High of Southbridge. The clutch reception came after Howie returned to the team from an appendectomy.

Playing guard and center, he also is considered to be among the school's top basketball players. In fact, he is considered by some to be the most outstanding defensive player in Barteltt basketball history. He served as team captain his senior year.

Howie's list of extra-curricular activities at Bartlett is impressive. He was a three-year member of the Boys Club, served on the Student Council for two years, and was a member of the Sportsmanship Brotherhood, Athletic Council, Executive Council, the Junior Prom Committee and the Class Day Committee.

Howie served as a pilot in the U.S Air Force, achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel. He participated in the Berlin Airlift.

He graduated from Springfield College in 1963.

His wife Katherine and daughters Susan, Linda and Paula survive the late Howard Lorenz.

Andrew (Kuba) Jarzabski, Class of 1941

Andrew "Kuba" Jarzabski brought much notoriety to Bartlett High School, performing as an outstanding three-sport athlete during the early 1940s.

Many remember him by his nickname, Kuba, although it's uncertain how the calling card came about. In any event, Andy is among the early athletes who possessed that extra drive to excel.

He contributed greatly for three years on each of the varsity baseball, basketball and football teams.

Andy was an all-star catcher on the baseball squad, being a member of the undefeated team that compiled a 13-0 record in 1941. He led the Bartlett nine with a .531 batting average, a single season school record. He joins teammates, Sam Cowitz, John Stefanik and Paul Deary, previous individual inductees from that 1941 baseball team, as a member of the Hall of Fame.

In basketball, Andy was a stalwart defensive player and top scorer during an era when game totals were unlike those of today. The All-Star scored 151 points for his career, placing him among the elite scorers in Bartlett history at that time. During the 1940-41 season, the team compiled a 24-3 record, with the three losses totaling four points. Andy was team captain during that stellar season.

In football, Andy was a swift running back who contributed greatly during the team's success. During his 3-year tenure, Bartlett compiled a 15-8-2 record.

After graduation, Andy received a scholarship to play football at Seton Hall University, where he played one year. He left school when World War II started, joining the U. S. Marine Corps.

After the war, the late Andrew Jarzabski returned to Dudley and later moved to Florida where he worked as a painter.

Joe Christopher, Class of 1948

Joe Christopher was a three-sport athlete at Bartlett High School during the mid-to-late 1940s.

Joe played three years each on the Indians' baseball, basketball and football varsity teams. He received letters all three years in baseball and basketball, and lettered two years in football.

His prime talents were in basketball and baseball.

In basketball, Joe was a leading scorer and rebounder for the Indians, playing both forward and guard positions.

In baseball, he was an outstanding hitter and superb defensive shortstop, and was a three-year starter at the position.

Joe also played baseball for local powerhouse Stevens Boys Club and the East Douglas semi-pro team made up of college-bound players.

After graduating from Bartlett, he went to Worcester Academy where he lettered in baseball, basketball and football. During his time there he received the Presson Award for Athletics.

Joe then went on to Brown University where he lettered in basketball and baseball. Possessing a very strong arm, Joe was converted to catcher when playing for the Bears. He served as captain of the freshman baseball team.

Joe eventually became the principal at Dudley Junior High School, a position from which he retired a few years ago. He also taught at that school and coached basketball and baseball teams before being named principal.

Joseph Christopher died recently. His wife Janet lives in Dudley and has a son, Joseph R. Christopher, 45.


Joe Markiewicz, Class of 1950

Sportsmanship, student-athlete and leadership are some of the attributes displayed by Joe Markiewicz, a two-sport standout at Bartlett High School.

Joe played four years for Indian basketball and baseball teams, lettering in both sports for three years and serving as co-captain in both sports for one year each.

It is recalled that during the 1950 baseball season, Joe compiled an 8-1 record on the mound, the only defeat coming in a 1-0 loss to Worcester Trade in the post-season tournament.

An Al Banks sports cartoon in the May 25 Evening Gazette featured Joe as: "Bartlett High's ace hurler now has eight for eight (victories) with a specialty of a fast curve."

While he received much justifiable publicity for his diamond exploits, Joe also was a key player on the basketball team. The team compiled a 13-8 record in his senior year.

His Bartlett High awards included being the recipient of the H.C. Branch Athletic Medal for exemplary achievement and influence in athletics; the 1950 winner of the inaugural Babe Ruth Sportsmanship Award as voted by the student body; and Most Valuable Player of the 1950 baseball team, receiving a watch for that recognition.

