William (Bill) Cantin

Attended Enfield High School from 1968-71. Conference champion in the 1-mile as sophomore (4:46) and senior (4:31); finished 2nd in the State Open 2-mile as a junior. 1970-71: was Enfield’s first ever cross-country and indoor track participant (EHS did not have teams); co-captain of the outdoor team. Graduated from UCONN; ran cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track. Broke six UCONN track records including the indoor mile (4:08.2). Sophomore year had four Yankee Conference Championship titles: cross-country (broke course record), the indoor 1-mile and 2-mile, and the outdoor 1-mile. While serving on active duty after college, once broke three records at a military base in one meet (3-mile, 1-mile and ½-mile). In March of 1999, after 24 years of service (8 active; 16 reserve), retired from the U. S. Navy.

Leo M. Arnone

Born and raised in Thompsonville, CT. As a ten-year old in 1937, he was pushed
around by neighborhood bullies, so he took up the sport of weightlifting. This
interest has continued for his entire life. Leo enlisted in the US Marine Corps in
1945, and while stationed in Guam, he learned the sport of Boxing and was introduced to Bodybuilding competitions. While he was stationed there, Leo won all boxing and bodybuilding competitions between United States Servicemen on the island of Guam.  In Washington DC during 1948, Leo took first place in a multi-service weightlifting competition. As an Enfield police officer in 1956, Leo set up weightlifting equipment in the basement of the police station and worked with Enfield’s youth.  Leo donated his time and equipment for over 20 years with the youngsters at the Thompsonville Youth Center. In 1957, Leo became a professional wrestler and entered the New England YMCA weight lifting and bodybuilding competition. Leo captured 1st place by a margin of more than 100 lbs; set a record dead weight lift of 600 lbs, and took second place in bodybuilding. Leo gave many local exhibitions to hundreds of residents, and set a new milestone of a dead weight lift of 620 lbs. On April 6, 1963, Leo, Angelo Lamagna, and other competitors set out on a 50 mile non- stop walk. 13 ½ hours later, only Leo and Angelo Lamagna returned and set a new record. As a reward from this grueling event, they were presented with the Amos Alonzo Stagg
medal via courier, from President John F. Kennedy. Leo spent 36 years of service to the Town of Enfield, and retired from the Police Department in 1986.

Karen (Hebert) Gowen

Played in Enfield Youth Basketball Leagues and Enfield Softball Association, winning MVP honors. At Enfield High School, played 4 years Varsity Field Hockey, while named to All-State and All-League teams each year. Her 1992 & 1993 EHS teams were League and State Champions. Scored the game winning goal and named Class “M” MVP in 1993. Named team captain in 1992 & 1993, and selected to the Senior All-Star team in 1993. Played 4 years of Basketball at EHS, while being named to the All-League team each time and scoring 995 career points. Played EHS Softball 4 years, 1993 league MVP, and named to CT All-State team. Played 4 years of Field Hockey at Univ. of Maine, and named NAC “Rookie of the week” 3 times. Her 1994 & 1996 teams were ECAC Champs, and team captain in 1997. Played on Univ. of Maine’s Women’s Ice Hockey team
in 1999. Member of the US Field Hockey Association. Played on the 1993 AAU Junior Olympics Gold medal team. Featured in ESPN’s 1993 Scholastic Sports America guide. Served as an Asst. Coach for EHS Field Hockey, Softball, and Basketball.

Elaine (Lavigne) Howe

Elaine played softball and basketball at John F. Kennedy Junior High School from 1973-1975. During her sophomore year at Enfield High School, she played basketball and softball, while being named All-League (CCIL) Honorable mention. A three-sport participant during her junior year at EHS, as she played Field Hockey, Basketball, and Softball. She hurled a no-hitter against Penney High School (East Hartford) on May 4, 1977. Named co-captain in her senior year for all three sports (Field Hockey, Basketball, and Softball). Elaine was named to the CCIL First teams in Field Hockey and Softball, and CCIL Honorable Mention in Basketball. After completing High School, she played semi-professional softball for the Westfield (MA) Whips. Elaine attended and graduated from Central Connecticut State College in 1982, where she
played softball for all 4 years. In 1981, she was named to the New England Division First Team All-Stars. Captained the 1982 Central Connecticut State College softball team. Played in the Enfield Women’s Softball League for many years, while her teams have won 3 league titles. Elaine also coached many years in the Enfield Women’s Softball League.

