Watervliet Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2008
Dom Denio, ‘38
Dom played soccer, basketball, baseball, and track (shot put and discus). In soccer, Dom was a goal keeper and allowed only 6 goals in his senior year as Watervliet won the public school league. In basketball, he was a starting guard on a winning team and was named to the All-City Team. He also was on the baseball and track teams in the spring. WHS did not have a football team during this era.
Those who influenced Dom at WHS were Coach Tom Jones and Principal Ed Sanders who helped him gain admission to St. Bonaventure University. While at St. Bonaventure, Dom played football and basketball. He was captain of the football team during his junior and senior years. He was selected to the All-American football team as a lineman in his senior year. He was also an all-star guard on the basketball team.
After college, Dom was a first sergeant in the Army during World War II, seeing action at the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Dom became a successful football, basketball, and baseball coach at LaSalle Institute in Troy and coached football and baseball at Linton High School in Schenectady. Dom was also a respected high school football and basketball official. He dedicated his life to education and athletics, retiring after 37 years as a classroom teacher and coach. Dom is a member of the LaSalle Institute Hall of Fame, Linton High School Hall of Fame and St. Bonaventure University Hall of Fame.
Dom and his wife Marge are the parents of 9 sons and 9 daughters, grandparents of 49, and great-grandparents of 6. Dom and Marge have been married for 59 years and they split time between Melrose and Florida.
Dave Torncello, ‘44
Dave played soccer (2 years), basketball (4 years), and baseball (3 years). His favorite sport was basketball, and he was one of the outstanding players in the area. He was a starter on the basketball team for 4 years beginning in his freshman year. He was captain during his junior and senior seasons. He was All-City and Principals’ League 1st Team for 3 years. He was an outstanding passer and scorer throughout his high school career. Dave also was an outstanding infielder on the baseball team that won the Principals’ League in 1942 and 1943.
He graduated in 3 ½ years to enter the military in March of 1944. He served in the Navy until 5/30/46. While in service, he played basketball and baseball for 2 years at the California Naval Air Base.
Following service, Dave attended Siena College and played basketball for 4 years and baseball for 2 years. He was a member of the great Siena teams during this period and served as the team captain in his senior year of 1950-51. He was elected to the Siena Hall of Fame in 1971.
Dave was employed for 31 years at Al Tech Steel as an engineer and personnel supervisor. He also served as an Albany County Legislator from 1970-1989. In addition, he worked for the City of Watervliet in various positions for 15 years. Tom Jones, who coached Dave in basketball and baseball, was the person who influenced him the most at WHS.
Dave lives on 12th Avenue in Watervliet with his wife Julie. They have three children, Susan, David (Maureen), and Peter (Virginia).
Lou Cioffi Jr. ,‘48
Lou participated in soccer, basketball, baseball, and track. He was captain of the soccer, basketball, and baseball teams in his senior year. In basketball as a junior he led the area in scoring with 289 points for the season. He was named to the All-City and Principals’ League as a junior and senior. Also, during his senior year he was selected as one of five outstanding players in upstate New York. Lou was also an outstanding soccer and baseball player, receiving All-Star honors as a member of their championship teams.
Following his high school career, Lou played Semi-Pro basketball in the Arsenal City Motors in several states. He also participated in the Eastern NYS Semi-Pro Baseball League. He was affiliated with the Watervliet Little League, Babe Ruth and Pop Warner football. He managed the Watervliet Little League Team in 1970 that played in the semi-finals of the New York State Tournament. He started and managed the Connie Mack team that played in the championship game of NYS. He also coached in the Albany Twilight League, CYO basketball, girls’ softball (2003), and is presently assisting in girls’ AAU basketball.
Lou credits Principal Ed Sanders, Coach Tom Jones, and Coach Don Hill as those who influenced him the most at WHS.
Lou is a retired barber and hair stylist. He lives with his wife Flora in Watervliet, and they have two sons, Louis III and Anthony and a daughter Arlene.
