Hall of Fame Class of 2018 Inductees
Don Foglia, 1964
Don was a three-sport athlete at Watervliet High School. He began his varsity career in the eighth grade, after starting school late due to health issues.
Don played four years of varsity football under the tutelage of Hall of Fame Coach Walt Nash. He played offense and defense, and was also the Cannoneer punter and placekicker. He was named co-captain of the team during his junior year. Don was selected to the Capital District League All-Star Team, as a running back, all four seasons he played for the Cannoneers. During his junior year, he was named to the All-Eastern Scholastic Team as a running back and was selected to the Troy Record All-City Team as a defensive back.
Don played four years of varsity track, again under the guidance of Coach Nash. He was named captain of the team during his junior year. A true speedster, Don was undefeated in the 100-yard dash his last three seasons of competition. As a freshman, he set a school record for the 220-yard dash with a time of 23.9 seconds. During his junior year, Don set a school record for the broad jump with a leap of 21’21/2”. Don played two years of varsity basketball under WHS Hall of Fame Coach Tom Jones. Coach Jones called him the “speed merchant” of the squad.
Don served as the vice president of both his freshman and sophomore class. In his junior year, Don was the recipient of an Elks Leadership Award. After high school, Don attended Hudson Valley Community College where he played soccer and indoor track. After one year at HVCC, Don elected to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, he played on the base flag football and soccer teams.
Don worked for Adirondack Steel for 12 years, owned and operated a successful landscaping business for 12 years, and then became the executive director of the South End Improvement Corporation of Albany. He retired in 2006. Active in the community, Don was a coach in both the Watervliet Little League and the Watervliet Pop Warner Football League. Don lives in Clifton Park with his wife, Laurie. He has a son, Benjamin, and three granddaughters.
Bob McBain, 1952
Bob participated in three varsity sports at Watervliet High School – football, basketball, and baseball. He also played one year of junior varsity soccer as a freshman. He played three years of varsity football under Hall of Fame Coach Walt Nash. During his first season, the Cannoneers captured both the Principal’s League title and the “Section B” title of the Eastern Scholastic Conference. Bob was a running back for the Cannoneers and he was chosen to be co-captain of the football team in his senior year.
Bob played two years of varsity basketball under Hall of Fame Coach Tom Jones. He was elected captain during his senior year. While a senior year at WHS, he was selected by Troy area coaches to play for the Troy Area All-Star Team, coached by Bill Carley – the legendary Catholic Central High School basketball coach. The team was comprised of all-star players from LaSalle, CCHS, Lansingburgh, Cohoes, Troy and Watervliet. The team participated in the Sacred Heart 7th Annual All Scholastic Basketball Tournament, competing against all-star teams from Berkshire, Saratoga, Washington/Warren counties, Albany, Hudson, Oneonta and Schenectady.
Bob played three years of varsity baseball where he was a standout second baseman. As a senior, he helped the Cannoneers clinch the Eastern Scholastic Conference title in a game against Hudson, where he went 3 for 4, and scored the winning run. Bob hit .400+ for the season. Bob was the recipient of the WHS Class of 1952 “Richmond Memorial Award,” which was presented annually to the outstanding senior athlete. After high school, Bob elected to enlist in the United States Air Force, where he proudly served his country during the Korean War. He worked for the NY Telephone Company, Mobile Oil and the Town of Colonie— where he was the receiver of taxes for 26 years, until his retirement in 1997.
Bob was married to his high school sweetheart, Joan, for 53 years before sadly passing away in 2009 at the age of 74. They have six children: Dianna, Joanne, Bobby, Frank, Theresa, and the late MaryBeth, and ten grandchildren.
Sande McCaffery, 1979-1995
Sande taught physical education, health, and home economics at Watervliet High School from 1978-2003. In the early years, Sande’s multi-certification allowed her to teach in both the high school and the elementary school. She is a graduate of Russell Sage College, where she participated in gymnastics, soccer, field hockey and ballet.
In 1979, Sande started the girls’ soccer program at WHS. She coached the girls’ varsity soccer team for 16 years, from 1979-1995. In 1980, she started the girls’ volleyball program. She coached volleyball from 1980-1985. In 1981, Sande started the freshman cheerleading program, which she coached from 1981-1986. A memorable achievement in the girls’ varsity soccer program occurred in 1993, with the team being successful both on and off the field. The Lady Cannoneers received the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s “Academic Achievement Award,” for achieving a cumulative team academic average of 96.7 during the season. During her years at Watervliet, Sande was also an avid spectator and supporter of all sports and extracurricular programs. Additionally, she taught adult education aerobics for many years. She was also the faculty advisor to the Student Council, and chairperson of Physical Education, Health and Home Economics.
