St. Luke's Athletic Hall of Fame

Ed Burke '80 was a varsity letter winner in 4 sports at St. Luke's; soccer, football, basketball, and baseball. Named to the All-Fairchester and All-State Football teams in his senior year, Ed helped lead the 1979 SLS Football team to a Fairchester League title while serving as captain. On the basketball court, Ed added to his Fairchester League title accolades with championships in the 1977-78 and 1978-79 seasons. In the spring, Ed was a dominating presence on the pitcher's mound, leading St. Luke's to back-to-back-to-back Fairchester titles in 1978, 1979, and 1980. He earned All-FAA League honors and All-Region honors from the New York Daily News before playing at Georgetown University for four years, serving as captain for three, and writing his name into the Hoya record books in four different pitching categories.

Harry Earle '42 graduated from St. Luke’s in 1942 after starring in all 3 sports offered at the time; football, basketball, and baseball. According to King Whitney, SLS Class of 1943, Harry was “a sensational athlete, was of outstanding personal character, and was a leader in everything he did. The whole school looked up to him and he was the most popular kid in school”. After St. Luke’s, Harry went to Williams College and was there for one year before enlisting in the Army Air Force in 1943. Between 1943 and 1945, Harry flew over 50 missions across Southern Europe and received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service. Following WWII, Harry returned to Williams where he completed his Bachelor's degree, and swam, sailed, and played tennis for the Ephs, all while raising two young children with his wife Barbara.

Jon Murphy '53 was one of four Murphy boys to attend St. Luke's School, and compiled a perfect attendance record over 12 years. Upon entering the Upper School, Jon immediately became a four year star on the baseball team, doing damage both at the plate as a strong hitter, and on the mound as the number one starting pitcher. Beginning his sophomore year, Jon began excelling on the gridiron as the varsity football team’s running back, and on the court as the varsity basketball team’s sparkplug shooting guard. Jon was an extremely will-liked and respected member of the student body, serving his fellow students as a member of Student Council for four years, including as chairman his senior year, was the business manager for the Caduceus, and captain of the maroons intramural squad during the years inter-scholastic competition was limited.

Amy Olsen Radev '95 began her SLS athletic career on the volleyball court where she became a four-year varsity letter winner. Her leadership and accomplishments carried her to all-league honorable mentions her freshman and sophomore years, and all-league recognition her junior and senior years, along with captaincy honors as both a junior and senior. The spring seasons saw Amy earn two letters on the tennis court, before transitioning to the softball field as a junior and senior, where she earned all-league honors both years, and a captaincy as a senior. Her versatility, team-first attitude, hustle, and dedication contributed to her recognition as Senior Female Athlete of the Year in 1995, along with the Headmaster Award at graduation.

The 1972 Varsity Football Team was a collection of young men who combined exciting play, outstanding character, and inspiring leadership. Public awareness of the greatness of this team help to inspire an increase in admissions and aided in a turn in public perception of the School. Over the course of a nine-game schedule, the SLS Varsity Football Team was a juggernaut on both sides of the ball, resulting in an undefeated 9-0 record. On offense, five players averaged over 5 yards per carry and six players averaged over 15 yards per reception. On defense, 5 different players registered interceptions. Twelve different players scored at least 1 point for the team. That statistic is even more impressive considering the roster was only 25 players, meaning almost half of the players on the team scored that season. 7 of those 25 players were named to the All-Fairchester League team, a first for the recently formed league. Only one opponent put double digits up on the scoreboard that entire season, only one game was decided by a single touchdown, and by the end of the season, the team had outscored their opponents by a combined total of 404 to 32.

Alan Ciklin '64 was a three sport standout while at St. Luke’s. A multi-faceted football player, Alan played every "skill" position during his 3 years on the SLS football team. His ability, and more importantly willingness, to play any position contributed to his receipt of the 1963 Football MVP Award. On the basketball court, Alan served as captain and averaged over 26 points per game as a senior. As impressive as these accomplishments are, it was on the baseball field where Alan truly shone. A pitcher and shortstop for St. Luke’s, Alan served as captain and was named MVP his senior year after batting over .600 for the season. Combine all these athletic achievements and you have a Pat Thomas Award winner, and Senior Athletic Award winner well worthy of Athletic Hall of Fame induction.

Peter Hanson '57 attended St. Luke’s for eleven years, starting in second grade. For the first eight of those years Peter compiled a perfect attendance record, never missing a day of school. A key component to three consecutive winning basketball seasons, Peter also contributed to success on the baseball diamond as a member of the St. Luke’s pitching staff. Following graduation, Peter attended Lafayette College where he played basketball for the Leopards his freshman and sophomore years. Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Peter has been a loyal and involved alumnus at St. Luke’s, serving on the School’s Board of Trustees since 2010.

