Hall of Fame Inductees 2000

Margaret Buch Paul
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1947. “Buchy” as she is known, was a member of the “Blue Angels” intramural sports team of the 1940’s & 50’s at PHS, participating in basketball, baseball/softball, field hockey and cheerleading. After graduation, Buchy changed arenas and played semi-pro basketball for the Pajama Girls team of New Britain. She also became an accomplished golfer and was the Pequabuck Golf Club champion from 1960-64. Buchy is also a respected horsewoman riding 3 and 5 gaited horses in show competition. Since retiring from competitive sports, Buchy owns and operated Tanbark Kennels.

Francis P. “Rusty” Camp
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1963. Rusty was an outstanding two sport star in football and basketball. On the football field, Rusty was the quarterback and safety for three years earning MVP honors in the annual Thanksgiving game vs. Southington as a senior as well as the top offensive player of the year. But the basketball floor, where Rusty was called “a floor general deluxe” by the local press, provided the venue where he was able to excel as the ultimate point guard and a key part of the 1961 State Champion Basketball team. With Rusty at point guard, his 4 year record at PFS is 78 wins and 12 losses. Rusty went on to play basketball for one year at Providence College, after which he decided to concentrate on studies that allowed him to become Dr. Francis P. Camp, DDS.

William J. DeLorenze
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1947. Bill was a three sport star in football, basketball and track. Bill was a powerful lineman and converted running back in football. As captain of the basketball team, he was a relentless defender and rebounder and in track, Bill competed in the high jump, discus, javelin and shot put, where he set a state indoor record of 46’ 2”. Bill went on to play semi-pro football for the Hartford Blues and served in the Navy, retiring as a Chief Petty Officer.

Alden Doughty
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1939. “Lefty” as known at PHS was a two sport star excelling in football and baseball. As a member of the 1937 undefeated and unscored upon State Champion football team, Lefty was an offensive end who’s quick moves and sure hands made him a primary target who was almost impossible to tackle. On the baseball field he was the left handed compliment to fellow Hall of Famer Lew Tucker. Al pitched his own no hitter and 1 hitter during the regular season and was the pitcher who established a new state record in 1939 for a high school baseball team scoring three consecutive shutouts in the tournament. Honored Posthumously.

Domenic Forcella
Graduated from Plainville High School in1939. Dom was a three sport star in football, basketball and baseball. Dom was quarterback on the undefeated unscored upon State Champion football team. He was a guard on the basketball team and was a sure handed shortstop in baseball, who anchored the defense for fellow Hall of Famer Lew Tucker’s no hit game in 1939. Dom played semi-pro football with the Southington Gems and baseball and basketball in the General Electric industrial league. Dom was named VFW Sportsman of the year in 1972. He was a past member and chairman of the town council and was active in the Knights of Columbus. Honored Posthumously.

Jeff Hopkins Howes
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1984. Jeff was a three sport athlete as a linebacker and fullback in football, forward on the basketball team and pitcher and third base in baseball. While Jeff was the all around athlete, it was baseball where he made his mark as a star of the 1983 & 1984 State Champion Baseball teams. During his days at PHS, Jeff had 151 hits, 36 of which were home runs. On the mound he won 26 games while striking out 332. Jeff earned ALL STATE in 1983 and ALL STATE and ALL NEW ENGLAND in 1984. He was also the only high school baseball player in the country selected for a tryout for the 1984 United State Olympic team. Jeff was selected by the New York Mets in the 4th round of the amateur draft in 1984.

John Allen Johnson, Sr.
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1936. Johnny was a three sport star in football, basketball and baseball. Johnny lead the 1935 football team in scoring and was known for his break away speed. As a speedy guard on the basketball team, he also lead the team in scoring. On the baseball field, Johnny was a fireballing pitcher and first baseman. He later went on to star on the RAMEZ basketball and softball teams.

Donald Munson
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1949. Don was a multi sport star who played football and excelled in baseball and basketball. Don played end, halfback and punter as a senior on the football team. He was a stellar pitcher, first baseman and second-baseman in baseball and a “speedy” guard and forward on the basketball team, where he was also captain his senior year. Don was possible the first area athlete to be “red shirted” by then coach Ivan Wood and played 5 years on the basketball team. Don played basketball for 1 year at Hillyer College and later went to spring training with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Pat V. Riera
Coached basketball at Plainville High School 1950–1963 and 1974–1977. Coaching record at PHS includes eight tournament appearances, five appearances in championship games and two State Championships. Pat has enjoyed coaching several ALLSTATE players like; Earle Jackson, Bill Lasher, John Gacek, Rusty Camp and Mike Moore to name a few. His teams twice ran off 29 game winning streaks. Pat also coached at other local schools including N.B.H.S. where he was a star athlete in his playing days. Pat Riera also coached with the legendary Bill Detrick at C.C.S.U. Pat Riera is a member of the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame as well as the New Britain Hall of Fame.

Charles Smith
Chuck Smith is a recipient of the Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award. Chuck is a former President of the Backers Club who was instrumental in working with Tomasso Brothers to have a track donated during his tenure with the Backers Club. He was also a driving force behind the construction of the concession stand and scoreboards on the old athletic complex. Chuck was always one to make sure that the student athletes received recognition for their efforts. He once called upon Bill Savitt to present watches to ma championship team. Chuck was a model sports supporter who always looked to provide for the student athletes of PHS. 

Donald M. Tinty
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1948. Don was a three sport star in football, basketball and track. Don was a powerful tackle on the 1947 State Champion football team plowing through the opposition to open running lanes for fellow Hall of Famers, Lenny “Rubber Legs” Bowman, Mike Zinkiewicz, Roger St. Pierre and “Terrible Tony” D’Amico. On the hardwood, Don was a defensive force as center and was a tough rebounder. Don was a member of the 1948 State Champion track team where he established a State record of 50’ 0” in the shot put. Don went on to play football and track at the University of Rhode Island.

Steven A. Vargo
Graduated from Plainville High School in 1959. Steve was the consummate three sport star as he is one of only a handful of athletes that were stars on three State Championship teams in one year. Steve was the captain of the 1958 State Champion football team where he was a running back, defensive back and punter. He was also named to the ALLSTATE football team.  He played forward, guard and center and was a top rebounder on the 1959 State Champion basketball team and he was the shot put champion for the 1959 State Champion track team. Steve earned a football scholarship to Boston University.