Robert Linn

Robert began golfing at the age of 10, and caddying at age 11. As a sophomore at Enfield High School, he was the number 2 player of the Golf team, which qualified for the Connecticut State Tournament that year. Robert finished 2nd in the individual competition at the CDC Championship, while his team finished First. In his junior and senior year’s, Golf was dropped from Enfield High School, but qualified for the state tourney as a senior from Fermi High School. In 1970, he was a medallist for the low scorer at the Connecticut CYO tournament and a contestant in the New England CYO tourney. In 1972, Robert repeated his CYO accomplishments. In 1972, he finished 2nd place and Low Amateur in the CT State Open after capturing the club championship at Cedar Knob. Robert also won the club championship in 1983, 1984, 1986, and 2003. He also was one of the top 12 amateurs in the state, and played in the First Julius Boros Cup Invitational. Won the 1983 Berkshire Hills Invitational. Medallist at the CT Qualifier for the 1984 & 1985 U.S. Amateurs (’84 – 272/3600; ’85 – 282/5500 nationwide), but narrowly missed the cuts for match play. From 1986-1998, was a golf instructor at the Ellington Golf Center and ran junior summer program for up to 100 players. Robert is a Past President and Honorary member of the Cedar Knob Men’s club. Coached the Ellington High School golf team from 88-96, and one of his team’s was NCCC Champions and placed 4th in the CT State High
School tourney in 1992. In 1977, Robert hiked the entire Appalachian Trail (2,043 miles).

George Daly Jr. Award winner

John Nasto

Co-Founder with Ben Perreault of the Enfield Hockey Association in 1970; serving as Co-President. Grateful for an unselfish and dedicated group of coaches, players, parents, and family members. Fielding a team of 20 kids with equipment, ice time, and schedules seemed like an impossible dream. John, Ben, and others raised money for goalie equipment and jerseys by selling 1 pound bags of soap powder in the Enfield community. One of the main reasons for forming the Enfield Hockey Association was to strengthen high school hockey programs. John’s children played hockey and/or participated in many fundraising activities for E.H.A. Enfield is now recognized as one of the premier Youth Hockey Associations in Connecticut. It is because of John’s love of hockey and willingness to share it with our youth, Enfield has been put on the “Connecticut & New England hockey map” for many years to come.

George Daly Jr. Award winner

Ben Perreault

Co-Founder with John Nasto of the Enfield Hockey Association in 1970; serving as Co-President, Goaltending coach and equipment manager through 1974. Grateful for an unselfish and dedicated group of coaches, players, parents, and family members. Ben is honored to be part of building one of the premier Youth Hockey Associations in Connecticut. At an early age, Ben demonstrated his strong desire to be a goaltender and over the years, played on numerous youth and men’s hockey teams. Born in “Hockeytown” Berlin, NH, where he graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1955, Military Academy in 1959, and was a Sergeant in the NH National Guard serving as a Radar Operator. In 1960, Ben was recruited by Pratt & Whitney and moved to Enfield in 1963. Following his tenure with the Enfield Hockey Association and with his love of hockey, he attended Bruce Hood’s International School of Refereeing in Halliburton, Ontario Canada in 1975. Upon his return to Enfield, Ben took various
refereeing assignments throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts. It is because of Ben’s love of hockey and willingness to share it with our youth, Enfield has been put on the “Connecticut & New England hockey map” for many years to
come.

Team Award – 1953 Enfield High School Football Pioneer Valley League Championship team