Ed Chambers, ‘54
Ed played soccer, basketball, and baseball during his career at WHS. He was an outstanding soccer player who led WHS in two Tri-County League Championships in 1951 and 1952. Not only was he voted to the All-Star team in both of these years, but he was also named the outstanding league player in the Tri-County League in 1951 and 1952.
Coach Don Hill, who Ed credits for having had the most influence on him, called him one of his all-time stars at WHS during his 20 years of coaching. WHS soccer teams had a record of 28-4 during the two years. Ed was also an outstanding member of the Co-Eastern “B” Basketball League Champions in 1953 and was selected as a member of the All-City Basketball Team. He was also a member of the Eastern Scholastic Conference “B” Baseball Championship Teams in 1951 and 1952.
Ed continued to play soccer for many years with the Albany Athletic Club and Troy Sport Club. He was instrumental in organizing the Girls’ Softball Program in Clifton Park and coached for many years.
Ed was employed by Mobil Oil for 28 years. He presently resides in Clifton Park with his wife Mary. They have two children, Susan and Edward, and two grandsons, Brian and Kyle.
Dr. John Walko, ‘60
John played football, basketball, and baseball at WHS. He was a two-year starter in football and an All-City performer as a senior. In baseball, he was a three-year starter and captain in his senior year. In basketball he was a starter for two years, leading WHS to the Section II “Class B” Championship. He was voted to the All-City Team as a junior and senior and to the All-Area Team as a senior.
He attended Colgate University where he played football and basketball, being one of only three students to play both sports. Following college, he played many years in various semi-pro basketball leagues.
He received his Masters and PhD. from SUNY Albany and retired from Columbia High School, East Greenbush, after teaching social studies for over 30 years. In addition, he retired from teaching Public Policy and Education at HVCC and SUNY Albany. He is currently Director of the Academy for Character Education at The Sage Colleges.
John credits Coach Tom Jones and Coach Walt Nash for setting high standards and being persons of high character during athletic competition.
John lives with his wife Sue in Voorheesville. Sue is an elementary teacher in Selkirk. They have three sons, Dr. Gregory Walko, Dr. Thomas Walko (Dr. Debra), and Dr. Matthew Walko (Kathleen), and a daughter Janet Malenfant (Mike) and 13 grandchildren. John joins his brother Dave ‘64 for induction into the inaugural Watervliet High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Dave Walko, ‘64
Dave played football, basketball, and track at WHS. In football, Dave was 1st Team All-City and was an outstanding receiver. Basketball was his favorite sport, and he was a three-year starter on the varsity team, averaging 15 ppg as a sophomore and junior and 20 ppg as a senior. He set a school scoring record of 42 points, which included 22/22 from the foul line, a NYS Sectional Record.
Dave graduated from WHS as salutatorian of his class. Coach Walt Nash and Coach Tom Jones provided leadership and taught Dave and his teammates how to compete and be accountable to each other and work toward team goals.
Dave attended Boston University where he played basketball and was a three-year varsity letter winner. He graduated with a B.A., Cum Laude, in Political Science and Economics and a minor in Russian Language and Literature.
He has served Boston University for over 30 years in four positions; served as Assistant Director of Admissions, Director of University Orientation and Director of the Boston University Athletic Association–the fundraising arm for BU Athletics. His current position is Associate Director of Athletic Development/Planned Giving, Boston University.
Dave was also a member of a Boston-based, over-40 basketball team that represented the United States in international competition in Lyon, France. Their team earned gold medals in seven of 10 years–they competed from 1994 to 2004.
Dave lives in Boston with his wife Sophia. He joins his brother John, Class of 1960, for induction into the inaugural Watervliet High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
John DiBiase, ‘72
John played soccer and basketball at WHS. As a senior, he was a member of the soccer team that finished with a record of 12-2 and was the Section II Class B runner-up. His favorite sport was basketball. He was a member of the varsity team for three years. As a junior, he averaged 21.8 ppg and led the Cannoneers to a 17-4 record, which included a 10-2 record in the Colonial Council, good for 2nd place behind Ravena who finished with a 12-0 record. WHS lost to Ravena in the semi-finals of the “B” sectionals.
