RYAN BAK

Ryan began his athletic career at Suffield High School as a soccer player. He played soccer freshman, sophomore, and junior years and was a two-year starter playing both forward and midfield. He first became involved with track and field during the winter of his junior year and found almost instant success. From that point on, his athletic future followed a running path as he competed for the indoor track team and outdoor track team (junior and senior years), and the cross-country team (senior year).

While in high school, he was an 11-time All-State selection…11-time All-NCCC selection…6-time State Champion (Class S)…5-time All-New England selection…Nike All-American selection with 4x800 relay team…Academic All-State selection…NCCC All-Academic selection. Captain of the indoor track and outdoor track teams for two years, Ryan is the SHS record holder in 7 events (500m indoor, 800m indoor, 800m outdoor, 4x800 indoor, 4x800 outdoor, 4x1600m outdoor, and 5000m outdoor). As a senior, he was selected for the Meade Alcorn Outstanding Athlete Award and, academically, was ranked 9^th in his class.

After high school, Ryan attended Trinity College in Hartford. At Trinity, he continued to excel both academically and athletically. He had a spectacular running career in college demonstrated by the following achievements:

* NCAA Division III National Champion in cross-country (2002), indoor track 1500 meter National Champion (2002), indoor track 5000 meter National Champion (2003).

* NCAA Division III National Cross-Country Athlete of the Year (2002), NCAA Division III National Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year (2003), New England Runner of the Year (2002), NESCAC Runner of the Year (2001, 2002).

* All-American honors in cross-country (two times), indoor track (4 times), outdoor track (4 times) while competing for Trinity.

* George Sheldon McCook Trophy—Trinity Senior Male Athlete of the Year (2003).

* Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance Connecticut Male Athlete of the Year (2003).

* Holder of Trinity school records in every event from 800 meters to 5 miles.

He was no less a shining star academically where he was a Phi Beta Kappa scholar, named to the Trinity College Faculty Honors List 4 times, selected to the NESCAC All- Academic team 5 times, was Trinity’s Scholar Athlete of the Year in both his junior and senior years, and earned NCAA Academic All-American honors.

Since graduating from Trinity, he has moved westward to the Monterey Peninsula in California to pursue a professional running career and to train for the Olympic Games in track and field. Team USA Monterey Bay, Power Bar, and Reebok currently sponsor him.

TOM GANLEY (Deceased)

Tom was a three-sport star at Suffield High School playing from 1956 to his graduation in 1960. He earned four varsity letters in soccer, four varsity letters in basketball, and three varsity letters in baseball. As a four-year starter in soccer, he played in goal his first two years and moved out to the fullback slot during his last two seasons. He was team co-captain in both his junior and senior years. Over his first two years, the team had modest success but not until 1958 did the team come to full flower. Suffield entered the tournament with but one loss (to Longmeadow, MA) and two ties. In this his junior year, Tom was instrumental in Suffield copping its first ever State Championship in any sport. They battled Hale-Ray of Moodus to a 1-1 double overtime tie in the finals and were declared Co-State Champions. Finishing the year with a sparkling 14 wins, 1 loss and 3 ties. Suffield was 13-1-3 the following year, but lost in the State Semi-Finals to East Hampton by a 1-0 score.

At 6’4”, Tom was a natural at basketball and excelled in the sport. With his size and strength, he played a forward position and was an exceptional rebounder. His quickness and long arms made him an excellent defender whose presence forced opposing players to alter their shots. But he was also blessed with a superior shooting touch and his long, outside shots often riddled an opponent’s zone defense. As Tom matured as a varsity player, so too did the fortunes of Suffield rise. With Tom leading the scoring, the team made the State tournament in his junior year but promptly lost to Ellsworth in the first game. For his season exploits, he was named to an honorable mention slot on the prestigious New Haven Register All-State Team.

In the 1959-60 season, with Tom again leading the way, Suffield entered the State tournament with a 20-1 record and was the number two seed. With Tom scoring 20, 22, and 15 points respectively, the team won its first three tournament games, the last two being very tightly contested. In the State Final, against St Anthony’s of Bristol, the two teams went back and forth and were tied with just under two minutes to play. Suffield froze the ball and, literally as time expired, got the ball to Tom who sank the basket to give Suffield the State Championship, 64-62. He was named to the All-Tournament first team and also was a first team All-State selection by the New Haven Register.