David J. E. Havens has been a member of the St. Luke’s faculty since 1981. His 34 year career in Hilltop classrooms has resulted in numerous accolades from his colleagues and peers such as the SLS Excellence in Teaching Award, the Connecticut Excellence in Environmental Science Teaching, and an Honorable Mention for the Westinghouse Award. A life long learner and educator, his pursuit of excellence and personal improvement on the athletic fields and gyms of SLS has helped to define his legacy. Just like in the classroom, Dave has worn many hats including; strength & conditioning director, coach for varsity & JV & middle school football, varsity girls basketball coach, varsity & JV lacrosse coach, and one season as varsity softball coach. Such a long coaching career naturally comes with a number of accomplishments along the way highlighted by 12 consecutive FAA tournament appearances with girls basketball and 3 undefeated Middle School football seasons.

Debra LaBella '00 first came to St. Luke’s as a sixth grader in the fall of 1993. A four year varsity athlete in volleyball, basketball and softball, Debra earning 12 varsity letters before graduating. Adding to her 12 letters won, she served as captain for all three sports as a senior, was named All-FAA for two years in volleyball, All-FAA basketball one year, and All-FAA for two years in softball. This impressive run in the upper school, paired with great leadership qualities both on and off the court, culminated in her receipt of the Daniel Ireland Award and Outstanding Female Athlete her senior year. After graduating in June of 2000, Debra attended Syracuse University and graduated with degrees in Elementary Education and History. She carried her love for education, fostered by so many teachers at SLS, with her to Columbia University where she earned her Masters in Teaching.

Major Lee Perry Vance '40 was an outstanding athlete and an acknowledged member of his class. At graduation, Lee was a awarded the Senior Scholarship Award and the Loyalty Cup, before having the honor of receiving the 1954 Caduceus dedication 14 years later. After graduating from SLS in 1940, Lee joined the US Marine Corps serving in the Pacific Theater during WWll until the war ended. Lee mustered out of the Marines as a captain in 1946. He married, fathered two children, entered Johns Hopkins where he earned a BS Degree in Business, and played lacrosse for 4 years. With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea, Lee was recalled to active duty. Despite having already served for 5 years, two young children, and a wife, Lee rejoined the Marines in 1951. He was recommissioned as a Major, and assigned to an artillery company in Korea. On November 14, 1952, Major Lee Perry Vance was killed by enemy fire. For his duty in Korea, Major Vance received Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.

The 2001 Varsity Football Team is the second football team in school history to finish with an undefeated record, and the first to win a regional title in the newly formed New England Prep School Athletic Conference.

Peter Ornousky '76 was a 12 time varsity letter winner at St. Luke's. The winner of the Junior Loyalty Cup and the Headmaster’s Award, Peter also earned honors distinction every semester in his academic disciplines. A 4 year All-FAA selection in baseball, 2 year All-FAA selection in basketball, and 2 year All-FAA selection in football, Peter was also recognized with the Stephen Miller Award as the top baseball player at St. Luke’s both his junior and senior years. After graduation, Peter attended Susquehanna University and earned 1 varsity letter in football and 4 in baseball.

Lauryn Nicasio Soden '01, the oldest of four sisters to attend St. Luke’s, was a three sport standout playing field hockey, basketball and lacrosse. A 12 time varsity letter winner, Lauryn was captain of field hockey her junior year, captained all three teams during her senior year, and earned 4 All-FAA awards and 1 All-WNEPSA in recognition of her accomplishments on the field. Off the field she participated in Choir and was inducted into the National Honor Society, leading to her awarding of the Senior Bowl and Athlete of the Year in 2001. Following graduation from St. Luke’s, Lauryn attended Middlebury College and continued her field hockey career, leading the Panthers to two NCAA field hockey tournament finals in 2003 and 2004, and the 2003 NESCAC Tournament Championship.

Robert Salomon '55 was a 12-time varsity letter winner during his Upper School career, playing all three sports offered by the School at the time; football, basketball, and baseball. He excelled in all three sports but particularly in football as a bruising fullback and linebacker. A leader both on and off the field, Bob served as the President of Student Council, and editor of the Caduceus, lending his personality, organization skills, attention to detail, and vocal abilities to producing a yearbook to be proud of. Following graduation from St. Luke’s, Bob attended Amherst College and worked on Wall Street for over 40 years before returning to the Hilltop as a member of the earliest Boards of Trustees.

