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2017 Inductees

(scroll all the way down for photos, sponsors and video)

Click here to download the booklet

Brett Scholnick	Caitlin Eichler	Charles Gebauer	Fazio Bagnoli	Gregory Curtin


Meghan Bushnell	Pete Sakalowsky	Ray Ezell	Sean Krygier

Photos by Chad Lyons

(Click here to download the photos)

Brett Scholnick

Class of 2002
Wrestling

Brett Scholnick's strength was his love for the sport of wrestling. A student unlike any before him, he sought out the best coaching he could find. That journey led him to three-time All American and two-time NCAA Champion Coach Carl Adams who was coaching at Boston University at the time.

A 2002 Daniel Hand graduate, Brett's dedication to wrestling paid off quickly. He won his first SCC Championship while only a sophomore and went on to win the conference championship his junior and senior years as well. He dominated opponents within his weight class and was voted the Outstanding Wrestler of the SCC Tournament while being one of the elite wrestlers in the state. An online forum at the time said: "He (Brett) ruled the 171 weight class, and there is nothing you can do about it." He truly did rule the 171-pound weight class for two years going undefeated during his junior and senior years in Connecticut competition. He won every major tournament in Connecticut during that time as well.

Brett was the Class M State Champion and the Connecticut State Open Champion as a junior and then repeated those feats during his senior year. He added New England Runner-Up his senior year and competed in the national tournament earning All-American honors by placing seventh in the country.

"Coaching Brett was a privilege," said Hand Coach Mike Docker. "He soaked up everything and then took his ability even further to become my first All-American. Brett was my first wrestler that was all in. He pushed himself and the team to higher levels."

It was no surprise that, with Brett's success in high school and his relationship with Coach Adams, he landed at Boston University. Although he quickly proved his worth in the BU wrestling room, his career was cut short due to multiple serious knee injuries.

Faced with the reality of being unable to compete, he began to give back to the wrestling community. He began volunteering at wrestling rooms in Massachusetts and even spent one winter as a volunteer coach at Daniel Hand. Brett's work ethic and his love for the sport were very instrumental in the development of Hand wrestlers as well as the program as a whole.

Brett currently lives in Ridgefield, Connecticut with his wife Natasha and their two children, two year old Colton Lucas and Nikalina, six months. Brett is a Vice President at Cantor Fitzgerald in the New York office.

Charles Gebauer

Exemplary Contributor
Madison Little League Football & Chain Gang - Football
1972-1987

If relationships are a measure of a man's worth then Charlie Gebauer is a very rich man. Communities are nourished on relationships and the honor, commitment and passion that is devoted to relationships. When you become a highly respected man of a community, then you have apparently done your job in building relationships and in making your mark on that community. Charlie Gebauer has had that type of impact in the Madison Community for over 50 years. His impact qualifies him for induction in the Madison Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2017 as an "Exemplary Contributor."

Charlie's "Madison Athletic" impact that gave him initial consideration for induction into the Madison Athletic Hall of Fame was his lengthy and significant contributions to Madison Little League, Madison Youth Basketball, the Madison Quarterback Club and the Daniel Hand High School Football "Chain Gang." He served as President, League Commissioner, Team Manager, All-Star Coach in Little League Baseball and was Co-founder of the Girls Softball Program in more than 20 years with the Madison Little League. He was also the President, Head Coach and any other responsibility needed in the Madison Quarterback Club for many years. He organized Sunday flag football at Exchange field and did the groundwork to create years of enthusiastic youth football players that would aspire to be champion football players under Hand Coach Larry Ciotti.

Charlie played high school baseball at West Haven H.S. where he undoubtedly learned the sense of community, the desire to carry on a winning tradition and the love of sports and neighbors. Thankfully for Madison, the Gebauers chose to make the rural town of Madison their home.

He played lots of golf and softball in town through the years and "Played a solid first base and carried a strong bat" for years in the Madison Men's Softball League. Slow pitch softball used to be the only summer sports scene in town, outside the Madison Beach Club (tennis) and the Madison Country Club (golf). The dirty, dusty Surf Club fields were where relationships and competition were expressed in the off-season.