In his senior year of baseball, Tom had a record of 3-0 on the mound, led the team in batting with a .342 average, and led the team in hits. Despite racking up a 10-5 record, Suffield was not selected to play in the State tournament that was a “by invitation only” event at that time. During his senior year, the three boys varsity teams were a combined 47-7 with two ties and had a 2-year total of 85 wins, 25 losses and 5 ties as well as two State Championships in soccer and basketball.

An honor student and member of the National Honor Society in high school, Tom went on to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute. While at WPI he continued his athletic career playing both basketball and soccer. He received his BS degree in electrical engineering in 1964. On July 23, 2003, Tom died unexpectedly at his home in Milford, New Jersey.

1959-60 SHS BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

On the evening of March 12, 1960, at approximately 8:45 p.m., one of the finest athletic teams to ever wear the Blue and White of Suffield High, closed the curtain on a splendid basketball season, by capturing the Class C State Championship from St. Anthony’s of Bristol 64-62. The fact that the game was decided on a last-second basket was a fitting climax for the Wildcat quintet who, all season long, won the big ones! The entire Town smiled with pride at this great achievement. What kind of boys and coach made this championship possible?

Perhaps the most outstanding characteristic of this group lies in the word “teamwork.” Aptly defined as “work done by a number of associates, all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole,” this description fits this team better than any other as each team member seemed to take a turn at coming through in the clutch.

If we take the first five alphabetically, we first find Frank Beneski. He possessed perhaps one of the best one-hand shots of anyone who ever played for SHS. Frank had a real fine touch and, over his high school career, developed into a high scorer using his one-handers and drive-ins as lethal weapons. An honor student and team co-captain, he made the winning free throws in the semi-final victory over Durham. Frank was named to the All-Tournament first team.

Dan Butler contributed in no small way to Suffield’s record. His biggest assets were his consistent scoring and rebounding. Dan’s inspired play against Windsor Locks in three meetings, including the quarterfinals, and his tremendous shooting display early in the final against St. Anthony’s were season highlights. Dan was selected to the All-Tournament second team.

“I’m the luckiest guy in the world.” So stated Tom Ganley as he stood in the locker room in a state of shock following his electrifying one-second 18-foot jump shot, which clinched the state title. This statement exemplifies Tom’s character throughout his athletic career at Suffield. Embarrassed by praise, critical of those who gave him more credit than his teammates, Tom’s modesty prevailed throughout his success. The big guy (a National Honor Society member) will forever be remembered for his coolness under fire, his defensive rebounding, and his long accurate passes. He was named to the All-Tournament first team.

In the eighth game of the season, Dave Lill was inserted into the starting lineup. As a running mate for Frank in the backcourt, he added speed and solid defensive play to the team. No one had more drive and hustle than Dave. The best offensive weapon for this honor student was his drive for the basket on a fast break.

Completing the starting five was probably the roughest and toughest member of the unit. Not looking the part and with only one full year’s experience behind him, Don Robinson became not only an outstanding pivot man, but one of the finest all-round centers in the school’s history. Big Rob’s baseline drives and fade-away jumps constituted a threat to every opponent. Suffield’s leading scorer in the final two playoff games, this honor student joined Tom and Frank on the All-Tournament first team.

Barry Meggett saved his most important contributions for the tournament games and played so well that he received honorable mention for the All-Tournament team. Henry Sobinski and David Fairman rounded out the seniors, and at various times during the season, made important contributions to victories.

We cannot forget, too, the critical part played by the remaining juniors who day after day were pitted against the starters helping them prepare for each game. John Cooper, Woody Jacobus, Bob Chase, and Bill Sheridan were instrumental in the team’s success both in practice and in numerous games.

