Housatonic Sports Hall of Fame: The pride of the blue and the gold

FALLS VILLAGE —It was a gathering of generations at Sunday’s seventh Housatonic Valley Regional High School Sports Hall of Fame ceremony. Graduates, parents, teachers, former and current coaches, children and grandchildren  gathered to see the honor bestowed on athletes, and one coach, from five decades of school athletics.

Before the ceremony, inductees and their families gathered in the cafeteria — which used to be the gymnasium.

“Housatonic is a close-knit community, it’s great to see so many people come back,� current Athletic Director David Roach said. “I don’t think there’s a football game I’ve been to where I’ve not met an alumnus.�

Karen Chinatti Koutsoukos, class of 1973, flew in from Greeley, Colo., for the ceremony.

“I’m not worthy! I’m not worthy!� Koutsoukos joked nervously before the ceremony. The honor clearly meant something to her. “I grew up here and it’s wonderful. Small community schools have a great value in the world.�

Steven Dodge, class of 1994, was introduced by former Housatonic Principal Jack Mahoney, who described Dodge’s career in football, baseball and basketball.

“He set the high school record for a field goal at 42 yards,� Mahoney said. “A high school kid? Forty-two yards? The awards and achievements are outstanding. Beyond the awards, this guy just loved playing. He just loved it. This is for you, buddy, and it’s so well earned.�

Dodge set records in all three sports, including most touchdown passes in one season, most career passes, most passing yards in one season and the all-time career strike-out record for baseball. He also earned membership in  the 1,000-point club for basketball.

 â€œIt’s a great honor to be part of the many in the Hall of Fame,â€� Dodge said. “It completes a circle for me at Housatonic. The coaches instilled knowledge in me and I brought that from high school and to my whole life.â€�

Next was Thomas Atkins, class of 1959, who was inducted by former Athletic Director (and former regional superintendent) Ed Kirby, who said he felt privileged that he coached Atkins.

“The first time I saw Tom was in 1953, when we were playing Cornwall Consolidated School in baseball,� Kirby said. “We beat Cornwall, but the pitcher for the team was great. And I thought ‘I can’t wait until that kid comes up to seventh grade so I can coach him.’�

Atkins played on the school’s football, basketball and baseball teams.

“Playing sports at Housatonic was probably one of the greatest privileges a guy could ever have,� Atkins said. “The people were great. You just couldn’t get it better.�

Francis Perotti, class of 1983, was introduced by coach Roach, who said that “Champ� was a very important part of football and baseball at the school in the 1980s.

“He was the captain of the football team in his senior year and was named the co-most valuable player that year,� Roach said.

“He also lettered all four years he played baseball and got the co-most valuable player his senior year. His community spirit is very important to the Housatonic Valley Regional High School community. Without hesitation, he is always there for both his community and his family.�

Perotti introduced himself to the audience as “Champ the Plumber,� a reference to his family plumbing business and to national politics.

“My fondest memory was working with baseball coaches Ed Kirby and Steve Blass, because, to me, they define the rich tradition of baseball at this high school,� Perotti said. “In football, coach Mike Guy was, hands down, the best football coach I ever had. He was organized, disciplined and motivated. After my first open-heart surgery, I was lying around in the hospital and coach Guy called me. I told him the pain I was in after the surgery was nothing like the pain I was in during a three-day pre-season practice.�

Collene Gregory, class of 1992, participated in soccer, basketball and softball while at Housatonic. She earned most valuable player awards in those sports and received 10 varsity letters throughout her sports career.

“It’s great to be back at Housy, and I see a lot of familiar faces,� Gregory said. “I want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way, including my mom, who played taxi driver for me, and my father, who played catch with me. Also, thanks to my sister, Karen, who taught me how to do a free throw.�

David Bayersdorfer came to Housatonic in 1977 and served as a varsity golf, varsity boys basketball and even a cheerleading coach, in addition to teaching in the social studies department. During his eight years coaching varsity basketball, his team won a Berkshire League championship, got to the state quarterfinals three times and won 108 games.

“I am a very lucky man,� Bayersdorfer said. “Thirty-one years ago, I was selected by Ed Kirby to teach social studies at Housatonic. We had great teams. Great coaching? No, no no. We had great players.�

Michael Dodge, class of 1979, played varsity football, basketball and was a sprinter on the track team. He was the quarterback of the 1978 team that won six games, lost one and tied one.

Dodge is currently the defensive coordinator at Southern Connecticut State University. Due to team practice, he could not make the ceremony. Michael Guy read a speech from Dodge.

“I wish I could be here to accept this award in person,� Guy read. “I would like to thank my parents. My mom was my taxi driver to games. And, god forbid I lost a game, she also became the shoulder to cry on.�

Robert Segalla, class of 1965, was the captain of both the cross-country and basketball teams in his senior year and, during his senior year, his baseball team had 58 wins and 13 losses.

“It’s a very proud day for me,� Segalla said. “Sports is number one with me as far as education and public schools. I think the basis for all sports is to give 110 percent and do a better job than the guy next to you. Winning is just the frosting on the cake.�

Jacques Tompkins, class of 1956, played running back for the undefeated 1953 football team and played third base for the undefeated 1954 baseball team.

“He was just about the best athlete who came out of Cornwall,� Fred Baldwin told the audience. “Jacques had considerable leadership and athletic ability, even as a child. He was a very tough competitor who earned seven varsity letters.�

Tompkins could not be present at the ceremony.

Koutsoukos, who played soccer, softball and basketball, was introduced by her father, former athletic director Roland Chinatti. She was instrumental in forming the soccer team in 1972 and played on the field hockey, basketball, softball and badminton teams.

“As a young child, several incidents stand out where she put down her brothers,� Chinatti said. “Her brothers once said ‘We’re the strongest in the house’ and Karen said, ‘You are not!’ They told her ‘We are, too!’ So she said OK, do some push ups. The guys struggled to do two push ups and then she did quite a few. I think that incident kept her brothers quiet for a long time.�

Koutsoukos, no longer nervous at this point in the ceremony, accepted her award with pride.

“Thank you Title 9!� Koutsoukos said. “Girl power!�

Football and baseball player and skier Kyle Stelma, class of 1991, was the last on the stage. Stelma alternated as tackle and guard for the football team, which made the state championships in 1990. He was a three-letter varsity athlete in the sports he played. Stelma could not make the ceremony because he lives in Dubai, so his mother, Debbie Bain, accepted his induction award.

“He is so honored and surprised to be inducted,� Bain said. “Housy is truly in Kyle’s heart.