Hall of Fame Inductees 1998

Harlen Burgess
Harlen Burgess is a recipient of the Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award for his efforts to create the Athletic Backers Club in 1947. He was an organizer of some parents who started out trying to provide insurance for the football team and ultimately created the Athletic Backers Club that now supports all student athletes at Plainville High School. He was honored posthumously.

Edward B. Coleman
Graduated from Plainville in 1963. Ed may be the most decorated runner ever at Plainville High School, Ed briefly tried football but redirected his efforts to running where he captained the cross country team, indoor track and outdoor track teams. He won the 1962 state and New England country meets while establishing a new state record. The cross country team won 3 consecutive conference championships including 29 straight victories. In track, he established the 1960 school record for the mile, the 1961 state record for the mile at the All State meet, and the 1963 Class M record for the mile in indoor track. Ed was also a key member of the 1962 & 1963 Class B State Championship teams.

Edward F. Conlin
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1939. Eddie played 2nd base for the 1938 & 1939 conference championship baseball teams and was captain of the 1939 basketball team, leading the team in scoring, he was selected to the 1938-39 ALL STATE Basketball team. Known as a “diminutive but eagle eyed forward”, Eddie was considered by many to be one of the greatest basketball players in Plainville High School history. Eddie attended Teachers College (now known as CCSU in New Britain) where he captained the 1941-42 basketball team. He taught at PHS and later became principal at Plainville Jr. High School and Terryville High School. Honored Posthumously. 

Leroy G. Corlette
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1941. Leroy is considered by many to be one of the greatest athletes in Plainville High School history. He played football, basketball and track and was a member of the 1937 undefeated and unscored upon football team. “Corky” played halfback, end and kick returner and was captain as a senior. He broke the individual scoring record as a forward on the basketball team and was the 1st high school athlete to clear the 6 foot barrier in the high jump in 1941. Naturally, he was undefeated in that event. He also ran the long jump and 100 yd dash. He received the Newton award for excellence in track & scholastics.

Ralph N. Corlette
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1934. Ralph played football, basketball and track. His skills as a premier sprinter became evident as a halfback and safety on the football team. Ralph also used his speed as captain of the basketball team and in his 2 years as captain of the track team. Ralph was a star player of the RAMEZ basketball team which won 9 consecutive championships in the Inter Church League. Ralph also played semi-pro football, softball and was named Plainville VFW Post 574 Sportsman of the Year in 1969. He is a past President of the PHS Athletic Backers Club.

John Gacek
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1959. John is considered to be one of the greatest athletes to pass through the halls of Plainville High School. John played football, basketball and track. He was a quick and powerful running back for the 1958 State Championship football team. He was also named MVP in the 1958 Nutmeg Bowl. John was captain of the 1958-59 State Championship basketball team while also being named to the ALL STATE basketball team. As a sprinter and broad jumper in track, he established school records in the 100 yard and 220 yard sprints and the 1959 state record in the broad jump. He is a recipient of the William Cassidy award and Robert Babick awards. John went on to play football at Garden City Jr. College in Kansas and semi-pro football with the Hartford Charter Oaks.

Earle L. Jackson
Graduated from Plainville High in 1962. Earle was a record setting basketball and track star. As a forward/center on the basketball team, Earl was voted to the ALL STATE team and MVP on the 1960-61 State Championship team and captained the 1961-62 semi-finalist team, on which he was again named to the ALL STATE team as well as tournament MVP despite Plainville not winning the tournament. As a high jumper, shot putter and discus thrower, Earle established State records in all three events while leading the track team to 3 consecutive State Championships. He went on to play basketball at C.C.S.U. and later served in Viet Nam. He is currently an executive with Heublein and has been instrumental in the creation of a youth golf tournament for inner city youth from greater Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport.