As a senior, he averaged 28.2 ppg, leading the Cannoneers to a 16-5 record, including a 10-3 record as co-champs in the Colonial Council with Ravena once again. WHS lost to Ravena in the semi-finals of the “B” sectionals. John scored 1301 points during his varsity career, which is currently the 3rd most points ever scored by a Watervliet player. He also scored 53 points against Draper at Watervliet on 12/4/71, which still stands as the most points ever scored in a single game by a Watervliet player. As a senior, he was the MVP of the Colonial Council, All Metroland, and All-City Player of the Year. John was named WHS Athlete of the Year in his senior year.
John felt that his basketball coach, Joe Hogan, had the most influence on him during his high school career. John received a 4-year scholarship to New Mexico State University where he played 4 years of varsity basketball. He was named “Freshman of the Year” in the very competitive Missouri Valley Conference. This was the first year that freshmen were allowed to play on college varsity teams. John enjoyed a stellar career as a point guard.
John is presently the Recreation Director of the Mt. McGregor State Correctional Facility. He lives with his girlfriend, Laurie Monast, in Cohoes, NY.
Greg Sedefian, ‘73
Greg played soccer, basketball, and tennis at WHS. He was a reserve player on the basketball team in 1972 and 1973. Greg’s best sport was soccer and he became one of the finest in the area during his career and arguably the best soccer player ever to play at WHS.
Greg entered 6th grade at Watervliet’s School Nine as a 12-year old immigrant from Armenia. Playing center forward and inside right, he scored 7 goals as a freshman, 15 goals during an abbreviated sophomore season (5 games), 38 goals as a junior, and 46 goals as a senior, which broke the WHS record he set as a junior. In his junior year, WHS, coached by Jack Webb, finished 14-3 and lost in the finals of the “B” Sectional Tournament.
In his senior year the WHS team, coached by Bob Christiansen, finished 11-6 and once again lost in the finals of the “B” Sectional Tournament. Greg’s career goals of 106 ranks 3rd in Section II history and 19th in New York State Public High School history. His 46 goals in one season ranks 2nd in Section II history and 19th in New York State Public High School history.
Greg attended HVCC where he had an outstanding career as a soccer player. Today he works as a structural steel detainer, estimator, and project manager. He lives in Albany and has five sons: Gregory, David, Eric (deceased), Justin, and Derek.
Tim Sherwin, ‘77
Tim played football, basketball, and track at WHS. In track, Tim competed in field events and in basketball he was an outstanding rebounder for Joe Hogan’s team that finished 12-9 in his senior year. Football was the sport that Tim excelled in. As a senior co-captain playing tight end, he led the Cannoneers to a 7-1 record, which at this time was the best record in WHS history. He was named All-Area and All-City and was The Record’s offensive player of the year. His high school coach was Joe King, presently a successful coach at RPI. Tim was named Athlete of the Year at WHS in 1976-77 and had his football jersey retired in 1990.
Tim credits Joe for providing guidance and support during his high school career. Tim received a 4-year scholarship to Boston College where he was the starting tight end as a junior and senior. A sure-handed receiver and hard-hitting blocker, he was a college football prototype tight end. He made 78 career pass receptions. He led the team with 29 catches for 378 yards and 2 TDs as a senior, earning All-East honors for his outstanding play. Tim was captain of the 1980 football team (7-4 record) and won the Thomas F. Scranton Award as the team’s scholar athlete.
Following graduation, he played 8 seasons in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants. Tim was also inducted into the Boston College Hall of Fame.
Tim is presently a Production Sales Manager for Key Bank Mortgage Department and is the President of the NFL’s Upstate New York Chapter of “Caring for Kids”. He lives with his wife Janice in Latham and they have three sons–Jason, Brandon, and Christian.
