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 2006.
Salvatore J. Augeri – Salvatore Augeri’s entire career has been in the service of Westerly Public Schools and its students. Sal attended Westerly schools, taught, coached and was an administrator in Westerly for 30 years. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island, Sal returned to Westerly High School as an Assistant Football Coach and quickly moved to the position of Head Football Coach. His outstanding coaching abilities were evident in his teams’ records. Under his guidance, Westerly High School won three RI Interscholastic League Class C Championships, compiled a team record of 35 wins, 9 losses and 3 ties. From 1972 – 1975, Westerly football won an amazing 30 consecutive games winning the Class B Super Bowl Championships in 1973 and 1974. In recognition of his accomplishments, he was the co-recipient of the “Words Unlimited Rhode Island Coach of the Year” in 1974. Sal was inducted into the Westerly High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Westerly High School field was renamed in his honor. Sal retired as Superintendent of Westerly Public Schools in 1990 and continues as an educational consultant.
Louis A. Cimini – As a student, All-State athlete, teacher, coach and loyal alumni for over 65 years, Lou Cimini has dedicated his life to the school he has loved – LaSalle Academy. His philosophy of interscholastic athletics has been the foundation of a lifetime of achievements, which began at LaSalle Academy (1939), Providence College (1944) and Bridgewater State College (1966). From 1946 – 1978, Lou was Head Hockey Coach and compiled an overall record of 572 wins, 185 losses and 34 ties. His hockey teams won five (5) States and one (1) New England Championship. In addition to his duties at LaSalle Academy, Lou was the Director of Recreation in North Providence for 45 years. For 41 years he distinguished himself as a Football and Baseball Official for the RI Interscholastic League and still retains his membership in the Providence Gridiron Club. To honor his outstanding accomplishments, Lou has received a myriad of awards, has been inducted into various Hall of Fames and had two sport complexes dedicated in his name.
Jane Hale – Jane Hale was at Alice Sullivan’s side as a pioneer for girls’ sports in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League since the inception of Title IX in 1972. From 1972 – 1983, Jane coached Girls’ Basketball at Middletown High School. Jane was one of the original members of the RIIL Girls’ Subcommittee on Athletics and served as Director of Girls’ Soccer until 2000. Jane was a member of the Principals’ Committee on Athletics from 1987 to 1994 and served as the Director of Boys’ Cross Country. Jane was the first female voting member on the RIIL Principals’ Committee on Athletics and the first female to be a Director of a boys’ sport. After graduating from Salve Regina where she played basketball and soccer, she began her educational career at Middletown High School. Jane served as a Vice Principal at Middletown High School for 26 years, where she still works part time. Jane is currently the Treasurer of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League and a member of the New England Council. Jane has been and continues to be a strong advocate and voice for the participation of girls in sports.
Joyce Ryan Harvey – Words Unlimited Female Coach of the Year, URI Coach of the Year, RI Physical Education Teacher of the Year, Girls’ Outdoor Track and Field Coach of the Year are but a few of the many awards and honors bestowed upon Joyce Harvey. As a long-time teacher, department chair and coach at South Kingstown High School, Joyce has become synonymous with excellence on the field and in the classroom. Throughout her 31 year working career, her teams have won 28 divisional Track and Field Championships, 28 Class Championships, 6 State Championships and her Dual Meet record was an astounding 307 wins and 7 losses. In addition, Joyce also coached Girls’ Cross Country, Indoor Track and Gymnastics. In 1999 she received the Rhode Island Interscholastic Administrator’s Female Coach of the Year Award and in 2001 was inducted into the Women’s Hall of Fame by The New Agenda, Northeast.
John B. Harwood – John Harwood excelled as an athlete in the Rhode Island Interscholastic League. John was a three-time All-State Hockey player at Mt. St. Charles Academy in 1968, 1969 and 1970 and twice selected All-State in Baseball in 1969 and 1970. John was the leading scorer in hockey in 1969 and 1970 as well as the RIIL Batting Champion in the same years. John was the “Most Valuable Player” three times in hockey and was selected as the “Most Valuable Player” in the New England Interscholastic Hockey Championship in 1970. Upon graduating from Mt. St. Charles, John excelled academically at the University of Pennsylvania – Wharton School of Business. John achieved all Ivy in Hockey and Baseball during his collegiate career. In 2000, John was selected to the University of Pennsylvania – All 30 Year Baseball Team and was also inducted into the International Scholar - Athlete Hall of Fame
Dr. Anne L. Hird – Anne Hird was a pioneer in Rhode Island Interscholastic League sports. Anne was the most outstanding female runner in our state. She graduated from St. Mary-Bay View as valedictorian and starred in both Cross Country and Outdoor Track. Anne was named the first Providence Journal Bulletin Honor Roll Girl in 1977. She was voted the “Words Unlimited High School Athlete of the Year”. In 1984 she was the top American (4th overall) finisher in the Boston Marathon as well as the 4th place finisher in the 10,000 meter at the Olympic trials. Currently she remains Brown University’s Indoor 5,000 meter and Outdoor 10,000 meter record holder. In 1992, she returned to her sport as a coach and impacts lives of young women with her combination of knowledge and commitment. Anne is also a committee member in the selection of the Journal Bulletin Honor Roll Boy and Girl.