Following her retirement in 2003, Sande and her husband moved to Pinehurst, NC, and became involved in golf at her local golf club. She was selected to the Board of Governors (only woman) at Forest Creek Golf Club. She was a member of the Architectural Review Board, the Ladies’ Golf Committee, and the Handicap Chairperson. In 2010, Sande chaired the U.S. Kids’ Golf Program at her club, with the actual competitive events being conducted each year at the famous Pinehurst Resort.
Having vacationed in Hilton Head for many years, Sande and her husband, Bud, moved to Bluffton, SC in 2017. They are members of Colleton River Plantation and enjoy golf, the ocean, biking and water sports.
Alan Phillips, 1978
Alan played three years of varsity football at Watervliet High School and was a three-year starter for the Cannoneers. As an interior lineman, primarily playing the tackle position, he excelled on both offense and defense—he was an impact player for the Cannoneers from the onset. Naturally strong, and possessing outstanding quickness, Alan would manhandle many of his opponents with ease. Former WHS Head Coach, Joe King—also a WHS Hall of Famer—stated that Alan was the best interior lineman he ever coached at the high school level.
In 1976, as a junior, Alan was named to the NYS Sportswriters Association All-Star Third Team as a tackle. In both his junior and senior year, Alan was named to the Colonial Council All-Star Offensive and Defensive First Teams as a tackle. In his senior year, Alan received the WHS Football Team MVP Award and the WHS Football Team Defensive Lineman Tackle Award.
Alan was selected to The Times Record All-City Offensive First Team as a tackle, in both his junior and senior year. He was also selected, during both his junior and senior year, to The Times Record All-Area Offensive First Team as a tackle. In 1977, as a senior, Alan was selected to the Knickerbocker News ‘Nifty Fifty’ Defensive Second Team, representing the top 50 high school football players in the Capital District.
Despite all the accolades and awards he received, his teammates say that Alan never looked for recognition, he just wanted to do his job well. During the three seasons that Alan played for the Cannoneers, the team compiled a 20-5-1 record.
Coach King stated that several colleges had expressed interest in Alan. However, Alan was interested in starting his own “dream team,” which he began when he married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Wisher. They now reside in Ballston Spa, NY and have four grown children— Brian, Dan, Laura, and Kylie, and eight grandchildren. Alan is employed at Mohawk Paper in Cohoes.
Chris Salamida, 2002
Chris was a three-sport athlete at Watervliet High School. He played three years of varsity football, two years of varsity basketball, and four years of varsity baseball.
Chris played football for WHS under the leadership of Capital District Hall of Fame Coach Nick Fitzgerald. Chris was a standout wide receiver, cornerback, and punt returner for the Cannoneers during the 2000 and 2001 seasons. He was the main catalyst behind the 9-1 League Championship and Sectional Finalist team. During his senior year, Chris was named All-League wide receiver and punt returner, and garnered All-Area accolades as a punt returner as well. While a senior, Chris amassed over 300 yards receiving and averaged over 15 yards per punt return. In addition, he returned four punts for touchdowns.
Chris played basketball for the Cannoneers under the direction of WHS Hall of Fame Coach George Mardigan. Chris was an excellent point guard, and both years he played the Cannoneers were Section 2 champions. In his senior year, Chris was a Capital District All-Star selection.
Chris played baseball for WHS under WHS Hall of Fame Coach Peter Strand. He was a four-year starter, as a pitcher and outfielder, and tricaptain of the team during his senior year. As a senior, he hit .525, and also hit three home runs in one game. During the 2001 and 2002 seasons, the team was 43-6, and won the Colonial Council League Championship both years.
After graduating from WHS, Chris attended and played baseball for Hudson Valley Community College for one year before transferring to SUNY Oneonta. During the 2005 and 2006 baseball seasons as a starting pitcher for Oneonta, Chris was 15-3. He was drafted in his junior year by the Houston Astros in the 13th-round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft.
Chris spent four seasons in the Houston Astros organization. He pitched for the Tri-City Valley Cats in the New York Penn League, and advanced as high as the Astros’ Class AA affiliate, the Corpus Christi Hooks, in the Texas League. He also pitched for five seasons for the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the American Association Independent Baseball League. Chris currently plays baseball in the Albany Twilight League.
Jack Weaver, 1974-1994 (Contributor)
A lifelong educator, Jack served in various positions throughout his 38-year career. He taught and coached at LaSalle Institute in 1961 before being appointed a social studies teacher at Cardinal McCloskey High School in Albany in 1962, where he was also head varsity coach of football, basketball and baseball. Later in 1968, he was named assistant principal and became the first layman to be appointed a high school administrator in the Albany Diocese.
In 1974, Jack was appointed principal of Watervliet Jr.-Sr. High School where he remained for the next 20 years until 1994. The longest tenured principal in the present building, which opened in 1937, Jack was involved with new construction and new programs at WHS in the mid ‘70s and early ‘80s that included: a new grades 7-8 wing, cafeteria, library, renovated auditorium, gym and locker rooms, new football, baseball, softball and practice fields, and the introduction of girls interscholastic programs for the Colonial Council.