Nancy Poulin, ‘81
Nancy played varsity soccer (12), varsity softball (10), and varsity basketball (9-12) at WHS. Nancy scored the first hat-trick for WHS girls soccer 9/23/80 in the first win of the 1980 season. She scored the first goal in the first sectional appearance for the Watervliet girls’ soccer team against Middleburgh.
She played four years on the varsity basketball team, which was her favorite sport. She was captain during her junior and senior years. She was the leading scorer in her sophomore, junior, and senior years. She averaged 18 ppg as a senior and set a single game scoring record of 33 points which was tied by Nicole Haverly (1990) and broken by Crystal Carroll (1993). She scored 730 points in 59 career games at WHS. For her efforts, she was the MVP in basketball (1979-1980 and 1980-1981), Colonial Council All-Star Team (1981) and Female Athlete of the Year (1981). She credits her coach, Gus Haita, for pushing her and encouraging her to become a better player.
She attended Elmira College (BA History 1985) and the University of Albany (MA Criminal Justice 1995). While at Elmira, she played varsity basketball (1981-85), club volleyball, and club soccer (1981-1985). She was a four-year starter in basketball and was named Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore.
She is presently a lieutenant in the New York State Police currently stationed at Wilton as the Assistant Zone Commander, overseeing 16 sergeants and 128 Troopers covering Saratoga, Warren, and Washington Counties. She is in her 21st year as a member of the New York State Police. She is the first female to serve as a Trooper, Sergeant, Station Commander, Zone Sergeant, and Lieutenant in Troop G. Nancy resides in Watervliet. Her parents are Margaret and Jack Poulin, and she has three sisters, Kathy, Debbie and Aimee.
Kathleen Towne-Deguire, ‘82
Kathy participated in five sports during her career at WHS. She participated in soccer, volleyball, basketball, softball, and tennis. As a 9th grader, she played softball and was the team’s MVP. In 10th grade she played tennis, volleyball, and basketball. In the 11th and 12th grades, she played soccer, basketball, and volleyball.
As an 11th grader in soccer, she was voted the best defensive player, and as a 12th grader she was the captain and the MVP. In volleyball she was the MVP as a junior and captain and MVP as a senior. In basketball, she was voted to the Colonial Council 2nd Team All-Stars as a junior as the varsity basketball team compiled a 16-4 record.
In her senior year, she was captain, MVP, and voted to the 3rd Team Colonial Council All-Stars. For her efforts, she was voted the Female Athlete of the Year as a junior and senior. She is the only athlete (male or female) to accomplish this feat. She credits Sande McCaffery in her efforts to promote girls’ sports and provide guidance and encouragement during her career.
Kathy is a Human Resource Manager for Davis Vision. She lives in Watervliet with her husband Paul Deguire, Jr., daughters Casandra and Makayla, and son Paul Deguire III.
Frank LaBelle, ‘85
Frank participated in football, basketball, and baseball at WHS. He was the MVP and captain in all three sports. In football, he played quarterback, and in his junior and senior years he was selected to the All-City Team as a punter and kicker. He still holds the school record for most extra points kicked–54. He also holds the school record for longest field goal which was 39 yards. He was a four-year starter and was selected to the Colonial Council All-Star Team as a QB, defensive back, and punter. He had 7 interceptions during his senior year.
In basketball, he was captain of the basketball team that was 14-6 and lost in the “CC” sectionals. In baseball, he was one of the catalysts that brought home the New York State Public High School Class “C” Championship to Watervliet. This was the first State Championship won by WHS. He had an outstanding season as a senior. His pitching record was 11-1, including a 3-hit, 14-strikeout in the State Semi-Final. He also had 7 hits in 8 at-bats for the 2 games and was named the MVP for the State Tournament. The baseball team finished 28-2 and is a school record.
He was the winner of the Tony Curro, Sr. Award and was Male Athlete of the Year as a senior. He credits his coaches, Dan Reinfurt, George Mardigan, Tony Curro, Sr., and Tony Curro Jr. for developing him as an athlete and a person.
