• Courtney Bertolone, ‘07, Field Hockey & Lacrosse
• Karen Bravy Grace, ‘90, Soccer
• Joe Buonincontri, ‘78, Basketball
• James Byrne, ‘89, Football, Baseball & Triathlon
• Dennis Dragonette, Baseball Coach
• Jimmy Fox, ‘82, Wrestling
• Larry Iacono, ‘84, Football & Wrestling
• Jacque LaPraire, ‘81, Football & Baseball
• Katie Mollot-Carey, ‘04, Lacrosse, Winter Track & Soccer
• Mike Mollot, ‘98, Lacrosse
• Eddie Morales, ‘81, Gymnastics & Wrestling
• Patrick Perritt, ‘05, Football, Wrestling & Lacrosse
• Karriem Pierre, ‘93, Gymnastics & Track & Field
• Rachel Rowe, ‘12, Cross Country & Track & Field
• Frank Saladino, ‘79, Football
• Craig Smart, ‘99, Soccer
• Deborah Spitzli O’Brien, Gymnastics Coach
• Joey Varrone, ‘74, Cross Country, Track & Field

Each winter, the Sachem Alumni Association honors the most deserving former athletes, coaches, and supporters for their dedication to Sachem Athletics. A committee of athletic directors, coaches, and current hall of famers help nominate and select the inductees. 

“We continue to honor our rich Sachem history and tradition through the Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame,” said Chris R. Vaccaro, ‘04, President/Founder of the Sachem Alumni Association. “This is truly one of the most special days of the year in Sachem, and we look forward to seeing our alumni and former coaches come home. We love bringing everyone together to celebrate our community. That’s what it’s all about.”

Sachem’s Athletic Hall of Fame had its inaugural induction in 2003 and did not have another event until 2016 when the Sachem Alumni Association kicked off the endeavor in partnership with the Sachem Athletic Department. This year marks the ninth induction class. Learn more about the Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame.

Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 24 Inductees

• Courtney Bertolone, ‘07, Field Hockey & Lacrosse
• Karen Bravy Grace, ‘90, Soccer
• Joe Buonincontri, ‘78, Basketball
• James Byrne, ‘89, Football, Baseball & Triathlon
• Dennis Dragonette, Baseball Coach
• Jimmy Fox, ‘82, Wrestling
• Larry Iacono, ‘84, Football & Wrestling
• Jacque LaPraire, ‘81, Football & Baseball
• Katie Mollot-Carey, ‘04, Lacrosse, Winter Track & Soccer
• Mike Mollot, ‘98, Lacrosse
• Eddie Morales, ‘81, Gymnastics & Wrestling
• Patrick Perritt, ‘05, Football, Wrestling & Lacrosse
• Karriem Pierre, ‘93, Gymnastics & Track & Field
• Rachel Rowe, ‘12, Cross Country & Track & Field
• Frank Saladino, ‘79, Football
• Craig Smart, ‘99, Soccer
• Deborah Spitzli O’Brien, Gymnastics Coach
• Joey Varrone, ‘74, Cross Country, Track & Field

The Class of 1975 alumnus was a four-year varsity letterman for Sachem gymnastics.

“He was one of the most naturally talented, gifted, and prolific gymnasts to come through through the program,” said legendary Sachem Gymnastics Coach and Hall of Famer Ken Friedheim.

While he suffered an unfortunate injury during an exhibition meet at the start of his senior season that sidelined his ability to perform as a gymnast, he continued his passion for the sport and Sachem Athletics by later serving as an assistant coach for varsity gymnastics and head coach for the program at Sagamore.

His coaching efforts, notably at Sagamore, helped save and revive men’s gymnastics at Sachem High School and throughout Suffolk County.

In 2022, he and his son were inducted into the Sachem Athletics Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife Virginia, children John and Meagan (Dollman), and his four grandchildren.

This was part of a larger game theme to honor Sachem Football alumni who have attended U.S. Service Academies.

Besides Kling, who attended and played football at the Coast Guard Academy, Sachem has had eight other former football players attend West Point, Naval Academy, and Air Force Academy, respectively.

The next Sachem player to commit is senior Lucas Singleton, who will play at Army next year.

The Sachem Football program and the Sachem Alumni Association partnered on the experience and printed a canvas featuring the alumni that will hang in the weight room.

We salute these men for their service:

-Jared Brush ‘01 – Air Force Academy

-Bob DeMange ‘78 – West Point

-Joe Faiella ‘96 – West Point

-Chris Golini ‘92 – Naval Academy

-Mike Hennessy ‘96 – Coast Guard Academy

-Eduardo Juguetta ‘90 – West Point

-Jason Kling ‘01 – Coast Guard Academy

-Sean O’Brien ‘15 – West Point

-Ed Stephens ‘83 – Naval Academy

This is the highest honor earned by Sachem alumni, who have numbered 60,000 since the first graduating class in 1959. Only 60 alumni—less than 1 percent—have received this honor.