While at Bartlett, Joe was an honor roll student and held memberships in the Alpha Club, Student Coundil and Executive Committee.

Upon graduation he received a scholarship to Nichols College where he lettered in basketball and baseball.

Joe served in the U.S. Air Force for five years. During his tour he played baseball and basketall on Air Force base teams in Florida and Colorado.

He spent more than 25 years coaching and serving as commissioner of youth basketball in Solon, Ohio. He also served that community as a school board member for 12 years.

Joe and his wife Irene now live in Twinsburg, Ohio.

J. Richard Pizzetti, Class of 1955

A sports love affair and friendship with fellow atheltes are prime reasons Dick Pizzetti played baseball and football for Bartlett High School.

It was a privilege, he says, to have been able to play those sports with many of his friends.

Dick's senior year in football was special for him. Not only did Bartlett have a successful season, but also playing for new coach Bob Devlin was particularly rewarding. Coach Devlin came from St. John's High to Bartlett for one year, helping the Indians to a winning season.

Highlights of that 1954 season included wins over Aldrich High (RI) and Manchester High (CT), with Dick playing well in both games. Also, that season, Bartlett beat Clinton for the first time in 13 years, tied a strong Auburn team and enjoyed Thanksgiving Day dinner after shutting out Southbridge, 25-0.

Dick says it also was a privilege to play baseball under Coach George Finnegan and then Ziggy Strzelecki. The Indians compilted a 13-1 baseball record in his senior year.

Beyond high school, Dick played American Legion baseball, traveling all over New Enlgand. He remembers traveling to Cooperstown, NY for a game, but it was rained out.

He also has some fond memories about playing softball. He played with some very talented player such as Al Suss, Wigs Deary, John Stefanik, Pro Pizzetti, Joe Maisto and Rocky Miller.

Dick Pizzetti says he is extremely proud to be inducted into tghe Hall of Fame and promises to always cherish the award.

Virginia (Tanko) DiDonato, Class of 1960

Virginia (Tanko) DiDonato ranks as one of the best basketball players in Bartlett High history.

Ginni, as she prefers to be called, played and lettered for four years in basketball, and was team captain her senior year.

During the 1959-60 season the team went undefeated, in part due to Ginni's contributions, and the coaching of Sis Ingraham.

Ginni also played softball in her senior year. Ths sport was introduced at Bartlett High in that 1960 season.

During her high school years, Ginni served as a Webster Times reporter, writing a "Student of the Week" column during her senior year, 1959-1960. She was also a member of the National Honor Society.

Her post-Bartlett portfolio includes being a member of the Scarlet Key, an All University honor society, while at Boston University. She has been listed in the Who's Who Among Colleges and Universities, and received a Dean of Women's Award while in college.

She plays golf and won the Webster-Dudley Golf Club's President's Cup in 1998 and 2000. She was a Flight A Club Champion in 1991 and 1994.

Ginni has coached softball in the Dudley Lassie League and organized the Webster-Dudley Crop Walk, participating in the event for 16 years.

She is a financial planner for Lincoln Financial.

Ginni's husband, Leonard DiDonato, is deceased. She makes her home in Dudley and has two daughters, Debbie Tagg, 38, and Pamela O'Sullivan, 37, and one son, Jeff DiDonato, 36. She has four grandchildren, Nicholas, Kristin, Julia and Jack.

Fran Kuszewski, Class of 1962

A great competitor who played with much heart and skill, Fran Kuszewski is on the top rung of three-sport athletes to ever wear a green and white uniform.

It didn't matter the season, this sparkplug was at the forefront when Bartlett High School needed something extra. He played four years each on the football, basketball and baseball teams.

In basketball, Fran was a good rebounder, very quick and had a good shot. The coach would call on him often when a big play was needed -- and he usually made it. He was a student of the game.

In football, Fran was one of the main offensive threats at running back, utilizing his speed and ability to change direction for big gains. He was difficult to defend, for one occasion he would throw an option pass, often on target. In addition, he excelled on defense playing free safety.

It is recalled that as a junior he scored three touchdowns on Thanksgiving Day against archrival Mary Wells of Southbridge. Fran was among three players on that team who each scored about 60 points for the season. Fran's athleticism paved the way for many glorious gridiron moments.

