PEABODY – Gary DeStefano, chairman of the Peabody High School Athletic Hall of Fame, has today released the list of inductees who represent the 2016 class. Spanning many eras and representing a wide range of sports, this group of honorees not only contributed to the success of Peabody High School Athletics but many continue to give back to the community. The following individuals will be honored at the banquet in November:
Peabody High School achieved a lot of athletic success in the 1970’s, contributing to that success were; 1974 three-sport stand-out Kevin Mulherin (Soccer/Hockey/Golf), baseball and football great Thomas “Dunny” Donovan (1972), Chuck Vozzella Class of 1973 Baseball stand-out, 1975 classmates Edwin Kolhonen (Track/Football) and Michael “Lanky” Lancaster (Football/Baseball), along with Michael Potawa, Class of 1971, who captained the football and hockey teams and will be inducted posthumously.
This year’s class includes the Dynamic Duo of Lady Tanner basketball D’Yana Delpero and DeAnn (Larrabee) Gallagher. Known as the Killer D’s, they both reached the 1,000 point scoring threshold in their senior season. They will be joined by 2003 classmates Bryan Molk (Football/Lacrosse) and three-sport standout Anthony Palmieri.
Two of Peabody’s finest Firefighters are amongst the inductees; Jeffrey “Jeffa” Maguire, 1984 Football defensive phenom and Dale Kimball, 1991 Hockey MVP & Baseball great. 2004 stand-out goalie in Soccer and Lacrosse, Lucy (MacCallum) Hare, will be joined by her Coach Daniel Hayes who was the inaugural girl’s LAX coach and never lost a match in his career at PHS.
Before there was Usain Bolt, PHS had Track great Donna (Unhao) Foden who held records in the 45, 50 and 100 yard dashes. Bob Irzyk (1987) was a three-sport athlete who excelled in football, and will be joined by two-time league MVP in golf Kevin Daly (1986) in this year’s class of inductees.
Also included is the 2004 Male Athlete of the Year and baseball catcher extraordinaire, Bryan Garrity, along with Superbowl MVP and 1995 two-sport standout James Festa, and Arthur Drivas who was the President of his 1948 class and excelled in football and basketball.
Also honored posthumously is long time coach and contributor in track and baseball, Walter Birmingham.
This outstanding group of athletes will be introduced at Coley Lee Field on Thanksgiving Day morning before the Tanners kickoff. The honorees will then be inducted into the Peabody High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday evening, November 25, 2016 during a gala banquet at the Danversport Yacht Club. Tickets are $50.00 and are available by contacting the PHS Athletic Director’s office or by calling (978) 536-4752.