Frank attended HVCC where he played football, which was his favorite sport. He is currently Detective Sergeant for the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and is supervisor of the Homicide Squad. He lives with his wife Angela and their sons Nicholas and Christopher in Hamilton, NJ.
Kevin Legault, ‘89
Kevin participated in three sports at WHS–football, basketball, and baseball, where he was captain or co-captain of all three teams. He was an All-City and Colonial Council All Star as QB for the football team that won the Colonial Council and finished with a record of 8-1 in both his junior and senior years. They were denied sectional play in both years because they had no opponent. In basketball, he was a major mainstay of the Colonial Council Championship Team that was 20-3, won the Class CC Championship, but lost in the Class “CC-C” playoff.
The Cannoneers won the Colonial Council and the Class “CC” Sectionals but were defeated in the regionals, finishing with a record of 21-7. Kevin finished his career with a record of 31 wins and 8 losses. The 31 wins places him in a tie for 6th place in New York State Public High School history for most career victories. As a senior, his record of 12-1 and 185 strikeouts (average of 15 per game) also ranks among the best. His 2 victories in one season places him in a tie for 10th place for most victories in a season and his 185 strikeouts places him in 5th place for most strikeouts in a season in NYS Public High School history.
Kevin credits his coaches, Dan Reinfurt, George Mardigan, and Tony Curro, Jr. for their encouragement and support. For his efforts, Kevin was named the Male Athlete of the Year as a senior.
He attended Seton Hall University on a baseball scholarship after being drafted in the 11th round by the St. Louis Cardinals. While at Seton Hall, he was named to the Freshman Big East Team after winning 11 games; and also was in the Top 20 in the Nation in Earned Run Average (ERA). He signed with the Minnesota Twins and played 5 years, making it to their Triple A team.
Today Kevin is a letter carrier for the USPS, and he lives in Guilderland with his wife Dawn.
Yorden Huban, ‘91
Yorden played three sports at WHS–football, basketball, and baseball. He captained all three sports in addition to being one of three players (the other two are Bill Williams and Dominic Fruscio) to be members of the three NYS Championships in the same year (1990-91). He was one of the main catalysts in WHS winning the “Triple Crown”.
He was a 3-year starter in football, and as a senior he was a fullback, rushing for over 800 yards and an outside linebacker on defense as they finished with a record of 11-0. He was All-City, All-Area, and All-State at his positions.
In basketball, as a senior, he led the team to a 28-0 record, averaging 19.3 ppg, 8.5 rebounds per game, and 5.1 assists per game. He was the New York State Class “C” MVP, Sectional MVP, Colonial Council MVP, and on the All-Area and All-City Teams in addition to being the Player of the Year of local newspapers and TV stations.
In baseball, he was a catcher who batted .398 on a championship team that was 24-5. For his efforts, Yorden was named the Male Athlete of the Year in addition to being the Salutatorian for the Class of 1991. Yorden credits his coaches and teachers in helping him become a successful student-athlete. He was also a four-year letterman in baseball.
Yorden graduated from George Washington University with a degree in International Affairs. Today he is an attorney with offices in Watervliet and Albany. He also works part-time as the City of Watervliet Corporation Counsel. Yorden lives in Erin with his wife Carol, a son Christopher, and a daughter Erin.
Jim Manning, ‘92
Jim participated in football, wrestling and track at WHS. Even though he was small in stature, he was quick and fast which helped him during the wrestling and track seasons. But football was his favorite sport, and he became one of the most exciting players in Cannoneer history. He was a three-year starter as a running back and being a part of “The Streak” (6 consecutive season, 12 championships, 108 victories in 125 contests) and the “Triple Crown” were his most memorable moments. As a sophomore, he rushed for 516 yards and scored 26 points. In his junior year, the team record was 11-0, including a victory over Nanuet for the State Class “C” Championship. He rushed for 1516 yards and scored 158 points and was named to the USA Today High School All-American Team (honorable mention), New York State’s Small School Player of the Year, and offensive player of the year for small schools (local newspapers and TV stations). In his senior year, the team record was 11-0, including a victory over Saranac Lake for the State Class “C” Championship. In this game, Jim scored 6 TDs which still stands as a school record. He rushed for 1569 yards and scored 178 points, which included 22 TDs and 19 2-point conversions. Overall for his career he rushed for 3591 yards and scored 362 points which stood as school records until 2001 (broken by Larry Starks). As a senior, he was again named Honorable Mention USA Today NYS Small School Player of the Year plus the local media’s “Player of the Year for Small Schools”.