While at WHS, he served as the secretary-treasurer of the Colonial Council and was liaison between the principals and athletic directors for 18 years. He also served on the NYS Boys Basketball All-Star Committee at the state championships. He has also served on the Watervliet Athletic Hall of Fame Committee since its 2008 inception.
Athletics has been a big part of Jack’s career and is reflective of his support of the successful programs at WHS. He was appointed district administrator for instruction in 1994 and retired in 1999 after 25 years with the Watervliet City School District.
A 1955 graduate of LaSalle Institute with the rank cadet major, he received a scholarship to Siena College where he was a three-year varsity starter in basketball and baseball, and served as captain of the 1958-59 basketball team. His college coach was the legendary Dan Cunha. Jack received his bachelor’s degree in sociology, an ROTC commission as a 2nd Lt in the US Army Artillery in 1959. He earned his master’s degree in education from Siena in 1964.
Jack and his late wife, Anne, are the proud parents of four children, Anne, Jack, Cathy and Tony, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Jack lives in the Town of Brunswick.
Bill Williams, 1991
A three-sport athlete at Watervliet High School, Bill played football, basketball, and baseball. He learned the basic fundamentals for each sport from his father. Bill played two years of varsity football under Hall of Fame Coach Dan Reinfurt.
During his senior year, he was the starting defensive end and helped the Cannoneers capture the Buckley Cup, the Section 2 Class C title, and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Class C-D Regional crown. The New York State Sportswriters Association subsequently declared the Cannoneers the New York State Class C Champions. The team went 11-0, and Bill was named to the Capital Conference All-Star Team.
Bill played two years of varsity basketball, under Hall of Fame Coach George Mardigan. He was a starter during both his junior and senior year. During his senior season, with Bill playing center, the team went 28-0, and captured the Colonial Council title, the Section 2 Class C title, the Class C Regional title, the Class C Federation crown, and the NYSPHSAA Class C Basketball State Championship. He averaged 10 points per game, 11 rebounds per game, and had a 54% field goal average during his senior year. He was named to the Troy Record All-Area Team as an Honorable Mention.
Bill played three years of varsity baseball under Hall of Fame Coach Tony Curro. He was a left fielder and a starting pitcher. In his senior year, the team finished 24-5 and won the Colonial Council Section 2 Class CC, the Class C-CC and the Class C Regional titles, en route to winning the NYSPHSAA
Class C Baseball State Championship. Bill was the starting and winning pitcher in the championship game. He was selected to the Troy Record All- Area Second Team. The team’s State title capped off an incredible athletic school year for both Bill and WHS—a “Triple Crown” year. To date, no other high school in New York has won state titles in all three sports during the same school year. Bill was one of only two WHS athletes to be a starter on all three state title teams.
After high school, Bill joined the US Marine Corps, and had a distinguished 16-year active duty career, including a 2004 deployment to Iraq. During his time in the Marines, Bill was the recipient of numerous medals and awards.
Bill has been blessed with three daughters: Courtney, Rylee and Lauren, and two grandsons. Today, he resides with his fiancé, Jozet VanZant, on Lake Sydney-Lanier, Gainesville, GA, and enjoys—hunting, fishing and riding his motorcycle.
Class of 1953 Soccer Team
Despite the loss of ten of the previous year’s lettermen, the 1953 boys’ soccer team, guided by co-captains Paul Austin and Bill Tetrault, completed the regular season undefeated with a 12-0-2 record. They won the Tri-County Soccer League championship, which marked the third consecutive year that a WHS soccer team captured the league championship.
The Cannoneer booters then moved on to compete in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Eastern New York State Section II playoffs. After receiving a bye in the preliminary round, WHS shutout Tri-County Soccer League rival Waterford, in the semifinals, by the score of 2-0. Advancing to the finals, the Cannoneers then defeated the Middleburgh Knights, at Albany’s Beverwyck Park, by the score of 3-2 to capture the Section II Class B-C championship. During the course of the season, the WHS booters outscored their opponents 55-9, and eight of their 14 victories were shutouts.
Clearly, the 1953 team was loaded with talent, and five Cannoneer players were selected to the Tri-County All Star Team: co-captain Paul Austin, co-captain Bill Tetrault, George Clough, George Roe, and goalie Donald Wood. Rounding out the strong Cannoneer first team were: Gene Bowen, Lou Delsignore, Steve Fahey, Roy Greenquist, Tony Shavo, Lou Tetrault, Stan Toma, Pete Topian, and Tony Viola. Team managers were: Thomas Earl and Richard Williams.
The team was guided by legendary WHS Hall of Fame coach – Donald Hill– who served as the head coach of WHS soccer teams for 20 years (1946-1966). Other members of the 1953 team who have also been inducted into the WHS Athletic Hall of Fame include George Roe and Donald Wood.
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