While the School became a co-educational institution in the early 1970s, it took until the year 2000 for a girls soccer program to begin. The program won 2 games in its first year, 7 in its second, and 12 in its third, for a total of 21 victories. In 2003, the team matched that total on its way to winning the FAA tournament and New England Class C tournament. Five members of the team went on to play in college upon graduating from St. Luke’s, and one member of the team still holds the record as the only 100 goal scorer in the School’s history, male or female. The record for the 2003 season was impressive, but the team was so much more than goals scored or wins attained. They were a unit, an entity unto themselves who celebrated each victory and mourned each loss together. It is only fitting that they be inducted into the St. Luke’s School Athletic of Fame in the same way…together.

Camille DeMarco's 31 year career at St. Luke’s saw her serve the School in a variety of roles. Her efforts to promote and drive girls sports in the FAA led her to taking on the mantle of FAA Women’s Division Vice-President and Softball Chairperson. That is the kind of recognition only achieved through success, which Camille has found many times over, having brought 16 FAA and New England titles home to St. Luke’s.

Lindsey Guerrero '98 earned 14 varsity letters during her SLS Athletic career, playing basketball, field hockey and lacrosse. After St. Luke's, Lindsey played club field hockey while an undergraduate at the University of Delaware, and coached with the Greenwich Field Hockey Club and West Hartford Youth Field Hockey League.

Dick King '64 attended the School from the fourth through the twelfth grades. Upon reaching the Upper School, Dick became a cornerstone of the football, hockey and baseball teams, including serving as the hockey team captain, and receiving its team most valuable player award, his senior year. His leadership on the ice was paralleled only by his leadership off it where he served as the class of 1964’s president for their last three years on the Hilltop, an editor of the Caduceus, and chairman of the Senior Prom. Despite all these accomplishments, Dick will still point to the defeats of Darien and New Canaan at Crystal Rink in Norwalk as two of the highlights of his time at St. Luke’s.

Gary Liska '81 played four sports during his time at St. Luke’s. He successfully played both soccer and football during the fall interscholastic season, as his booming kicks on the soccer pitch quickly endeared him to the football coaching staff, and he continued playing football after SLS for Rutgers University. While at Rutgers, Gary served as the team’s punter and kick-off specialist. He currently ranks in the top ten in three of the Rutgers all-time kicking categories. In recognition of his accomplishments, Gary was presented the Douglas Smith Memorial Award, presented annually to the top non-scholarship athlete at the University, and was awarded a four year retroactive athletic scholarship following his senior season.

Rob Murray '99 was a three sport athlete as a member of the varsity football, basketball and baseball teams for all four of his high school years. The starting point guard for the basketball team, the starting quarterback for the football team, and the starting centerfielder for the baseball team, Rob’s presence brought leadership and a sense of calm to all those playing on his team. It was this leadership that helped make him one of the most individually recognized athletes in St. Luke’s history, amassing All-FAA honors 12 times over.

Henry Parmalee III '94 is a double-digit varsity letter winner, playing varsity football, basketball and baseball for all four years as an Upper School student. His athletic prowess was obvious in all three sports, winning All-FAA honors in baseball for four years, and basketball and football for three years. A two year captain in all three sports, Henry received the Pat Thomas Bowl as a senior, the Stephen Miller award as a junior and senior, and the Outstanding Male Athlete Award as a senior, solidifying his standing as one of the greatest athletes to play for St. Luke’s. After St. Luke’s, Henry went to the University of Connecticut where he was a four-year letterman on the football squad, and part of the first Husky team to reach the division 1 AA playoffs.

Kim Piersall '86 is a second generation alumna of St. Luke’s. Kim excelled on the outdoor athletic fields, leading the field hockey and softball teams for all four of her years in the Upper School, and was awarded the St. Luke’s Outstanding Female Athlete Award at the end of her senior year. At a time of developing female athletics at St. Luke’s and within the Fairchester League, Kim helped to elevate the stature of the School and the seriousness with which it now takes its female athletics. Upon graduating from St. Luke’s, Kim took attended Ursinus College, where she became the starting lacrosse goalkeeper. Kim won two NCAA Division Three lacrosse titles in 1989 and 1990, along with four USWLA All-American Team selections.