This year’s inductees, nominated and selected by Sachem alumni, include:

• Denise Comparetti Brown, Class of 1980: Senior Science Manager of Mission Engineering & Analysis at Naval Undersea Warfare Center
• Mary Hugelmeyer: Sachem’s first female Board of Education President
• Dr. Angela Kokkosis, Class of 2001: MD & Associate Professor of Vascular Surgery at Stony Brook University Medical Center
• Kerin Kolonoskie, Class of 1992: Creative Director of Washington Nationals
• Albert Martin, Class of 1967: U.S. Marine Killed in Action in Vietnam
• Joe Maruzzo, Class of 1975: Veteran actor and playwright
• Michael Murphy, Class of 1990: President of Commercial Real Estate at Douglas Elliman
• Jo Napolitano, Class of 1994: Award-winning journalist and author
• Paullina Simons, Class of 1981: Award-winning international best-selling author
• Hon. Steve Stern, Class of 1986: New York State Assemblyman
• Justin Vartanian, Class of 2002: Decorated NYPD Detective

Four inductees of this year’s class spoke to classes related to their career disciplines about their journeys and how Sachem impacted their lives.

Thanks to Paullina Simons, Steve Stern, Michael Murphy, and Kerin Kolonoskie for being incredible role models.

Simons, ’81, is an international best-selling author, who donated her books to the Sachem North library today.

Stern, ’86, is a New York State Assemblyman.

Murphy, ’90, is the president of commercial real estate at Douglas Elliman.

Kolonoskie, ’92, is the creative director of the Washington Nationals and brought her 2019 World Series ring to show students.

The Hall of Honor seeks to recognize alumni who have achieved extraordinary success in their chosen field or have provided exemplary service to the school district. The Hall of Honor aims to promote school and community pride. Hall of Honor members provide an excellent resource for career advice and networking for current and future students. It was started in 2017 by the Sachem Alumni Association.

During induction activities, honorees will speak with Sachem students in mentor sessions on May 17. An alumni committee nominated and selected the inductees.

“This is the highest honor presented to Sachem alumni each year,” said Chris R. Vaccaro, ‘04, President and Founder of the Sachem Alumni Association. “Sachem has had a long history of producing incredible graduates who contribute to society. We hope the Hall of Honor inspires the next generation of great alumni to live their dreams. This special community has built an identity of pride, passion, and a tradition of excellence.”

Ceremony Information: Saturday, May 18, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Sachem High School North

Inductees

• Denise Comparetti Brown, Class of 1980: Senior Science Manager of Mission Engineering & Analysis at Naval Undersea Warfare Center
• Mary Hugelmeyer: Sachem’s first female Board of Education President
• Dr. Angela Kokkosis, Class of 2001: MD & Associate Professor of Surgery at Stony Brook University Medical Center
• Kerin Kolonoskie, Class of 1992: Creative Director of Washington Nationals
• Albert Martin, Class of 1967: U.S. Marine Killed in Action in Vietnam
• Joe Maruzzo, Class of 1975: Veteran actor and playwright
• Michael Murphy, Class of 1990: President of Commercial Real Estate at Douglas Elliman
• Jo Napolitano, Class of 1994: Award-winning journalist and author
• Paullina Simons, Class of 1981: Award-winning international best-selling author
• Steve Stern, Class of 1986: New York State Assemblyman
• Justin Vartanian, Class of 2002: Decorated NYPD Detective

About Sachem Alumni Association: The Sachem Alumni Association is dedicated to upholding the tradition of excellence instilled in students in the Sachem Central School District. We hope our alumni continue to carry those values and principles to enrich relationships and foster educational support within the Sachem community.

Each winter, the Sachem Alumni Association honors the most deserving former athletes, coaches, and supporters for their dedication to Sachem Athletics. A committee of athletic directors, coaches, and current hall of famers help nominate and select the inductees.

“We continue to honor our rich Sachem history and tradition through the Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame,” said Chris R. Vaccaro, ‘04, President/Founder of the Sachem Alumni Association. “This is truly one of the most special days of the year in Sachem, and we look forward to seeing our alumni and former coaches come home. The event regularly draws around 200 or more attendees. We love bringing everyone together to celebrate our community. That’s what it’s all about.”

Sachem’s Athletic Hall of Fame had its inaugural induction in 2003 and did not have another event until 2016, when the Sachem Athletic Association kick-started the endeavor in partnership with the Sachem Athletic Department. This year marks the eighth induction class. Learn more about the Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame.

Sachem Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 23 Inductees