The following ten (10) distinguished athletes, coaches, officials and administrators were inducted into the Rhode Island Interscholastic League High School Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2005.
Pasquale (Pat) J. Abbruzzi - was one of the most outstanding football players and coaches in RI Gridiron history. Pat first came to the attention of the state’s sports fans in 1948, as an outstanding football player at Warren High School. After achieving All-State honors in football at Warren High School, Pat went on to the University of Rhode Island, where he rewrote the rushing record books. In 1954, he was named the RI Athlete of the Year and was also honored as the RI Italia American Athlete of the Year in both 1953 and 1954. After playing professional football, Pat returned to coach football at Warren High School and led teams to 8 divisional championships and a Class B Super Bowl title in 1975. For his outstanding accomplishments, Pat was named as one of the greatest RI sports figures of the 20th century by the Providence Journal in 2000.
Robert L. Brooks – Robert “Bobby” Brooks attended St. Raphael Academy during the Mid 1960’s. He was an “All Blackstone Valley” selection in football, basketball and baseball during his high school years. As a gifted all-around athlete, he was selected as an “All State” athlete on four (4) different occasions. He was named as one of the top 100 athletes in RI Sports History by the Providence Journal in 2000. He was, and remains, a person who is admired and emulated by younger athletes.
Lenore Cranston – When Lenore Cranston was a student at North Kingstown High School in the 1950’s there were not interscholastic sports for girls. Instead, she was active in the band and yearbook and earned membership in the RI Honor Society. After graduation from college, Lenore returned to North Kingstown and was a pioneer in girls’ athletics through her activities as a physical education teacher and coach. In her 30 year career she coached numerous girls’ teams in volleyball, softball, track and field, field hockey and basketball. Under her direction, the North Kingstown girls’ basketball teams won 8 divisional titles, 2 state runners-up and 2 state championships. In 1991 she was honored with the RI Women in Sports Award for Service, named the A. Lenore Cranston Award. In 1996, she was inducted into the North Kingstown High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
G. Gail Davis – Gail Davis is recognized as the “First Lady” of RI Volleyball for leading Toll Gate High School to 10 State Championships in girls’ volleyball as well as 18 semi-final appearances. As the CCRI Women’s Volleyball coach, she guided teams to several NJCAA New England Championships. In recognition for her success, she received several “Coach of the Year” awards from the RI Volleyball Coaches Association and was named two times RI School Girl Coach of the Year by Words Unlimited. In addition to coaching the girls’ volleyball team, she always had time to instruct boys who fell in love with the sport and was one of the people pushing for boys’ volleyball to attain varsity status. Gail was one of the first coaches in the state to organize boys’ club volleyball teams, which unofficially competed against several other teams. One of her philosophies was very simple, but so instrumental to her success – “the team comes first” – “you can only achieve greatness as team if you put teamwork ahead of yourself.”
Joseph Hassett – Joe Hassett’s performance during his high school days at LaSalle Academy was remarkable. Despite being the target of attention by the opponent’s defense, he was always equal to the task of performing within the team’s structure while scoring huge totals, game after game. He always played with focus, concentration and with a burning desire to win. As his nickname “Sonar” indicated, Joe was noted for his ability to shoot from the outside. He spent all of his high school and college years playing before the introduction of the three-point shot. While blessed with great physical tools, it was his hard work and dedication that made him the outstanding player he was. His greatness was attributed to the endless hours of practice and drills. After an outstanding career at LaSalle, Joe went on to star at Providence College and the NBA.
Karen McAvoy - Many people have described Karen McAvoy’s accomplishments at Barrington High School as legendary. She is regarded as one of the all-time superb female student-athletes. During her career at Barrington High School, she was a key member of the undefeated and state championship girls’ basketball team in 1970 and 1971. As a member of the field hockey team for three years, Karen was the leading scorer and most valuable player in leading her team to an undefeated season. In addition, in 1970, as a member of the track team, she helped the team win the State Title and earned the Outstanding Athlete of the State Meet Award. As a senior, Karen was the recipient of the Barrington Girl’s Athletic Association’s Top Female Athlete honor.
