Hall of Fame Adds New Inductees, Teams

WESTFIELD, Mass. - Westfield State University held its 22^nd Athletic Hall of Fame Induction ceremony on Friday, October 13, 2017, inducting five new individual members and recognizing two "Teams of Distinction."

The five individual inductees were track and field All-American David Bergeron '07, Women's basketball standout Kristen (Schmaelzle) Lavelle '00, softball pitcher Leah (Peterson) Holmes '06, men's soccer forward Andrew Lewis '02, and All-American football running back Shawn Lyman '02

The 1950-51 men's basketball team and 1974 men's soccer teams were recognized as the first two "Teams of Distinction.

Bergeron, a native of Northbridge, Mass., who now resides in Chelsea, gave credit to his education in the Movement Science department in helping his throwing career.

"I got to learn what kinesiology was," said Bergeron. "Once you took 'kineese' you had an understanding how the body actually functioned and worked . . . I'd sit in front of a computer and try to match my form up with video of world class throwers. While most of my competitors were much taller, they would always win on leverage. But I could win on speed, I could win on power and guts. My tenacity, my grit, everything I'm made of came into play right there."

"It was so unique to me to be able put my education to work in the actual minute of what I was doing in sport, which was really cool," said Bergeron. "The Woodward Center [Westfield State's academic and athletic facility] was set up for me . . . that is an unbelievable Center, and the education that we can get there, that can't be touched by the other state schools. It was an unbelievable scenario to be around those professors that had that understanding . . . athletics was the reason why I was studying . . . and even that freshman year study hall carried on through four years."

Holmes, a graduate of Appoquonet High School, who now resides and teaches in Lakeville, Mass., recognized the significance of being selected to the Hall of Fame.

"It's truly an honor to even be considered to be a part of this," she said. "Looking back 16 years ago when we were freshman There's no way I ever thought I would be here tonight," said Holmes. "My friend Liz and I tried out together, and I didn't think we would make the team. Other girls were telling us they'd been recruited, and we were just walking on."

"Coach [Lou Ann Simchak] always pushed us to work hard and play hard, and allowed us to have fun and be ourselves at the same time. The that we had together over the four years are still some of my best memories … Many of my teammates have become lifelong friends. Softball is a team sport and I would not be standing here right now if it wasn't for my teammates."

"The opportunity I had as student-athlete helped lay a foundation for my life after college," said Holmes. "It taught me how to be dedicated, committed to any challenge I have encountered, and to learn how to better balance life at work at home. As a teacher I encourage the values of teamwork and cooperation in my classroom every day and these are skills I do not take for granted …"

My decision to come to Westfield State was one of the best I ever made," added Holmes.

She also credited her family for their support throughout her softball career. "Looking back, I don't know why you ever let me pitch down the hallway at home in the winter to be ready for the spring season. My dad would catch in front of a plate glass window, he must have had pretty good reflexes since we never broke the window."


Lavelle, a graduate of Agawam High School still lives in her hometown and teaches in nearby Enfield, Conn. "Westfield was an easy choice," she said. "I knew the coaches that were here, and I am all about comfort."

"I was a pretty emotional player. I was so worked up and wanted to do well, and if I didn't I'd get upset. Coach [Rick] Berger and coach [Dave] Kinne came up with a plan. They would ignore me during practice and games and talk to me after …I'd like to thank them. They had a huge impact on my life that I can't put into words. They were always willing to do anything for you."

"I really got lucky with a successful team and an overall great group throughout my four years," said Lavelle. " Amazing athletes and people, and I'm lucky to meet them, play with them, and still be in touch with them today," said Lavelle, who also noted the continuing success of Westfield State's women's basketball program under the guidance of Andrea Bertini '96, one of Lavelle's former teammates and a fellow Hall of Famer.

Lewis, a native of Danvers who now resides in Kingston, N.H., gave credit to his teammates, coach, and family.

"I don't consider this an individual honor," said Lewis. "Without amazing players and amazing teammates, I woudn't be here . . . I strongly feel it's a 'we' award."

Lewis played under Westfield State Hall of Famer Paul Whalley '76, who coached the Owls to a 46-23-2 record in Lewis's four years, including ECAC and NCAA Tournament Bids.

"I really want to thank my mom and dad," said Lewis "From early childhood through college they sacrificed - everything. A lot of time, gave up a lot and got me to every practice, every game. They went to every game. Well, my dad went to every game," he added with a smile. "My mom missed one. My dad sent her to the wedding that day."

Lyman, a native of West Springfield, Mass. who now serves as a K9 police officer in Boca Raton, Fla., had an impressive career, topped by leading the Owls to an unbeaten regular season and an NCAA playoff bid his senior year - a feat all the more impressive as a reservist he was called to active duty at Westover Air Force Base in the wake of the September 11, 2001 tragedy.

"The morning of our fourth game, Westover called me up and told me they needed me the next morning at 0700," said Lyman. "I thought, well, it's time to step up and do what I had signed up for . . . "

"I spoke to the other captains and let them know it might possibly be my last game. We were 3-0 for the first time in school history. The team got around me, supported me, and it was amazing from that time on. That was the best game of my career."

"I worked 6 days a week and 12 hour shifts, and had to maintain full class load to stay NCAA eligible," said Lyman. "If it wasn't for my teammates, my family, my friends, and the members of Westover Air Force Base, I wouldn't be standing here right now. They helped gather around me, working night shifts 6 pm to 6 am, teammates would bring me dinner, homework assignments from my professors, would bring homework to class if I couldn't make it. It ended up being a huge family . . . Hopefully one day our whole team will be fully inducted together."

George Hines '54 spoke on behalf of the 1951 team, which was represented at dinner by himself and teammate Bill Miller '53.

"Things were a lot different," said Hines. "Tuition for one semester was $37.50. There were times when I couldn't come up with it. My senior year we had warm up tops that said 'Westfield'. I noticed the next year in the yearbook they had the bottoms. It must have taken another year to get enough money to buy the warm up pants."

"I saw an old ticket, the price 35 cents admission vs. Westfield All-Stars," said Hines. "Can you imagine paying 35 cents to see us play? We didn't have any cheerleaders. But Bill Miller told me to say there were a lot of women in the class of '53 that followed us around to play, both at home and away. We played at the Armory, and we got great crowds of locals as well."

University trustee Jim Hagan '84 presented the awards to the inductees, and introduced the 1974 men's soccer team.

Mike Walker '75, the goalkeeper and co-captain of the 1974 squad, spoke on behalf of his many teammates who were in attendance at the dinner, and gave special credit to John Kurty, the Owls hall of fame coach.

You don't realize how excited and honored our team is to be here tonight," said Walker. "Because most of us haven't been to an athletic banquet since 1974!"

"Coach was smart like a fox. Its October of 74, a cool night, practice is over, the café closes in 10 minutes. The guys are hurrying now. And from behind us, coach, in his unassuming, Columbo-like manner says 'Hey boys, there's just one more thing. We're missing a cone'. Well the expressions on the faces of the team switches from disbelief to panic, to full blown 'find the bleeping cone'. That was life lesson number one - Be accountable and keep track of your belongings. If you came to practice with 20 cones. You went home with 20. There was never a rant, he never raised his voice, but we all knew if that cone didn't appear, we weren't going to dinner."

"He not only molded us for that season, he helped shape us for life," said Walker. "Coach realized the good material that he had . . . the team has posted records that have stood the test of time … that was 43 years ago and that team still has seven members in the all-time top 25 points leaders, goal scorers and assist leaders. That's not too shabby!"