The Naugatuck Hall of Fame is holding its 40th Annual Induction Ceremony Oct. 15 at the Continental Room in Naugatuck.
Ryan Gomes is scheduled to speak, provided the NBA lockout continues. Pat Dean and Steve Hiscock will be attending to greet fans.
For tickets contact Ray Rossi Jr at 203-729-4865 or Gordon Rossi 203-723-7893. Tickets also on sale at the Tax Collector's Office at Town Hall. No tickets will be sold at the door.
Here are the inductees:
Donald I. Beauchamp
Although Beau participated in sports during his high school years, particularly football, he didn’t shine as a local sports hero. His team spirit has been demonstrated throughout his life in the contributions he unselfishly makes to his church, community, youth and human services.
After serving 4 years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, his contribution to youth began. He volunteered his time and energy to do whatever was needed to make the Union City Little League a reality - from spreading loom to painting to fund raising to helping with try-outs to coaching.
A charter member of the Naugatuck Junior Football League, he coached, officiated and served as commissioner. He chaired the annual NJFL dance for eight years. As a member of the Western CT Football Officials Association, he volunteered for many high school scrimmages, as well as NJFL games.
His involvement with the New Haven County Sheriff’s Association led to participation in many functions for specific needs for CT youth. Finally, he has served on the Naugatuck Hall of Fame Selection Committee and Annual Recognition and Installation Dinner Committee.
Bernard C. Ardry, Jr.
Bernie got his start in sports playing baseball for the Peter J. Foley Little League and St. Francis Grammar School. He was voted the MVP, boasting a .412 batting average. He went on to play for the Rotary Club Babe Ruth team and the St. Francis CYO basketball team.
From 1961-1965 Bernie played football, basketball and baseball for Naugatuck High School, excelling in baseball as a first baseman and catcher. In one game of note, Bernie laid down a neat squeeze bunt along the 3rd base line, beating it out for a hit as Rich Labriola scored to give the Greyhounds a 3-2 win over Hamden.
Bernie is the son of Doris and Bernard Ardy, Sr., his most devoted fan, who never missed a game and proudly kept his scrapbook up to date.
Steve DiVito
Steve’s diverse sporting career began in 1961 as a player for the Union City Little League Cubs. As a member of Poust’s Babe Ruth League team, he was selected to the All Star Team and named the Most Outstanding Batter (.500 average).
From 1965-1968 Steve earned three varsity letters as a three-year starter for the NHS Football Team, was selected co-captain, was named All-NVL as an offensive guard and was chosen for the Nutmeg Bowl All-Star Game as a Defensive Tackle for the West Squad. He continued to play football at Cornell University until medical reasons brought his season to an end in 1970.
But Steve’s sporting career was not finished then. In 1981, he finished 3rd in the CT Section Long Driving Championship (sponsored by Golf Digest Magazine) and was invited to the New England Regional Competition. In 1997, his CT Golf Course Superintendents Team finished second in the New England Superintendents Team Championship.
Finally, Steve also excelled in pistol shooting from 1989-1991, placing first in the Civilian/Service Division-Marksman Classification. He competed in the first Nutmeg State Games, winning a silver medal in Olympic Free Pistol. In 1990 he was a gold medalist in both Olympic Free Pistol and Air Pistol and went on to earn a bronze medal in Olympic Free Pistol in 1991. As a member of the Bridgeport Rifle Team competing in the CT State Indoor Pistol Championships, he won first place in the sharpshooter classification.
Cathy Shea
Being a standout three-sport NHS athlete, it is no surprise that Cathy was named to Who’s Who in American Athletes in 1983. Cathy played and lettered in Varsity Basketball, Softball and Volleyball all four years. She led the volleyball team as its captain, traveled to Belgium with the basketball team for an exchange program and led the softball team to NVL titles all 4 years she played. Cathy was selected to the All-NVL Softball Team and chosen as the Class Athlete in 1983.
Cathy’s volleyball career did not end with her graduation from NHS, as she went on to play Division II Volleyball at Keene State College. Her involvement with athletics also continued. She served as an assistant coach at Connecticut girls sports camps with Barb Giancarlo, attended the CT Falcons Pro Softball Camp and coached softball for two years to inner-city Chicago girls. It is only fitting that such a marathon career would include Cathy completing 15 marathons to date, including the Boston Marathon twice.
Raymond D. Chrzanowski
Ray was an outstanding member of the NHS Football Team in 1961 and ’62, as well as the NHS Baseball Team in ’62 and ’63. With Ray playing as an end, the football team went 5-2-2 in 1961 and 9-1 in 1962. That season was capped off with a win over Ansonia on Thanksgiving Day. Ray proudly accepted his NHS Letter Sweater and received the NHS Outstanding Athlete Award in 1963 for basketball, scoring 20-21 points a game.
We lost Ray far too early. His wife Rose- Ann will honor her husband’s memory by accepting his award.
Thomas Szarzynski
Like many, Tom’s athletic achievements began with Naugatuck youth sports- Little Pal Basketball (member of league champs Knights of Columbus team, 1963), Naugatuck Junior Football League (member of the All- Star Team), and Hillside Junior High Basketball Team. Life then took Tom to Tucson, Arizona where he was an integral part of his high school football and basketball teams. The Naugatuck Daily News even reported his outstanding play in Arizona.
Tom returned to Naugatuck to letter in football as an offensive and defensive tackle. He was honored as Player of the Week three times, and earned All-NVL, All-State (when there was only one All-State Team, not one for each division), and All-American recognition.
Moving on to play Offensive Center for the UCONN Huskies, Tom made the starting line-up as a freshman and was noted for his outstanding play. At the time he was the youngest UCONN player ever to receive the CT Mutual Life Player of the Week. Despite having rotator cuff surgery in May, Tom came back ready to play in August.
Then patriotic pride lured Tom away from UCONN at the end of his sophomore year. The Marines, however, did not lure him away from football. He played club football while enlisted. A stand out in boot camp, he was named Honor Mariner and given his choice of any field in the Marine Corps.
