From The Press Box
Winthrop is Worth It
By: Jim Lederman
The vote was 1,807-Yes, and 949-No! A 2-1 margin – the town has spoken! The victory was reminiscent of the vote for the new middle/high school. “It takes a village.â€
Kudos to Jim Fabiano and the “Winthrop is Worth It†committee. The hard working campaign resulted in a large turn out. The sparkling new edifice opens this September and all the students are excited about their ‘new school’ and the new Miller Field Stadium and Track Complex.
I have had many questions – when will the construction start? Will the Vikings play home games at the ‘old’ Miller Field this season?
I have been informed by Jim McKenna, Town Manager and Supt. Of Schools John Macero, we will hear early in July, the schedule for the Miller Field project!
We are all excited – The dream of a new Miller Field is a reality! We salute Bob DeLeo, Massport and Jimmy Fab!
Let the Games Begin!
It takes a village – yes, when Winthrop needs leaders like Vince Crossman, CEO, Chair of (VPF) the Viking Pride Foundation, who directed the videos that answered all the negative voters. Captain Mike Eruzione, had an excellent robocall to all residents.
The strategy by Jimmy Fab, low key, coffee hours, a few standouts, great dear friends, and cards – led to another victory for the young families in town. The town has eliminated the negative “We cannot afford the tax increase.â€
On Your Mark
The excitement of track returning to Miller Field (how about the Pat McGee Track?) How could of leave off some Viking track standouts!
Lou Hinckley was a two-sport standout – basketball and track. Lou received a scholarship to division one – The University of Maine. He held the WHS high jump record until Kevin McGee (three sport standout) broke it in 1976!
The Vikings won many NEC track titles, with athletes like – Sharon Belliveau, (Sharon a WHS Hall of Fame inductee), Helen Balouras, Jenny Fucillo, Chris Zikos and Pat DeGregorio (three-sport standout).
Are you ready – get set – Let the track meets begin at the new Miller Field – Stadium and Track.
Faces in the Crowd
Oops dept. I will take a two-minute minor penalty for identifying the college Vanessa VanBuskirk will attend. Vanessa will play hockey at the University of New England, Biddeford, Maine.
Two ex-Viking athletes attended U of New England. Jay ‘big guy’ Petersen, played hoop at UNE.
Maureen Gillis Rogers, an ex-Viking hoop player (1990), played at (UNE). Maureen was inducted in the Winthrop High School Hall of Fame in 2014.
The “Legend of Lewis Lake.
The Miller Field Stadium Project includes the Lewis Lake Project. The drainage work and new tide gates work will take place shortly.
I remember skating on Lewis Lake and playing hockey in the 60s. by ‘The Lake’ one morning last week, after I received a call from my former teammate and close friend Howie Conley. Howie was the all-time “Lewis Lake legend. Howie will have a very serious operation and my thoughts and prayers will be with “The Legend†this week. Get well soon, so you can get back on skates!
Two “Radio Legends†are going off the dial this week. “Planet Mikey†one of my favorite sports programs has lost Mike Adams, he was released by WEEI-FM. He could make you laugh 20 times at night.
WBZ is losing late night host Jordan Rick, his weekend show (12 a.m. – 5 a.m.) Friday and Saturday nights for 20 years – Jordan is retiring! Two big losses on the dial.
Michael Coleman, the clever radio producer and local resident, remains a key player at WBZ-1030 AM.
“Two Rams’ – congrats to ex-Viking tackle Jimmy Griffin, the tackle on the 2014 NEC (undefeated) champions, will attend Framingham State University. Jimmy will join Danny Feeley on the line for the Framingham Rams. The two monster tackles (290 lbs) give the Rams a shot at their third straight title.
Kudos to Mackenzie Chiudina and Dan Dellano, named to the Boston Globe list of the top student athletes in their spring all-scholastic section of the Sunday Globe.
Nominations close for the Winthrop High School Hall of Fame Class of 2016. Tuesday, July 5th is the final day. To submit a nomination at the office of Attorney Chris Tsiotos, 193 Winthrop Street, contact (617) 846-9192.
Happy Fourth of July!
Let the Games Begin!
The Greatest Weekend
The Viking Pride Foundation will hold an exciting Saturday night – July 2nd, huge fundraiser and salute to the new Winthrop Middle/High School on Saturday night.
The (VPF) saved sports and extra curricular activities since 2004. The event is the only fundraiser for (VPF).
Live entertainment by Club T and the fantastic “Vinyl Groove†that sings at JW’s Restaurant. Drawing large crowds.
Saturday night 6 p.m. – WHS and entertainment at 6:30
Let’s fill Miller Field!
Agganis All-Stars
This week is Agganis All-Star Week. The 50-year tradition has expanded to feature games in basketball, softball, baseball, lacrosse and football.
I will give my Viking All-Stars report next week and it will feature a “Family All-Star report.â€
I can name two ex-Viking all-star quarterbacks – the Fucillo brothers – Anthony and James.
The games began with only boy’s sports featuring football – how about girls hoop? From the 2014 NEC and North title teams – The Tsiotos twins – Nike (St. Rose College) and Poli (UNH) playing on the same all-star team.
Poli was the ‘number one’ NEC All-Star soccer goalie; she led her team to the North Final in soccer, losing to Georgetown.
Alex Winter is the lone Viking football all-star “AJ†had an unsung senior year at halfback!
Let the Games Begin!