Kate Mullen

A 1974 Enfield High School graduate and 3-sport athlete (field hockey, basketball, softball) for 3 years. Co-captain or tri-captain for each sport in her senior year. During 4 years at Central Connecticut State University, was a 3-sport athlete (field hockey, basketball and softball). Graduated in 1978 with a B.S. in physical education from CCSU. Co-Captained the field hockey and basketball teams in her senior year, and received the Gail Rutz Award (given annually to a female scholar-athlete. Taught and coached in the Enfield School System for seven years. Entering her 26th year as a Head College Women’s Basketball Coach, she has coached at Westfield State College (1981-85), Elms College (1985-92). Earned her Master’s Degree in Physical Education from Springfield College in 1992; Currently beginning her 16th year at Wesleyan University. From 2002 – 2007, her team has received 2 consecutive NCAA Div. 3 Tournament bids, advancing to the Sweet-16 in 2004-05, along with a program-best 22-5 record. Was voted NESCAC Coach of the Year in 2002-03 with past five-year win-loss record of 96-30 (.761). Serves as an adjunct professor and Associate Director of Athletics at Wesleyan University.

Billy Simpson

Outstanding Wrestler at Enrico Fermi High School, and graduated in 1992. At FHS, he was the 125 pound Class L Champion, 6th State Opens (1990); 140 pound 3rd Class L, 5th State Opens (1991); 140 pound 2nd Class L, 2nd State Opens, 3rd New England Championship (1992). Attended Western New England College Where he graduated with a B.S. Degree in Criminal Justice. Was NCAA Division 3 All American placing 3rd in the Nation in 1996 at WNEC. Two-time New England Champion-1 year MVP and 3-time New England Finalist at WNEC. His collegiate record was 93-13, while served as Captain for his Jr. and Sr. years. Won the Doug Parker and Ithaca College Invitational events. In 1996, competed on an All-American team in Russia and Ukraine. In 2000, selected to the All-Army wrestling team to compete in the All-Armed Forces tournament where he placed 2nd in both Freestyle and Grecco style wrestling. In 2006, inducted into the New England College Conference Wrestling Association (NECCWA) Hall of Fame. A two- time NECCWA champion. Received All-American status at 158-lb weight class (1996) at NCAA Division III Championships. Placed 3rd at 150-lb at the NECCWA Championship in both 1993 and 1994.

Dave LaRussa

Grew up in Hazardville, CT, and played baseball for Kosciusko Junior High School. The 1970 Enfield High School graduate went on to play 3 years of baseball & basketball, and 1 year of football at EHS. 1968-69 EHS Basketball team went 14-4 overall with an 11-1 Valley Wheel record, and a Valley Wheel Championship. Co-captain of the 1969-70 EHS basketball team. 1968 EHS Football team was Suburban League co-champions (6-0-1). Awarded the Paul Plath Outstanding Athlete Award.  Played Baseball at East Carolina University, graduating in 1974. Played for Wareham (1971) in the Cape Cod Baseball League. Finish second in the NCAA in earned run average (0.74) in senior year at ECU. East Carolina won the Southern Conference in 1974, and was named the conference MVP. Named All-South left-handed pitcher, and was honorable mention All-American. Pitched in the regional World Series. His East Carolina team finished ranked 25th best team in the nation (1974). Awarded the John Christianburg Award, for his excellence in scholarship, character and service to the college.

Kristen Neuschaefer

Attended JFK Middle School, started on Basketball/Softball teams, and awarded “Best All-Around Female Athlete.” 1996 Enfield High School graduate, and dominated in 4 Varsity sports. 3-time Class M All-State player (Basketball), and 1-time (Field Hockey). 9-time All CCC-East Conference player at EHS. Field Hockey team was 1994 Class M State Champions, and 1993 and 1994 Softball teams were Conference Champions. Holds EHS career scoring record (1,406 pts.) & single game scoring record. (37 pts.) in basketball. 3-year team captain and 3-time team MVP. 2-time Rotary Classic Basketball Tournament MVP; Played in Connecticut’s All-Star Game with only the top 20 players in the State. Played in Connecticut High School Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game. 3-time winner of the Scarfo Outstanding Student Athlete Award. Recipient of a CIAC Outstanding Student Athlete Award, Hartford Courant All-Academic Team member, Wendy’s Heisman Scholar Athlete Nominee.  Honorable Mention selection to USA Today’s All-USA team; Member of Who’s Who in High School sports; 5-year player on the Connecticut State AAU National Team; Invited/participated in 1995 Future Stars International – Senior Invitational Camp, and was voted the Most Outstanding Player by the camp coaches. In 1996, became Enfield’s first female to obtain a Division 1 full athletic scholarship in basketball, and chose to attend Boston University. 4-year letter winner at BU, and finished her career at BU obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

Dick Copeland

Considered one of the premier athletes in Enfield from the 1920’s-1950 by The
Thompsonville Press. Successful player & coach of both men’s and women’s teams: winning 2-championships in Men’s baseball in the Industrial AAA League and 2-championships with the Hazardville RCA Women’s Basketball Teams. Star baseball and basketball player as an employee of the Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Co. Starting point guard for the Bigelow team along with the pros from NYC in the 1920’s. Played baseball for Bigelow in the Industrial League and Semi-Pro baseball for the Thompsonville Polish American team (T’Ville Terrors). Considered one of the top catchers in the Connecticut/Massachusetts area, and was offered a tryout with the New York Yankees. Participated in the following teams: 1920-23 baseball/ Basketball teams (Bigelow-Stanford in the Industrial Leagues); 1924-30 baseball (T’Ville Polish Americans) 1928 baseball team had a record of 22-4, and won Farmington Valley Championship; 1926-29 baseball (Big-Five & Polish Americans); 1930 baseball (T’ville Cubs); 1932-36 (T’Ville Terrors – Town Champs in 1931, ‘32, ‘33, ‘34, ‘35 and Northern CT Champs in 1932 and ‘33. Umpired in the Thompsonville Softball Leagues (1935-50); 1932-37 (Hazardville RCA Girls Basketball team’s coach); The RCA 1935 team won the Northern CT. Basketball League Championship, and Northampton, MA League. 1938-47 Baseball player/coach (Bigelow Weavers); The 1940 & 1947 teams won the AAA Baseball League Championship. 1953 Manager/Coach of the Thompsonville Greys Baseball team (Champions of the CT. Valley League).

George Daly Jr. Award – Bigelow Sanford Carpet Company

Bigelow Sanford Carpet mill was started in 1820 in the Thompsonville section of
Enfield, CT. The first plant was located near the current Mill Pond. During the
1930’s and 1940’s, Bigelow gradually evolved into the largest carpet company in the USA. They provided employment for over 3,000 people during their heyday. Company-sponsored recreational sports for their employees was a key to the success and growth of Enfield athletics during this time. In the 1920’s Bigelow once claimed the title as “the best basketball team in the country”. Beginning in the 1920’s, they sponsored basketball teams for men and women, and played in local industrial competitive leagues. Bigelow-sponsored athletics eventually grew with the addition of golf, softball, tennis, bowling and baseball teams. Their baseball team won the 1940 and 1947 Industrial League championships. Joe Kryzs, 2000 Enfield Athletic Hall of Famer and employee, helped organize the many teams and leagues for Bigelow. In addition to employment, Bigelow Sanford provided the opportunity for many men and women to play local sports, while promoting a healthy working environment. Bigelow closed their doors in Enfield, CT and moved South in 1971. Their lasting commitment to athletics and sponsorship for the town of Enfield is great appreciated by many.