Pat Raffaele '88, starred as a soccer, baseball and hockey player during his six years as a St. Luke’s student. He has additionally has been teaching Physical Education and coaching at St. Luke’s for the past nineteen years. As a member of nine varsity teams at St. Luke’s, Pat led his Crusader teammates to two FAA baseball titles and was recognized with two All League selections in hockey for his prowess on the ice. His statistics and accomplishments as an athlete are dwarfed by the hundreds of lives he has helped influence as a teacher and coach at St. Luke’s. Since joining the St. Luke’s faculty in 1994, Pat has completed over 50 individual seasons coaching soccer, basketball and softball, receiving consistent praise and adulation for his kind, compassionate, and dedicated coaching style.

John S. White '56 was a three sport St. Luke’s athlete, playing football, basketball and baseball for three years, captaining the football and basketball teams during his senior campaigns, and earning the Outstanding Athlete Award his senior year. John enrolled at Hamilton College upon graduation from St. Luke’s, where he played on the Hamilton Continentals football team, including the sole undefeated team in school history. While this feat in itself is an impressive post-St. Luke’s athletic achievement, John became heavily involved in a variety of youth sports leagues while living in Mclean, Virginia with Marilyn, his wife of 43 years, and his four children. John coached football, basketball, baseball and soccer, and has served on the Mclean Little League Board of Directors. The volunteer efforts John and Marilyn have undertaken on behalf of Mclean Little League led to their induction to the Mclean Little League Hall of Fame in 2003.

Doug Wright '63, follows in the footsteps of Hall of Fame members such as John White, Pat Thomas, and Andy Whitcomb as outstanding multi-sport athletes and leaders. Doug excelled at football, basketball and baseball, compiling nine seasons on St. Luke’s varsity squads, captaining all three teams his senior year. His football coaches and teammates, in recognition of his leadership and quarterbacking accomplishments on the gridiron, selected him as the 1963 recipient of the Pat Thomas Football Award.

Emil N. Bucci’s 32 year St. Luke’s career saw him take part in many formative moments in the School’s athletic history. His success on the athletic fields in the form of 22 titles was matched only by the variety of roles and lives he touched during his time on the Hilltop.

Walter Daniel Fuller ‘82 is commonly viewed as the single largest athlete ever to have graced the playing fields of St. Luke’s. Danny was the cornerstone of back-to-back Fairchester Athletic Association title winning football teams in the early 1980s, and the 1AA championship team at Tennessee State.

Matthew Kaishian became a 2011 inductee on the back of one of the longest tenures in St. Luke’s history. His 41-year career at SLS spanned five decades and allowed Matt to contribute to 32 title winning teams.

Patrick Powers ‘00 became a 2011 inductee thanks to one of the more memorable hardcourt careers in St. Luke’s history. Recipient of a multitude of awards for his basketball ability, Pat is the all-time leading scorer in St. Luke’s history, and continued his success at Brown University where he added academic recognitions to his athletic ones.

Michael Siganos ‘74 was one of a select few St. Luke’s alumni who are able to claim professional athlete as a job title. A three-sport standout, Mike truly won aplomb for his abilities on the football field, which took him from hundreds of spectators in New Canaan to tens of thousands at the University of Kentucky.

Clifford C. Thomas, Jr. ‘46 was a jack-of-all-trades while at St. Luke’s, with his athletic prowess leading the way to become a 2011 inductee in the St. Luke’s Athletic Hall of Fame. A four-sport athlete while at St. Luke’s, Clifford was also an accomplished golfer and fighter pilot in the U.S. Navy.

Payne “Pat” Thomas ‘57 became a 2011 inductee in no small part due to his fearless athleticism and outstanding leadership both on and off the athletic fields. A three-sport standout, Pat’s first love was hockey, which he pursued at St. Lawrence University before having his life cut short by a drunk driver during his sophomore year.

Andrea “Andy” Whitcomb ‘83 was one of the first female superstar athletes at St. Luke’s. A three-sport standout, Andy has successfully carried her love of athletics beyond her days as a student at St. Luke’s, having returned to the Hilltop to teach science, coach basketball, and start the varsity girls lacrosse program.

A 2011 inductee, Dick Whitcomb was honored for his lasting legacy and impact in the history of St. Luke's. Dick wore many hats during his 41-year education career including: history teacher, athletic director, founder of the Fairchester Athletic Association, director of admissions, dean of students, college admissions counselor, assistant headmaster, and acting headmaster. He is best known for his 22 years of service to St. Luke’s as headmaster from 1980 until his retirement in 2002.

Jennifer Woodward ‘89 followed in the footsteps of many women athletes before her, and used those trails blazed to launch herself to an outstanding athletic career at St. Luke’s. Her ability in the center circle on the softball field took her from St. Luke’s to Providence College, where she had success as a four-year starter for the Friars.