Coach Stanley Miela’s job was to put all the ingredients together. “We’re going all the way” he confidently proclaimed at the beginning of the season and instilled that confidence in his team. Never content to sit back and revel in the early victories, he constantly planned new defenses and new offenses to counteract the style of any strong opponent. He faced each hurdle with conviction, in a purpose that was well defined at the beginning of the schedule. Faced with illnesses, injuries, and letdowns, Coach Miela proved adept at handling each adversity and, in the end, emerged the triumphant champion.

Some memorable highlights:

* Administering first defeats to Berlin and Windsor Locks and spoiling a 10 game winning streak for St. Thomas, and a 5 game streak for Bloomfield.

* Winning the first 10 games, losing 1, and then capturing the next 14 in a row.

* Defeating arch rival Windsor Locks 3 times in one season, which kept them out of a tie for the league championship and knocked them out of the state tournament.

* The scoring power of the “swish kids”…Scored 100 points, 92 points, 86 points, and 9 times in the 70’s…quite a feat considering that the starters played only half the time in approximately one-third of the games.

* Having 3 players make the All-Tournament first team, 1 on the second, and 1 honorable mention.

* Seeing 3 games in which 5 players scored double figures, 12 games in which 4 hit twin digits, and 4 games in which 3 boys hit 10 or more.

* Watching the team come from behind in the last 3 tournament games.

* Freezing the ball between one and two minutes in the final game and Tom’s epochal shot.

* The poise and confidence shown by the team in every pressure game.

The 1959-60 Boys Basketball Team was a team that had ability, intelligence, a sense of humor, and a coach who knew how to use it, a team that made Suffield famous.

DENNIS KINNE

Dennis started his teaching and coaching career at Suffield Academy as a 21-year old directly after graduating from Colby College in Maine. Planning to teach history, he was attracted to the Suffield position when he learned that he would step immediately into the boys varsity basketball head coach slot, and basketball was clearly in his blood. It turned out to be a great decision for both parties!

Dennis’s boys’ teams went 327-127, winning five New England Class B Prep School championships, including three straight from 1983-1985. The boys were invited to 12 consecutive New England tournaments from 1978-89. He had one undefeated team in 1984. That club featured NBA standout Vinny Del Negro. Making that season even more sweet for Dennis, the “other” guard was his son, Kevin. “Dennis was absolutely a large part of my development on the court and a positive influence off the court in terms of the confidence he had in me both as a player and a person,” Del Negro said. “He’s just a tremendous person. He touched a lot of lives at Suffield.”

At the end of the 1988 season, Dennis abruptly decided to call it quits. It seemed that the very capable JV Coach, Dave Godin, was actively seeking a head coaching position and Dennis didn’t want to lose him…so Dennis stepped down and Dave stepped in.

Dennis’s premature retirement lasted until 1991 when he decided to resume his coaching career, this time at the helm of the girls’ varsity team. There was no rust showing on his coaching skills. In his last decade with the boys he was 166 and 38. In his decade with the girls, he was an unbelievable 197-17! His girls’ teams also duplicated that feat of winning five New England Prep School Championships and rang up three undefeated seasons along the way. In two of those undefeated seasons, 1996 and 1997, Suffield was led by Meaghan Leahy who went on to play for Notre Dame University where she played on their NCAA Championship team. As Dennis would reflect, players like Vinny and Meaghan come along once in a coach’s career and he was fortunate to have both of them.

When Dennis retired for good in 2001, he finished with 520 wins against only 165 losses, a 77% winning percentage, and ten New England Prep School Championship banners were hung in the Academy gymnasium.

In recognition of his outstanding career, Dennis was honored as one of the Top 100 Basketball Coaches of the Century by the Hartford Courant. He was the 2002 recipient of the New England Private School Athletic Directors Distinguished Service Award and, in 2003, was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. At the conclusion of his 40 years of service as Suffield Academy’s Athletic Director, the School honored him by naming the basketball facility the Dennis A. Kinne Court in 2003.

