Hall of Fame Inductees 2016

Distinguished Service Award Winner Tom Arcari, Sr.
Has been the silent “gem” of the PHS record keeping for more years than we can remember. Tom has been a volunteer for the PHS football team and softball team for more than 30 years and is considered by many as “Mr. Statistics”. Tom started keeping statistics for the softball team in 1983 when his daughter Kim was playing on the team. Wayne Zaleski was coaching softball and football at the time and asked if Tom would be willing to help with the football statistics and that began his reign as the keeper of the records for softball and football. Tom has made it his mission to research and record the records prior to 1983 and has been very successful, but is always looking for more information. Tom’s passion for Plainville sports is unparalleled as is his commitment to his community. In addition to all of his sports record keeping and analysis, Tom has volunteered as a math tutor at PHS for the past 11 years and is a resource to student athletes, coaches and the Plainville Sports Hall of Fame making all of his statistics and game histories available to share with colleges, coaches and many of PHS alumni.

Janice Mancarella Portlock, 
Graduated in 1983 and was a Three Sport Athlete. In Volleyball, she was a 4 year player as a hitter/striker and Captain in her senior year earning All Conference Honors 2 years. Janice played basketball for 2 years and Softball for 4 years as Captain in senior year; Janice earned All Conference Honors for 3 years and batted over .500, actually .543 in her senior season. Amazingly, Janice struck out only twice between her sophomore and senior seasons. She earned the Athletic Backers Female Athlete of the year as a senior. She attended Springfield College playing softball as a 4 year starter and being named co-Captain in senior year leading team to National Division II tournament. After college, Janice became a teacher was involved with youth sports in the local Parks and Recreation department where she lives in Massachusetts. Janice has also been involved with fundraising for Cancer and Multiple Sclerosis research. Janice is currently enjoying the good life playing golf and being a wife and mother.

Herbert J. Santos, Sr.
“Herb” is a 1950 graduate who gained national prominence in the sport of boxing. While at PHS, Herb played 3 sports: football, basketball and track. He moved to Nevada and made his mark as an attorney and boxing official. He has been involved in Nevada Boxing since the 1970’s as a Judge and member of Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) 1985-88, and Chairman 1987-88. Herb advocated safety practices for safety including attached thumb gloves as a result of the eye injury to “Sugar Ray” Leonard and helped to modernized NSAC rulebook published 1989. He received Special WBC recognition in 2012 as one of the top judges of the past 50 years. Herb has also received Special WBC recognition in 2014 for his contributions to boxing and he received 2016 Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame “PRESIDENTS AWARD” in honor of his contributions to the sport. In his illustrious career, Herb has judged and/or supervised over 720 professional bouts including over 60 title fights that included “Marvelous” Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas “Hitman” Hearns at Caesars Palace. Other bouts included the likes of: Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Michael Spinks, Larry Holmes, Julio Ceasar Chavez, Donald Curry and James “Bonecrusher” Smith.

Charles Petit
“Chas” was a 1957 graduate of Plainville High School. While attending Plainville High School Chas was a three sport varsity athlete excelling in baseball, basketball and football. A two-year varsity starter in baseball, Chas was considered a natural leader and a team player by all. A versatile team player Chas played the football positions of center, tight-end and quarterback during his varsity careerand was elected co-captain of the football team in his senior year. In basketball Chas was voted the player of the week five times and earned the moniker “The Gentlemen of the Court” from then coach Pat Riera. During the 1957 season Chas averaged 15.9 rebounds per game andset the record for the most rebounds in a single game with 32 rebounds. By the end of his senior year he set the school record for most rebounds in a single season 349, the record stood until 1961 when Hall of Famer Earle Jackson eclipsed it. After high school Chas was an active participant in sports until his mid-thirties playing for the Jaycees and various men’s leagues. Chas also committed his time effortlessly to youth sports and the Plainville community. His yearbook byline of “A big grin and deep “you’ll never know” meant Chas to all of us. This popular Co-captain of the football team was President of the Varsity Club and his eagerness, optimism and enthusiasm heightened school spirit in our class members” speaks volumes about Chas Petit the man.