He attended Holy Cross and Union before graduating from RPI. He played football for all three schools and was 2nd Team All-League receiver at RPI in 1995. Jim is currently employed by Clickner Security Inc. He lives with his wife, Rachel, in Maplewood.
Crystal Carroll, ‘93
Crystal played soccer for 4 years, basketball for 4 years, and softball for 1 year. In her senior year, she was a successful member of the soccer team that had a record of 12-4-4 that won the Section II Class “C” Championship before losing in the regionals.
Her favorite sport was basketball where she enjoyed an outstanding career at WHS. She played four years of varsity basketball, finally winning the Section II Class “CC” Championship in her senor year. They lost in the Class “CC-C” playoff and finished the season with a 20-4 record. Crystal was named to All-City and All-Area teams and was the MVP of the Colonial Council. She averaged 17.4 ppg and 14.6 rebounds per game in her senior year, including a single game scoring record of 39 points against Cohoes. She finished her career with 1252 points and 1050 rebounds which are both school records. She was named the Female Athlete of the Year and had her basketball jersey retired in 2002.
She credits her coaches, especially Sande McCaffery, for providing sound advice and support. Crystal received a basketball scholarship to the University of Massachusetts where she received her degree in Sports Management. She played four years of basketball and scored over 1000 points in her career. Following her college career, she played professional basketball in Spain.
Crystal currently is a massage therapist and lives in New London, Connecticut.
Harry Tucker, ‘29
Harry played basketball and baseball at WHS when it was located at the Watervliet Civic Center. A longtime sports figure, he became known as “Mr. Watervliet” and was the unofficial grandfather to many local kids. Harry was in attendance at almost every sporting event in the city for over 50 years.
He was instrumental in the founding of the Watervliet Little League at the Watervliet Civic Center, where he served on the board of directors for over 40 years. He also coached basketball for Sacred Heart of Mary Church and was a longtime Little League umpire.
He regularly attended Watervliet High School athletic events, especially football, basketball, and baseball games and would attend games at other local schools to support team members from Watervliet. He gave his time and support to assist student-athletes to succeed. One of his favorite pieces of advice was “hit the books”.
Because of his support of the athletic programs in the Watervliet School District, the Watervliet Grade School Basketball Tournament and the Watervliet High School Gymnasium are both named in his honor. Thus, he becomes the first “Contributor” to the Watervliet Athletic Hall of Fame.
Harry died at the age of 86 on January 13, 1997. He is survived by his nephew William Tucker and wife Arlene of Rotterdam, and a niece Mary Louise Tucker of Germantown, Maryland.
Tony Curro Jr., ‘76
Tony participated in football, basketball, and baseball at WHS. He was an All-City and All-Area lineman/linebacker in football and an All-City catcher in baseball. Tony graduated from Cortland State with a degree in Physical Education, where he played three years of varsity baseball.
Tony’s biggest achievement was his coaching success at WHS. He was a successful assistant football coach for 15 years in charge of defense under Head Coach Dan Reinfurt and varsity baseball coach for 12 years (1984-1995). His baseball teams won 234 games and lost 78 games (.750%), 8 Colonial Council Championships, 6 Section II “Class C” Championships, 3 Section II runners-up; 3 Regional “Class C” Championships (1985 and 1991).
The 1985 team had a school record of 28 wins and 2 losses and combined with the 1986 team that had 24 wins and 4 losses, producing an overall record of 52 wins and 6 losses. Tony won his 100th game in his fourth season (1988) and his teams won 20 games or more in 7 of his 12 seasons. They also had a 30-game winning streak–the first 22 in 1985 and the final 8 in 1986. Tony succeeded his father, Tony Curro Sr., after his sudden death in March 1984.