Charlie has loved the Madison Community loyally for 50 years and is an example of how embracing Madison will lead to the Town of Madison embracing you back. He is a legend in our town and particularly to the generations of student athletes that grew up here with him as their biggest fan. People move to Madison for what it can give to their family, but people like Charlie have given more to Madison then he takes away.

He started on the Chain Gang because they needed an honest, dedicated man with a level head and a big heart. He has served as the head of the Hand Football Chain Crew for 40 years. When Madison Little League needed good people, leaders who could build relationships and prioritize the experience of kids over his own, Charlie gave his time and his heart creating some strong relationships helping to build the Madison Little League.

Charlie may be a mainstay on the football sidelines but he is also one of the greatest supporters of female athletes. He helped start the Girls' Softball Little League Program and provided support and encouragement to the women who grew the game and the League here in town. It was a groundbreaking program and Madison's first girls' youth league in any sport and one of the first in the area. Little League Softball created some of the most significant memories for young women from their time growing up here in Madison.

Charlie Gebauer exemplifies what Madison is for so many. Our youth grow up here in a community of security. It is a community of solid relationships fostered by people like Charlie. We are a strong community because of role models like Charlie that set the bar high.

Charlie's wife, MaryEllen, was the passionate voice of support behind Charlie's efforts. Prodding him to continue while she cheered for him and for all the athletes in town. His son, Paul, and his daughter, Karin, were fortunate to have a champion in their Dad but they also selflessly shared him with the rest of the kids in Madison.

Many Madison athletes believed Charlie was kind-of their dad too and Paul and Karin proudly approved it and allowed it to be. He is still one of the most loved and respected men around town. One of his fans said, "It always seemed that Mr. Gebauer had a multi-screen ESPN type broadcast in his home to keep track of all the sporting achievements in town. We always knew he was watching and that he cared. He was our biggest fan."

His family was the likely motivation for his plunging into the local community. It was the entire Gebauer family that represented the best that Madison has to offer for 50 years. If the legacy of a man can be measured in his relationships, then the legacy of Charlie Gebauer is strong and proud. His children, Paul and Karin, and his granddaughter are here to celebrate this honor with him.

Charlie Gebauer is truly deserving of his place in the Madison Athletic Hall of Fame.

Fazio Bagnoli

Exemplary Contributor
Madison Youth Football & DHHS Coach
1989-2009

*Honored Posthumously

Fazio Bagnoli is, and will always be, an iconic representation of what is best about our community in his unwavering commitment to both his family and the Madison football program.

He grew up in East Haven during the best years in that program's history and went on to the University of Bridgeport where he was a starting defensive back for all four years. He was elected Captain in 1973 when his team played for the coveted Lambert Trophy signifying the best small college football program in the east.

Well known for his relentless play and high level of sportsmanship, his brilliance as a player was matched by his intensity as a coach. After a short stint as a Division I football coach, he settled in Madison where he and his beloved wife Lori, raised their daughter Kristen, and son Michael.

Faz was a quiet force behind Madison Youth Football from the beginning. He volunteered as a coach, and later became the league's President.

His lifelong friend, Wayne Larouque, commented that Faz so loved Madison that he once remarked to him, "There was nowhere on earth he would rather live." He loved everything about Madison and it came through to everyone who knew him. Whether it was walking the Madison Country Club or strolling down Main Street, a moment with Faz was all anyone needed to have their spirits lifted.

He had an unbelievable ability to cut through all the garbage and get to what really mattered. He was a man of few words but when he spoke, if you were smart, you listened. It is said that one can become smart with another man's knowledge, but never wise with another man's wisdom. His wisdom was the product of hard work, honesty, decency, and honor. He never pulled a punch, but even if he had to put you in your place you were grateful to have run into him. Fazio was simply a very good man who loved life and never missed a chance to share that love with others. He loved the boys he coached, mentored the men who coached with him, and had great respect for the parents of every boy under his charge. During his years as President of MYF, he distinguished himself as an innovator bringing more teams into the league and establishing a very high standard for coaches' education and sportsmanship. He instituted the master coach concept and participation increased every year as word spread in the community about the man who was running the show.