His achievements continued on the baseball diamond, as Fran was a prime player in Bartlett's successes and was called a natural by one sports columnist. Among his career statistics are: a 13-1 pitching record, only five errors in 46 games played, including a 24-game streak where he committed no errors; a .310 batting average, with 14 extra-base hits, and striking out only 12 times for his career.

Fran served as class president his junior and senior years and served on Class Committees both of those years.

Paul Strzelecki, Class of 1971

The induction of Paul Strzelecki, a three-sport star at Bartlett High School, presents a significant Bartlett Sports Hall of Fame milestone.

Paul's father, the late Ziggy Strzelecki, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2002. So, the Strzelecki duo becomes the first father-son combination to be inducted into the school's Sports Hall of Fame.

Paul was a top contributor to the success of Bartlett's soccer, basketball and baseball teams from 1969 through 1971. He played soccer for two years, being a member of the squad when the sport was first played at the school. He played baseball and basketball for three years, and in his senior year seved as team captain in both sports.

In basketball, Paul was a steady, offensive shooting guard and a very good defensive player. He was always assigned to cover the opponent's top perimeter player. He is considered to be one of the best zone press defenders ever at Bartlett and was a prime performer in Bartlett's tenacious 1-2-1-1-zone press.

In soccer, Paul was a strong, aggressive, quick outside halfback. He played with much heart and a never-quit style. His contributions helped Bartlett achieve a 12-2 record in the school's second season and a 13-1 record when he was a senior.

In baseball, Paul played shortstop on talented Bartlett teams. He had great range, especially going into the hole and using his strong arm to throw out runners at first base. He was an above average hitter and always a threat to steal bases.

Paul would continue his baseball career at Southern Connecticut State College where he was a team captain. While in college he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League and continued playing after college graduation in the Stan Musial Baseball League.

Paul Strzelecki works for the US Postal Service as a sales associate in the Webster-Dudley office.

Gerry Nadeau, Class of 1974

A top competitor with a never-say-die attitude are attributes of Gerry Nadeau, an all-star performer at Bartlett High School.

Gerry played three sports at Bartlett during the early 1970s. He played: baseball for four years and was captain his senior year; basketball for three years, captain of the team in his senior year; and football for three years, playing quarterback.

Gerry was a multi-talented baseball player, gaining much notoriety as a pitcher. Using a mixture of intelligence and skill, he baffled many batters during mound assignments. He was an above average hitter and a good defensive infielder.

Likewise in basketball, he used a combination of athletic prowess and brainpower as a playmaking guard to help lead the Indians to successful seasons. He was an above average scorer and a steady defensive performer.

Gerry's Bartlett High School athletic honors, recognitions and achievements include: named to the Worcester Telegram & Evening Gazette Baseball and Basketball All-Star teams in 1974, his senior year; member of the District Champion Bartlett High School baseball team in 1973; recipient of the George Finnegan Award in 1974; and playing key roles on Bartlett High's Clark Tournament Championship basketball teams in 1973 and 1974.

During his high school career, Gerry played and starred in American Legion Baseball for the Webster-Dudley team during the summer months.

After graduation from Bartlett, Gerry went to the University of Lowell where he played on the baseball team for three years.

Gerry is employed by IGA Field Services as a District Sales Manager. His professional achievements include: Member of the One Million Dollar Club in sales volume for one year; and All-Star Team in Personal Production in the country.

Gerry has three children, Kerri, 21, Kyle, 17, and Seth, 16.

George Hetherman, Class of 1975

George Hetherman set the highest example for all athletes at Bartlett High School using a combination of a positive attitude, good citizenship, talent and hard work to excel in three sports, especially baseball.

George played varsity baseball for three years, serving as captain his senior year. He played varsity football for three years and was a captain his senior year. He also played two years on the varsity basketball team.

It was in baseball where this affable athlete brought much notice to himself and the Indians, and, in the summer months, for the Webster-Dudley Post 184 American Legion team during the mid-1970s.

His baseball coaches during that time span had high acccolades for George. Bartlett coach Ziggy Strzelecki once remarked, "He's the best catcher I ever had." Legion Coach Fran Kasheta, a former pro baseball player, said, "He's the epitome of a true baseball player." Coach Bob Pepka noted that George set the standard for "all players in all positions in all sports."

