FairportBasketball.com

Jim Mandelaro
Staff writer

(April 28, 2006) — Seventeen local legends, along with three recent Olympians, one legendary team and an instant legend named "J-Mac" form the 2006 Frontier Field Walk of Fame class, announced Thursday night at the Rochester Press-Radio Club Day of Champions.

The inductees will be introduced before the Red Wings' July 23 game against Louisville.

Contributors

Ken Kampff — Since 1968, this lifelong Rochesterian has served as the chief administrator for Little League Baseball's Rochester District. He won the Morrie Silver Award at the 2005 Press-Radio Club dinner.

Don Murray — The longtime Charlotte High basketball coach went on to become the athletic director at East High in 1970 and oversaw the dominant achievements of the Orientals' program. He helped create the City-Catholic League and was chairman for 10 years.

Jerry Stahl — The chairman of the 1989 U.S. Open at Oak Hill, he also served as tournament director of the Wegmans Rochester LPGA Tournament and was secretary for the United States Golf Association.

Pro Sports

Brian Gionta — The Greece native led Boston College to national hockey title, led the 2006 U.S. Olympic team in goals at the recent Turin Games and set a New Jersey Devils record this season with 48 goals.

Howie Krist — The West Henrietta native was nicknamed "Spud," and had a 37-11 record for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1937-46, including 10-0 in 1941. He led the National League in saves with eight in 1942. From 1941-43, he was a combined 34-8 for the Cardinals.

Doug Miller — The greatest player in Rochester Rhinos history, he scored the game-winning goal in the first game played at Frontier Field in 1996. Earned A-League MVP honors in 1997 and is the team's all-time leader in goals (75) and points (166).

Amateur sports

Keith Burhans — The double below-the-knee amputee won the 2000 U.S. Sailing team trials, represented the United States in the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games, coached the Greek Sailing Team in the 2004 Athena Paralympic Games and finished first in the 2006 Miami Olympic Classes Regatta (sonar class). He will be co-chairman of the 2007 IFDS Disabled Sailing World Championships, hosted by the Rochester Yacht Club.

Scott Fitch — All-Greater Rochester guard for Fairport went on to earn NCAA Division III Player of the Year honors at SUNY Geneseo and left as No. 6 all-time Division III leading scorer. Replaced his father, Jeff Fitch, as Fairport boys basketball coach and guided Red Raiders to Section V title this past season.

Caitlin Howe — The most recruited girls basketball player in Section V history, she scored 2,001 points for Fairport despite missing virtually her entire senior year. Two-time All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year and a multiple All-American she landed a full scholarship with Duke but subsequently retired due to knee problems.

John Wallace — Named Mr. Basketball in New York in 1992 after leading Greece Athena to state title. Powered Syracuse University to NCAA finals in 1996 and is third in school history in points (2,119) and rebounds (1,065). First-round draft pick of New York Knicks played seven seasons in NBA.

Amateur coaches

Tom Downey — Nine-time Section V boys basketball Coach of the Year had 437-159 career record in 28 seasons with Canisteo, Dansville and Livonia. Won four Section V titles and 15 Livingston County titles. Passed away in 2003 at age 50.

Brenda Gibson — Coached Pittsford Mendon girls soccer team from its inception in 1974 until 1990, compiling 211-56-12 record.

Won four Section V titles and state championships in 1984, '86 and '88. First Empire State Games girls soccer coach, named National High School Coach of the Year in 1988.

Werner Kleemann — The Section V Football Hall of Famer coached Rush-Henrietta from 1972-85, then again in 2004. Compiled career mark of 99-28-4.

Also served as athletic director during the merge between R-H Sperry and Roth.

Dave Lanning — Fairport coaching legend finished 467-155 with 14 division titles and three Section V championships in baseball and 64-21 with one state championship and four Section V crowns in football.

Paul McKee — The former Syracuse University and Washington Redskins end started the Rush-Henrietta football program in 1964 and compiled a 55-5-1 record.

He served as R-H athletic director from 1968-85 and is a member of the Section V Football Hall of Fame. Died in 1999.

Media

Bill Pucko — A member of RNews' original broadcast team since 1990, he spent nine years at 10NBC before that. Two-time winner of Press-Radio Club's Sportscaster of the Year Award.

Curt Smith — Raised in Caledonia, the SUNY Geneseo graduate was a speechwriter to former President Bush and is the author of 10 books. Among them are: America's Dizzy Dean, Our House, Of Mikes and Men and the acclaimed Voices of the Game, widely considered the ultimate authority on baseball broadcasters.

Olympians

Brian Gionta, Kim Insalaco and Lyndsay Wall — Members of the U.S. hockey teams this past winter at Turin, Italy.

Team of the ages

1964-68 Amerks — This legendary team won three Calder Cup titles in four seasons under Joe Crozier and featured stars such as Gerry Cheevers, Bronco Horvath, Dick Gamble, Gerry Ehman, Al Albour and Don Cherry.

Chairman's choice

Jason McElwain — "J-Mac" reached international acclaim by scoring 20 points for Greece Athena in a varsity game against Spencerport on Feb. 15. The high-functioning autistic student inspired people all over the world and has a movie on his life in the works.