He also had a significant impact on young coaches at Hand who continuously turned to him for advice and counsel. His influence was all over the Tiger football program. The boys he was preparing were ready to play and steeped in the Hand football tradition by the time they arrived. Young coaches constantly made references to "Fazisims," phrases he said, or stories he told that summed up his love for the game and the boys that played it.

He brought those stories, along with his coaching brilliance to the sidelines of Hand high school where he continued to mentor and serve the football community, among them an outstanding player for Hand, his son Michael.

MYF honored Fazio a few years ago by naming the practice fields where he poured so much of himself into each player, after him. There is a plaque with a likeness of Faz and these words inscribed on it:

Coach Faz's intensity and passion for Tiger Football rubbed off on every one of his players and coaches. Believing that tackling, blocking, and toughness were the keys to football success, Faz coached his players with tough love and witty remarks.

Under his leadership as MYF President, MYF grew to record levels of participation, MYF cheering was born, and an unbreakable bond between the Daniel Hand program and MYF was created with the introduction of a common coaching system. Coach Faz, for all you have done for Tiger Football and for all the players and coaches that have had the honor by being part of your team, we are forever grateful.

TIGER PRIDE

Gregory Curtin

Class of 1979
Lacrosse/Football

A 1979 graduate of Daniel Hand High School, Greg was the first Hand lacrosse player selected as a national high school All-American, All-State and MVP in Connecticut. He attended Brown University before transferring to UCLA.

Greg held the state records for assists, goals and scoring his senior year. He scored the tying goal in regulation and then the winning goal in overtime beating archrival and undefeated Wilton in the Connecticut state championship to highlight Hand's first ever state title in lacrosse. He started as a freshman on Hand's first lacrosse team in 1976 and also played in the state championship in 1978.

A skilled running back for the Hand football team, he also was an all-conference running back in 1978 and was part of winning two football state championships in 1976 and 1977.

Greg also placed fifth in the state in wrestling as a freshmen before an injury prevented him from further participation in wrestling. Following Hand graduation in 1979, Greg attended Brown University to play lacrosse and football. He played varsity lacrosse for the Brown Bears and was the only freshmen to start at first midfield. An injury forced him to sit out his freshmen year in football, but he returned his sophomore year to join his brother Steve, who is also a Madison Hall of Fame Inductee, on the Brown football team.

Greg transferred to UCLA after completing his sophomore year at Brown to be near his family in Coronado, California. UCLA lacrosse was just in the club phase at the time, however, Greg led the nation in scoring at that club level. He went on to coach the UCLA club team for two seasons, along with forming a men's club team.

He started the West LA Youth Lacrosse League as the commissioner and coach in 2008. The program began with a dozen or so players and grew to hundreds of boys and girls playing a few years later. His initiatives led to the development of other leagues in the LA area where today it is part of the fastest growing sport in California and in the US. Greg was inducted into the West LA Lacrosse Hall of Fame.

Greg began his career as a teacher and coach in the LA inner city. After completing his Master's Degree in American Politics, a Law Degree and a PHD in International Law and Public Policy, he worked as an attorney for the County of LA and taught Political Science at the University of California Santa Barbara and at the University of Southern California.

Greg started his own consulting firm, Civic Resource Group which works with governments around the globe to utilize digital technologies including work with the United Nations to establish the Global E-Governance Readiness Program. He is a Charter Member of the World Economic forum's Future of Government and the Future of Urban Development.

Greg has been married for 25 years to Terry Curtin, a successful movie industry marketing executive. She was named to the Women in Hollywood 100 Power List during her career. Greg and Terry have three children; Joseph Laurence, Nadine Therese and Charles Gregory.