Highlights of George's baseball career at Bartlett include: three home runs in a game; 3-year batting averages of .344, .403 and .339 as a senior; and 44 total RBIs during his junior and senior seasons.

In Legion baseball, he hit for .441 and .403 averages during two seasons and had 22 RBIs -- one more than Rich Gedman who would eventually be drafted by the Boston Red Sox.

George went on to play baseball at North Adams State College, where he continued his hitting and catching prowess, and captained the team in his senior year.

George is employed as a manager for Interstate Battery.

He and his wife Mary make their home in Dudley. They have two children, Caelin, 9, and Jack, 7.

Lisa Halloran, Class of 1985

All-Star and All-American are synonymous with the athletic exploits of Lisa Halloran, a three-sport star at Bartlett High School.

She excelled in soccer, basketball and softball for the Indians during the early to mid-1980s. Her athleticism and leadership were quite evident, for she was captain in all three sports in her junior and senior years.

Lisa was named to the Worcester Telegram & Evening Gazette All-Star Basketball Team in her senior year. Playing guard, she averaged 20.8 points, five rebounds and three steals in that season. As a junior she was named to the T & G Class B Honor Team. During that season she averaged 16.4 points a game and was a 70 percent free throw shooter.

In softball, Lisa was an outstanding shortstop, playing a prominent role in the Indians' 12-6 season in her senior year. She was named to the T & G All-Star Softball Team that year for her achievements: A .500 batting average; collecting 29 hits, including four doubles, two triples and three home runs. She drove in 29 runs and had a .954 fielding percentage.

Lisa set a Bartlett High School Girls Soccer Team record as a senior scoring 19 goals. She was named the team's Most Valuable Player that year.

While at Bartlett, Lisa served as Junior Class Vice President and was a member of the school band, French Club and the Chronicle staff.

Her sports career continued when she went to Framingham State College to major in computer science. Lisa was inducted into the college's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. She is the Rams all-time leading scorer in basketball with 2,177 points. During her Rams career, she was the leading scorer in the nation averaging 26.8 points a game in Division 3 basketball and was named to the Kodak All-American second team. In softball, she holds the college record with a .405 batting average.

Lisa Halloran works in administration for the Conham Inspection Company.

Tony Paranto, Class of 1986

Tony Paranto, a four-sport all-star during the mid-1980s, has a distinction nobody else can claim.

Tony, in life after high school, is now the coach of the Bartlett High Boys basketball team -- a post his dad Bob held within the past three decades. Dad and son are the first Bartlett coaches to both claim being at the helm of Indian teams which won the prestigious Clark Tournament.

Tony is one of a few athletes to play four sports for the Indians. The all-around athlete played fall soccer for two years, football for two years, and baseball and basketball for four years each. He was captain of the baseball and basketball teams in his senior year.

During his career, Tony achieved Border Conference All-Star status in soccer, football, basketball and baseball. He also was named an all-star in soccer by the Worcester Telegram & Evening Gazette. He was a member of the Bartlett Border Conference Championship teams in football, basketball and baseball.

Tony was a top performer on the Bartlett basketball team that won the Clark Tournament title in 1986 and was also on district and state finalist teams in 1985.

During his time at Bartlett, he was on the honor roll and received the George Finnegan award for being the top male athlete.

In his post-Bartlett High School athletic participation, Tony stood out in basketball while at North Adams State College. During the 1987-88 season he led the country in all divisions in three-point field goal percentage with a 53-percent mark. During his four years at North Adams, the college was crowned state college conference basketball champions every year.

Tony Paranto is employed by the school district as an MCAS math teacher and coach. He and his wife Melissa have a son Logan, 4.

Scott Holland, Class of 1992

Scott Holland is considered to be among the most outstanding football players in Bartlett High School history.

Scott played on Indian football and basketball teams for three years, serving as team captain for both teams in his junior and senior seasons.

He was a huge force in football, whether it was on offense or defense, and often played multiple postions during games. There were several memorable games during his Bartlett days but the granddaddy of them all, perhaps, was the 1991 Thanksgiving Day game.

Played in Southbridge before 6,000 fans, Bartlett upset the Pioneers, 12-7, and thereby vaulted the Indians into the Division 2 Super Bowl game. The winning score came late in the game in an 8-play, 71-yard drive keyed by running back Scott Holland.