Frank Eugene Morey, Jr. – Frank Morey was truly a man who cared about youth sports. Frank was a native Rhode Islander and graduated from St. Raphael Academy in 1950, where he had an outstanding football career. He served in the US Coast Guard prior to entering the University of Rhode Island, where he went on to have a stand-out career in Football and Co-captained the Rams in his senior season of 1959. He was a member of the Providence Steamrollers, a semi-professional football team and the Fairhaven Varsity Club. In 1962, he began his lifetime profession as a high school football coach and Physical Education instructor at Woonsocket High School. While serving as head coach at Woonsocket High School his 1972 team won the Class A Small Division Championship and played in the first RI High School Class-A Super Bowl game. Frank coached at Woonsocket High School for twenty-five (25) years and developed relationships with former players and opposing coaches that continued throughout his lifetime.
Ann Morris – Dedicated friend of Rhode Island Interscholastic League Girls’ Sports since 1968, as a coach and administration. Anne Morris’ involvement with the Rhode Island Interscholastic League began as a member of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Sub-Committee on Girls’ Athletics for 28 years. She served in various positions; Director of Girls’ Cross Country, Track and Gymnastics, and still continues as a gymnastics judge trainer, official and assignor. She has coached State Championship winning teams in Girls’ Track and Gymnastics at Warren High School. Among the honors bestowed upon her are the following: Rhode Island Athletic Directors outstanding contribution to girls athletics in 1975; Rhode Island Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance meritorious service award in 1976; University of Rhode Island High School Girls Coach of the Year for 1978; the Bridgewater State College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988; the Brown University honorary referee award for track in 1991.
Alfred Morro – Alfred Morro’s scholastic and athletic portfolio in the classroom and on the athletic field is nothing short of outstanding. As an athlete at Central High School (1933-37), Al dominated the discus competition winning three (3) consecutive AAU New England Championships. In addition, he starred in football. In college Al played football for the legendary coach Frank Leahy at Boston College. In 1940 he played on the national championship team that won the Sugar Bowl. He continued his record setting ways at Boston College, setting the discus records and winning the AAU New England title for four (4) more years. All together, Al Morro owned the discus title in New England as a High School and Collegiate thrower. Al Morro is a member of the Boston College Athletic Hall of Fame and the RI Track Coaches Hall of Fame. As a teacher and coach at Classical High School for over fifty-four (54) years, Al Morrow stood as a role model for students and the force behind the school’s tradition of rich academic and athletic success. As the athletic director, football and track coach, Al Morro earned many championships. Al Morro will be remembered most for his accomplishments as a track coach. He single-handedly put RI on the map for its unique ability to produce hammer champions nationally for many years. His athletes went on to win NCAA titles in the hammer and heptagonal and New England titles in the hammer. Even more astounding, his track teams won 325 major team championships, produced 32 All Americans, 8 National Champions, 9 state record holders in different events, and 2 World Record Holders, Age 15-17.
Haig Varadian – Haig Varadian is an accomplished educator, administrator and coach who has brought fame and distinction to his Cranston community, state and nation. After graduating from Cranston High School in 1944, where he was an All-State wrestler, he entered WWII in the US Army. He was a Master Sergeant with the famed 3rd Infantry Division in France and Germany where he received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and two Battle Stars. While attending Brown University in 1949, he began his coaching career as the coach of the Cranston High School wrestling team. As the ‘father’ of schoolboy wrestling in RI, Haig coached at Cranston for 14 years. Simultaneously, he served as a wrestling official for 17 years. In addition, he coached outdoor track at Cranston High School for 7 seasons. Throughout his career he gained legendary status in the sport of wrestling. He was president of the Rhode Island Coaches Association and Officials as well as the New England Wrestling Officials Association. Haig served as Director of Wrestling for the New England Council for forty-three (43) years and was an active member of the Principals’ Committee on Athletics for twenty-two (22) years.
