Sports Hall of Fame to Hold Induction Dinner
By Matthew Cannata | Sports Correspondent at March 21, 2024 | 8:45 am | Print
On April 24, the New Britain Sports Hall of Fame, which began in 1996, will hold its annual induction dinner and ceremony at the General Ameglio Hall. Joe Lombardo, the Chairman of the New Britain Sports Hall of Fame Committee, spoke in great detail and length about how excited they are about this year’s class of inductees. He also knows how much of an honor it is for those who are being inducted.
“To be inducted into the New Britain Sports Hall of Fame is a great honor - we put in the best of the best,” Lombardo said. “This year, we are inducting three women, which is the first time that has ever happened. I’m very proud of the committee and I think that this year’s class is outstanding.”
Here is a brief biographical sketch of each inductee for the class of 2014:
Harvey Shapiro is a 1965 graduate from New Britain High School and played varsity baseball and basketball. Shapiro was a tri-captain his senior year and went on to play baseball at UCONN and in the Greater Hartford Twilight League. Years later, he was inducted into both the NBHS and Greater Hartford Twilight League Hall of Fame. Shapiro coached and scouted for four years throughout the country, including Springfield College, Bowdoin College, University of Hartford and Naval Prep. In addition, he managed in the Cape Cod Baseball League for over 15 years and coached the Netherlands National Baseball team, where he won the European Championship. He has accumulated over 950 wins between baseball and basketball.
John (Jackie) Robinson grew up in New Britain and lettered in Varsity as a freshman in high school. His favorite memory was when he scored five touchdowns against Mount Pleasant, Rhode Island. Besides football, he also excelled in track. He won the Brown University Invitational in Rhode Island and also earned a medal in three events – the 400 yard relay, broad jump and 880 yard relay. Robinson attended the University of Notre Dame, University of Toledo, and Clark College, where he graduated with an MBA.
Lucian Pawlak was a 1965 graduate of New Britain High School. He was a star in track and field as well as football. In 1965, he won the state open Shot-put championship. In his senior year, he played on both sides of the ball as a linebacker and offensive guard and helped lead the Hurricanes to an undefeated season. Pawlak was given a full four-year scholarship to play football at Wichita State University. Unfortunately, injuries cut his career short. He returned to New Britain where he had a successful political career as city treasurer and then in 1995, he became the 37th mayor of New Britain.
Tammy Hansen Valk was a 1989 graduate of New Britain High School and excelled in basketball, volleyball and softball. She co-captained the 1988-1989 basketball team and the 1987-1988 and 1988-1989 softball teams. She was a starting pitcher all four years and was recruited by CCSU to continue her softball career. There, she was the captain of the 1993 team. After her time at CCSU, she spent many summers continuing her love for the game by playing in the Danbury Women’s Baptist League and Central CT women’s fast pitch league in Vernon
Marci Hansen Moskal, the twin sister of Tammy, has a similar biography. She was a 1989 graduate of New Britain High School and excelled in basketball, volleyball and softball. She co-captained the 1988-1989 basketball team and the 1987-1988 and 1988-1989 softball teams. She played the catcher and shortstop position at NBHS and was recruited as a catcher and third basemen by CCSU. There, she co-captained the 1993 team along with her sister.
Kathy Pirog was a 1977 graduate from New Britain High School and participated in volleyball, basketball and track & field. She was the captain of the basketball and track & field teams and holds the school record in the javelin throw. Pirog graduated from CCSU in 1981 with a BS in Physical Education and later earned her MED from the College of New Jersey in 1982. She is currently in her 29th year at CCSU where she is the Blue Devils head athletic trainer and also professor of Athletic Training Education in the Department of Physical Education and Human Performance.
John (Jack) Stuart graduated from New Britain High School in 1955 and is being inducted posthumously. He was the class president and played football during his years there. He was the captain of the 1954 and 1955 team. In 1956 and 1957, he attended Cheshire Academy and from there, he went onto the American International College where he was the left guard for their football team. Upon his passing, his friends and classmates formed a scholarship which is named after him. It is given yearly to a student-athlete at NBHS to continue his/her education.
The committee members that serve with Lombardo are: Nick Denigris, Al Magnoli, John Nowobilski, Mark Reimer, Peter Bartlewski, Bill Huber, John Morrel, Len Pare, Bob Smilnak, Joan Velmore, Marci Moskal, Dave Bagdasarian, Don Jones and Don Paris.
If you are interested in attending the event, tickets are $40 per person and can be purchased at Paradise Pizza, Marzi Florist, Imperial Trophy and the YMCA. Cocktail hour will begin at 6 p.m. and dinner will begin at 7 p.m.
