REUNION

Anyone interested in getting involved in a Hamden Father's Baseball/Softball coaches’ reunion should contact Tony Mentone at tonymentone@yahoo.com.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

Samantha Bertini (HHS' 91) played basketball and softball at Hamden High. After leaving Hamden she went on to Washington University. She is presently a graphic artist and still lives in Hamden.

PAUL CARR

As a young kid I read "Lou Gehrig -- A Quiet Hero," over and over again. I was fascinated because we seemed to have similar backgrounds. Gehrig played first base, so did I. He was good-looking and had pretty good grades. So did I. Gehrig went to Columbia University and played baseball at Yale Field. This I could only dream about. There is one thing I hated about him. He had this terrible, debilitating disease, ALS, named after him. The disease robbed him of his strength, his muscle control, and his body functions.

Paul Carr, a local youth baseball, softball and basketball coach, was diagnosed with ALS several years ago. Just as he did as a coach, no challenge was too large for him. He gathered his family and friends around him and started a fund to be used for ALS research. He sponsored a massive walkathon in which he personally participated. On December 23, 2008, Carr’s body succumbed to the ravages of this horrible disease. But his indomitable spirit will always remain in his battle against ALS. Carr had raised over $150,000. Right now someone is using the funds he raised to find a cure for ALS, as Carr peers over his shoulder coaching him on.

DRAGON DANDIES

Hamden High first-year football coach Scott Benoit was named the New Haven Register's All Area 2008 Coach of the Year. Benoit led the Dragons to a 9-3 record and a place in the state class LL. playoffs. He turned around a Hamden program that had been down for the last three years.

Also named to the team was defensive lineman Joe-Von Ladson (HHS' 10), a 6'1", 265 pounder, who helped lead Hamden to its resurgence. Joining him on the All-Area team was punter Carmine Baldino (HHS' 09), who averaged 40 yards a punt. He also led the team in tackles and punt returns, averaging over 20 yards.

HOCKEY HIGHLIGHTS.

The Hamden High boys hockey team was ranked third in the state in last week’s state rankings. Over the holidays they lost two games to powerful Maine teams. They remain undefeated in Connecticut by beating East Haven 4-1 and Notre Dame of Fairfield 4-3.

Kudos to Hamden athletic director Jeanne Cooper for moving the Notre Dame of Fairfield game to 12 noon to avoid the snowstorm on Saturday.

MISSING COACHES

Several people mentioned that I left off my list for great coaches John Wooden and Bobby Knight. I agree, they were great coaches but I disagree with their style.

Wooden sat on the bench with his legs crossed, and sometimes seemed to be sleeping. His style just didn't "do it” for me.

Knight is a bully who loves to hear himself talk. He was always in someone’s face, including game officials. When a grown man throws a chair across the court in international competition, there’s a problem. He should have been thrown out of basketball forever.

BASEBALL SOON...

Pitchers and catchers report to spring training on February 14, 2009.