Harold M. Johnson
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1942. A multi-sport star who played football, basketball, baseball and track. Hal played halfback on the football team and was captain and guard on the basketball team where he was known for his long distance shots, long before the advent of the 3 point line. As captain of the baseball team, Hal was hard hitting 3rd baseman and pitcher while also being a member of the 1942 Class B Champion sprint relay team. He is a past President of the PHS Athletic Backers Club and past commissioner of Plainville midget football.

Walter J. Majsak
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1944. Walt captained the football, basketball and track teams white at PHS. Walt was a key contributor as a running back and center on the football field. As a forward on the basketball team, he was a key contributor on the 1942-43 State Championship team, and in track Walt excelled in the 440 and 880 yard dash. He is a Charles Newton award winner who went on to Holy Cross College where he captained the track team in 1946 & 1947 and was the 1947 New England Intercollegiate Champion in the 440 yard dash. Walt has served 26 years on the Plainville Board of Education. 

Arthur Nelson
Art Nelson is a recipient of the Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award. Art has been a tireless supporter of PHS sports for more years that most of us remember. A past President of the Athletic Backers Club, Art continues to provide assistance in the running of the concession and the support of the student athletes. Art also remains involved in the recognition of the student athletes in addition to the continuing operation of the Backers Club.

Roger L. St. Pierre
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1948. Roger played football, basketball and track. A member of the 1947 undefeated State Championship football team, he was known for his power and speed as a fullback and defensive lineman. He was a forward on the 1947-48 conference champion and Class B semi-finalist basketball team, and was a sprinter and shot putter on the track team. He went on to play football at LaSalle Military Academy and Trinity College where he was a Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance winner. While in the military service, he was summoned to play football in the armed forces league in Japan, where he was a defensive lineman for the 1954-55 Air Force Championship team.

John E. Toffolon
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1939. John played football, basketball and baseball. John played halfback and defensive back and was a member of the 1937 undefeated and scoreless football team. He was captain of the team his senior year. He was also a forward on the 1937-1938 conference champion basketball team and right fielder for the 1938 & 1939 conference champion baseball team. John attended UCONN where he captained the football team in his senior year. He went on to become an executive with White Oak Corp. in Plainville and served as the Chairman of the State of Connecticut Board of Education.  Honored Posthumously. 

Lewis B. Tucker
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1939. Lew played football, baseball and basketball. Lew was a member of the 1937 undefeated and unscored upon football team as a halfback. He played guard on the basketball team and also ran relays for the track team. Lew was remembered best for his baseball skills as a pitcher and 1st baseman. He pitched a no hit no run game vs. Farmington in 1939 and had a career batting average over .400. During his 3 year baseball career, the team won 33 while losing just 3. Lew is considered by many to be one of the greatest baseball players ever to wear the Plainville uniform. Lew was named the Plainville VFW Post 574 Sportsman of the Year in 1969. Honored Posthumously. 

Ivan L. Wood
Coached at Plainville High School 1937 through 1955. “Woody” coached baseball, basketball, track and was an assistant coach in football. His records include a combined 236 victories and 91 losses with 7 league championships and 3 state championships. He was the director of athletics at PHS from 1946 through 1956 and was principal from 1956 to 1976. He is a member of the Conn. High School Coaches Assoc. Hall of Fame; a Gold Key Winner; past director of C.I.A.C. football and baseball; and has received the National High School Athletic Coaches Assoc. Distinguished Award; and the Plainville VFW Post 574 Sportsman of the Year in 1967.

Michael J. Zinkiewicz
Graduated from Plainville High School in1948. Mike was a multisport star in football, basketball and baseball. Mike played halfback and defensive back and was captain of the 1947 undefeated State Championship football team. He was named to the 1947 ALL STATE team. He captained the 1947-48 conference champs and Class B semifinalist basketball team and was also named to the ALL STATE team. Mike also played 3rd base on the baseball team. Mike was also class president all four years and student council president as a senior. He went on to play football at Holy Cross where he earned All American honors. Honored Posthumously.