Meghan Bushnell

Class of 2003
Lacrosse/Field Hockey

A 2003 Hand graduate, Meghan was one of the best all-around lacrosse players to play for Hall-of-Fame coach Pat McCahill. Also a stand-out field hockey player and cheerleader, Meghan was a full-field threat for the Tigers and regularly scored three or more goals, including a five-goal effort against Amity in her senior season. She led the Tigers to a conference final and a state semi-final with her dominant play and opposing coaches noticed.

Meghan was named to the All-Southern Connecticut Conference First Team her freshman year: It was a feat almost unheard of for a freshman. In addition to earning that honor again her sophomore year, she earned First Team All-State recognition in both field hockey and lacrosse. She was named as the best girls' lacrosse player in the Southern Connecticut Conference by the New Haven Register. Even more impressive, she made the Lower New England Regional team and competed in the US Lacrosse National Tournament. At the time, it was just one team made up of the best players from Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

As an upperclassman, Meghan continued to dominate on the field and off. In addition to earning all the same accolades she did as a sophomore, she added the DHHS Offensive Player of the Year award her junior year. Off the field she volunteered with Safe Rides, and was her class Social Chairwoman. In the words of Lizzie Davidson, a teammate and co-captain of the 2003 lacrosse team: "Meghan's passion for life - her commitment to her peers, her community, her friends and her family, her love of the game as a way of life, is unsurpassed. It's what she brings and how she brings it."

Her senior year got even better. As captain of the Hand team earning all the same honors again, two additional honors really set her apart. She was named New Haven Register Most Valuable Player, and the ultimate individual accolade, First Team All-American. She was also one of six players from Connecticut to be invited to tryout for the U-19 US Team, the only Hand Lacrosse player ever to receive that invitation.

She moved to defense at the University of California where she continued to excel on and off the field. She was a two-year captain leading the Bears to conference semifinals her senior year while earning academic all-conference honors all four years. She also served as a member of the Cal Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and established a program that set up Cal athletes mentoring students at an East Oakland middle school.

Coach Jill Malko recalls, "It would be easy to tell the story of Meghan's accolades on the field and in the classroom, but that is not what I think of when I think about Meghan. What wasn't so obvious was her deep desire to inspire those around her to be better on the field and off." Coach Malko remembers Meghan's leadership and attitude while rehabbing from a shoulder injury. "She worked so hard in rehab, but most remarkably, as hard as it was for her not to play a minute in any game, she led the team that year." Malko broke Cal's policy of not allowing injured players to travel. "There was no way I was going to leave Meghan off the bus or plane," she said. "I know that her teammates and her coaches, too, relied on her example to inspire the team every day."

Since graduating from college, Meghan has remained involved in lacrosse, having spent time with Gamebreaker Lacrosse, Bearlax club lacrosse, and most recently, a local startup youth program. She currently resides in Boston where she works as an executive assistant at Silversmith Capital Partners. In everything she does, as Lizzie Davidson observed in high school: "she is a bar setter, a bar raiser, a game changer."

Peter Sakalowsky

Class of 1989
Cross Country/Track

To understand the journey that led Peter Sakalowsky to this induction into the Madison Athletic Hall of Fame, you have to understand that Peter was carrying on a tradition. Peter's story actually began years ago in the midst of the Great Depression of the 1930s.

An excellent track and cross-country runner, it was another Peter Sakalowsky that had to forsake a chance at making the U.S. Olympic Team because his family, strapped like so many others in those hard times, couldn't afford to send him to the Olympic Trials.

Despite that frustration, his ability and hard work has borne fruit half a century later in the legs and attitude of his grandson and namesake. Peter Sakalowski, the grandson (DHHS Class of ‘89), was the leader of an 11-1 Daniel Hand High School cross-country team and the top runner in the Shoreline Conference.

"The inspiration for me to run is my grandfather," said Peter, then a 17-year-old junior. "He died before I started running but inspired me to try because I wanted to do what he had done. Once I started, I really began to enjoy it. But I still think about him. Sometimes I feel guilty if I don't get out for a run, thinking about what he would have done." (Shoreline Times, October 20, 1987)

Given Peter's outstanding high school athletic career, he certainly had no reason to feel guilty about his work ethic. Peter was a member of the Hand Track team for four years under head coach Bob Roberti and worked more closely with Tim Geary who coached the distance events.