Tony became an assistant coach at Siena College under long-time head coach Tony Rossi for eight seasons (1995-2003), where he was involved with recruiting pitcher Jon Lannon, currently pitching in the major leagues with the Washington Nationals.
Tony currently is a physical education teacher at the Watervliet Elementary School and is in his 29th year. Tony resides in Latham with his wife Kelly and son, Anthony Curro III.
George Mardigan, ‘61
George played and was captain of soccer, basketball, and track at WHS. In soccer, Coach Don Hill considered him one of the best he ever coached, and Coach Tom Jones considered him one of the best he coached in basketball. In basketball, he averaged a double-double for points and assists in the ‘60-’61 season. He set the school record in assists (10.6 per game) and foul shooting 112-120 (94%) in a single season.
His greatest accomplishment was coaching boys’ basketball. He coached for 30 years and compiled a record of 546 wins and 169 losses (76%). His 546 wins is the most in Section II history and he presently ranks 4th in wins in New York State Public High School history and 13th in New York State basketball history. His teams won 12 Colonial Council Championships (8 consecutive titles ‘86-’93); had a record of 73-1 in the Colonial Council from January ‘89 to December ‘93, which included an overall 43 game winning streak from December ‘90 to February ‘92. His teams won 14 Sectional championships (13 Class “CC” and 1 Class “B”), 6 Class “CC-C” and 5 Regional championships, 5 State Final-Four berths, and 2 State Final Championship Games. His teams never had a losing season or lost a 1st round sectional game in 30 years.
In 1991, his teams finished with a record of 28-0, won the New York State Public High School “Class C” and the Federation “Class C” State titles. Watervliet is the only Section II team to win both titles in the same year. George was inducted into the New York State Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame on March 24, 2007. George credits Harry Tucker and George Roe for influencing him during his career.
George was inducted into the HVCC Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in basketball and soccer. He received The Thomas Cahill Award as the Most Outstanding Athlete at HVCC in 1963. George completed his studies at the University of Albany with a degree in education. He taught 35 years of social studies at the junior high school level, along with coaching basketball, before retiring.
George lives in East Greenbush with his wife Beverly. They have two daughters, Stacey and Tara and two grandchildren, Trent and Bryce.
Dan Reinfurt, ‘69
Dan excelled in football at WHS under Coach Walt Nash. He was a three-year varsity player who was named to the Colonial Council All-Star Team and to The Troy Record All-City Team as a defensive back in 1969.
He graduated from the State University at Farmingdale with a degree in Mortuary Science in 1971 and a degree in Health Education from SUNY Cortland in 1977. He became a health education teacher and assistant football coach under head coach Joe King in 1978.
In 1980 he became the head football coach when Joe King left to coach at RPI. Dan became the most successful football coach in school history. During his career, his teams won 116 games, lost 38, and had 2 ties. They won 6 league championships, 3 regional championships, and 3 Class “C” State Championships. Included were 3 undefeated team: 1990 (11-0), 1991 (11-0), and 1996 (13-0). From October 1989 to November 1992 his teams recorded the longest winning streak in Section II history with 36 wins.
Dan’s team prided themselves on hard work in the weight room in the off season, intense and organized preparation during the season, and playing the game with class. His true gift in life was being a motivator to his players and students. Through coaching and teaching, Dan taught the youth of Watervliet that hard work and dedication would help them succeed later in life.
Dan’s football jersey was retired in October 1997. Dan died on August 5, 1997, at the age of 45. He was survived by brother John and his wife Jeanne, brother Edward, brother Joseph, sister Susan Reinfurt Kuziara and her husband Thomas, brother Michael and his wife Eileen, and sister Kathryn Reinfurt Fronczek and her husband Vincent. Kathryn passed away in 2004.
Watervliet Athletics … A Tradition of Excellence