1996 Girls Outdoor Track Team:
The undefeated Class M STATE CHAMPION team was lead by captains Denise Brousseau, Jen Hayes, Kelly Kong and Naoemi Villafane. The 35 member team worked together under coaches David Wesoloski, John Laskarzewski, Jeff Sorel and Nikki Jones to culminate the first girls STATE CHAMPIONSHIP team in school history. 26 different team members contributed points during the season and several members were named to the All Conference team including: Jill Giannini, Emily Corless, Denise Brousseau, Brittany Strums, Anne Corless, and Katie Boiczyk. These members as well as Naoemi Villafane, Jen Hayes, Meka Bates, Maribel Flores, Jen Korby and Beth Johnson competed in the Class M Championship meet. Several members lead by Jill Giannini and Naoemi Villafane participated in the State Open Championships and New England Championships. Naoemi Villafane also competed in the Heptathlon. The team’s dual meet record from 1993 thru 1996 an amazing 32 wins and only 2 loses..

John Blackmore,
A 1996 graduate who excelled as captain in three sports, soccer, basketball and baseball. As a fullback on the Soccer Team, earned All-Northwest Conference and Class M All-State honors. On the Basketball Court,John was named All-Northwest Conference in his Senior Year. In baseball, John earned ALL STATE honors, District 1 All Star honors and was selected as the Connecticut Gatorade Player of The Year that is awarded which recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most outstanding high school talents for their athletic achievement, academic excellence and exemplary character. With a fastball consistently clocked at more than 90 mph, was drafted in the 10th round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the Houston Astros. John was Plainville’s own “wild thing” before there was a wild thing. I had the benefit of watching John pitch and I can say that there were many more “happy feet” in the batter’s box that set feet. John was effectively wild at times that even the best opposition knew not to get comfortable in the batter’s box. John Pitched 4 seasons in the Houston Astros organization, Compiling a 13-8 record, 7 Saves and 134 K’s in 169.1 innings and was named to the1999 Midwest League All-Star team.

1958-59 State Champion Football Team:
Who can forget the names of Steve Vargo, John Gacek, Jim Parilli , Joe Natale, Tom Graney, Brian Brooks, Larry Biskupiak, Bob Dalke, Dave Christiansen, Roger Roy, Dick Synott , Bob Browne and so many others. The 58-59 team almost duplicated the undefeated feats of the 1937 and 1947 teams going into its final game against arch rival Southington coming out on the short end of a 12-0 score. The team outscored its opponents 278 to 12, The 266 point margin still stands as the school record for scoring supremacy. It was also mystifying to the opposition how an offensive line that averaged 155lbs could dominate the line of scrimmage with stability every game that year. Hard work and team work under the guidance of coach Charlie Palmer brought out the best in every team member.

Robin “RJ” Anderson,
A 1998 graduate who was a three sport star athlete in Football Basketball and Baseball. RJ was a record setting quarterback in football who as captain, lead his team to 1st victory over Berlin in 15 years, conference championship and to CIAC class M tournament. He was a consummate power forward in basketball- played four years. Many local sportswriters likened him to Scott Burrell because of his relentless effort for rebounding and blocked shots. RJ was also an ALLSTATE centerfielder in baseball leading the team in hitting, homeruns and stolen bases as senior. He was considered by coaches to have the ability to “change the completion of a game by simply stepping onto the playing field”. He went on to attend Syracuse University playing as a four year varsity quarterback. RJ is ranked fourth on the career passing list and fifth on career completions and sixth in career passing TDs. On a side note, RJ won the regional Punt Pass and Kick as a 12 year old in Foxboro. Prior to his junior year, the local papers called RJ one of the most talented athletes in the area, if not the state. He certainly lived up to the comments.