Athletic Hall of Fame Inducts Class of 2024

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The Suffield Athletic Hall of Fame (SAHOF) hosted its 13th induction ceremony and dinner to celebrate the 2024 Hall of Fame induction class. The event was held at the Oak Ridge Golf Club on Saturday, November 23rd.

Photo by the author
The new inductees of the Suffield Athletic Hall of Fame are from L-R: Ken Parent, Jeff Parent, Dan Hinckley, Walter Soule, Albert Ford, Tom Jennings, Larry Tavino, Don Suzenski, Mark Sullivan, Tom Chase, Chris Martin, Dan Cannon, Travis Tucker, George Galiatsos, Mark Stewart, Jim Modzelesky, Lindsay Sall, Deedee Presser, Natalie Mazzetta.


This year’s induction class featured the following athletes (see sahof.org for more details).

Albert Ford excelled in three sports at Suffield High School (SHS) – soccer, basketball, and baseball – and was a major contributor on all three teams. During his high school career, he received eight varsity letters – two in soccer and three each in basketball and baseball. As a senior in 1977, he was All-NCCC in soccer, basketball and baseball and earned a spot on the Journal Inquirer All-Area team in both basketball and baseball.

Al attended Central Connecticut University where he was a member of the boxing team.

Dan Hinckley excelled at hockey for SHS, where he was a four-year starter, was named the team’s MVP in his junior and senior years and was captain his senior year. As both a junior and senior, Dan was named JI All—Area 1st team and Division I All-State. In soccer, he was a three-year midfield starter, and in baseball he was also a three-year starter, playing primarily as a catcher. At SHS, Danny earned ten varsity letters, and played in four state championship games.

Natalie Mazzetta entered SHS in 2003 and swam all four years, earning two All-American honors in 200 IM and 500 Free. She also qualified for the 2005 US Open Championships and 2006 NCSA Junior Nationals. Natalie holds SHS records for the 100 butterfly, 200 IM, 400 freestyle relay, and 200 medley relay. She was the SHS MVP for four years and captain of the team in her senior year. Natalie attended Syracuse University, where she holds several records.

Jim Modzelesky was a three-sport athlete at SHS who then spent his entire career promoting local golf as a PGA professional. In high school, Jim lost only two matches his junior and senior years combined, shot a 68 to set a school record which lasted 13 years, led his team to an undefeated conference record, and finished 4th in the State Tournament. He was also a key member of the soccer and basketball teams and was named the best athlete of his class. After high school, Jim became the assistant golf pro at Suffield Country Club in 1971. In 1974 at age 22, he became the first pro at the newly opened Oak Ridge Golf Club, where for the next 35 years he gave lessons, conducted Junior clinics, and ran literally thousands of golf outings and tournaments. He then had a similar impact working as a golf pro for many years in Naples, Florida.

Deedee Presser was a three-sport athlete at SHS. She was the starting shortstop all four years, leading the team in numerous statistical categories, was Rookie of the Year, and made three all-conference teams. As a senior, she was CHSCA Class M All State player, NFCA All-Region Team Hartford Courant All-Courant team, CHSCA Senior Bowl player, and NFCA All American Scholar Athlete. During her last two years at SHS, she was the varsity soccer goalie, MVP and had all-conference honors. She also played varsity basketball all four years.

Lindsay Small is a 2006 graduate of SHS and was a key player for the soccer and basketball teams. She led the soccer team to a state championship in 2005 with an undefeated record. She was a two-time All-State selection, team MVP in 2004 and 2005, and an All-New England selection in 2005. Lindsay was also a four-year starter in basketball, earning All-Conference honors. Lindsay played soccer collegiately for the University of South Carolina, competing all four years and starting her junior and senior years. She remained on the SEC academic honor roll all four years.

Emily Sweeney graduated from SHS in 2011. A career in luge saw her compete around the world, with highlights including Olympic appearances in 2018 and in 2022. In the junior ranks she won the 2013 junior World Championship in Park City, Utah. She won the 2015 national championship competition at Park City and was a member of numerous world championship teams. She won the 2019 World Championship bronze medal and has claimed 24 World Cup and World Championship medals including two golds.

Megan Sweeney graduated from SHS in 2005. In the winter sport of luge, she raced to 10 international junior metals in 2005-2006 and won the Verizon U.S. Junior National Championship in 2006 and 2007. The pinnacle of her illustrious career was representing the USA at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada. There, at the luge facility on the slopes of the famous Whistler ski resort, she raced to a 22nd place finish.

Travis Tucker entered SHS in 1985, and played three seasons of hockey for the Wildcats, twice earning Division 1 All-State honors. For his senior season, Travis played for Avon Old Farms where he was a member of the 1989 New England Prep Championship team and a high school hockey All-American. After a solid four-year college career, Travis went on to play professionally for the next six seasons.

1978-79 Suffield High School Boys Soccer Team was the first SHS team since 1961 to win a state championship in any sport. Led by twelve returning seniors, the 1978 NCCC and Class M State Champions compiled a 16-1-3 record, which included regular season wins over eventual Class L State Championship finalist Windsor Locks and dual wins over Class S State Champion Granby.

The induction event also recognized long-time SAHOF committee members Bob Cecchini, Walt Beck and Joe Sinicrope for their many years of service to the Hall of Fame.

More details on the inductees and the hall of fame can be found at the SAHOF website: www.sahof.org.

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