Peter graduated as the school record holder in the 1600, 3200 and 5000-meter races. In addition, Peter also had the school record holder in Cross Country. He first set the 5000-meter record as a freshman and broke his own record in his junior year and senior years. He still holds the school record for 5000 meters.

As a senior, Peter was undefeated during the regular season in the 1600. He was undefeated also in the 3200 and 5000 as a sophomore and junior. He set Shoreline Conference meet records in the 1600 in '87 and '89 and in the 3200 from '87-'89.

He was selected three times to the All-Shoreline Track team and won the Class M championship in the 3200 as a junior. He was second in the State Open and also won the 3200 at the Hartford Invitational that year.

Peter added the Class L State Championship in the 5000 as a senior and placed third in the 5000 at the State Open.

He was undefeated and won the Shoreline Conference Cross Country Championship as a junior and senior and also won the Class MM Cross Country state championship as a senior. He is still the only Hand runner ever to win a state Cross Country championship.

A three-time All Shoreline Conference pick, he set course records for the Hand course, Guilford Lakes and Old Lyme. He was one of 25 selected to run the All-New England Race where he finished tenth. It was the best ever finish from Hand.

Recruited by numerous colleges, he selected Boston College where he ran cross-country and track for four years. College highlights include a top-ten finish in the 10K (31:59) in the Greater Boston Championships. He also won a cross-country meet versus University of Vermont running five miles in 24:36.

Current Hand Coach Tim Geary reflected on Peter's leadership skills saying, "More than any other runner, Pete changed the culture of Cross Country at Hand. Before Peter, Cross Country had more of an individual than a team orientation. Pete worked so hard that everyone else just wanted to pick up their game and try to do what Pete was doing. He was the most accomplished Hand Cross Country runner ever."

Bob Roberti, Hand Track coach from 1973-2004 said "He was a great kid, a terrific champion. He was modest, humble, a great leader, the hardest worker on the team and disciplined as all great athletes are. That is why he has earned all these accolades.'' Roberti added, "Peter is the best distance runner Hand has had in my coaching career." (Shoreline Times, June 7, 1989)

Peter has had a successful career in sales management for several publishing and management consultancy firms in New York and Los Angeles including Runner's World Magazine. He is currently the Director of Sales at C Space, a consumer consultancy agency.

Peter currently lives in Encino, California with his wife Meirav and their three children, Isabella, Massimo and Peter. He continues to enjoy training and running competitively.

Ray Ezell

Coach
Softball/Boys' Basketball
1989-2008

If ever a coach had a trademark statement or two, that would be former Hand softball coach, Ray Ezell. Watching him in action (1991-2008), the "Ezell-isms" are unmistakable: Perhaps you heard "Mercy" a time or two... or "Golly Bum!" (watch out – he's upset.) Maybe you heard "ring the bell" when he wanted his pitcher to throw a strike.

In his distinctive southern drawl, just about every player had a "Mercy" or "Golly Bum" directed toward them at one time or another.

"They were definitely his trademarks," quipped fellow Hall of Fame inductee Caitlin Eichler. She went on to explain, "It was never mean or negative when he said it. It was just a cute way to get his point across. It motivated me to do better... Like, maybe I shouldn't have thrown that pitch."

Caitlin said, "He was a positive leader who led by example. He taught me what hard work and determination would get you in life and not just on the playing field."

Ray had an overall record of 299-127 over his 18 years as softball head coach. He never had a losing season and made the state tournament every year. He won four league titles (two Shoreline and two Southern Connecticut Conference) along with the 2001 CIAC Class L State Championship. That title was sweetened when the team was named number one in the New Haven Register Poll.

You can add nine division titles to the list. His teams played in three state championships, five Final Fours" and had six quarterfinal appearances.

