The New Britain Sports Hall of Fame has four former city of New Britain mayors; they are William McNamara, Lucian Pawlak, Stanley Pac, and Judge Henry Gwazda.
Hall of Fame member John Castellani coached the Seattle University basketball team. His team led by All-American Elgin Baylor, lost to the Kentucky Wildcats in the NCAA Championship final game in Louisville Kentucky in 1958. The final score was 82 to 78. He also coached the NBA Minneapolis Lakers in 1961. In 1955 he served as an assistant coach of the basketball team at the Notre Dame University.
The late Vin Cazzetta, Hall of Fame member coached the Pittsburgh Pipers of the American Basketball Association. The Piper’s led by All-American Art Haymen, defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 92 to 88 in the first ABA championship game played in New Orleans in 1963. Vin also was head coach at Seattle University and assistant coach of basketball at Rhode Island State University. Mr. Cazzetta met his eternal rest in 2005.
The Hall of Fame also has members who played in the National Football League; they are: Charlie Avedisian ( New York Giants), Henry Jacunski ( Green Bay Packers), George Sulima ( Pittsburgh Steelers), Tommy Meyers (New Orleans Saints), Willie Hall ( Oakland Raiders), Tebucky Jones ( New England Patriots), and Ed Cody ( Chicago Bears). Byron Jones has been a member of the Dallas Cowboys for the past five years. He is the son of New Britain Sports Hall of Fame committee member Don Jones and Mrs. Jones. Byron was recently honored in Connecticut Magazine for those who are forty years old and younger and living in Connecticut. He recently played in the NFL Pro Bowl game and has the honor of holding the standing long jump record of 12 feet 3 inches at the NFL Combine. The New Britain Sports Hall of Fame extends their congratulations and best wishes for continued success as a professional football player.
On September 1926 the New York Football Giants played the New Britain Pros at Willow Brook Park before a large crowd. The final score was New York 24 and New Britain 0.
On September 1944 the Green Bay Packers played the New London Diesels at Muzzy Field in Bristol, CT. Two New Britain Hall of Fame members played in this game, they were Vic Baylock for the Diesels and Henry Jacunski for the Packers. The Packers won 30 to 0.
Hall of Fame members who continue to be involved in athletic programs are:
Michelle Abraham – Coach of the Volleyball Team at NBHA
Bill Cardarelli – Director of Athletics at St Joseph College University
Peter Bartlewski – Head Coach of the baseball Druid Hills HS, Atlanta, GA
Sherrona Black – PAL football coach in New Britain
William Coyle – Coach Football and basketball at Palm Beach Day Academy, West Palm Beach, FL
Shelia McCabe King – Head coach of girls’ basketball at Berlin HS
Tebucky Jones – Head coach football NBHS
Joe Lombardo – Head coach of basketball of Hartford Public HS
Peter Roby – Director of Athletics at Northeastern University, Boston, MA
John Morrell – Basketball and baseball official, also Coach of youth baseball teams in Southington
Beryl Piper – Coach of women’s basketball of CCSU
Ken Skoglund – Asst. Coach of girls’ basketball at Berlin HS
Dave Szrwczul – Connecticut amateur golfer
Tom Thibodeau – ESPN Analyst
Darwin Shaw – Head coach of girls track and Asst. Coach Boys basketball of NBHS
Len Corto – Athletic Director New Britain School District
George Kisluk – Wrestling Coach Rocky Hill Middle School
Don Lukowski – Tennis coach at Newington HS
Marci Moskal – Director of Meriden YMCA wellness program
Angie Pirog – Head trainer for CCSU Athletics teams
Tory Verdi – Head coach of women’s basketball at the University of Massachusetts
Harvey Shapiro – Cape Cod League Baseball Coach and Major League Scout
Dave Sytulek – Director of Physical Education, Health & Athletics at South Windsor HS
Kevin Urso – Asst. Coach of football at E.O. Smith HS