JMAND@DemocratandChronicle.com


	News > 2006 Walk of Fame
	04/28/06 Red Wings Walk of Fame class of 2006 Jim Mandelaro Staff writer (April 28, 2006) — Seventeen local legends, along with three recent Olympians, one legendary team and an instant legend named "J-Mac" form the 2006 Frontier Field Walk of Fame class, announced Thursday night at the Rochester Press-Radio Club Day of Champions. The inductees will be introduced before the Red Wings' July 23 game against Louisville. Contributors Ken Kampff — Since 1968, this lifelong Rochesterian has served as the chief administrator for Little League Baseball's Rochester District. He won the Morrie Silver Award at the 2005 Press-Radio Club dinner. Don Murray — The longtime Charlotte High basketball coach went on to become the athletic director at East High in 1970 and oversaw the dominant achievements of the Orientals' program. He helped create the City-Catholic League and was chairman for 10 years. Jerry Stahl — The chairman of the 1989 U.S. Open at Oak Hill, he also served as tournament director of the Wegmans Rochester LPGA Tournament and was secretary for the United States Golf Association. Pro Sports Brian Gionta — The Greece native led Boston College to national hockey title, led the 2006 U.S. Olympic team in goals at the recent Turin Games and set a New Jersey Devils record this season with 48 goals. Howie Krist — The West Henrietta native was nicknamed "Spud," and had a 37-11 record for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1937-46, including 10-0 in 1941. He led the National League in saves with eight in 1942. From 1941-43, he was a combined 34-8 for the Cardinals. Doug Miller — The greatest player in Rochester Rhinos history, he scored the game-winning goal in the first game played at Frontier Field in 1996. Earned A-League MVP honors in 1997 and is the team's all-time leader in goals (75) and points (166). Amateur sports Keith Burhans — The double below-the-knee amputee won the 2000 U.S. Sailing team trials, represented the United States in the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games, coached the Greek Sailing Team in the 2004 Athena Paralympic Games and finished first in the 2006 Miami Olympic Classes Regatta (sonar class). He will be co-chairman of the 2007 IFDS Disabled Sailing World Championships, hosted by the Rochester Yacht Club. Scott Fitch — All-Greater Rochester guard for Fairport went on to earn NCAA Division III Player of the Year honors at SUNY Geneseo and left as No. 6 all-time Division III leading scorer. Replaced his father, Jeff Fitch, as Fairport boys basketball coach and guided Red Raiders to Section V title this past season. Caitlin Howe — The most recruited girls basketball player in Section V history, she scored 2,001 points for Fairport despite missing virtually her entire senior year. Two-time All-Greater Rochester Player of the Year and a multiple All-American she landed a full scholarship with Duke but subsequently retired due to knee problems. John Wallace — Named Mr. Basketball in New York in 1992 after leading Greece Athena to state title. Powered Syracuse University to NCAA finals in 1996 and is third in school history in points (2,119) and rebounds (1,065). First-round draft pick of New York Knicks played seven seasons in NBA. Amateur coaches Tom Downey — Nine-time Section V boys basketball Coach of the Year had 437-159 career record in 28 seasons with Canisteo, Dansville and Livonia. Won four Section V titles and 15 Livingston County titles. Passed away in 2003 at age 50. Brenda Gibson — Coached Pittsford Mendon girls soccer team from its inception in 1974 until 1990, compiling 211-56-12 record. Won four Section V titles and state championships in 1984, '86 and '88. First Empire State Games girls soccer coach, named National High School Coach of the Year in 1988. Werner Kleemann — The Section V Football Hall of Famer coached Rush-Henrietta from 1972-85, then again in 2004. Compiled career mark of 99-28-4. Also served as athletic director during the merge between R-H Sperry and Roth. Dave Lanning — Fairport coaching legend finished 467-155 with 14 division titles and three Section V championships in baseball and 64-21 with one state championship and four Section V crowns in football. Paul McKee — The former Syracuse University and Washington Redskins end started the Rush-Henrietta football program in 1964 and compiled a 55-5-1 record. He served as R-H athletic director from 1968-85 and is a member of the Section V Football Hall of Fame. Died in 1999. Media Bill Pucko — A member of RNews' original broadcast team since 1990, he spent nine years at 10NBC before that. Two-time winner of Press-Radio Club's Sportscaster of the Year Award. Curt Smith — Raised in Caledonia, the SUNY Geneseo graduate was a speechwriter to former President Bush and is the author of 10 books. Among them are: America's Dizzy Dean, Our House, Of Mikes and Men and the acclaimed Voices of the Game, widely considered the ultimate authority on baseball broadcasters. Olympians Brian Gionta, Kim Insalaco and Lyndsay Wall — Members of the U.S. hockey teams this past winter at Turin, Italy. Team of the ages 1964-68 Amerks — This legendary team won three Calder Cup titles in four seasons under Joe Crozier and featured stars such as Gerry Cheevers, Bronco Horvath, Dick Gamble, Gerry Ehman, Al Albour and Don Cherry. Chairman's choice Jason McElwain — "J-Mac" reached international acclaim by scoring 20 points for Greece Athena in a varsity game against Spencerport on Feb. 15. The high-functioning autistic student inspired people all over the world and has a movie on his life in the works. JMAND@DemocratandChronicle.com