"He has been instrumental in bringing the softball program to a very competitive level," said Hand Athletic Director Craig Semple. "He left the program in a very good position. He had a good rapport with the players and parents and was the face of Hand softball."

He was the state Softball Coach of the year in 2001 when the team won the title and also was the Federation of Softball Umpires of Greater New Haven (FSGNH) coach of the year in 2007. Perhaps his biggest impact on Hand softball wasn't officially related to the Hand program. He started the Shoreline Sting travel program in the summer of 1992. Now in its twenty fifth season, the Sting gave countless Hand softball players the opportunity to compete during the summer at a high level before, during and after their Hand career. Sting started with just two teams, 14 and under and 16 and under, and has grown to multiple teams at several different levels. That success led to the long running Shoreline Sting Fall league featuring high school and middle school divisions.

His contributions went far beyond the diamond. He coached the Brown and Polson middle school boys' basketball teams for 18 years, the Hand varsity boys basketball team for a year and served as the interim Athletic Director for 1997-98. That year, Football, Soccer and Gymnastics captured state championships and the girls' Volleyball program began.

Community involvement was, and still is a high priority for Ray. He runs softball, basketball and baseball clinics for the Madison Recreation Department. He also was a volunteer clinician for Madison Little League softball for both players and coaches.

He retired after 19 years teaching geography, health and history at Brown and Polson, and a year of history at Hand. Ray got his BS at Georgia College, his Masters of Education (history, health and physical education) from the University of Georgia and his Six Year Certificate from Southern CT State University.

Ray is still coaching high school and summer softball in the Panama City Beach, Florida area in the spring before heading back to the Connecticut shoreline to run his Shoreline Sting Fall League.

Ray and his wife of 50 years, Georgette, have a daughter Wendy and two grandchildren. They spend the winters in Panama City Beach before returning north in late summer for, among other things, running the Shoreline Sting Fall Softball League.

Sean William Krygier

Class of 2004
Ice Hockey/Lacrosse/Football

It is impossible to suggest that Sean William Krygier was any better in one sport than another. The 2004 Hand graduate was a standout in football, hockey and lacrosse and was a captain for all three. Among his many credits, he led the Hand ice hockey team to its first State Championship in 2003 while earning All-State honors for himself. He led the Lacrosse team that same year to a berth in the state playoffs and was chosen to represent Hand on both the All League and All State Teams.

Sean led the football team through a difficult season in 2002. Even after suffering a season ending injury midway through the season, his enthusiasm and support never wavered. Head Coach Steve Filippone said, "Sean's preparation and discipline were equal to any player I've ever coached. It was always a pleasure to be around him. He was the quintessential athlete, strong, tireless and relentless in his pursuit of excellence."

Add three seasons as a starter on defense for the Minutemen of the University of Massachusetts, and you should have enough to get anyone into our Hall of Fame. However; that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Sean. It was the example that he set for his teammates through a tireless work ethic, fierce love of competition, and true desire to build up the people around him, that will endure and define his legacy as a leader.

"There was simply no room for mediocrity in his life as a student, athlete, or friend," commented Filippone. "Sean gave everything he had all the time no matter what the task. Along the way he became an iconic example for every coach that had the honor to work with him, about what it meant to be an athlete at Hand."

Sean set the bar that everyone else was expected to aspire to during the early 2000's, although few if any would even approach it. He did all of this in a humble and unpretentious way. He was a man of few words but his actions were always loud and clear. To use the words of his Lacrosse Coach, Jim Wygonik, "The moment Sean stepped on the field was the moment that the culture of Hand lacrosse began to change." Jim added, "Of all the great players I've had the pleasure to coach, Sean ranks as the best player, teammate, hardest working, most loyal, dedicated, and highest character player I have ever coached."

Sean has left an indelible mark on the Hand athletic program. He currently lives in Manhattan and works in digital advertising sales as an Account Executive at Microsoft. He works with some of the largest companies and advertising agencies in the world helping them grow their business and exceed revenue goals.

His mother Bette, father William and sister Lindsey are here to share this great honor.