Scott was twice an T & G All-Star in football and received the honor once in basketball. During Scott's three-year varsity football career, the Indians compiled a 21-9 overall record. Bartlett's basketball squads went 17-4 in each of Scott's junior and senior years. He went on to more football stardom playing for the Worcester State College Lancers. His achievements in Division 3 football include: New England Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year for three years; conference all-star team for four years; Division 2 & 3 Little All-American team in 1994; Football Gazette All-American in 1994 and 1995; All New England Football Writers team in 1995 and 1996; and a three-time ECAC All-Star. Scott is the all-time leading tackler at WSC with 440 as a linebacker.

He played for the Munich Cowboys in the German Football League in 1998 and played several years for the semi-pro Marlboro Shamrocks.

He was a physical education teacher at Bartlett and currently is the owner of Powerhouse Gym in Webster.

Todd Daskowski, Class of 1994

Whether it was on the gridiron or court, Todd Daskowski was a superstar for the Bartlett High School Indians during the early 1990s.

Todd was a four-year letterman in both football and basketball. He served as football team captain in his senior year and basketball team captain in his junior and senior years.

Todd's athletic recognition includes selection to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette All-Star team -- twice in football and once in basketball.

His football achievements include: two Super Bowl appearances by Bartett; leading scorer in Central Mass. in 1992 with 22 touchdowns; 48 high school career touchdowns; and more than 3,000 yeards rushing as a speedy running back. Todd has the distinction of scoring all seven touchdowns registered by Bartlett against Southbridge in games played from 1991 through 1993 when the Indians won two of the three games. He received the Sabatinelli MVP award for his performace in the 1992 game. During his career Bartlett compiled a 30-10 record.

Todd was a point guard on Indian basketball teams for four years. He is a member of the school's 1,000-point club having scored 1,089 career points. The 1993-1994 team was crowned District E, Division II Champions and, during his career, Bartlett recorded a 71-15 record.

Todd went on to football stardom at Worcester State College where he was a running back and wide receiver. His achievements include: Offensive Rookie of the Year; Golden Helmet award winner; led the conference with 10 touchdowns; named to the New England Football Conference All-Star team; and is listed as seventh on the WSC scoring list with 20 touchdowns.

Todd lives in Elk Grove, Illinois and is employed as the operations manager for American Fitness Wholesalers.

Don Ferrari, Coach

Induction into a hall-of-fame is a tremendous part of the Don Ferrari legacy, for this occasion marks the fourth time he receives recognition for contributions to athletic programs.

Don previously was inducted into the Worcester Polytechnic Institute Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989, the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997, and the Massachusetts Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1998.

Don's coaching tenure includes two stints at Bartlett High School spanning 15 years. His football coaching legacy at Bartlett includes teams compiling a 67-35-4 overall record.

Don was at the helm of Bartlett football from 1959 through 1964 and from 1990 through 1999. The 1960 team was crowned Central Mass. Class B Champion compiling an 8-1 record. The 1991 and 1992 teams played in Central Mass. Division 2 Super Bowls, compiling 8-1 records in both years.

During his second stint at Bartlett, Don coached Indian baseball teams from 1990 through 1999.

Like many people who've been associated with Bartlett football over the years, competition against Southbridge on Thanksgiving Day stands out in the memory bank. Don recalled the 1960 game as one of the greatest victories he ever had. Bartlett defeated Southbridge 44-12 snapping the Pioneers' 28-game winning streak.

In between his two Bartlett tenures, Don coached baseball and football at Athol High School. His Red Raider football teams were twice crowned Western Mass. Super Bowl Champions -- in 1978 and 1984. His baseball teams also were highly successful.

Don currently is a chemistry teacher at Holy Name High School. He and his wife Lorraine live in Webster and have a daughter Geana, 27, and two sons, Robert 30, and Paul, 22.

John Mrazik, Coach and Athlete, Class of 1965

John Mrazik is the first inductee to be recognized for dual contributions to the Bartlett High Athletic program -- as a highly successful coach and as an outstanding football player.

In general, John played on Indian football teams from 1961 through 1964; has coached for 36 continuous years, a school record; and served as athletic director for three years.

John recently completed his 17th season as the girls' tennis team coach. The mentor had guided the teams through 16 winning seasons and post-season tournament appearances. His tennis teams collectively have tallied an overall mark of 250-61 for and 80 winning percentage. That winning percentage is the highest for any coach in school history. The 1995 District Championship team was the last to record an undefeated regular season at BHS in the 20th century and the 2006 team posted the school's first undefeated regular season in the 21st century.