SENA MAZIARZ

Sena attended Suffield High School from 1993-1997 where she played three sports… soccer, basketball, and track and field. Although she loved them all, Sena always had a passion for soccer. When she began her career in 1993, the SHS girls soccer team was coming off several dismal years, including at least 3 winless campaigns from the late 1980’s into the early 1990’s. The four victories in her freshman season, while small in number, were the start of a significant turnaround in the program. A 7-8-1 record the following year gave Suffield a long-awaited berth in the state tournament. The turnaround was complete in 1995 when Sena’s team was undefeated going into the states, with only 3 ties marring its’ otherwise spotless record…they ultimately loss in the semi-finals. In her senior season, with Sena leading the way, the team was 15-1 and one of the favorites to win but again fell short of winning the coveted state championship. Playing varsity soccer for four years at SHS, she earned All-Conference selections every year, the first time a Suffield student-athlete had accomplished that feat. During her career, she scored 51 goals and assisted on 41 others. In her senior year, she was an All-State selection and participated in the Senior Bowl and the Connecticut Top 100.

After high school, Sena attended Colgate University where she played Division I soccer for four years. She was a two-time first team selection to the All-Patriot League team and garnered Offensive Player of the Year honors in her senior year. In addition, Sena was selected to the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. She tied the record for assists in a game (three) during an exciting league game against Army that Colgate won in overtime.

Her club experience was mostly with World Class Soccer, based out of Windsor, CT. With this team, Sena went to Regionals numerous times and participated in Nationals three times. During the summer of 2000, her team won the National title for the U-20 age group with an over time win against the Region III team, Texas Image. In addition to this club team, she participated on the Connecticut ODP (Olympic Development Program) for a few years.

During the summer of 2001, Sena played semi-professional soccer with the Springfield Sirens (W-League team) and the following year moved to the Rhode Island Rays. That fall, Sena was the assistant women’s soccer coach at St. Lawrence University, an extremely competitive Division III team, located in upstate New York. The team won the New York State tournament and placed second in the ECAC tournament, finishing with a 14-7-1 record.

Sena is currently living in North Carolina where she coaches high school soccer.

JOE SINICROPE

Joe arrived at Suffield High School in 1964 to begin his teaching career in the subjects of Social Studies and Mathematics. In 1967, he became an assistant track coach launching a coaching career that continues to this day. In 1972, he became head coach of track and field and shortly thereafter established the first indoor track team in Suffield history. For a 5-year period in the 1970’s, Joe also coached the boys cross-country team. Presently on a 37-year continuum in coaching SHS athletics, what an illustrious career it has been!

The first notable taste of victory occurred in 1970 when the boys track and field team won the NCCC Championship with Joe as an assistant coach. After being named head coach, the league championships really began to mount up as his boys teams won consecutive titles from 1973 to 1980. Their dual meet record under Joe’s tutelage was 226-88, including undefeated seasons in 1979, 1980 and 1986. In both 1985 and 1986, they finished second in their quest for a state championship. In recent years, Joe also spent time coaching the girls track and field program, as well as the boys, and he had success in that arena as well. Over the last six years, the boys won their first State Championship in 1998, and the girls won NCCC Championships in 2000 and 2002, and followed up with State Championships in the same years.

In coaching the indoor track team, Joe has been no less successful. His boys teams have captured two league titles (1998 and 1999), a State Runner-Up Title in 1998, and a State Championship in 1999. He coached the girls teams to five consecutive NCCC Championships beginning in 1999, three State Runner-Up titles (1999, 2001, 2002) and a State Championship in 2000. Two of his relay teams (boys 4x800 and girls 4x1 mile) captured Nike All-American designations.

Joe has been active in the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference and the Connecticut High School Coaches Association for a number of years and has been the NCCC Meet Director for over 25 years. He was named the Connecticut High School Outstanding Boys Track Coach in 1990 and there have been a number of Meet Awards named in his honor.

Aside from his coaching exploits, Joe is himself an avid runner and currently holds the 48^th longest running streak in the nation, over 27 years! He was the USA Track and Field Eastern Masters Indoor 1500 meters Champion in 1996 for the 50-54 age group and is presently ranked number 3 for that same distance in the 60-64 age group. He was a member of the USA Track and Field Half Marathon Championship Team (Age 50-59) in 1993 and 1994 and has won numerous road races for his age group in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.