Richard B. Lynch. – In 2004, Dick Lynch retired as the Executive Director of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League, ending a 46-year career in education and athletics. A star football player at St. Raphael Academy in the early 50s, he went on to play football at Boston College. Upon graduating from Boston College in 1958, he immediately began teaching and coaching. In addition to coaching football on the high school level he also was an assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island in the mid-1960s and coach for the Providence College club football team from 1967 - 1970. He left the coaching ranks when be became principal of Cumberland High School in 1971. He remained active in Rhode Island high school football activities for more than three decades in his positions as a member of the Interscholastic League’s Principals Committee and the Rhode Island Interscholastic League’s Executive Director for ten years. In addition, he also was a nationally recognized basketball official who officiated games in the national NCAA I, II and II tournaments as well as the Holiday Festival in New York. He has been selected as recipient of the Pawtucket Red Sox, “Hometown Hero Award”, the Rhode Island Sports Council’s Paul Kilcullen Sports Advocate Award and the Institute for International Sports, Frank Keaney Award. He also was recognized as one of the Providence Journal’s, Rhode Island’s Top 100 Most Significant Sport Figures in the 20th century. He is a member of the Providence Gridiron Hall of Fame, the RI Basketball Officials Hall of Fame, the RI Football Hall of Fame and the Cumberland High Hall of Fame.
John H. Rollins – Named by the Providence Journal as one of the Top 100 Athletes of the 20th century, John Rollins led LaSalle Academy to numerous victories in Football, Basketball and Track in the late 50’s. As a three-sport All-state athlete, his accomplishments put him in an elite group of RIIL athletes. After an outstanding career at LaSalle Academy, John continued to excel in football at the University of RI. Upon graduation from URI, John played for the Providence Steamrollers. For all of his accomplishments in the field of athletics, he was inducted into the Providence Gridiron Club Hall of Fame, the URI Hall of Fame and the LaSalle Academy Hall of Fame. As a life long resident of the City of Providence, Mr. Rollins has served his community as a member of the Providence City Council for 12 years. He was also a counselor for inner city youth and juvenile offenders and continues to serve on numerous boards.
Edward C. Stebbins – Edward Stebbins, known to just about everyone who ever knew him as “Stebb” came to Cranston in 1925 and remained there until he retired in 1970 and developed countless numbers of athletes and championship teams. One of his most outstanding accomplishments was the establishment of the Rhode Island Interscholastic Injury Fund in order to raise money to assist the family of one of his injured football players. In 1948, an Injury Fund was set up to cover all football players in the state. The fund now includes all sports played in interscholastic competition. In 1936, “Stebb” was appointed head coach of baseball at Cranston High School and promptly responded by winning the first baseball state championship by a Cranston team in his first year. His team continued as State Champions in 1937 and repeated again in 1943 to give him three State Championships during his tenure as baseball mentor. When he relinquished command, his baseball teams had won 133 and lost 41 for an average of about .750.“Stebb” was appointed head basketball coach in 1928 and held that post until 1970. He coached football for 41 years and was head coach from 1936 – 1969. During his tenure, he produced 11 state championships. He was victorious in 1937, 1939, 1940, 1946, 1947, 1952, 1954, 1962, 1963, 1964, and 1965. Probably his greatest team was the 1940 squad which was undefeated, untied and unscored upon. During his football coaching career, “Stebb” compiled a record of 210-87-19 and produced over 65 football All-Staters. One of the greatest honors he ever received was in 1978 when the City of Cranston named the football field at Cranston Stadium as Stebbins Field.
Mark vanEeghen – As a three-sport athlete at Cranston High School West during the 1960s, Mark vanEeghen distinguished himself as one of the all-time great athletes in Cranston history. Excelling in football, basketball, and track, Mark dedicated himself to achieve goals far beyond what others expected. As an All-State running back, Mark exhibited the tenacity and toughness that would elevate him in college and beyond. After graduating from Cranston High School West, he attended Colgate University and continued to excel on the gridiron. In 1973 he was a member of the All-East Team and holds the game, single season and career rushing records. Professionally, Mark played eights years with the Oakland Raiders. In 1978 he was named the team’s MVP and was selected to the Pro Bowl. In addition, he was a member of the 1977 and 1981 Oakland Raider Super Bowl Championship Teams. He ended his career after playing two years with the New England Patriots and in 1983 was named team MVP. Mark has been and remains very active in the Cranston community, especially their athletic programs.