John served as defensive coordinator for five different head football coaches during a 26-year span. Bartlett's defense was known for being well-prepared and hard-hitting units during John's tenure. In 1980, upon the death of Coach Jim Healy, John Mrazik became interim head coach. In an inspirational Thanksgiving Day game, the Indians defeated archrival Southbridge thereby ending Bartlett's 10-year losing streak on the holiday.

As a football player, John was a three-year starter at center and middle linebacker for Bartlett. He was captain and voted the Team's Most Valuable Player in his senior year. He continued his football career at Nichols College and Central Connecticut, playing center and linebacker for both schools.

John has retired as a teacher at Bartlett High although he continues as coach of the girls tennis team. He and his wife Suzanne live in Dudley and have two sons, Jeff, 28, and Joel, 26 and one daughter, Beth, 23.

Bea Pratt, Coach, Class of 1930

Bea Pratt is the pioneer in establishing girls athletic programs at Bartlett High School.

Bea began coaching and teaching physical education and science at Bartlett in 1936. A 1935 graduate of Boston University School of Physical Education, she was the first full-time women's coach at Bartlett, expanding the girls basketball program in 1938. She also started the field hockey program in 1939 and the softball program in 1947.

Bea coached four undefeated teams while at the helm of athletic programs. The 1940 basketball team compiled a 9-0 record and the 1946 team had an 8-0 mark; the field hockey team had an 8-0 record in 1940; and the softball team finished with an 8-0 record in 1951.

Her commitment to the girls athletic program was the prime reason for successful results during her coaching tenure. Her players described Bea as an energetic and devoted mentor. She was admired and respected not only by the athletes but also by the students in her classes. She strived to set goals to develop character and high personal values. Bartlett High School faculty and Worcester County coaches also regarded her in high esteem.

Bea managed summer camps in Maine, New Hampshire and Cape Cod before retiring from coaching. After 18 years of coaching she reamined in the classroom at Bartlett teaching biology and science.

She was honored several years ago when the Webster Senior Center named the Bea Pratt Lounge for her devotion and contribution to the Webster-Dudley communities.

Two sisters, Ms. Corinne Pratt and Mrs. Florence Pratt Lucas of Webster, survive her.

1955 BHS Undefeated Football Team

The 1955 Bartlett football team featured a solid and experienced offensive backfield. Leaders on that unit included: Co-captain and quarterback George Muzea, an excellent passer and field general; a halfback Ron Pokraka who was elusive and fast; and fulback Peter Teguis, a rugged, punishing runner.

When the season began, first-year coach Frank Kronoff and first-year assistant coach Vern Cormier were faced with inexperienced lineman. Only co-captain and guard Mike Mahan returned as a starter from the previous year - he was a hard-hitting blocker and defender.

The starting offensive lineup found Harry Penniman at center; guards Mahan and Russ Wilson; tackles Don Ryan and Paul Sledzik; ends Sam Tanko and John Strzelewicz; Muzea at quarterback; Teguis at fullback; and halfbacks Pokraka and Roy Mierzejewski, who later became known as Roy Mier.

A season highlight came on Thanksgiving Day. After falling behind 12-0, the Green & White roared back scoring 34 unanswered points to defeat Mary Wells of Southbridge, 34-12.

Bartlett finished with an 8-0 record and was the only undefeated team in Worcester County, thereby holding claim to the Central Mass. Schoolboy Championship.

Roy Mierzejewski, John Strzelewicz, Sammy Tanko, Peter Teguis, Ron Pokraka, Russell Wilson, Michael Mahan, Paul Barre, Paul Roy, Richard Belleville, Dick Nowak, Eugene Beauregard, Robert Grzych, Edmund Kasierski, Donald Vincent, Joseph White, Alfred Mrazik, John Chlapowski, Robert Sellig, George Muzea, Donald Ryan, Harry Penniman, Paul Holley, James Sullivan, Joseph Zdrok, Neal Mahan, Peter Gadoury, Andrew Milowicki, John Gogolinski, Alan Bayer, Richard Nezuh, William Parmentier, Rene Langevin, Raymond Dupre, Paul Sledzik, John Sellig, Ernest Benoit, John Duff, Coach Frank Kronoff, Assistant Coach Vernon Cormier, Managers Michael Levey and Michael Yessick.